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About The North Platte tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1890-1894 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 3, 1894)
r G. L. WILLIAMS, Tobacco and Cigars, Fruits and Nuts of all Kinds. Jlirrtfc C. L, WILLIAMS, We are making Fresh Candies daily. Come and see. VOL. IX. NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1894. NO. 52. MODEL LOTH 1 illS in m Great Clearing Sale ! FOR CASH ONLY. 12010 Goods, Such as Clothing for Men, Boys and Children, Gents'- , Furnishing Goods, Hats, - Caps, Boots and . Shoes, Will be Sold at car-crx, cost i Nothing will be reserved in this sale. Every thing goes AT COST FOR CASH ONLY: Now is your time to buy goods according ro the times: Model : Clothing :; House, Ifcsts: Einstein., Proprietor. North Platte National Bank, NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA. !Paid tip Capital. S75,000. W W KIEOE, C. r. IDDIJfGS, A. T. BTBEITZ, DIRECTORS: O. yi. CARTEK, M. C. LINDSAY, H. OTTKN, D. W. BAKER. M. OBERST, A. D. BOCE WORTH. All business intrusted to us handled promptly, carefully, and at lowest rates. C F IDDING- S LUMBER, ! COAL,-1, 3 C3-ltAI3Xr. Order by telephone from Newton's Book Store. Dr. N. McOABE, Prop. J. E. BUSH, Manager. NORTH PLATTE PHARMACY, Successor to. J. Q. Thacker. ISTOlTH PLATTE, - NEBRASKA. WE AIM TO HANDLE THE BEST GRADE OF GOODS, BELL THEM AT REASONABLE PRICES, AND WARRANT EVERYTHING AS REPRESENTED. orders from the country and along the line of the UnioD Pacific Railway Solicited. IT. iT. BROEKER, Merchant Tailor, ak.XOZSXl. A "N"D II 352 HP -A. 1 3rt-23 H. LARGE STOCK OF PIECE GOODS, embracing all the new designs, kept on hand and made to order. PERFECT FIT GUARANTEED. PRICES LOWER THAN EVER BEFORE Spruce Street, between Fifth and Sixth. THE CASINO BILLIARD HALL, - J. E. GRACE, Proprietor. SUPERIOR BILLIARD and POOL TABLES. Bar Stocked with the Finest of Liquors. A QUIET AND ORDERLY RESORT Where gentlemen will receive courteous treatment at all times and where they .will always be welcome. Our billiard and pool hall not surpassed in the city" and lovers of these games can . be accommodated at all times. CHAPTER IV. And now, with such confirmation of the truth of the story of an Apache raid, the paymaster thought it only right to release Moreno from the duress in which Sergeant Feeny had placed him. When so old an inhabitant of Ar izona as Mr. Harvey gave entire cre dence to the report, recognized the note as-really his son's handiwork and has tened at ell speed to overtake the pur suers, -what room for doubt could be left in the mind of a newcomer to the soil? It was time, thought Plummer, to form an alliance, offensive and defen sive, with the Mexican denizens of the ranch against the enemy common to both. But again Feeny shook his head in solemn protest. "I may have been wrong as to the Apaches, sir, but I can't be mistaken as to Moreno. He's in the pay of the Morales brothers, even if not an active member of the gang. He is lurking in there now, I'll warrant you, with two or three of them in hiding, waiting for the coming of the main body. . They'd 'a' been hero beforo this perhaps if it hadn't been for the Apacho story. They're more afraid of one of Cochise's band than of all the sheriffs from Tuc son to Tacoma. I wish the rest of Har vey's people would get here,"' he con tinued, looking longingly out into the darkness. "Unless they are of better stuff than most of these mule whackers in the territory, you won't catch them hustling out alone trying to find their master this night. And yet what use would they be to us'r" Plummer turned anxiously away and gavo himself up to thought. Nothing but a faint glimmer now remained of the beacon light. All was still as the grave about the lonely ranch. Walking over to c the eastward door, he entered the dark room and was instanth- hailed by the voice of his clerk. 'You're there, are you, Dawes?" he asked. "Not getting sleepy, I hope." "Not a whit, major. I couldn't, even if I hadn't slept most of the day. I'm sitting hero on the safe with a Colt's six Bhootcr in each hand. If old Moreno's door cracks, by gad! I'll let .drive." 