OCR Text |
Show THE TIMES-NEW- NEPHI, UTAH S, Tee light of Western Stars CHAPTER XVII A Romance Continued." Ad' I'll bet you a million pesos thet If you got goln' onet, an' she seen you as I've seen you wal, I know what she'd think of you. This old world 'ain't changed much. Some women may be d an' an' sweet-voicebut they all like an' to see a man Gene, here's your game. Let Don Carlos come along. Be civil. If he an' his gang are hungry, feed em. ' Take even a little overbearln' Greaser talk. Be blind If he wants his gang to steal somethln'. Let him think the women hev mosled down to the ranch. But If he says you're lyln' If he as much as looks round to see the women Jest Jump him same as you Jumped Pat Hawe. Me an' Monty'll hang back fer thet, an' If your strong bluff don't go through, If the Don's gang even thinks of flashln' guns, then we'll open up. An' all I got to say Is If them Greasers stand for real gunplay they'll be sure fust I ever seen." "Nels, there are white men In that gang," said Stewart. "Shore. But me an' Monty'll be thlnkin" of thet. If they start any-thiIt'll hev to be shore quick." "All right, Nels, old friend, and thanks," replied Stewart. Nels returned to the en mp fire, and Stewart resumed his silent guard. Madeline's guests sat talking In low voices until a late hour. The Incident now began to take on the nature of Helen's adventure. Some of the party even grew merry In a subdued way. Then, gradually, one and went to bed. by one they To keep from thinking of Stewart and the burning anger he had caused her to feel for herself, Madeline tried to keep her mind on other things. But thought of him recurred, and each time there was a hot commotion In her breast hard to stifle. Intelligent reasoning seemed out of her power. In the daylight it had been possible for her to be oblivious to Stewart's deceit after the moment of Its realization. At night, however, In the strange silence and hovering shadows of gloom, with the speaking stars seeming to call to her, with the moan of the wind In the pines, and the melancholy mourn of coyotes In the distance, she was not able to govern her thought and emotion. She had Inadvertently heard Nels' conversation with Stewart; she had listened, hoping to hear sortie good news or to hear the worst ; she had learned both, and, moreover, enlightenment on one point of Stewart's complex motives. He wished to spare her any sight that might offend, frighten, or disgust her. Yet this Stewart, who shoTed a fineness of feeling that might have been wanting even In Boyd Harvey, maintained a secret rendezvous with that pretty, abandoned Bonlta. Here always the hot shame, like a live, stinging. Internal fire, abruptly ended Madeline's thought. The hours wore on, and at length, as the stars began to pale and there was no sound whatever, she fell asleep. She was called out of her slumber. Pay had broken bright and cool. The un was still below the eastern crags. Ambrose, with several other cowboys, "had brought up buckets of spring water, and hot coffee and cakes. Madeline's pnrty appeared to be none the worse for the night's experience. Indeed, the meager breakfast might have een as merrily pnrtaken of as It was tiungrlly had not Ambrose enjoined white-skinne- soft-eye- d d hlgh-soule- n' tid Hence. "They're expecting company down below," he said. This Information and the summary Buinner In which the cowboys soon led By Zane Grey "My boys don't carry liquor on trail," replied Stewart. "Haw, haw I I heerd over In Rodeo thet ye was gittin' to be shore some fer temperance," said this fellow. "I to wait developments. There came a hate to drink water, but I guess I've slight rattling of stones In the rear. gotter do It." She turned to see Helen sliding down He went to the spring, sprawled a bank with a perplexed and troubled down to drink, and all of a sudden he Ambrose sternly and hero- thrust his arm down In the water to cowboy. ically prepared to carry her back to bring forth a basket The cowboys in the others. He laid hold of her. In a the hurry of packing bad neglected to fury, with eyes blazing, Helen whis- remove this basket; and it contained bottles of wine apd liquors for Madepered : "Let go of me ! Majesty, what does line's guests. They had been subthis fool mean?" merged In the spring to keep them Madeline laughed. She knew Helen, cold. The guerrilla fumbled with the and had marked the whisper, when or- lid, opened It, and then got up, uttering dinarily Helen would have spoken Im- a loud roar of delight. Stewart made an