by Clair Blank
Chapter XIII
RESCUE
Darkness found Gale in much the same position she had occupied throughthe rainstorm, standing beside her horse and gently stroking his nozzle.The rain had stopped but she was uncomfortably wet. She wondered whetherthis was a climate where one caught colds easily. If so, she wouldprobably have a dandy tomorrow. The horse shifted his feet impatientlyand nudged her shoulder.
She smiled at him. "Impatient to be off, old boy? So am I. Somethingtells me that this is going to be a night of excitement. I wonder if I'mbeing foolhardy in spying on these fellows. I might be, you know," shesaid seriously to the horse. He nodded his head as though in agreement."Oh, so you think I'm foolhardy, do you? But on the other hand, I mightbe able to help Uncle. What do you think, old fellow?"
The horse shook his head and whinnied softly. "Please don't do that,"she said hastily, a hand on his nose. "If you make such a noise youmight bring those men out to investigate and that wouldn't be lucky foreither you or me."
The stars came out and with them the moon. The bright moonlight madeGale frown in annoyance. Any other time she would have marveled at thewhite radiance of Mr. Moon, but now it was indiscreet. The cabin whereshe was to do her spying stood squarely in the center of a large patchof moonlight. There would be no skulking in darkness close to it. If shehoped to get close enough to peer in a window or to hear what was beingsaid, she would not only have to cross that moonlit space but to standin the white light, clearly visible to anyone coming to the cabin. Well,she had made up her mind what she wanted to do and now she was goingthrough with it.
She wondered what her friends were thinking at her absence. She wishedthere was some way she could let them know she was safe and sound. Butin an hour or two she would be on her way back to them with informationthat might be valuable. She wished she had a good supper, though. Thatwas what ailed her horse too, he was hungry.
Through the trees she could see that there was a light in the cabin andsmoke curled from the chimney. Loud voices too, could be heard. Perhapsthey were planning something this very minute. Making sure her horse wassecurely tied to a tree, Gale started slowly toward the cabin. It wouldbe a ticklish business and goodness knew what might happen if she wascaught. She approached the rear of the cabin but it was no good to takeup a post here. The window was too high for her to see in and the voiceswere merely an indistinguishable blur through the thick wall.
Before the cabin stood six horses, reins hanging and their heads droopedforward. Six horses! That meant there were six riders in the cabin.Coming around the corner of the cabin, Gale trod heavily on a twig andit snapped loudly. She stood still on the verge of flight, her heartracing. But when no one came she realized that they were making too muchnoise to hear such a slight sound. Evidently it was an occasion forcelebration for they all seemed in high spirits.
The window where she had meant to make her observations was closed butthe door stood ajar. It was perilous looking in at the window, for anymoment one of them might glance toward the glass and see her. Galediscovered that, pressed flat against the wall beside the open door, shecould hear everything being said, though she could not see theoccupants. It was the latter position that she took. Making herself asflat as possible against the rough logs, so there was scarcely risk ofdetection as long as the men remained indoors, Gale strained her ears tomake sense of the conversation.
Suddenly their voices lowered, tones became confiding and mysterious.Now Gale could distinguish only snatches of what was being said. Sheslid a little closer to the open door.
"Pedro will stay here," one man said sternly. "Three of you will tend tothe cows and the two of us will scout around to that dude camp and seewhat's goin' on."
Gale wondered if there was another party of easterners camping in thehills, or did those words "dude camp" apply to her and her friends?Quite possibly they did. But why were these men interested in what theydid?
"They're too near the cattle to suit me," one of the other outlaws saidin a deep rumbling voice. "Suppose they see us? Then they'll be able togive a nice little description to the Sheriff."
He didn't sound like an original westerner, Gale thought. More like agangster of the movie type. Another voice joined in, soft and slurring.A Mexican, probably a half-breed, she decided mentally. For a while shecould catch no more of what they said and then only a word here andthere. But finally she knew enough that they planned to steal more ofthe K Bar O cattle. Should she go now and tell Jim and Tom so they couldforestall the thieves? No, she would wait longer. Perhaps there wassomething more she could learn. Where they were taking the cattle forinstance. As though in reply to her thoughts, the Mexican spoke again.
"You should have the cows across the border by morning."
But there seemed to be some little dispute about this. Three of the menstarted arguing. There was a step near her and a man's shadow fell onthe ground where the light from the doorway streamed out. He wasstanding in the doorway looking across to the trees. If he turned aninch more in her direction he would see her. Gale held her breath andleaned stiffly against the wall. He must hear her heart beating soloudly. It sounded like thunder in her own ears. Tossing his cigaretteout to the ground the man turned and stepped back into the cabin again.Gale almost sank to the ground in sheer relief. Pure luck, that was allit had been, that kept the man from sensing her presence. If he hadstepped just a bit farther out, or turned just a bit more in herdirection, she would have been discovered. And then what would havehappened? She refused to think about that. Cautiously she moved a fewpaces away from the door. There was no need for her to invite exposure.
