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"I'oin', anyhow They can't steal e"

"Wal, Guy, you ain't goin' alone," spoke up Jacobs, cheerily, as he ca wife of Guy Isbel showed no change of her grave face She had been reared in a stern school She knew men in times like these But Jacobs's wife appealed to him, "Bill, don't risk your life for a horse or two"

Jacobs laughed and answered, "Not much risk," and went out with Guy To Jean their action seemed foolhardy He kept a keen eye on them and saw instantly when the band became aware of Guy's and Jacobs's entrance into the pasture It took only another second then to realize that Daggs and Jorth had deadly intent Jean saw Daggs slip out of his saddle, rifle in hand Others of the gang did likewise, until half of theoin' to shoot," called out Jean, sharply "Yell for Guy and Jacobs Make them come back"

The old man shouted; Bill Isbel yelled; Blaisdell lifted his stentorian voice

Jean screaly: "Guy! Run! Run!"

But Guy Isbel and his companion strode on into the pasture, as if they had not heard, as if nohorse thieves ithin miles They had covered about a quarter of the distance across the pasture, and were nearing the horses, when Jean saw red flashes and white puffs of smoke burst out from the front of that dark band of rustlers Then followed the sharp, rattling crack of rifles

Guy Isbel stopped short, and, dropping his gun, he threw up his ar Jacobs acted as if he had suddenly encountered an invisible blow He had been hit Turning, he began to run and ran fast for a few paces There werebroke Walking, reeling, staggering, he kept on A hoarse cry cale rifle shot pealed out Jean heard the bullet strike Jacobs fell to his knees, then forward on his face

Jean Isbel felt hiedy paralyzed hiaze remained riveted on those prostrate for woman's hand, slim and hard and tense

"Bill's--killed!" whispered a broken voice "I atchin' They're both dead!"

The wives of Jacobs and Guy Isbel had slipped up behind Jean and froedy