almost Imperceptperiously, and not low. Madeline explained to her tlie exigency of tne sit- ible motion as If to leap forward ; but uation. "I might run, but I'll never he checked the Impulse. "Guess my scream." said Helen. With that Am- party forgot that. You're welcome to brose had to be content to let her btay. It" Like bees the guerrillas swarmed However, he found her a place somewhat farther back from Madeline's po- around the lucky finder of the bottles. sition, where he said there was less The drink did not last long, and It danger of her being seen. Then he served only to liberate the spirit of sternly bound her to silence, tarried a moment to comfort Christine, his wife, acting as maid to the ladies, and returned to where Madeline lay concealed. He had been there scarcely a moment when he whispered : "I hear hosses. The guerrillas are comin'." Madeline's hiding place was well protected from possible discovery from below. She could peep over a kind of parapet, through an opening In the tips of the pines that reached up to the cliff, and obtain a commanding view of the camp circle and its immediate surroundings. She could not, however, see far either to right or left of the camp, owing to the obstructing foliage. Presently the sound of horses' hoofs quickened the beat of her pulse and caused her to turn keener gaze upon the cowboys below. Although she had some Inkling of the course Stewart and his men were to pursue, she was not by any means prepared for the ludifference she saw. Frank was asleep, or pretended to be. Three cowboys were lazily and unconcernedly attending to campflre duties, such as baking biscuits, watching the ovens, and washing tins and pots. The elaborate set of aluminum plates, cups, etc., together with the other camp fixtures that had done service for Made- Like Bees tho Guerrillas Swarmed Around the Lucky Finder of the line's party, had disappeared. Nick Bottles. Steele sat with his back to a log, smoking his pipe. Another cowboy had Just recklessness. The several white outbrought the horses closer Into camp, laws began to prowl around the camp; where they stood watting to be sad- some of the Mexicans did likewise; dled. Nels appeared to be fussing over others waited, showing by their a pack. Stewart was rolling a cigexpectancy the nature of arette. Monty had apparently nothing their thoughts. to do for the present except whistle, It was the demeanor of Stewart and which he was doing much more loudly his comrades that puzzled Madeline. than melodiously. The whole ensemble gave an Impression of careless In- Apparently they felt no anxiety or even particular Interest Don Carlos,' who difference. The sound of horses' hoofs grew had been covertly watching them, now louder and slowed Its beat - One of the made his scrutiny open, even aggressive. The guerrilla leader seemed uncowboys pointed down the trail, toward which several of his comrades turned decided, but not In any sense puzzled. In her growing excitement Madeline their head for a moment, then went had not clearly heard Ambrose's low on with their occupations. and she made an effort to Presently a shaggy, dusty horse whispers some of her attention from bearing a lean, ragged, dark rider rode distract Into the camp and halted. Another those below to the cowboy crouching Horses with beside her. followed, and another. The quality, the note of Ambrose's Mexican riders came In single file and whisper had changed. It had a slight stopped behind the leader. "Buenos dlas, senor," ceremoniously sibilant sound. "Don't be mad If Sudden-lik- e I clap said the foremost guerrilla. By straining her ears Madeline my hands over your eyes. Miss Hamheard that voice, and she recognized mond," he was saying. "Somethln's it as belonging to Don Carlos. Svewart brewln' below. I never seen Gene so answered the greeting In Spanish, and, cool. That's a dangerous sign In him. waving his hand toward the campflre, And look, see how the boys are work-IOh, It's slow and together added In English, "Get down and eat." but I know It's sure not The guerrillas were anything but Greaser knows, slow In complying. They crowded to accident That foxy the fire, then spread In a little circle too. But maybe his men don't If and squatted upon the ground, laying they are wise they haven't sense The Don, though their weapons beside them. The cow- enough to care. Nels worried. and Monty he's he's It's n In were not cordial their reeep-tloboys And well he need do It I of this visit, but they were hos- watchln. Nick and Frank hove settled