The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-08-10
chapter 30
CaIIing The Fire Patrol

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THE miles slipped past. and Kay
finally came to the wooded
slope Of the eastern divide. Re-
membering that this was the re-
gion Tom Runyon was patroling,
she speculated idly on the chances
Of meeting him.
In one way, she hoped she
wouldn't. Yet, on the other hand,
she might be able to give him her
idea of the mysterious circum-
stances surrounding the death Of
Scrap Johnson, and so make his
attitude less antagoniStic to Ted.
The probabilities were that Tom
Runyon hadn't heard anything
about it, and it might be well to
set the trend Of his first impress
sions.
AS she gave Flicker free rein to
make the steep climb, she realized
that Tom Runyor might be a valu-
able ally. With his knowledge of
woodcraft, he might be able to
pick up signs that Zeke Farley had
passed by. Kay didn't want him
to 60 with her now, but she was
safe enough on that score, because
he couldn't leave his patrol duty
until relieved. Rapidly calculating
his free times, as he had outlined
them to her, Kay found that he
wouldn't be off duty until tomor-
row.
She decided It would be a good
plan to get in touch with him now.
Cupping her hands about her
mouth, she sang out a ringing hall
loo. There was a mere chance that
he might be within earshot, al
thought II was unlikely. If that
failed, however, Kay had another
means Of sunmoning him. She
listened intently, but the echoes Of
her call died away without any
answering shout. After two or
three more tries, she waited until
she reached the top Of the ridge
Dismounting. she made her way
70 a nearby outcropping Of rock
and hastily gathered some twigs
and dried bits of brush. She pulled
out her waterproof match box that
she always carried in her saddle
pocket, and lighted the little heap.
A thin column Of smoke rose
lazily IN the clear air, and Kay sat
back with an amused smile 10 see
how long II would take the famous
fire patrol to discover il. She fed
the small blaze from time to time,
carefully keeping il OH the rock.
Relaxed after her long ride. Kay
felt the peace Of the solitary place
gradually steal over her. She
planned what she would say to
Tom Runyon.
Half an hour or more passed,
before the sound of horse crash
ing through the brush Of the cliff
below her, came TO Kay's ears. Sit
ting up straight, she waited with
laughing eyes.
EnEisting Toms Help
AFTER . few minutes more, she
"A heard him dismount at the
base Of shoulder Of rock lust be-
meath her, The next second. she
was confronted with the barrel Of
gun, and Tom Runyon's grim face
behind il.
Kay chuckled wickedly AZ the
change in his face aS he caught
sight Of her. The hand holding the
gun dropped TO his side and
alnazement mingled comically
with chagrin and pleasure in his
expression. =
You'll" he exclaimed. sHell's
bells, / thought I'd run the hrebug
to earth At lastl He gave a pleased
gulfaw as he slipped his gun back
IN its holster and strobe over to
Kay with outztretched hand.
''Sayi This is some surprised
That was a smart way 70 get hold
Of me. all right Believe me,
didn't waste any time getting up
here, when saw that snokel" He
gazed with appreciation at Kay's
bright color and the mischievpuS
smile wish which she greeted him.
Il thought I'd give you 9 shockl
Are you going 20 run me in? I'll
promise not to do Il again!"
~You do IL as often IS you hkelS
Tom Runyon doomed, as he scat
tered the Ere and stamped Il out.
~How's everything going at the
ranchG That fighting puncher-car-
penter OF yours back YETI"
Kay drew a quick breath Of re-
lief. He hadn't heard. theni
You haven't seen anything OF
Zeke Farley around. have yours
she asked, 20 make assurance dou-
oily sure.
Haven't seen a soul since ] lie
out from the Lazy Nine last week.
] don't nind telling you. he bent