The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-12-19
CHAPTER xxvI


From the Box IS to Lee Harris
place 1t was eight miles across the
hills. JEFF rode fast.
Before he had covered half the
way TO the hill ranch he heard the
sound of firing far to his left. First
q single shot, and perhaps q min
ute later two more. Though ne MS
tened for more, no popping reached
his ears.
To JEFF there seemed something
sinister in these breaks disturbing
the silence. His imagination pic
tured man peacefully hoeing q po-
tato patch or mending . fence.
From the direction of the report 1t
might have come from Wade Scots
place. II so, Wade would probably
have been whistling, his mind on a
girl in Cheyenne who worked IN the
railread restaurant, one he was ex-
pecting to marry in q few months.
Instead of taking the gulch he
followed the rim, keeping to cover
as he came close to the edge. Look
ing down, his gaze swept the clear
ing and picked up details. He saw
two men crouched back of the barn.
Evidently there were others in 1t,
for as he stood there puff Of smoke
came from the window opening in
the hayloft. At least one man was
stationed in the bed of the creek a
hundred and fifty yards from the
house. A shot from that point told
him SO.
There was a small alfalfa field
to the left Of the house. It ran to
the draw leading up to the ravine.
He could see the ditch crossing It
in the direction Of the house. Rank
grass covered the edges. A wild
idea jumped to his mind. Why not
get into that ditch, crawl along it
till he was close to the cabin, and
make dash to join the defenders?
Near the top of the ravine he pick
eted his horse, then moved down 1t
cautiously. AS he came round bend
in the gulch, he looked down into
the little basin which held the ranch.
Thirty yards below him q man
crouched behind large boulder,
rifle in his hands. He was watching
the log cabin, evidently hoping to
get a glimpse of one of the defend
ers. Lower down in the draw and
fifty, yards to his right another
marksman was also waiting behind
cover for shot.
JEFF tiptoed forward, revolver in
hand. He had not been q big-game
hunter for nothing. No perceptible
rumor Of his movements reached
the lank Texan toward whom he
was soft-footing. Unwittingly the
sniper helped at his own undoing.
Intensely preoccupied with the Job
In hand, his mind was following a
single track which led straight from
him to the quarry in the cabin. When
Brand was about ten strides from
him he drew q bead and fired. As
the rifle cracked JEFF flung aside eau
ton and took the last stretch on the
run.
The Texan whirled, too late. The
long barrel of the AS smashed down
on his lifted forehead. His body
swayed, and collapsed.
Nobody had noticed what had TAX
en- place. jeff helped himself to the
mans rifle and cartridge belt. He
moved to the left and stepped down
into the dry ditch he had seen from
the bluff above. Crovching low in
it, he crept forward. The alfalfa
hid him pretty well.
Crossing the field was slow bust
ness. He went on all tours, drag-
ging the rife beside him. He was
near enough the cabin to see lead
fling splinters from the logs.
He called softly, Hello the
house," and when no answer came
back to him he called again, more
loudly. It was after his fourth at
tempt that somebody inside an
swered.
who is it? What you want?"
JEFF Brand. I'm gonna make q
run for the door. Fling It open for
me when I give the word"
There was q perceptible silence
before the man in the house replied.
How come you there-if you're
Brandt"
"Don't talk. you fool. Do as /
say"
JEFF came out Of the ditch running.
From the edge of the valley he
heard a shout. Somebody had dis
covered the Texan he had knocked
out and was spreading the news.
The guns roared.
He bowled over, all the power
knocked out Of him in an instant.
That he had been hit he knew,
though he felt no pain. Still clinging
to the rifle, he tried to Chamber to
his feet. The ground tilted up at
him, and he went down again. Still
conscious, he crawled forward q foot
or two.
The cabin door was flung open.
Two men showed at the entrance.
One ran toward JEFF, In long, reach
ing strides. The other covered the
rescue, firing at the figures which
had come into the open to get
Brand. 1t was matter of seconds,