pitable. The law of the desert had There, down on log with Booly. They always been to hive food and drink to don't seemthat to be pnckln' guns. But wayfaring men, whether lost or hunted look how heavy their vests hang. A or hunting. in each side! Those boys can pull gun "They appear to be friendly enough," a gun and flop over that log quicker whispered Madeline. "Ambrose, tell than you can think. Do you notice nie explain to me the real thing." how Nels and Monty and Oene are "Sure. Gene thinks they're after between them guerrillas and square But the trail yon ladles to carry you off. up here? It doesn't seem on Gene Oh, Gene's some hlghfalutln but It Is. Look at Nets and purpose, In his Ideas lately. Most of us boys Monty. How quiet they are confnbhln' think the guerrillas are out to rob together, paying no attention to the that's alt" guerrillas. I see Monty look at Gene, seWhatever might have been the then I see Nels look at Gene. Well. cret motive of Don Carlos and his men. It's up to Gene. And they're goln' to they did not allow It to Interfere with back him, I reckon. Miss Hunimond. a hearty appreciation of a generous there'd be dead Oreaiwr round that amount of food. Then, as each and ago If Nels and Monty long ramp every one began to roll and smoke the were They're beholdln' to Inevitable cigarette of the Mexican, Gene. That's plain. And, Iord I how there was subtle change In manner. It tickles roe to watch theml Both They smoked and looked about the pnckln' two forty-flvebutts swlngln' ramp, off Into the woods, up at the clear. There's twenty-fou- r shots In cowand back at the leisurely crags, them four guns. And there's twenty-thre- e boys. They had the air of men waiting If Nels and Monty guerrillas. for something. ever throw guns at that close range, "Senor," began Don Carlos, address- why, before you'd know whBt was up ing Stewart. As he spoke he swept there'd be pile of Greasers. There I his sombrero to Indicate the ramp Stewart said something to the Don. I circle. wonder what I'll gamble It wns so i neMadeline could not distinguish his ttling to get the Don's outfit all clone words, but his gesture plainly indi- together. Sure! Greaser have n cated But them white guerrillas question In regard to the rest sense. of the ramping party. Stewart's reply they're lookln some dubious. What-ever'- s and the wave of his hand down the comln' off will come simn, yon trail meant that his party had gone can bet I wish I was down there. home. Stewart turned to some task, But maybe It won't come to a scrap. and the guerrilla leader quietly Stewart's set on avoldln' thst. He's He looked running and a wonderful chap to get his way. Ixtrd, smoked. thoughtful. Presently a big honed man though, I'd like to see him go after with a bullet head and a blistered red that overbearln' Greaser t See! the face of evil coarseness got op ant ton ran't stand prosperity. All this threw away his cigarette. He woo an strange behnvlor of cowboy I rxyond American. his pntque-snake- d brains. Then he's "Hey, cull," he called In loud vW a Greaser. If Gen doesn't knock him "ain't ye goto' to cough up a drink r on the bead presently he'U begla te Copyright by Harper and Brothers lip' n' 1 e, foot-loos- s, m. rtmiM Not to Make Any Noise," Ropllod Madeline. (he pnrty higher up among the ruined helve of rock caused recurrence of nxlety. Madeline Insisted on not going beyond a projection of cliff from hlch she could see directly down Into the cm in p. "Ambrose, do you really think the guerrilla will come?" she asked. "Sure. We know. Nels Just rode In and anld they were on their way up. Ml Hammond, can I trust you? Too won't let out squeal If there's fight flown thereT Stewart told me to hide you out "f signt or keep yog from look In'," "I promise not t0 make any oolae," replied Mnonne. Madeline arranged her coat so that alio rou Id lie aoon It, and 4Ud Aown the get over his acare, even or Nets amd Monty. But Gene H pick out the right time. Never saw Nels In but one fight then he just shot a Greaser's arm off for tryln" to draw on him. But I've heard all about him. And Monty ! Monty's the real gunman. What I don't understand is how Monty keeps so quiet and easy and peaceful-like- . That's not his way, with such an outfit lookln' for trouble. I Now for the grand bluff. Looks like no fight at all 1" The guerrilla leader hed ceased hla restless steps and glances, and turned to Stewart with something of bold resolution In his aspect "Graclas, senor," he said. "Adlos." He swept his sombrero In the