4 Well, that's all right, but suppose they como around through the corral to this door':" "I'm ready. I came within an ace of blazing away at yon, but I happened to recognizo your figure and step just in tho nick of time." A low whistle without broke up the colloquy. Plummer waddled off in the direction of the sound. "What is it, sergeant?" " "They'ro coming, sir. Harvey's men, I mean. . Will you deliver his message?" "Just as you say. Why shouldn't you?" "It'll have so much more effect from your lips, major. They may misdoubt me." Far out on the trail the quick trip ping hoofs of . mules could now be heard. Presently.'a horseman shot up out of the gloom. "Halt there!" sang out Feeny. "Whose party's this?" "Harvey's, Tucson. Looking for Moreno's. Are we near?" "You're there now, but you can't stop. Mr. Harvey wants you to come right along after him. Ho has taken the trail to the Christobal, where the Indiana have carried off his daughters. " The man fairly reeled in his saddle, shocked at tho dreadful tidings. "When? How did it happen? Who's gone with him?" "Some time this morning, from all we can learn. Two squads of cavalry aro on tho trail, one with Ned Harvey, the other just out from hero at dark. The old man and Georgo followed .them as soon as they got in. Who's with you?" "Two Mexicans, that's all. They're no account. I'd best leave them here with the mules. They're just behind and have been scared to death already." And bo in 10 minutes two moro of tho low teste half breed Mexicans were added to the paymaster's garrison, and Sergeant Fceny's brief exposition of the situation at the ranch only delayed the incoming American long enough to water his horse and stow a little grain in a sack. "I wouldn't wonder a d d bit if the Morales gang were around here," was his discomforting assurance. ' ' None of 'cm have been seen about Tucson for a week before we left. Wish I could stay and ctand by you. but my first duty is with Mr. Harvey. I've been in his employ nigh onto' eight years." "What sort of looking man is Ned Harvey?" persisted the sergeant, still hopeful of some fraud. "Tall, dark, smooth face looks like a Spaniard, almost. I never saw any. body who resembled him hereabouts. I'm afraid it's no plant. I don't want to offend yon, sergeant, but I wish to God it was all the Morales gang's do ings and that it was only your money they were after. If it's Apaches, and they have got the old man's children, he'll never get over it." "By heaven!" muttered Feeny to himself, as the loyal fellow put spurs to his horse and disappeared ; 4 ' by heav en, I begin to believe it's both." And now with gloomy face the ser geant returned to where ho had left Major Plummer watching the westward trail. A brief word at the doorway as sured him the clerk was still alert and ready. A pause under the open window, high above the ground, of the room where slept Moreno's wife and daugh ter, if they slept at all, told him, that all was silence there, if not slumber, and then he joined his superior. "That fellow was of the right sort, sergeant, ' ' said Plummer. 4 I wisk we had one or two like him. " "I wish we had, sir. Those greas ers are worse than no guards at all. They'll sit there in the corral and smoke papelitoa by the hour and brag about how they fought their way through the Apaches with Harvey's mules, but for our purpose they're worse than useless. ' At the first sign of an attack they'd be stampeding out into the darkness, and j ,I8933YCHARLE5' that's the last we'd see of them. Heard anything further out this way, sir?" "Why, confound it, yes. I try to convince myself it's only imagination, but two or three times, far out there toward the Picacho, I've heard that whip cracking. I have felt sure there was a hammering sound, as though some one were pounding on a wagon tire. Once I was sure I heard a horse snort. That I was in a measure expect ing. If those fellows mean to attack, they'll come mounted, of course, but what wagon would they have?" "One of Ceralvo's perhaps, to cart-off tho safe in, if they couldn't burst into it here." "There! Hark now, sergeant! Didn't you hear?" suddenly Kpoke tho major, throwing up a warning hand. Both men held their breath, listening intentlj-. For a moment nothing but tho beating of their own hearts served to give the faintest sound. Then, out to tho west, under the starlit vault of the heavens, somewhere in that black ex panse of desert, plainly and distinctly, there