The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-08-04

thing once vaguely noted. Before
the first sharp crack of the plsto
he swung a swift left to Nlkkl 5
chin. He remembered the SHOCK
of surprise on her face as she
Strengthened flatly.
SartO was struggling to his feet
after the second shot when Steve
hit him. The blow behind the
ear spun him around and Steve
grabbed desperately for the gun
Sarto swung it above his head
Steve drove his fist into Sarto $
stomach. The clubbing pistol
gra2ed Steve's ear. 1t struck ms
/ shoulder with sickening force and
/ he butted upward viciously. Sarto
/ staggered back and Steve drove
forward blindly, both fists ham,
mering. They were on the ground
and suddenly Sarto seemed to
have only one arm. Then he went
limp. a
looked up. FiSke was plnnng
down the arm that held the pistol;
Uncle Jim stood at Sarto'S head
holding the rifle that Steve sens
ed he had used to knock Sarto
out. ~
4 thousand red-hot needles
iabbed at Steve'S shoulder When
ne got up. Uncle Jim had started
over to Rance. He was sitting up
dazedly. \ red stain was spread
inc slowly on his shirt. They
helped him to the bench and
Uncle jim ripped the shirt away
with one swift motion.
Flesh wound" he said after a
minutes examination, and Steve
felt a swift surge of relief. he
looked at Woody. That little man
was trying to get his feet. With
one hand he felt gingerly OF his
head. Steve helped him to Il
bench.
what about Sarto?" Steve
asked Uncle Jim.
IL reckon Fiskc will look after
him when he comes to - winch
won't be for Il minute OF two
vet. | hit him Il mite hard
Steve saw Fiske Squatting by
S;uto. He was examining the pls-
tol he had wrcnched from the
yunman's fingers. Then Steve
heard his name called in 4 small
voice. He hurried over and help
cd Nikki to her feet.
"Wh-what happencd? she
asked family.
"You were right in line of fire,
So"
so YOU hit me-" she finished.
Il know" She Graded her jaw
gently in the palm of her hand.
You certainly did a swell job
of putting me out of the battle.
Then she saw Rance. Her eyes
turned queStioningly to Steve.
"Only flesh wound he said.
Bullet went right through his
shoulder, Nikki," Uncle Jim call
ed These Steel-jacketS made Il
nice clean wound. He'll be as
good as new in three, four
days"
Then Fiske called.
Il expect we'd better truss this
gentleman up before he comes
to-" he said. Easiest that way"
Sure" said Uncle Jim. Steve,
lend him a hand. Take one Of
these riataS and be darn sure you
do a good job. He's pretty bad
hombre, judgin' from what he did
to the rest Of us. But | thought
he'd call Woody bandylegs once
too often" He grinned at Woody.
Called me a sheepherder, too"
muttered the guide.
Steve walked over to the cabin,
but instead Of reaching for one
of the coils of rope, he leaned
over the bench and came up with
a rifle. The movement sent sharp
pains through his shoulder, but
he knew by this time it was only
bruised.
Turning easily so he could
cover Fiske by merely raising the
gun. Steve said, a little YEARLY:
We'll tie up Sarto, but first |
want to know who Fiske is. One
mans been murdered and
couple of others half killed on
this trip. Before we go any fur
Their. | want to know why Fiske
carries revolver in a shoulder
holster and just what his part is
in the business anyway
FiSke turned swiftly.