San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-05-04

the river.
push up" said the captain, at is
| nearly night, and we must camp at the
Wells, SO as to be able to cross the Rio
| Grande early in the morning."
The horses, as if refreshed by travelling
| on the soft, matted grass, accelerated
| their pace, and when the Wells were
| reached there was still enough light to
allow the men to fix their camp for the
night.
The Wells, as they were called, was a
bo3gy pond in the midst of bunch Of
mesquite timber. The herders had dug
around the stagnant water several wells
for the use of their stock. 1t was some
what out Of the way from the main road,
and frequented only by herders and
roaming. lawless riders.
The hobSled horses were turned loose
| for the night, and fire was made,
around which the men stretched them
selves, munching some jerked beef and
some cold tortilIas.
Some time had elapsed, and the night
| was well on when the sudden yelping of
the coyotes of the surrounding timber
aroused the men. 1t indicated that either
the coyotes were on a chase of some de-
fenseless animal or that a human being
was passing through the prairie, but be-
fore the campers could prepare them
selves a rider was on them, his horse an
swering the neighing of the hobbled ami
mails. All of the five campers were up in
| an instant, each with his revolver in
hand.
mo fighting, boysr' hailed the new
conner. cts l, COoney! l tracked you
81 7 T l.
| you at the Wells"
"Ah! my man!' answered the captain,
''yOu were always mighty good on a trail,
but you may have struck a wrong scent
! Glad to see you back again. Dismount
and hobble out your horse"
Cooney did as directed, and joining the
| group he squatted before the fire in the
| place made vacant for him.
"Have you brought your rations with
| your asked the captain of Cooney.
The company had all turned their eyes
on Cooney, who answered uneasily: "No,
l eat at the ranch of Los Animas, and as
was anxious to overtake you all, l left my
| ratons, SOFAS not to overload my horse"
"Did you see Mclean and his rangers?"
asked the captain in a whining soft voice.
81 struck the ranch after they had left, {"
answered Cooney.
"You lie" yelled the captain as he
| Strengthened himself, revolver in hand
which he leveled at Cooney, adding: "You
are now on a scout for them, expecting to
| betray us
The whole company rose up, five re-
volvers glistening on Cooney.
The fire, which had been kept up in q
bright blaze, illuminated the whole scene
| Cooney raised himself, his hands hanging
| by his side; he knew that the least move
ment would send five bullets through him.
"NOw, Cooney," said the captain, 'no
more lying; you have betrayed us and you
| are now on an errand of treachery. Hold
| up your handsn'
Cooney held up his hands.
Boys" added the captain, "cover him
| with your barrels while tie him.
The captain went to his saddle and I'M
| tying his lariat he stepped behind Cooney,
whose hands he took down and fastened
| securely behind his back. Then facing
| Cooney, he said:
"Now, COoney, let us hear what you
have to say. Your hours are short, I'M
| less you can show us that you are
straight"
81 have nothing to say" answered
| Cooney, looking fearlessly at his confed-
crates. "You have seen me face death
| often enough to know that am not afraid
| to die.''
The other American interrupted him:
"None of your tongue, Cooney; we all
| know how slippery you are. Come to the
point. How comes it, that instead of
| your meeting us at Los Animas, the
Rangers were there waiting for us? Il it
| hadn't been for Pedro ConCha, we would
have been trapped. He met us some two
miles beyond, and he said you were there
also"
"Answer that" yelled the American.
"Pedro lied" answered Cooney
"Well, we will search you," said the
captain ''the proofs must be on you,
either in money or in papers"
While talking, Cooney had gradually
slipped his right hand through the knotted
lariat, and he had succeeded in olsen
| tangllng it, unseen by the rest; with his
elbows he had slipped his revolver scab
| bard close to his hand.
AS the captain stepped toward Cooney,
the latter, quick rs flash. drew his
pistol on him, and at it its report the
| captain sank to the ground with a yell,
Cooney's bullet crashing through his
| head.
Before Cooney could move his hand
from its aim he was covered by the pistols
Of the remaining four men, and he fell,
pierced by four bullets, on the corpse Of
the captain.
The four freebooters did not remain to
! dispose Of the bodies-.noC even to look at