rose the measured sound of iron or stone beating on iron. Whether it were tire or linchpin, hame or brake, something metallic about a wagon or buckboard was being pounded into place or shape. "It's them, sir, " muttered the ser geant. "It's that bloody gang, for there's no stage due tonight, and if it was Harvey's ambulance, recaptured,, 'tis from tho northeastit would be com ing." "Mightn't they have inissed'the trail in the darkness, and having no ranch lights to guide them got lost somewhere' out there?" "Not likely, sir. Shure, there'd bo a squad of the troops and half a dozen old hands with 'em if it was Harvey's. This has come from the pass, and it won't be long before they'll bo coming ahead. You'll need your carbine then. D n that man Mqllan ! Can't I wake him yet?" Apparently not. Even the well di rected kick only evoked a groan. Tax ing a couple of carbines, Feeny returned to the major, silently handing him one of tho weapons, saying," It's loaded, sir, and here's more cartridges." Then again both men listened in tently. No sound now. The hammering had ceased. One, two minutes they wait ed, then nearer at hand than before clear, sharp and distinct, out frcXftkef darkness came tho unmistakable crack of a whip. At the sound Feeny knelt. Click, click ! went the hammer of his carbine to full cock. Another moment of breathless silence. Then the muffled 6onnd of hoofs, the creak of wagon springs, then a voice: "It can't be faraway. Ride ahead and see if vou can't rout somebody out." And then Jbeeny s challenge again rang out on the still night air, followed instantlv bv muffled sound of stir and excitement in the ranch behind them. "Who comes there?" "Hello! What's that? Who's thati Is that Moreno?" "who comes there, l say -Halt I 01 I'll fire!" "For God's sake, don't fire, man! We'vo got ladies here." "What ladies? Who are you any how? Quick!" "Georgo Harvey's daughters of Tuc son. I'm his sou." "God be praised!" shouted Feeny, springing to his feet and rushing for ward. ' ' Are they all safe unharmed t Where did you overtake them?" "Overtake whom? What in blazes are you.talking about?" queried a tall, slender fellow, bending down from his saddle. 4 ' Who are you ? ' ' "Sergeant Feeny of the cavalry, and here s tho major just back of me." "Major who?" 4 4 Major Plummer him you was talk ing with this morning when you came for help," answered Feeny, his voice tremulous with excitement. Already he was beginning to see light, 44 Why, I've never seen Major Plum mer nor any other major today. The only troops I met were Sergeant Wing and his guard at the pass just after nightfall. Have you met the Apaches? You saw the signal of course." 4 4 Signal, yes, but devil an Apache, Tell me now, wasn't it you was here at Moreno's this morning begging for troops to go and fetch your ladies down from the Gila? Wasn't it you sent the note saying they was run off by In dians?" And as was the case when ever excited, Feeny's grammar ran to seed. 4 4 Not a bit of it. My sistere are here, safe and sound. We'd have been here an hour ago but for slipping a tire. Is father here?" 4 4 Talk to him, major. I'm done up entirely," was all poor Feeny could say, as between relief, rejoicingand the inestimable comfort of finding he "was right in his theories, after all, he drop ped his carbine, threw himself upon the soft, sandy ground and fairly rolled over and over in his excitement and emotion. What wondering eyes, what startled ears were at the wagon doorway as, in his ponderous manner, the major en deavored to tell of the morning's adven ture and the counterfeit presentment of the Ned Harvey now before him. Long before he could finish the thoughtful son begged an instant's interruption. 4 4 And father has gone on the trail to the Christobal?" "Yes, an hour ago." 44 After him, Leon! Bide devil, 'even if yon have to ride all night. Fetch him back here as quick as yon can. Tell him Fan and Bath are safe here at Moreno's." In 10 minutes the Concord wagon,, with its fair freight, now trembling asd excited, was standing side by side with the paymaster's ambulance. The weary mules were unhitched and "with the sad dle horses led in to water. The major and the sergeant, prompting each oth er,, went oh with their recital, Hajryey listening with attentive ear. 4 4 It is one of the most perfect plants $iey"ever put up,-" he burst in, grind XBg his teeth in wrath. 