Foes in Ambush

an inhabitant of Arizona as Mr. Harvey gave entire credence to the report; recognized the note as really his son's handiwork and hastened at all speed to overtake the pursuers, what room for doubt co

shook his head i

for the coming of the main body. They'd 'a' been here before this, perhaps, if it hadn't been for the Apache story. They're more afraid of one of Cochises's band than of all the sheriffs from Tucson to Tacoma. I wish the rest of Harvey's people would get here

emained of the beacon-light. All was still as the grave about the lonely rancho. Walking over t

Dawes?" he asked. "Not

he day. I'm sitting here on the safe with a Colt's six-shooter i

suppose they come around thro

away at you, but I happened to recognize you

the colloquy. Plummer waddled o

s it, s

rvey's men, I mean. Will

say; why sh

effect from your lips, ma

hoofs of mules could now be heard. Prese

g out Feeny. "Who

Looking for Moren

o come right along after him. He has taken the trail to the C

in saddle, shocked a

it happen? Who'

on the trail, one with Ned Harvey, the other just out from here at dark. T

d best leave them here with the mules. They're ju

ster's garrison, and Sergeant Feeny's brief exposition of the situation at the ranch only de

ance. "None of 'em have been seen about Tucson for a week before we left. Wish I could stay and st

d Harvey?" persisted the sergea

's no plant. I don't want to offend you, sergeant, but I wish to God it was all the Morales gang's doings and that it w

loyal fellow put spurs to his horse and disappe

or-way assured him the clerk was still alert and ready. A pause under the open window, high above the ground, of the room where slept

rt, sergeant," said Plummer. "I

rag 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 si

hat 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 ho

o cart off the safe in, if th

t you hear?" suddenly spoke the m

west, under the starlit vault of the heavens, somewhere in that black expanse of desert, plainly and distinctly there rose the measured sound of iron or st

, for there's no stage due to-night, and if it was Harvey's amb

e darkness, and, having no ranch lights to

em if it was Harvey's. This has come from the pass, and it won't be long before they'll b

couple of carbines, Feeny returned to the major, silently handing him on

oth men list

out from the darkness came the unmistakable crack of a whip. At the sound Feeny knelt. Click, click went the hammer of his carbi

ide ahead and see if you

till night air, followed instantly by muffled soun

omes t

hat? Who's that?

e, I say? Halt!

n't fire, man; we'

Who are you

daughters, of Tuc

his feet and rushing forward. "Are they all

ng about?" queried a tall, slender fellow,

cavalry,-and here's th

or w

en you came for help," answered Feeny, his voice tremulo

ly troops I met were Sergeant Wing and his guard at the pass just afte

gging for troops to go and fetch your ladies down from the Gila? Wasn't it you sent the note sayin

e and sound. We'd have been here an hour a

and the inestimable comfort of finding he was right in his theories after all, he dropped his carbine,

major endeavored to tell of the morning's adventure and the counterfeit presentment of the Ned Harv

one on the trail

an hou

to ride all night. Fetch him back here as quick as you

ith the paymaster's ambulance. The weary mules were unhitched and, with the saddle-horses, led in to water. Th

have used our supposed peril to draw away your guard. They have 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've always suspected the

's the main gang we have to watch," answered Feeny; "they may b

the 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 o

es in the Santa Maria? We would get

them. You wouldn't have your gua

e at Moreno's to-night." And, the paymaster aiding, the silent, trembling sisters were lifted from the wagon and led away into the one guest-room, the east room, where, pistol in hand, still sat Dawes on the safe. The wraps and pillows were quickly passed in. The little hurricane-lamp was stood in one corner. A bundle of cavalry blankets, left behind by the detachment when it to

Morales and his outfit, and I'll j

been the longest evening I ever spent; but, thank God, our worst fears are at an end. I never dou

ore of Mexico in his manner. He has been to Tucson, but I never heard of his masquerading over my name until n

. There was no time to scrutinize it closely," explained the major. "

corral, one who can be relied upon to shoot down any of Moreno's people who should try to come out, I think we can look out for the rest. Any minute now they'll be coming. First thing, run these two wagons around to the corral, so as to clear the approaches. There mustn't be anything behind which they can hide or take shelter

"That's a signal. Hist! you

he five men stood huddling in a little grou

an abrupt high note, had sounded. For a moment there was no repetition. The invi

a board-covered port in the westward wall. "They'll try to show a light, perhaps. Run round into the cor

d of the ranch. Here he entered the low door-way. The little lamp burn

dow, and don't be frightened. It looks as though some of the Morales gang were around here hoping to fin

o her sister and clung to her for courage and su

ar to lie here listening and taking no part

he door. We can tend to them, Fan. It won't be long before father and the troop come

hailed the clerk, i

probably they. Look out for Moreno now; d

, louder, shriller, clearer

's no answer from here ye'll get this night. Watch out

nd Harvey would have restrained him, but it was too late; he was gone before either could speak. Then a latch creaked and snapped behind them and, slowly and cautiously, the wooden shutter began to open outward. In an instant Harvey had rai

d Harvey. "Don't you dare show hair nor hide outside your room. Ever

within, and this mere crack revealed to the watchful eyes out upon the plain the position of the ranch, possibly told them something more, for in less than half a minute two horse

ho are you? Ha

y the order to halt was obeyed, the trained horses going almost

rst voice. "The Apaches jumped our outfit j

e of you all told?

the Lord's sake, gentlemen, don't keep us out here. We've lost everything we had,-

major?" whispered Harvey.

e the devil's Feeny? He's the best judge, really

ago; that was Mexican beyond any doubt. We've got to stand those fello

aps, but our guards have orders to be on the lookout for

e got any, and help us catch these murdering thie

p; but we've other business on hand just now. You wait there quietly for a min

d beforehand, out in the darkness to the north Feen

er Five?" And so, cool and confident as though he had a doz

y? Didn't I hear you parl

geant;-say they're prospector

whispered to old Plummer. "There's four of them out there. Challenge if th

there, sergeant.

here. Lave your gun behind. Give your reins

ng as though the self-styled prospectors were in consultati

n here, or I'll send a bulle

spectors" seemed anxious to e

conds, be jabers, I'll fire, so be lively." A

" said he, as he quickly raised the butt to his shoulder. There was a sudden scurry and scramble of horses' hoofs, low-voiced words of warning and a muttered

thick darkness and out of harm's way before one could pull trigger. Then came two flashes, two quick reports, then half a dozen rapid, sputtering revolver-shots, then a vengeful howl and a rush out on the p

rkness, aiming vaguely where he could hear the thud of horses' hoofs. For a moment, running from point to point after each discharge, he kept up a rapid fusillade, under cover of which the hapless paymaster was borne swif

whispered. "Now lie still. We may have to st

, Feeny turned to make a run for the ranch. Just as he came speeding in past the westward wall th

Pasqual!

the carbine and the loud report went bellowing out across the plain. But within the ranch there went up a wail of terror

scathed, leaped in

Mullan's limp carcass. "Lug in wan of them water-jars. Stick their damned heads into