The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-04-27

Beauty anu lay IOf tie nTG-DuE,
while you watch the trail where the
Tillsons will come out of Sulphur
Creek. / have hunch where that
is"
Sierra wagged his head thought
fully. THAT might be the way to
do it. Looks like the Tillson outfit
is 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 it. 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?"
II guess you're right" agreed
Breck.
That's big country over there"
Sierra added. lone 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
POtnOleS afterwards!
81 thought So" said Breck. "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 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 go far on top-just set
there and watch
Breck turned Kit up the slope,
moved for a 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
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. 1t
seemed if 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" Breck soothed him,
you're not the only one."
Almost as he spoke, yellow point
of light came before his eyes. For
an instant 1t failed to arouse him.
1t 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. 1t
was perhaps five minutes that he
waited.
The clatter burst suddenly; some
one was riding down the backbone,
leaping a 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 step, shouted, Halt therel
Hands upl"
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:
fourth he put close to the mans
side. A sharp oath burst out.
"Then haiti" Breck ordered.
Now the rider was plainly visible
up the ridge. He had obeyed, bring
ing his horse to stand. Breck ad-
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
left-handed blow against the fellows
jaw. The man toppled from his sad
die. His horse, freed, plunged on
down the ridge.
It was done in a minute. Breck
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 a brush patch.
"All right, Slim," Breck called.
"Over here"
Sierra rode up. by the kiss of
Judasl" he exclaimed, bending
down to look at the prisoner.
do you know this fellow +" Breck
asked.
Hell yes! Worked trail for us one
year. Got himself fired for stealth
dynamite and sellin' it. After that
he turned hester. Hard to tell what
he is now" Sierra shifted in his sad
die. "Tillson pay you right well
for this job, Cowan?"
The man looked up sullenly from
black-bearded face, but said moth
ing.
Breck swung to his horse. WED
better hit that fire, Slim, before it
gets away from u.s."
Fright, pardner." Sierra jerked
thumb toward the one afoot. Bring
him along. If he don't run fast
enough, drag him."
They climbed the ridge, with
n L. =