4 4 Of course they knew of father's movements and ofnune. They know everythiny. They knew we were, to meet here probably. Thf felt assured yon knew nothing of it at all. They have used our supposed peril to draw away your guard. They hare succeeded even better than they planned, for they have drawn off father, too, and four of our best men into the bargain. But to think that this old scoundrel Moreno should be in it We're always suspected the Ceralvo tfet, but father has done everything for Moreno, practically built his ranch for aim, dug his well, set him up in busi ness, and now he make3 this a rendez vous for thugs and assassins. By heav en, I'm glad you have him trappeu Mow many has he with him do you think?" "I don't know. I only feel sure he must have one or two, but it's the main gang we have to watch," answered Feeny. i They may be along any min uteand I thought it was them when jve, heard you." "Ana tnat s wnat is worrying me. Mr. Harvey," Baid the major as he drew the young man aside. 4 4 All they are after now, of course, is my safe ful of money. It is my business to defend it to tho last, and they can't have it without a fight. You and your sisters ordinarily they would not molest, but by this time they know you are here. Very possibly they've followed closely on your trail and may be gathering all around us at this moment. Let me be brief. The sooner you can hitch in those mules again, or those relay mules rather, and get out of here the better." 4 4 Ah, but, major, how about the Apaches in, the Santa Maria? We would get there, you know, just about daybreak." 4 4 By Jupiter, I never thought of them ! You wouldn't have your guard now that your father's gone." 4 5 No. We've simply got to stay here, tuajor. Personally I'm only too glad !o be here to help you out. Ii cannot be long before tho troops como hurry-: ing back when they find they've been tricked. very probably they have found it out by this time. " Then, with quick decision, ho stepped back to the door of the Concord. "Girls! Paquita! Kuthie! Tumblo out, both of you. We ro to stay here at Moreno's to night." And, the paymaster aiding, the silent, trembling Bisters were lifted from the wagon and led away into the one guestroom the east room where, pistol in hand, still sat Dawes on the safe. The wraps and pillows were quickly passed in. The littlo hurricane lamp was stood in one corner. A bun- .4 like the The tllcnt, trembling sisters tccre lifted from the xcttrjon. die of cavalry blankets, left behind by tho detachment when it took tho trail, was spread out upon the earthen floor. The safo was hauled into tho empty barroom, 'and bidding his sisters lie down and fear nothing, assuring them of their perfect safety there and urging them to seep all they could against their move at dawn, Edward Harvey, looking well to his arms and bidding his two men to do likewise, came forth and joined his soldier friends. 44 There are five of us now against Morales and his outfit, and I'll just bet my horse wo can thrash 'em." ' "Only 11 o'clock," muttered old Plummer as he struck a match and consulted his watch. "It's been the longest evening I've ever spent; but, thank God, our worst fears are at an end. 1 never doubted for n moment that your sisters wero captives. Who could tho man have been who personat ed you?" 44 1 don't know. I've heard of him onco before. He is about my height and build, but darker, they say, and with moro of Mexico in his manner. He has been to Tucson, but 1 never heard of his masquerading over my name until now, though 1 havo heard of tho resemblance. Ho must have cop ied my writing, too, to so completely fool father." "Oh, that was a mere scrawl on soft paper with a broad, pointed pencil. There was no time to scrutinizo it close ly," explained the major. 