direction of the trail leading down the mountain to the ranch ; and as he completed the gesture a smile, crafty and Jeering, crossed his swarthy luce. Ambrose whispered so low that Madeline scarcely heard him. "If the Greaser g6es that way he'll find our horses and get wise to the trick. Oh, he's wise now! But I'll gamble he never even starts on that trail." Neither hurriedly nor guardedly Stewart rose out of his leaning posture and took a couple of long strides toward Don Carlos. "Go back the way you came," he fairly yelled ; and his voice had the ring O-l- ia of a bugle. Ambrose nudged Madeline; his whisper was tense and rapid: "Don't miss nothln'. Gene's called him. Whatever' comln' off will be here quick as See ! I guess maybe that Hghtnln'. Greaser don't savvy good O. S. lingo. Look at that dirty yaller face turn Put one eye on Nels and green. That's great Just to see Monty I 'em. Just as quiet and easy. But oh, the difference! Bent and stiff that means every muscle Is like a rawhide rlata. They're watchln' with eyes that can see the workin's of them Greasers' Now there ain't a hoss-hal- r minds. between them Greasers and h 1 1" Don Carlos gave Stewart one long malignant stare ; then he threw back his head, swept up the sombrero, and his evil smile showed gleamiDg teeth. "Senor " he began. With magnificent bound Stewart was The guerrilla's cry was upon him. A fierce throttled In his throat wrestling ensued, too swift to see clearly; then heavy, sodden blows, and Don Carlos was beaten to the ground. Stewart leaped back. Then, crouching with his hands on the butts of guns at his hips, he yelled, he thundered at the guerrillas. He had been quicker than a panther, and now his voice was so terrible that It curdled Madeline's blood, and the menace of deadly violence In his crouching position made ber shut ber eyes. But she bad to open them. In that single instant 'Nels and Monty had leaped to Stewart's side. Both were bent down, with bands on the butts of guns at their hips. Nels' piercing yell seemed to divide Monty's roar of rage. Then they ceased, and echoes clapped from the crags. The silence of those three men crouching like tigers about to leap was more menacing than the nerve-rackin-g yells. Then the guerrillas wavered and broke and ran for their horses. Don Carlos rolled over, rose, and staggered away, to be helped upon his mount He looked back, his pale and bloody face that of a thwarted demon. The whole band got Into action and were gone in a moment "I knew It" declared Ambrose. "Never seen a Greaser who could face That was some warm. And Monty Price never flashed a gun ! He'll never get over that I reckon. Miss Hammond, we're some lucky to avoid trouble. ' Gene had his way, as you seen. We'll be makln' tracks for the ranch In about two shakes." "Why?" whispered Madeline, breathlessly. She became conscious that she was weak and shaken. "Because the guerrillas sure will get their nerve back, and come sneakin' on our trail or try to head us off by ambushln'," replied Ambrose. "That's their way. Otherwise three cowboys couldn't bluff a whole gang like that Gene knows the nature of Greasers. But I reckon They're white-liverewe're In more danger now than before, unless we get good start down the There! Gene's calllu. mountain. gun-pla- Come! Helen holler thet heads near the trail a few miles down," Nels was saying, as be "Thet hol-li- r tightened his saddle-girtheads into a big canyon. Once la thet It'll be every man fer hlsself. I reckon there von't be anythln' wus than a rough ride." Nels smiled reassuringly at Madeline, but he did not speak to her. Monty took ber canteen and filled It at the spring and hung It over the pommel of her saddle. He put a coupl of biscuits In the saddle-ba"Don't fergit to take a drink an' a bite as you're rldln' along," he said. "An' don't worry. Miss Majesty. Stewart H be with you, an' mo an' Nels hangin' on the back trail." His somber and sullen face did not change In its strange intensity, but the look In his eyes Madeline felt she would never forget. Left alone with these three men, now stripped of all pretense, she realized how fortune had favored her and what peril still hung In the balance. Stewart swung astride his big black, spurred him, and whistled. At the whistle Majesty jumped, and with swift canter followed Stewart Madeline looked back to see Nels already up and Monty handing him a rifle. Then the pines hid her view. Once in the trail, Stewart' horse broke Into a gallop. Majesty changed his gait and kept at the black's