The Washington times., 1938-02-02

When the sound OF the 1rSG Snot
rode down to them on the wind,
they leaned over in their saddles
and Spurred up beside the two
pack horses. Two-Way lashed out
viciously with his rope in a frantic
endeavor to put the speed of fear
in the laden horses, but they were
running their best.
After an eternity in which the
shots behind increased in volume
and number they saw squat, flat
rectangle on the moonlit prairie
ahead.
"We'll make it," Two-Way ex-
ulted.
And in another minute they
we're approaching the gates of
Fort Benjamin.
The two pack horses, blown
and almost foundered, thundered
into the high arch Of the gate
way and pulled up in a moil Of
dust before the closed gates. From
a grill in the thick gate a SEN
try's voice challenged them.
"Who is it?" he ripped out.
Two-Way said rapidly. open
up, for Gods sake. We're a couple
of prospectors being chased by
POGO st. Vrain and his gang!"
CHAPTER XIV
AS if to punctuate Two-Way's
plea, slug ripped into the dobie
wall high above the sentry's head.
But it's against"
ITO hell with your orders!"
Two-Way cut in harshly. do you
want two innocent men shot down
because the commandant isn't
awaken"
The gates swung open. Inside,
a running man passed them, and,
with the help of the sentry closed
the massive gates and barred
them. Already there was scat
tering Of men climbing the ladders
that led to the top Of the high,
five-foot thick adobe walls. and
lights appeared on two sides OF
the square.
Two-Way and Cardowan pulled
up and dismounted inside. There
was a racket Of gunfire outside,
and the reply Of the soldiers was
swelling as more armed men
swarmed to their posts.
A bugle call rang through the
fort. The fort was long rectangle,
rooms against the outer wall fac
ing the center and shadowed by
porch that ran along all four
sides. At the rear, the walls were
higher, and in one corner, big
two-story building merged into the
moon shadow.
Cardowan returned with the
pack horses, just as the sentry
came. E.
THE MAJORS QUARTERS
Leave those horses and come
with me-" he ordered curtly.
Leave them, hell" Two.Way
snorted. "These horses are loaded
with gold"
The soldier, a long gangly lad,
said quietly. We're soldiers here,
Mister"
Don't soldiers use money!"
Two-Way asked.
mot if they have to steal 1t"
the soldier replied.
They followed his blue-clad fig,
ure across the hard-packed square
to room next the two-story build.
ing. A light burned in the room,
and the sentry was challenged by
a guard at the door. Before he
could answer a voice called out
from the room.
Come in, Hardy"
TWo-Way and Cardowan pre-
ceded the sentry into bare, neat
room, containing a desk, a cabinet.
"a half-dozen chairs and several
military pictures on the wall.
Flags were furled in the corner.
Behind the desk in shirt sleeves,
his suspenders hanging down, his
hair rumpled, his eyes squirting
against the sudden lamplight,
stood a tall bearded man with
kindly, curious eyes.
He said, Gentlemen" looking
from Two-Way to Cardowan and
back to Two-Way. Then he looked
at the sentry, who had saluted
He raised a finger in acknowledg,
ment and said, well, Hardy?"
DUPING THE ARMY
These two men rode up at a
gallop, sir. There were others be-
hind them shooting. They claimed
POGO st. Vrain and his gang were
chasing them, and they asked for
shelter. I shut the gates, sir"
POGO st. Vrian, you say?" the
major asked slowly.
Two-Way said humbly, "Yes,
sir"
The major said to the trooper,
"Tell Lieutenant Cooper to report
Immediately"
Hardy no more than Saluted
and stepped out of the door when
a brisk young man, his blue coat