4 4 Now, Fee ny, you're officer of the guard. How do you want to post us?" '.'It's what I've been thinking of, sir, ever since Mr. Harvey got in, and we'vo no time to loso. Wo can't loophole this adobe now, but we can barricade the dcor of these two rooms and stand off a good sized gang. Mr. Harvey will of course want to be where ho can look after the ladies, but if I can put one of his men in the corral ono who can be relied upon to shoot down any of Moreno's peoplo who should try to .come out 1 think we can look out for the rest Any minute now they'll bo coming. First thing, run these two wag ons around to the corral, so as to clear the approaches. There mustn't be any thing behind which they can hide or take shelter. " And laying hold of the pole while willing hands manned the pokes Feeny soon had the Concord and the weather beaten ambulance safely out of the way. Then came a moment of consultation as to which of Harvey's men would be best suited for the oner ous post opposite the enemy's door and then a sudden and breathless silence. Listen 1" whispered Feeny. "That is a signal. Hist I you'll bear it again presently." Grasping their rifles with nervous hjidn! the five men stood huddling in a little group at the west end of tho low. flat building. i Somewhere out on the dark expanse 'toward the peak a long, low whistle, coding in an abrupt high note, had aomnded, For a moment there Was no ranArJon. The invisible foe was sig- aliB for reply, rrom whom coma aacwer be expected oni Aiorenor Watch the old scoundrel's window tain and this shutter over here, " whis pered the sergeant, indicating a board borered- port in the westward wall. iTbay'll try to show a light perhaps. Bun around into the corral. vanH smash the first ( man that tries to come out. I'll tend to any feller that shows a head hereabouts. " I Harvey turned with his employee and ran with him as far as the other . end of the ranch. Here he entered the i low doorway. The little lamp burned dimly, but two pairs of dark dilated eyes gleamed eagerly upon him. 4 4 I'm going to close this door now, girlies," he whispered. 44 Lie stilt Do not venture near it or the window and don't be frightened. It looks as though some of the Morales gang were around here hoping to find the paymas ter unguarded. We'll give them a les son they'll never forget if they attempt to attack him." For all answer Ruth Harvey only nes tled closer to her sister and clung to her for courage and support Paquita, however, became amazonian at once. 4 4 Is there nothing I can do, Ned? I can't bear to lie here listening and tak ing no part Surely I could shoot a pis tol well enough." "You can help ns best and most by lying flat and showing not so much as a "finger at tho door. We can tend to them, Fan. It won't bo long before fa ther and the troop como galloping back. Don't show a light, now, unless we call." Then he darted to the barroom. 'Are they coming?" hailed the clerk in a hoarse whisper. "Somebody signaled out "on the plain. It's probably they. Look out for More no now. Don't let him or anybody through that door." Far out on the desert again, louder, shriller, clearer, tho whistle was re peated. "Ah, blow and bo d d to ye!" muttered Feeny. "There's no answer from here ye'll get this night. Watch out now. Sonio of 'em will try to crawl up after a little." But nearly five minutes passed with out other sign or sound. Then closer in a horso stamped and snorted. A coarse Mexican voico muttered a savage oath. Feeny, crouching low, darted into the darkness in the direction of the sound. Plummer and Harvey would have restrained him. but it was too late. He was gone before either could speak. Then a latch creaked and snapped be hind them, and slowly and cautiously the wooden shutter began to open out ward. In an instant Harvey had raised his rifle and struck the resounding board a fierco blow with the butt The door flew back, crashing in violent contact against the grizzled pate of Moreno himself, who. with a howl of mingled rago and anguish, fell back from the aperture. 4 4 Open thit again, and I'll blow your head off, you scoundrel !" growled Har vey. "Don't you daro show hair nor hide outside your room. Every man has orders to shoot you on sight if that's any comfort to you." Only for a second had the old Mexi can's head appeared, only an instant had ho for ptea or protestation, but that instant had served to show a narrow streak of light from the room within, and this mere crack revealed to tho watchful eyes out upon tho plain the position of tho ranch possibly told them something more, for in less than half a minute two horsemen came loom ing up out of the darkness and canter ing fearlessly toward them. Phlegmat ic as he was, old Plummer's nerves gave a twitch as, sharp and stern, young