heels. Stewart called back a warning. The branches of trees low, might brush Madeline out of the saddle. Fast riding through the forest along a crooked, obstructed trail called forth all her alertness. Before long Stewart wheeled at right angles off the trail and entered a hollow between two low bluffs. Madeline saw tracks In the open patches of ground. Her Stewart's horse took to a brisk walk. At last Madeline was brought to a dead halt by Stewart and hla horse blocking the trail. Looking up, she saw they were at the head of a canyon that yawned beneath and widened its slopes down to a black forest of fir. Retracts Madeline saw ing her gaze, cross an open space a mil below, and she thought she saw the stag hounds. Stewart's dark eyes searched the slope high up along the craggy escarpments. Then he put the black to the descent He led off to the right zigzagging an Intricate course through the roughest ground Madeline had ever ridden over. He crashed through cedars, threaded a tortuous way among boulders, made his horse slide down slanting banks of soft earth, picked a slow and cautious progress across weathered slopes of loose rock. Madeline followed, finding in this ride a tax on strength and judgment It was dust and beat a parching throat, that caused her to think of time; and she was amazed to see the sun sloping to the west Stewart never stopped ; he never looked back; be never spoke. "After a mile or so of easy travel the ground again began to fall decidedly, sloping In numerous ridges, with draws between. Soon night shadowed the deeper gullies. Madeline was refreshed by the cooling of the air. Stewart traveled slowiy now. The barks of coyotes seemed to startle him. Often he stopped to listen. And during one of those Intervals the silence was broken by sharp rifle shots. Madeline could not tell whether they were near or far, to right or left behind or before. Evidently Stewart was both alarmed and baffled. He dismounted. He went cautiously forward to listen. Madeline fancied she heard a cry, low and far away. It was only that of a coyote, she convinced herself, yet t was so walling, so human, that she shuddered. Stewart came back. He slipped the bridle of both horses, and he led them. Every few pace he wide-spreadi- gray-walle- green-patche- d pack-horse- MmM, Hurry!" had slipped down from her vantage point, and therefore had not seen the last act In that little camp-Or- e drama. It seemed, however, that her desire for excitement was satisfied, for her face was pale and she trembled when she asked If the guerrillas were gone. ' Ambrose hurried the three women over the rough rocks, down the cliff. The cowboya below were saddling horse In haste. Swiftly, with regard only for life and limb. Madeline, Helen, and Christine were lowered by lassoes and hatf carried down to the level. By the time they were safely down the other member of the party appeared on the cliff above. They were In excellent spirit, appearing to treat the matter a huge Joke. Ambrose put Christine on a horse and rods away through the pines; Ki ankle Slade did IlkewUe with Helen. Stewart led Madeline's horse up to ber, helped her to mount, and spoke one stern word. "Walt!" Then as fast as on of the wmnen reached the level slie was put utxin a horse and taken away by a cowboy escort. Few words were spoken. Hoste seemed to be the were The horxe great essential. urged, anil, once In the trail, spurred and led Into swift tr..t. one cowboy drove up four and these were hurriedly londed with the party's t'nstletou and tils comhsEgnge. panion mounted, and gnllHM'd off catrh the irfher In the le;id. This left Mmtrllne behind with Stewart aol l and Monty. gla' to switch i)S t the pnek-horv- "lL'r BOY SCOUTS 1ES- (Conducted BOY by National Council of th Scoula of Amorlca.) SCOUT COUNCIL Boy MEETS With the. great sym- bolic of Scouting, as a background, the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America conveued for Its thirteenth annual meeting at the Boy Scout park, camps, at Palisades Intei-stHtN. Y., the largest boys' camps In the world. Prominent men from a.l purls of the country, distinguished In the field of church, school, education, and business, came together to discuss the furthering of boy welfare through the Scout method of citizenship training e and character building. ' At the time at the camp were some 2,500 boys, who had a chance to act as hosts to their distinguished guests. Among the members present at 4he meeting was the Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, assistant