The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-07
CHAPTER VIII

| Ill.
Whatever might have been his other
moral attributes, Pasqual Morales had
borno anamc for desperate courage that
seemed justified in this supreme moment
surprise and stampede. What he saw
as he leaned out of the bounding vehicle
was certainly enough to disgust BAN
dit and demoralize many leader.
Scattering like chaff before the gale his
followers were scudding ont across the
desert, every man for himself, as though
the very devil were in pursuit of each
individual member Of the gang. Eight
or ten at least, spurring, lashing their
horses to the top OF their speed, were
already far beyond reach of his voice.
Close at hand, however, six or seven of
the fellows, desperadoes of the first
water. had unslung their henry rifles
ana blazing away for all they were
worth showed evidence of determine
tion to die game. Behind them, scream
ing at the tops Of their shrill. strident
voices, Sonora Moreno and her daughter
were ciihging stoutly to the iron rail
CT their seats as the blackboard was
whirled and dashed across the plain.
Already both the wounded men had
been flung helplessly out upon the sands.
and even as he looked the off fore
wheel struck stout cactus stump; few
into fragments; the tire rolled off In
one direction. and Moreno's luckleS
family shot. cometlike, into space and
fetchtd up shrieking in the midst of a
plentiful crop of thorns and spines.
The husband and father gazing upon
the incident from over his shoulder and
afar, blessed the saints for their bene-
hcence in having landed his loved ones
on soft soil instead of among the Jag
ged rocks across the plain. But for
almself the sooner he reached the rocks
ihe better. A tall gringo, who cast
aside dark blue blouse as he rode.
STOPPING low over his horses neck. ,,
seemed bent on racing the late ranch
owner TO the goal where both would |
be. and there was none TO dispute with
them tho doubtful honor Even those
who had stampeded at the first yell of
alarm were now refining back in broad,
sweeping circle, unslinging the ready
rifle and pouring in long range fire on
the distant rank of cavalry, just burst
ing into the triumph of the charge.
Here, there and everywhere across tho
plain little puffs of blue white smoke
were shooting up, telling of the leaden
missiles hurled at the charging limo.
But on like the wind came the troopers
IN blue, never pausing to fire a shot,
their leader at racing speed.
wounded though he was, Pasaual
Fior;ftes was not the man to fail in the
night. Yelling orders and curses at his
driver, he succeeded in getting him TO
control his frantic team Just long
enough TO enable the outlaw captain
to tumble out. Then away they dashed
again, the stifTening body of Ramon and
ne welghty little safe being now sole
occupants OF the interior In tho mad
excitement of the first rush two or three
loises had broken loose. leaving their
'wners afoot. and believing that no
quarter would be tho rule these aban-
Toned roughs were fighting TO tho last.
eillng their lives, as they called il, as
Iearly as possible. From their rifles
nd from others the shots rained fast
pom tho troopers, but never seemed 10 ,
neck tho charge. The rush was glori-
us. Drawing their revolvers now, ,
or they carried no sabers, the soldiers
red AS they rodc down those would be ]
Instructors, and two poor wretches were
attened out upon the plain when the /,
lain body of the troop dashed by, max !
lg straight for the fleeing Concord
ith the white canvas top. Drum 9
lond had not fired mt all. Every q
iought was concentrated on the occu-
ants OF the wagon. Every shot might n
needed when he got 10 them. q
hester was running grandly. The b
four who were 10 follow the q
entenant were already over 100 yards y
hind when, from the trail Of tho am
'iance, from little patch Of cactus, r
ere came flash and report, and the u
autiful horse swerved. reeled. but ..
Ished gamely on. Noting the spot. II
20 OF the following -troopers- -nmntiaa- n
cartridge into the clump, but left the
rking foe to bo looked after later. T.
icy were too close 10 the Concord 10 h,
ink OF anything else-so close they W
nld hear the cries and pleadings OF n
'man's voice, the terrified scream of y,
other, and then, all on a sudden. 10
Iestcr pitched heavily forward. and al
cn as the wagon game to n su.do,, NJ