The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-07-26

hand, Harry simply held on for Q second,
and then turned back again with no In
dication, save his paleness, of the struggle
going on within. In the short discussion
which followed, the habitual drawl ofthe
speakers was not quickened.
"Thar ID only one thing for rs to do"
said Jim; "we'vs got to follow up this
trail quickly"
"whits, you and me and Bill and Jake,
Curley and oil Pike thar, II bout make
up this party, reckon. You other fell
iers, III hev to walk homo and carry your
saddles"
"Ready, boys. Let's light out" called
Jim, as he put the spurs In, and the little
party of six, driving the spare animals be-
fore them, galloped to the south, leaving
the dismounted men standing there
watching them.
Hour after hour the six men galloped
southwark. The moon came up, making
the scene almost 90 bright as day, and by
its light the faint trail, stretching like Q
thin pencil mark over tho mesa, could be
plainly seen.
Onoe the party stopped to change sad
dies and water the painting beasts as they
crossed branch of the Chiquito. Then
the gallop began again. About half past
eleven the moon went down, and, per-
force, the party camped. The men threw
themselves down on the ground and slept
almost immediately. Harry, however,
sat up or paced to and fro during the rest
of the night. At the hrst streak of dawn
he reused the party, and collecting tho
animals, they started out.
"1t's my opinion" drawled old Pike,
that they has gone by the Pass, an
we'll ketch 'em on the SLOPE"
About half q mile In front the mesa
suddenly ended, and the low, outlying
hills began.
As the party swept round between these
hills, with the light OF the rising sun
the lower ground still lay buried In
shadow, the scene was very beautiful. It's
little the men there, however, thought OF
sunrise or scenery. The trail had left the
mesa and led up through the short grass.
:. Turning the corner Of the trail, just be-
fore you get to the entrance Of the Pass,
they caught sight of two animals ridden
by man and woman, about three miles
ahead. The moment they were seen Jim
called q halt, and turning to old Pike,
asked:
"Is thar any way We c'ld get ahead OF
'em an head 'em or I'm afeaRd that
devil III shoot the gal II he secs u.s."
"We kin kinder mosey round that ar
hill thar, an ketch 'em on t'other side Of
we hurry up," drawled the old man.
"Bill, you an Jake had better keep
right on, while the rest ov us goes round
the hill. Don't hurry, but give rs time" !"
said Jim, authoritatively, as he turned
his horses head up little side canon.
The party to 60 around the hill had
sharp climb. The active little mustangs
went up the steep mountain side like
goats, and In about an hour the four men
were posted on each side of the trail,
waiting for the man and the girl. They
did not have long to wait. Turning the
sharp corner, Jose, who was riding in
front, saw four revolvers leveled at him,
and heard the short order from Jim,
"Throw up your handsi" There was
nothing to do but obey, for the Mexican
knew that q moments hesitation meant
death. 1t took but q short time for Jim
and old Pike to bind Jose securely, and
take away his revolver and long knife
Harry, in the meantime, made his way to
where Polly was tied on her horse, and
cutting the rope, he had the happiness of
lifting her down, safe at last In his arms.
She had gone back TO the ravine where
she had left her knife, and had been hunt
ing for Ii, when she suddenly felt cloth
thrown over her head. She struggled as
well as she could, but with little effect,
and her hands were tied behind her. Then
she was lifted on horse and secured In
the saddle, and then the horse was led at
q rapid gallop, where she did not know.
It was not until they stopped for the
night that she knew who 10 was that had
carried her OF.
When Polly had finished his story, by
Jim's direction, Harry and she rode down
the trail. When they were out of sight,
Jim turned to Jose, the men being
grouped around, and said:
"Jose, you hev bucked agin the wrong
game this time, an you has lost your
stake. Is'pose all you boys is greed with
me as to the right thing to do"
A grim nod from the listening and
deeply attentive men was sufhcient an
swer. Jim continued:
"Has you anythin' TO say, Jose, why
you should not be punished"
"Pve nothing to say. I've had q try for
IL an I've lost. As for the rest, quien
sabe," answered Jose.
"Wail, IL you've nothing to say,
'spose we'd better tend to business"
"Here, Bill, climb up an pass the end
of this nata round that sharp rock, I" said
Jim. "Pike, help put this greaser on .
hoss."
The two men lifted Jose on one Of the
horses and led the animal under the
dangling moose. Then Curley mounted
his mule and rode alongside, where sit
ting In the saddle, he adjusted the rope
around the Mexican's neck, dismounting
when he had finished, and leading his
mule OF.
"Jose," said Jim slowly, Get thar's any
thin you'd like befo' you pass In your
checks, I'd be glad ef you'd mention It,"
"I'd like cigarette"
"why, oert'nly. Bill, you HIN make
them things. Just nx him up one, will
YER
Bill came down from the rock, and
making and lighting a cigarette, placed
IL In Jose's mouth. The Mexican drew In
long breaths OF the smoke, enjoying II as
much as though'he hsd years to live. Pike
held the horse, and the men stood around,
silent, attentive and grave.
UR( vou,vs nufahod AhaN Ar o{4aYoftn.