Glacier County chief., 1939-06-30

DeSt way ] can ngure IL ne nm
ished, sis for me to 60 up Sleeping
Beauty and lay for the fire-bug,
while you watch the trail where the
Tillsons will come out of Sulphur
Creek. have bunch where that
is"
Sierra wagged his head thought
fully. "That might be the way to
do it. Looks like the Tillson outfit
il figurin' to use Quakin' Asp trail
down the valley. But you and me
had better stick together. Jud won't
move till the fires big and all us
rangers is onto II. Looks like our
play is to pick up the gentleman on
Sleepin' Beauty first and see the
color Of his eyes. We might make
him tell somethin'. How about it?"
Il guess you're right" agreed
Brock.
That's big country over there"
Sierra added. Zone man alone could
hardly watch it. Now let's do a
little figurin'. A good place for fire
is on the southwest side of the noun
tain. The nesters are just south of
that. Wouldn't you say whoever's
doin' the job would strike for the
Potholes afterwards"
81 thought so." said Brock. "They
wouldn't want to meet me coming
from Rock House, nor you and Cook
from headquarters. That leaves
their way open to the SOUTH"
Abruptly Slim wheeled his horse.
"Then let's move. It's gettin' dark
and too shut up in here"
They went on, riding at q walk
into the canyon mouth. This will
do" Sierra said at last. "I'n climb
up to the left bank, you take the
right. Don't 60 far on top-just set
there and watch"
Brock turned Kit up the slope,
moved for q time in the blackness
Of trees, but emerged again into
starlight when he reached the back
bone. There he halted in the shad-
ow of pine snag with his face to-
ward Sleeping Beauty. From this
position the crest lost its human
form, and his gaze swept over a
high, dark mass of woods, broken
only by the line of rock upon which
he waited.
He glanced at his watch. Nine
thirty. Full night had come. It
seemed il a fire were to be started,
now was the time. As minutes
passed and no flare shot through the
black slope, he began to doubt his
judgment. Kit grew restless and
struck the rock with his forefeet.
EASY boy" Brock soothed him,
you're not the only one"
Almost as he spoke, a yellow point
OF light came before his eyes. For
an instant 1t failed to arouse him.
II seemed nothing. Then abruptly
he knew it was the fire, far up, hid
den In the pines. Silence of the for
est lay unbroken. He sat listening.
There was no sound of flame. It
was perhaps five minutes that he
waited.
The clatter burst suddenly; some
one was riding down the backbone,
leaping sure-footed horse over the
rubble of rock. Breck remained be-
hind his snag until the figure was
within gun range, the moving Kit
only a step, shouted. Halt therel
Hands upI"
Speed of approach was not slack
ened. A squirt of flame darted to-
ward him., He answered with three
shots from the Luger, aimed high;
a fourth he put close to the mans
side. A sharp oath burst out.
''Then haiti" Brock ordered.
Now the rider was plainly visible
up the ridge. He had obeyed, bring
ing his horse to q stand. Brock adj
vanced, saying again. Hands up,
there"
Response was slow. Breck was
within a few feet when at last two
arms started up. Suddenly in the
movement one was flung out. A
heavy gun grazed Breck's cheek. He
lodged and the next instant swung a
left-handed blow against the fellows
jaw. The man toppled from his sad
die. His horse. freed. plunged on
down the ridge.
II was done in q minute. Brock
leaped to the ground and with the
Luger in his prisoners face, ordered
him to his feet. Then with length
Of tie rope, he bound his arms.
Neither spoke.
From across the canyon came
sounds Of horse scrambling down
ward. For . time the animal was
lost in the bottom, but present burst
through brush patch.
IAN right. SLIM" Breck called.
lover here"
Sierra rode up. by the kiss Of
Judasi" he exclaimed. bending
down 70 look at the prisoner.
''Do you know this fellow Breck
asked.
Hell yesi Worked tran for ~ ons
gar. CT himself nrod for e1ea1in'
1ynnani1e 81 esllip' 4. After that
- sHae1 nss1ss. uesa = tsll uha1