Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-07-27

he rode out, accompanied by his men,
and by the pack animals that carried
the provisions for the long journey.
But before the gate closed, of the
two who were nearest Torrez, one
turned and rode back quickly. Throw
ing himself suddenly from his horse
he knelt upon the ground before Ysa
bel, lifted her hand and touched it
gently with his lips. Then he swiftly
rejoined his companions.
So skilfully and quietly had this
maneuvre been performed that Torrez
apparently had not observed it. But
the other who rode by him had, and
scowled savagely. AS the gallant re-
Joined them the other said beneath his
breath:
cab, Macheco, this is your little
day. But, by the saints, my turn will
come"
Macheco laughed and mutterel q
reply that made the other scowl still
more. There was sharp exchange of
words, stopped only when Torrez
turned to them and spoke:
"What are you two quarrelling
about?" he demanded; "let be. We
shall have work enough before us with
out that. You, Macheco, ride ahead.
Tell Pedrez to drive quietly. The
cattle will not stand much urging.
Then go on and choose the place to
make our stop tonight. 1t must be
where there is a taste of water, or we
shall not have beasts enough lett at
the end to pay for our trouble"
Macheco was off at word, putting
spurs into his mustang as if he were
off on race for life. Torrez and the
other watched him silently, little
curl of scorn about both mouths. Not
until he was well out of sight, alb
sorbed in the maze of the cattle that
crawled on toward the west. did
either speak. Then Torrez asked:
"For what did Macheco turn back,
Sancha?"
"Does not tho patron know?" asked
Sancha, truculently, In answer. 'I
did not look, but think it was to kiss
the senorita's hand"
He stole a look from the corner of
his eye as he said this, but had not the
satisfaction of reading any change IN
| the immobile face of the older man. 1t
was not until some time after, and
when he seemed to have forgotten both
the question and reply, that Torrez
| again asked:
"Are you going to let Macheco prove
himself the better man? Look, Sancha
You asked me if you might wed Ysabel.
So did Macheco. [ told you it must
rest between yourselves and the girl.
1 know what girls are. Macheco has
the dash. You left her without a word.
Macheco rode back and saluted her
like cavalier. He is always doing
things, the picturesque, the reckless.
1 do not think you are less brave, but
you do not prove it to her."
"The opportunity does not come,
patron, Nlacheco always stumbles
upon it,"
"The opportunity. Bah! Men
make opportunities. D."
The long day drew on. The cattle
moved forward in cloud of dust, fret
full, uneasy, hard to keep together. As
the sun climbed higher in the sky and
sent his rays down more directly the
vaqueros rode less gayly, and the ready
oaths cane less freely from their
throats, choked and parched by the
dust OF the plain. At night they made
pause where Macheco had found hol-
low with a few pools of stagnant water,
into which the cattle plunged eagerly.
They lay down after that, but were
not quiet, and Torrez joined the herd
ers in riding about them and stilling
them with his voice. Macheco was
ever alert, oficious, doing double
duty, and keeping himself beneath the
eye of the patron. Sancha, silent and
to himself. Those who did not know
him would have said he shirked his
share of the common duty. But tho
men here knew him too we'll to ven
ture such words.
Another day passed and another
night, and yet other days and nights
after these. They were but the repe-
tition of ono another. Sometimes n
little more water or bite OF parched
| and stunted buifalo grass to revive the
half starved and tortured beasts, but
oftener less than more. On the eighth
morning Torrez said:
"We shall be there tonight"
Perhaps the cattle heard him.
Perhaps, over that deadly PLAIN, came
scent of lowing waters and OF living
grass. Perhaps the poor worn brutes
went mad with the JOY of it; that now
they should hunger and thirst no
more. What l was know not. But
a sudden cry of alarm went up from
Macheco, riding along at their head
as carelessly as he had ridden days be-
fore out from the corral. And at this
cry every vaquero tightened the
cinch of his saddle girths, and with
his knees took hold little more firm
ly the beast he bestrode. Torrez
| L. IL l., e. 4