Heavy steps sounded in the cabin and with lightning rapidity Galedisappeared around the corner of the building and none too soon. Two ofthe riders strode to their horses and mounted.
"Follow in an hour, Shorty," one of them called and the two departed.
Were they the two who were going to investigate the camp, she wondered.She hoped her friends would have some warning of the men's approach andwere able to prepare themselves. She would like to have followed thembut she meant to stick here and see what happened. The rustlers wereleaving one man at the cabin. Why? What further than robbery did theyplot? Were they planning to return here and use the cabin as theirhiding place after the K Bar O cattle were safely across the border? Ifthat was it, she wanted to know so she could send the Sheriff and hismen here and be sure it was no wild goose chase.
The moon was high overhead and moving slowly toward the west. Gale hadno means of knowing what time it was for she wore no wrist watch, butshe judged it to be about midnight. She would say it was an hour sincethe two riders had left, but still the other three had not followedthem. The four of them were having a high old time, she reflected as aloud laugh floated out to her. She seated herself on the ground andleaned against the wall. Might as well be comfortable while she waitedfor something to happen. She was at the side, safe from immediatediscovery should they come out without warning. But it would be betternot to remain seated here, should she hear them, for it might justhappen that they would come around this side.
Suddenly the loud talking came to an end and there was a scraping as ofchairs on the floor. Three men came to the door and walked leisurely totheir horses. Gale was peeping around from the back of the cabin now andshe watched them as they rode away. There remained now only one man inthe cabin. Cautiously she went around to the window at the front. Slowlyshe brought her eyes up to the level of the windowsill and gazed in. TheMexican--she had been right as to his nationality she realized now--satbefore the fireplace, his chair tilted back, his feet propped on thetable. In his hands he held a stick of wood and a knife and he whistledas he sent the chips flying. His profile was toward Gale and sheshivered at the ugliness of his countenance.
"Wouldn't like to meet him in a dark alley," she reflected to herself asshe studied him. A long scar ran down his cheek, making his profile evenmore repulsive than it would ordi
narily have been. "Something definitewith which to identify him, that scar," she told herself as she left thewindow.
The moon as it moved westward caused a dark, heavy shadow on the farside of the cabin and Gale stepped into its protecting blackness. Asudden thought of her horse occurred to her and she went back to wherehe was tied to see if he was secure and safe. There was no telling whenshe might want him in a hurry. She might have to leave suddenly, shethought humorously. She returned to the cabin and sat down in theprotecting shadow. She wondered if there was a harder thing in the worldthan the job of waiting. Her eyes were growing uncomfortably heavy andthe danger of falling asleep was very near. She smothered a yawn andstood up. If she fell asleep now!
What was that? The gallop of hoofs? It was. And they were coming to thecabin here. Who was it? The outlaws coming back from their nightlymarauding? Or could it, by some inconceivable magic, be Tom or Jimlooking for her? Somehow she had not expected them to. At any rate notat night. Of course if she didn't return to camp by the morning, nodoubt they would go out to look for her. But she planned to be safelyamong them by morning. Meanwhile, those horses were drawing nearer. Atlast they came into the moonlight from the direction she herself hadcome early that afternoon.
There were two horses but it looked as though one horse was carrying adouble load. Gale's interest was aroused. Who was it? The horses werepulled up short in front of the cabin and Gale flattened herself againstthe wall. She did not have as good a view of the new arrivals as shemight have wished for, but she could catch glimpses of them and shecould hear their voices. Right now they seemed anything but pleased.They were having trouble with something--or someone.
"Let me go!"
Out of the thin air, it seemed to Gale, she heard Valerie's voice.Valerie here! How did she get here? Was she on the horse with one of theoutlaws? That must be the explanation of the double burden one of thehorses was carrying. In some way, the men had kidnapped Valerie andbrought her here. Gale rejoiced inwardly now that she had stayed, buther heart leapt and her hands clenched the next second when she heardwhat sounded like a slap and a half smothered scream from Valerie.
"Maybe that'll keep you quiet for a while," one of the men said.
Gale longed to rush out and interfere on Valerie's behalf but she knewhow foolish that would be. She could only wait for an opportunity andpray that they did not seriously harm Val. That it should be Valeriemade it all the more tragic in Gale's estimation. If it had been Phyllisor Madge or Virginia, one more able to stand rough handling andhardship, Gale would have been more optimistic about her chances. Butwith Val she was worried. She, Gale, had to help her friend, but how?
Carefully she approached her post by the window and looked in. Valeriewas seated in a chair by the fireplace and the Mexican was approachingwith two straps from the saddle lying in the corner. He proceeded tostrap Val's hands to the chair posts. The other two riders watched himfor a moment and then came toward the door. Gale hastily retreated anddid not appear again until their horses were lost in the black trees.Back at the window she watched, while the Mexican walked slowly aroundhis captive, deliberately appraising her. The door was closed and shecould not hear what was being said, but it was evident that Valerie wassaying uncomplimentary things for the breed's face was growing blackerand blacker with rage.