Harvey challenged. "Halt there! Who are you? Halt! or we fire. " "Friends, "shouted ono voice," Amer icans, " tho other, as promptly the or der to halt was obeyed, tho trained horses going almost on their haunches under tho cruel force of the huge Mexi can bit 4 4 We are seeking Moreno's," contin ued the first voioe. "The Apaches jumped our outfit just after sunset and we had to rum for it" 4 4 How many ore thero of you all told?" demanded Harvey. "Only us two. We're partners, pros pecting. Been down toward the Sono- ra line. For tho Lord's sake, gentle men, don't keep ns out here. We've lost everything we've had packs, pack ers and grub. We're about dead beat for a drink and something to eat" 44 What do you think of this, major?" whispered Harvey. 4 4 Those aro Amer icans sure. 44 Well, I'd let 'em in," said tho ma jor, 4 4 but whero the devil's Feeny? He s the best judge, really. Their story may be all true. They may be alone." "1 don't know it isn't likely. You heard that voico out there a moment ago. That was Mexican beyond any doubt. We've got to stand those fel lows off till we hear from Feeny." Then, raising his voice, Harvey called : 4 4 Just stay whero you are a moment You're all right perhaps, but our guards havo orders to be on the lookout for Morales and his gang, and you might get shot by mistake." "Well, for God s sake, turn out your men, if you've got any, and help us catch these murdering thieves," was the impatient reply. 4 4 How many aro you?" 4 4 Oh, there's plenty of us here," was Harvey's cheery answer. 44 Most of C troop, but we've other business on hand . The order to halt was obeyed. just now. You wait there quietly for a minute or two until the sergeant comes around with the patrol. He'll see to you." And then, as though the whole thing had been planned beforehand, out in tho darkness to the north Feeny's voico was heard in low toned but sharp com mand: "Patrol, halt! Close up thero, Ken nedy. Whero are you, No. fi?" And so, cool and confident as though he had a dozen, troopers at his back, Feeny came striding up to tho spot. "What's the matter, sentry? Didn't I hear you parleying hereswith some body?" 4 4 Two strangers out there, sergeant, say they're prospectors and been jump ed by Apaches." Awarded Highest Honors World's Fatr. PRICE'S QgBakmg The only Pure Cream of Tartar Powder. No Amnionic; ?."o Alum. Used in Millions of Homes 40 Years the Standard. 4 4 Where away are they?" Then in a low tone, 44 Go you cut beyond the cor ral," ho whispered to old Plummer. 44 There's four of them out thero. Chal lenge if they try to como in." Then aloud again, 4 'Shure, I don't seo any thing, sentry." "Right but ahead there, sergeant Two men, mounted." "Come down, one of yo. Dismount and como in here. L'ave your gun be hind. Give your reins to your pal there, " was Feeny's next mandate. There was a moment of hesitation, a faint sound of whispering as though the self styled prospectors were in con sultation, and again Feeny spoke in a tone more sharp and imperative : "Dismount, one, I say. Come in hre, or I'll send a bullet for your cards. Quick now." Still anbTher "delay. The "prospec tors" seemed anxious to edge off into deeper darkness. "If ye'ro not off that horse's back in 10 seconds, be jabers, I'll fire. So be lively." And as his excitement rose 30 did Feeny's Irish. Four, five seconds ticked by, and still there was no approach. Fiercely, with sharp emphasis, tho sergeant brought his carbine to full cock. "It's aiming I am," said he tis he quickly raised tho butt to his fchoulder. Thero was a sudden scurry and scramble of horses' hoofs, low voiced words of warning and a muttered curso or two. Then leaped a tongue of fire into the night and from the corral corner came a sharp report followed by a cry, a gurgle, a groan, then silence. "My God! they've shot tho major!" exclaimed Harvey as ho leaped away in the direction of the shot At the same moment away sped the two horse men in front of the post No use to fire. They wero shrouded in thick darkness and out of harm's way before one could pull trigger. Then came two flashes, two quick Teports, then half a dozen rapid, sputtering revolver shots, then a vengeful howl and a rush out on the plain. Feeny ran liko a deer on the trail of 3r. Harvey, and in less time than it takes to tell it they