The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-11-12

pdIllOl WIN GRIN.
well, there's one hombre that
won't make no more trouble" he
said. CPL spade him under in the
mornin'."
But Lonergan was shaking. Get
me that drink, Curran," he said.
'Why did you make that play?
There were moments when I
wasn't sure you were not double
crossing me-"
"Double-crossin' yuh, Mr.. Lon
ergan? Why, I thought yuh had
more confidence in me than that"
replied the foreman. II made
that play so as that girl inside
wouldn't know just what was
happenin'. Ferris had to go. He
was gittin' too wise. It sure was
hard to keep from laughin', him
thinkin' it was you who was goin'
to be bumped off instead of him
self. What's that?"
There sounded the creak of
saddles, the scamper of horses
hoofs. Then came Coggswelps
sudden challenge out of the dark:
"Sky high, the pair of you!
You're coyered!"
Panic-stricken, Lonergan twist
ed this way and that, as he rec
onized the sheriff's voice. Now,
in the faint starlight, he could
see two mounted figures looming
up out of the scrub close at hand.
BEAT it," Kissed Curran in his
ear. 'They're on the wrong side
of the gully!"
Dave and Coggswell had come
up on the other side of the ra-
vine which, at this point near its
blind end, was little more than
a coulee. 1t was, however, too
wide to set a horse to jump it.
Next instant Curran was on his
knees and firing at the two
mounted figures.
Dave felt a slug thump into his
saddlehorn. He emptied his gun
at the flashes, and heard a yelp
of pain. He saw the other figure
racing away, dimly outlined a
gainst the sky. Then Curran was
following, bending almost double,
weaving in and out of the scrub,
with his hand clapped to his ear.
Cit Miss Lois, Bruce. "Tll
handle this pair!" the sheriff
shouted, and he raced his horse
around the blind end of the gull
ly.
Dave, examining fresh cartridg-
es into his gun, saw the two
weaving figures attempting to
mount two of the group of horses
that were clustered together near
the cabin entrance. Coggswell
was almost upon them, his gun
blazing. There came a single
shot in return, then the thump
and clatter of hoofs, and one of
the pair was racing along the
the trail, leaning flat upon his
horses neck.
This was Curran, making his
getaway at top speed, while
CoggsWell was struggling with
Lonergan. Dave raced his stall
lion to the sheriff's side.
we'll git the other, Bruce -
said Coggswell. "See if Miss Lois
is in the cabin"
Dave required no third invita-
ton. He dashed into the shack.
The candles were guttering on
the table in the outer room, but
the the room was empty. But in
the smaller room Dave saw a lit
tie figure gagged and bound.
'Lois!" His voice went out in
cry of fury. He ran to her side,
slit the gag from her mouth, cut
the ropes with his jackknife.
'Lois! Lois!" he whispered. "They
amt harmed yuh, honey grip
She tired to speak, but could on
ly reach up for Dawes neck. He
bent and covered her face with
kisses.
''They amt harmed yuh?"
'No," said Lois in the faintest
whisper. ''I'm all right, Dave"
Dave swung about as the sher-
iff entered the cabin with his
prisoner. II got her, sheriff" he
called. "They amt harmed her.
Who was the other coyote, Lois?"
''Curran!" Lois voice was just
audible.
"Yeah, Curran," said the sher-
iff grimly. 81 reckernized him.
Dunno yet who was shot, but I'll
know soon. Yuh best come
through Lonergan," he continued.
''No use splutterin' like a trapped
cat. There's too much evidence
against yuh. And I'm stayin' here
till yuh talk"
Lonergan glared at his captor,
then seemed to wilt. "Coggs-
we'll, I'll taak-PIl talk to you"
he said. It'll talk when we're a.
lone. Get me?"
"No difficulty about that"