secretary of the navy, who addressed the convention. ''I am strong for the boy scouts," said Roosevelt "They are building manly men, men who won't whine ht a little hardship, men who are game to sacrifice themselves for the good of the country and their fellow citizens. "Camping builds you up In strength, The and builds you up In character. selfish man In camp shows up right You will know the boy who away. reaches for the best piece of bacon in the pan. There is no better way of finding out the whiner than In camping. He Is the boy who doesn't want to, finish the hike because he has a blister on his big toe. Then there Is the careless boy, who runs around while supper Is being cooked and gets sand In the frying pan. In peace or In war, the man who has been a sco? will come through 100 per cent." At the conclusion of the address, the delegates rose and stood In silent toast to the memory of his father, thffk Great Scout, Colonel Roosevelt. Gen. John J. Pershing spent ona morning during the meeting inspecting the 28 camps which make up the entire unit "The camps are wonderful," he said. "I consider the boy scout movement one of the great movements In America today. I am Impressed by the manly bearing of the boy scouts, and their democratic attitude toward eacb other and their superiors. "1 would not Introduce military training Into the boy scout moveIf I ment could. I believe the work you are doing Is periiaps more broadening than that which would be given under a military regime. In any event you are teaching boys the right thing to be good citizens. "I cannot speak too strongly In praise of the boy scout movement I have always been enthusiastic and am much more so since my experience BOY SCOUT ROUNDUP CLOSES Upon the death of President Hardthe roundup which was being conducted by the Boy Scouts of America to secure 100,000 net Increase In membership was brought to a close. This roundup was one of the many evidences of the practical Interest of President Harding in the work of the Boy Scouts of America. Under the conditions of the roundup effort the President was awarding a streamer to each troop and to each local council, and presenting a irsonal letter to the president of every local council earning 25 per cent Increase In membership over a stated time. Chief Scout Executive James E. West explained that the death of the President automatically brought the roundup to an end, as It would man! festly be Impossible to cany out the terms and conditions under which the roundup was Inaugurated, for any further effort All those who have quail-fle- d up to date will receive the awards a promised. He further explained that the result of the roundup ha brought In an Increase of 83,or8 scouts end 7 scout officials, or a net gain of loth of 104.845. thus giving the Boy Scouts of America a total membership of 617,852 men and boys. This he characterized as splendid tribute to the Interest and acUvlty of the late president. ing, 21,-78- vtmwW FOR GOOD CITIZENSHIP "I am glad to Indorse the boy scout value In stimulating In boy right conduct and th proper appreciation of th duties stopped to listen. II changed hi di- and responsibilities of life. rection several time, and the last time "Such an Influence at this Impreshe got among rough, rocky ridge. Th sionable age U a great help In estabIron shoe of th horse cracked oa th lishing th habit of good living, and rocks. That sound must have pene- will do much to Insure good citizentrated far Into the forest. It perturbed ship for th future." Redfleld ProcStewart for he earned for softer tor, Governor of Vermont Meenwhll the shadow ground. merged Into darkness. The star shone GRANDDAD TAKES SCOUT TES f The wind rose. Madeline believed Scout David Locu of Lawton, Okla, hours pnsed. ha made a cout enthusiast of hi In More Modem Time. . grandfather, F. M. Howe. The two toA girl used to want to know If h gether recently panned the cout merit had enough to start up housekeeping badge test for cycling, by riding 50 wl'h; now she wants to know If he mile, on bicycles In less than ten hours, Ons .f the requirement of the lest la na enough to pay alimony. CincintliH mime one accompany the scout nati Enquirer, taking it. Scout Liciia Invited hi .mnilil.nl. Mr. Hone muted the moroWhich f nic follow ing tlif Howard "My daughter play fa trip that be never felt titer !n hl life and Hint be would like piano." Jay "By ear, by aot or by iu uik II trip HKiiiu. New Tort tea, recwN?" He Went Cautlouely Listen. Forward to movement because of It |