camo upon the paymaster, sinking, shocked and nerveless to tho sandy soil, his hands clasping on his sido. "Pick him up, you and your man there. Carry him into tho ranch. I'll bate back thoso blackguards yet," mut tered1' Feeny as he took a quick snap shot at sonio dim object flitting across the plain and sent another into the dark ness, aiming vaguely whero ho could hear the thud of horses' hoofs. For a moment, running from point to point after each discharge, ho kept up a rapid fusillade, under cover of which the hap less paymaster was born swiftly away around tho corner of the ranch and car ried into tho bar, where, wild with anxiety, bnt faithfnl to his trust, Mr. Dawes still guarded tho safe. Then Harvey stepped through the narrow doorway to tho eastern room. 1 nave to borrow tho lamp a mo ment Fan," ho whispered. "Now, lie still. We may havo to stand a siege awhile until father can reach us." Two minutes more, bending low and with his last cartridge crammed into the chamber of his carbine, Feeny turned to make a run for the ranch. Just as he came speeding in past the westward wall the wooden shutter was hurled open, and a strange voice, loud, exult ant, strident burst upon his ear. "Come on, Pasqual! Come" But the rest was lost in the roar of Feeny's ready weapon. The rude fa cade of adobo blazed red ono instant in tho flash of the carbine, and the loud report went bellowing out across the plain. But within the ranch there went up a wail of terror and dismay, for Ramon Morales, shot through the brain, was stretched lifeless at tho foot of Moreno and his shuddering wife. And then Feeny, unscathed, leaped inside the barroom. "Now for it, men! Drag in those two drunken brnto bastes," he cried, laying hold of Mullan's limp carca. "Lug in wan of them water jars. Stick their d d heads into that trough beyant. Now bo lively. Tho whole gang'll bo on us in less than a minute." CHAPTER V. At midnight the situation at More no's ranch was a strange one. The oc cupants of tho two rooms farthest to tho east wero bcng besieged by 10 or 15 outlawed men, somo Mexican, some "gringo," but all cutthroats, and np to this moment tho besieged had had the best of it. And yet their plight was desperate. In the easternmost room, secure from bullet or missilo of any kind so long as they crouched clodc to the ground and back from the doorway, lay trembling in silence old Harvey's daughters. At the door, only tho barrel of his rifle protruding, keeping under cover all he possibly could behind an improvised parapet of barley bags, knelt their de voted brother, cool and determined, ev ery now and then whispering words of hopo and encouragement In the ad joining room, connected with tho east ern chamber by a doorless aperture through the adobe wall, lay tho pay master, sorely wounded, but still con scious and plucky, his faithful, clerk ministering to him as best he could, stanching the flow of blood and comfort ing him with cool water. At the doorway opening on the hard, trampled space at the southern front of the ranch, sheltering himself behind his breastwork of barley, but never re laxing vigilant watch, knelt Sergeant Feeny, a bandana bound about his foror head, the blood trickling down his right cheek, tho sleeve of his flannel shirt rent by a bullet that just grazed the upper arm. Kneeling on the counter and peeping through a hole in the bot tom of tho wooden window shutter, one of Harvey's men'kept guard. The other faced the doorway into Moreno's domestic apartments, every now and then letting drive a shot through the woodwork to keep them, as ho 'iaixL 4 1 from monkeying with the bolt on the other side." In planning his roadside ranch More no had allowed outer doors only to those, rooms which wero for public use. The threo which lay to the. west of the bar could not be entered except through that resort or by a door giving on the corral, both of these doors being sup plied with massive bolts as security against intruders, and all three rooms being furnished with air ports rather than -windows, pierced at such a height through tho adobo that no one from without, except in saddle, could peer through the aperture and seo what was going on within. Tho travelers' room and the barroom ports, however, were low and large, and all the rooms were spacious. Tho bar of course, being tho