It was Gale's intention to call the Mexican from the cabin on some ruseand while he was out slip in and cut Val free. But for that purpose shewould need a knife. She ran back to her horse. In her saddle bag shecarried a knife and, while she was here, it would be just as well tomove her horse up closer to the cabin. If she and Val had to make a dashfor it, it would be well not to have to run too far. Leaving her horsestanding at the rim of the open space where the cabin was, sheapproached the window again. Now she had to think of a ruse to get theMexican out of the cabin.
The light in the cabin was from the fire in the fireplace and from twolanterns which cast a sickly yellow glow over the occupants of thebuilding and the meager furnishings. Gale could see the Mexican bendingover Val, leering at her. She could see Val's bright eyes and flushedcheeks. Whatever the Mexican was saying to taunt her, it had thoroughlyaroused Val's temper. She saw Val's lips move and wished desperatelythat she might hear what the girl said. But the walls of the cabin werethick and the windows and doors closed, effectively smothering allsound. The Mexican's hand shot out and struck Val a heavy blow acrossthe cheek, bringing a dark red stain to the white skin.
Gale saw Val's head droop until her chin rested on her chest. What waswrong? Was she going to cry now, of all times? It was just what theMexican wanted, to make her grovel. Evidently the Mexican thought he hadsubdued all signs of rebellion in his fair prisoner for he bent closerwith a sneering smile. But it was a trick! When the Mexican bent over,Val's foot shot up and kicked him hard in the pit of the stomach. Hestumbled backward, doubled over in pain.
Gale could have danced in delight. Three cheers for Val! Her fightingblood was up. Gale found herself a little surprised at Val's daring. Valhad more courage than the girls had given her credit for. But now wouldcome a reckoning. The Mexican was straightening up, his face stillcontorted with pain, and drawing a knife from his belt. He took twosteps toward Val, caressing the knife with loving fingers. If Val wasafraid, she gave no sign of it and for that Gale admired her all themore. She was quite well aware that had she been in Val's place shewould have been scared green. The Mexican looked awfully intent on doinga bit of carving.
As for Val, she was frightened. The light in the half-breed's eyes andthe way he held the knife sent little shivers up her back. She twistedvainly at the bonds about her hands. Must she sit here while he stuckhis knife into her? But for all her terror, she gave no sign of it. Herhead was high and her gaze steady.
"Ah! You are brave my leetle one!" the Mexican said with his slurringaccent. "But you weel not be so brave w'en I have--what eez that?"
To Val's ears it sounded like hoofbeats. She prayed earnestly that itwas. Even if it was but the other two bandits coming back, it woulddelay the Mexican's knife a little longer.
Gale, recognizing that the Mexican sought revenge for that kick and wasintent upon securing that revenge with his knife, cast about quickly forsome means of getting him from the cabin. Her eyes came round from thewindow to the Mexican's horse standing meekly a few paces away. Shecrossed to him, pulled the reins up over his head and gave him a sharpslap on the flank. The horse started forward with a jerk and Galedisappeared around the side of the cabin. With the sound of thehoofbeats the door of the cabin was pulled open and the Mexican steppedto the ground. Gale could see him staring after his horse, but he madeno effort to chase the animal as she had hoped he would. He stood therefor several minutes until the horse had disappeared and then with asmothered exclamation of disgust or wrath stalked back into the cabin.Her ruse had failed. He didn't apparently care what happened to hishorse. Now what was she going to do? Val needed help and she, Gale, mustdo something. She didn't have time to go for Jim or Tom. She would haveto handle the Mexican herself, and hope that she and Val would have afighting chance. If he should foil her attempt at rescue, then theywould both be his helpless prisoners and anything might happen! Shelaughed nervously at her own lack of confidence. She wasn't veryoptimistic at any rate. However, they would see--what they would see.
She peeped in the window again. The Mexican was wiping the blade of hisknife carefully on his shirt sleeve. She knew he was so deliberatelycool and slow just to keep Valerie in suspense and to undermine hercourage. She looked at her friend. Valerie's color had faded a bit andher eyes were a little more luminous, but not with fear. She saw Val'slips move again but she didn't know that Val had said:
"Well, why don't you get it over with?"
"In time, my leetle one, in time," Pedro laughed.
"If you don't hurry my friends might arrive and spoil your littleparty," Valerie continued imperturbably.
He laughed again. "They weel not come here, my friend."
"Yes
they will," Valerie said coolly, "and when they do, you will lookvery handsome--at the end of a rope."
"Rope?" he pretended not to understand her.
"Yes, a rope," Valerie said bluntly, "for they will hang you to thehighest limb of the nearest tree and your friends with you!"
He laughed, albeit a tiny gleam of fear had flickered for a moment inhis eyes.
"But I weel not be here," he said smoothly. "And you, my preety flower,will not be able to tell them w'ere I have gone."
Valerie swallowed with difficulty. The fellow was getting on her nerves.He knew her story about her friends coming had been a bluff and he wasgloating over the fact. If something didn't happen soon, her nerve wouldgo to pieces.