he next evening they
would marshal their force outside of Crawling Water, each man armed and
mounted. After dark they would ride up the main street, where they would
halt at each crossing, while a squad detailed for the purpose searched
each saloon and other gathering place for members of Moran's gang. After
the prisoners were rounded up they would be assembled in a compact body
and marched to the railroad where they would be set free, under threat
of instant death if they ever returned to Crawling Water.

Although counting on superior numbers and the morale of his men, Wade,
who had been chosen to command the little army, knew that there would be
considerable hard fighting. Moran's people would probably be scattered
and otherwise unprepared for the attack, but many of them would resist
to the death. If Moran should attempt an organized resistance, the
cattlemen meant to storm the town. Once the first shot was fired, the
fight would be to a finish, for any other outcome than victory would
spell ruin for the cattle interests in that section.

The prospect was more than serious. Moran had established himself in
Crawling Water and practically ruled it, surrounded as he was by some
sixty adherents, the off-scouring of a dozen lawless communities. The
decent citizens held aloof from him, but on the other hand the lower
element viewed his reign with favor. The gamblers, particularly Monte
Joe, who proclaimed himself Moran's lieutenant, had welcomed him, as had
the saloonkeepers, to all of whom the presence of his men meant gainful
trade. The better class, in the town itself, was in the minority and
unable to restrain the unbridled license which flourished everywhere.

No matter how stiff Moran's resistance proved, however, Wade felt very
sure of the final result. He knew the men in his party and he knew that
they meant business. He was relieved to believe that Dorothy and her
mother would be safe at the ranch until after the trouble was over, and
that Helen and Senator Rexhill had left Crawling Water. The two factions
were now arrayed against each other almost like opposing armies, and the
cattleman shuddered to think what his state of mind would have been had
Dorothy and Mrs. Purnell remained in Crawling Water.

"You'll be entirely safe here," he told them, when he was ready to leave
for Crawling Water on the following evening. "I shall leave Barker to
look after your wants, but you won't really need him. There isn't a
sh