The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1938-09-08
shield them from the light.
CHAPTER XIV

set the plans OF Morgan Norris for
a surprise. He had forgotten about
Laddie. though everybody in Tail
Holt knew the great affection of the
blacksmith and the collie for each
other. Since the loud and angry
protest of Laddie at his presence
annoyed him, Norris followed his
impulse and killed the animal.
Mile High did not Ike To kill
a man was n thing. u kill E
faithful dog quite anoii,.
whats the idea in that?" he
asked resentfully.
The killer snarled something.
What he said was not important.
Gray had come out of the cabin
and was standing in the moonlight,
his open hand raised IN the old
peace sign.
Norris gay a derlsive yell and
fired. Others In his crowd followed
the example set. Hank Ransom
was beside the marshal now, He
blazed away with a rifle. A mo-
ment later he went down and Gray
had snatched up the Winchester
The wounded mar crawled back
into the cabin. His companion re-
treated. still answering the fire of
the attackers. and slammed the
door after him. One of the outlaws
sat on the ground He was nursing
q shattered elbow and cursing vio-
lently.
Find cover. boys" Norris or
dered. 1--WE don't want to get killed
while we're smoking these birds
out"
He could have saved his breath.
The others were already on their
way to get out Of sight
Norris sent two men to make a
wide circle and get to the rear Of
the cabin. If they try to make a
break. crack at them. Wen be
there on the jump"
For some minutes there was des.
ultory firing. The alta ckers moved
closer, but gave that up when a
second man was wounded.
Mile High got an idea. Lets
dynamite the rocks above and send
them down or the cabin. They'll
come scuttling out like rabbits if
the avalanche doesn't kill them"
A man was sem to get dynamite
from Sanger's store. When he re-
turned. Mile High led a party to
the rimrock. Before he succeeded
in sending a big boulder crashing
down on the adobe cabin he was
driven away by a surprise attack.
AS they retreated to join their COM
panions below. he noticed that one
of them was missing.
Anybody seen Clint Doke?" he
asked.
They must have got him up
there" someone said. Where did
all those fellows come from?"
II wouldn't know" Mile High
said bitterly. I'VE start out to round
up one red-headed guy and we
bump into a whole passed. of them"
The gunfire below became more
rapid. They could see the flashes
of the exploding shots in the dark
ness.
There's a heap Of shooting from
that cabin" a black-browed outlaw
grumDled. Looks to me like there
are more than w men there"
They found Norris and the nan
with him backing away from the
battle. He was in a vils humor. At
the last moment victory had been
snatched from him. What had oc.
Cured he did not yet know. but it
was clear that an Eruption Of al
lies had poured in on the defend
ants.
Thought you we're going to wipe
out the cabin with boulders from
above" he snarled.
Before we got started, a bunch
Of men attacked us. killed Clint
Doke. and drove us away" Mile
High explained. I'm askin' you
where all these warriors came
from"
II aim to find that out right damn
now" Norris said %savagely. "I'll
give you my guess. That double
crossing so~n-of-a-gun Sherm How
ard threw down on US and sent
word to Chiswick and his friends to
come collect US. The rat figures
we're sunk and he's trying to suck
up to the law to save his W hide.
When l see him :"
He did moi finish his sentence.
The m~alevolence of his voice was
threat enough.
MAYBE not, Morg. Don't 60 of
half-cocked. Find out for sure be.
fore you go too far. Sherm's a willy
old bird. He may wiggle Is out
of this jam yet. We don't ever
know yet who these men are who
jumped u.s."
"Outside of Chiswick and his cat
tie friends this country is filled with
absentees when it comes to gun.
men ready to tackle me and my
crowd" Norris retorted angrily.