dining as well as drinking room, carried off the honors in point of size. This, too, was furnished with an open ing into the corral, but Feeny's first thought on reaching bis comrades was to barricade. Springing into the walled inclosnre and bidding Harvey watch while tho others worked, ho had soon succeeded in lugging a score of big barley sacks into tho interior and piling them into breastworks at tho three doors, the one opening into tho corral being provided in addition with a high traverse to protect its guard against shots that might como through from Moreno's room. All this was accomplished amid the wailing of tho Mexican women and the fusillade begun by the assailants in hopes of terrorizing the defense before venturing to closer quarters. Like fa mous Croghan of Fort Stephenson, Fee ny had kept up a fire from so many dif ferent points as to impress the enemy with the idea there were a dozen men and a dozen guns where there was in reality only one, and even tho tempta tion of that vast sum in the paymaster's safe was not sufficient to nerve tho fol lowers of Morales to instant attack. Tho valor and vigor of tho defense and the appalling death of one of their. leaders had so unnerved them that Iras qual himself, raging, imploring, threat ening by turns, was unable to urge them to close quarters. "Most men are cowards in the dark" is a theory widely believed in. Indians certainly are only brave against defenseless wom en and children at such a time. Not until the firing had ceased and vtwas evident that the defenders had retired to the shelter of the ranch, and then only very slowly and cautiously, would these brigands of the desert be induced to resume their stealthy approach. For fully half an hour thero was a lull in tho fight and then, guided by the light Mo reno was now able to show, Pasqual and two of the stouter hearted knaves approached the western wall and held a brief consultation with tho rascally owner. Rage at the death of their leader's brother and ally, tho thirst for ven geance and the hope of securing such rich booty all were augmented by Mo reno's fiery assurances and encourage- At the door knelt their devoted brother. ment All tho soldiers were gone, ho said, except tho "pig of a sergeant" and two drugged and senseless swine Somebody among them was wounded. There were only three, possibly four, left. Let his companeros make com bined attack, two or threo through his (Moreno's) rooms, two or three rush in from the corral, and the same number from tho south front at once, and be yond doubt the cursed Yankees would succumb. Then no quarter, no quarter for the men. His connection with the outlaw band was now known, and these witnesses must bo put to death. Then then the paymaster's safe could read ily bo battered open, then there was tho mint of monev to ha ri?viripi nmv.-.,. . , ma victors, then away to Sonora with their oyun aim wim oia narvey's beautiful daughters. What ransom would he not be willinir to nav that rul father! Was over luck so creat? Ti. 1 i , , o-"" .out nasie: nasie not a moment could be lost They must act at once. And so Morales hurried to station and instruct his mm. Prrri;nr. 1:1.. coyotes through the darkness and at re- opcnm ui&iance irom the guarded end of the corral ranch, half a f " uwacu Ui IUU number crept into the corral. Others wero distributed over the southern front Three of the lighter and more slender of tho band were "boosted" through tho high west window into Mo reno s domain. Then through the mid dle room thev madA tw. i sat the senora, rocking, weeping and : " tv"v mo uuuy oi the outlaw leader, where, hiding under the bed. shivering and praying, crouched the senonta, her daughter, and then, bare footed, they crept into the room adjoin ing the bar and listened, breathless, to the low toned instructions of the veter an sergeant. From without no glim mer of light could guide the assailants or help them in their aim. The black apertures of tho doorways were poor marks for night shooting, and the more enterprising and adventurous, crawling like snakes to reconnoiter, were soon able to report that most scientifically had the defense thrown np their breast works. From group to group flitted Pasqual. At his shrill battlecryall handswer. to rush simultaneously to the attack, COSTIKlTEn O.V FOURTH PAGE. '
