Part 39 (2/2)

The desperadoes had placed their rifles against a tree, and old Benson rabbed up two of the firearms and Darry the third, the desperadoes leaped to their feet in alar out old Benson ”Hands up, or you are all dead men!”

The scout's rifle was raised, and so were the weapons of Cass and Bernstein, and the desperadoes found thea in his belt

But the h for Bernstein, and as the regular's rifle rang out Fetter fell headlong across the camp-fire

”Do you surrender?” asked old Benson

”Yes,” came from Potts, sulkily, and his companion said the same In the meanti his last at Potts' feet

The sight was a thrilling one, and caused Joe and Darry to shudder

”Can't I do so for that poor wretch?” asked Joe, of Benson, but before the old scout could answer Fetter breathed his last

In a few minutestied up, the third man made a quick leap into the woods

”After him!” cried Benson, and Cass and Bernstein did as coulars were out of sight and hearing

CHAPTER xxxI

BURNING OF THE STOCKADE

”What will you do with him?” asked Joe of Benson, as he pointed to Nat Potts

”Don't be hard on ht to be hung,” grunted the old scout ”You aint fit to live and you know it, Potts You couldif you wanted to, but you would rather cheat and steal”

”It was Matt Gilroy who got me into this,” answered Potts ”He----”

”Don't put it off on to somebody else, Potts!” cried the old scout wrathfully ”If you aint got backbone enough to be honest, it's your own fault”

”Will you let erly

”No, sirree!” was Benson's answer ”You shall suffer the full extent of the law, and don't you forget it!”

While waiting for the return of Cass and Bernstein, the old scout searched Potts and the dead body of Fetter, taking away all their weapons and some papers which Potts carried

These papers showed how deep-laid was the plot which the desperadoes had forain possession of the money stored at Fort Carson, and how they had duped the Indians under White Ox and other chiefs to assist them

At last Cass and Bernstein ca