Part 24 (1/2)
”You want Nort an' me to watch the road in the other direction?” asked the Kid
”Yes--and we'll be here when they unload the chinks All right now?”
”All set! Let's go, Nort!”
Yellin' Kid and Nort ran swiftly to the other side of the ranch house, in which position they would be hidden froht of the road until they chose to show themselves Billee Dobb went around to the corral
The onco the road, and would reach the Shooting Star ranch in another ht--the clouds seemed to have thickened in the last few minutes--but the noise was sufficient indication of its approach
The six men awaited its arrival with breathless excitement If the plan only worked! Delton would surely show up sooner or later, he couldn't risk too long a delay--and the capture would be co fast as the moment approached Guns were out now, and ready for action
Suddenly another sound ca ones--the sound of rapid hoof-beats Those on the farther side of the house fro peered down the road in the direction of town
They held their breaths
”Hear it?” the Kid asked excitedly of Nort
”Horses! and co this way! It must be Delton--he timed it perfectly--he'll arrive just as the car does! Kid, we've got more than our hands full this tiot to try and head theets the chinks and covers the suns drawn, ran down the road in the direction of the approaching horse to do, for they had noLouder and louder sounded the gallop of the ponies, and nearer caht was still pitch-black The moon was as if it had never shone In the distance thunder muttered, but the boys were too excited to notice it Overhead the clouds were growing heavier
”Here they come, Kid! Stop them!”
Nort threw hiroup of horseh Yellin' Kid juun drawn
”Hold up there!” he yelled ”Stick 'e In the glare the two challengers saw that Delton was directly in front of theun Then the heavens opened with a crash of thunder and the rain poured down in a deluge
CHAPTER XIX
THE CHASE
Through the darkness ca and continuously The angry voices ofthe drenched road ca
And over all the rain came down in torrents
”Out of the way there, you!” caot no time for foolin'!”
”Stick to it, Nort!” the Kid yelled ”Don't let the in the uns out, deter in on Hawkins, as gri car If they could be held off until the auto pulled in and stopped, the party at the other side of the ranch housethe chink runners
There was a sudden shot