Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-07-09

pecting every instant to hear the re-
port of guns behind him. But no
volley followed him, and he passed
over the crest of the rise unmolestcd
Miss Josie and her escort had dis
appeared. ssIf the fool remains
around here "a hours, / won't ans.
wer for the consequences. There
were cattle from ranches other than
mine in that bunch"
He struck off for his own range in
o different direction from that by
which he had come. The country
was wilder and more broken. There
was grove of stunted trees and
branch of the river in his path, and
be slopped to give his pory an hours
rest.
He was still sitting by the side of
the stream, his steed feeding a few
yards away, when he saw group of
half dozen or more horsemen CON-
ing out Of a gulley across the brook.
They forded the stream and then,
apparently catching sight of him,
drew up in an excited, gesticulating
group. Penryn was quick to recog-
nize them as Mexicans-ouite evil
IDENTITY herdsmen from Perriot's
ranch.
He sprung up, intending to get
his horse and be prepared for what
ever was to follow, but as he Loosen
ed the gun in his belt he beard q
hail behind him. Instantly the group
OF horsemen spurred up the incline
toward him, but before he could
turn around to see what new danger
threatened him from the rear q moose
settled over his head aud shoulders
and was pulled taut, pinioning his
arms to his sides.
Some of his enemies had made a
flank movement, and he was at their
mercy. He was dragged to the
ground, the chattering crowd at
once surrounded and disarmed him,
and he was bound with his own belt
to lightning riven stump on the
edge of the grove. Penryn believed
his condition to be desperate in
deed, but he would not show fear
before his captors and laughed in
their faces. At that one-the fellow
who he had struck back at the brand
ing camp-lashed him twice across
the cheek with his own whip, and
the blood flowed from the gashes.
But even the pain of the wound
did not cow him. "Do you think
you can kill me and 60 scot free?"
he demanded. you'll find your
mistake. My boys will hunt you TO
the Rio Grande-and beyond. And
all Perriot's money won't save you.,
At that they drew aside to confer,
while Penryn leaned against the tree
to which they had bound him, half
fainting from loss of blood and the
pain of the gashes on his face. He
remembered with bitterness how the
coloners daughter had turned her
back upon him when he accused
Perriot Of "jumping his brand"
The girl was evidently in love with
the Frenchmsn, and in his despair
the young ranchman did not much
care what these desperadoes did with
him.
Suddenly his enemies ran for their
horses and climbed heller SHELTER
into their saddles. Penryn, with his
head hanging upon his breast, paid
slight attention, but when the swift
beat of horses hoofs smote upon his
ear he wondered vaguely if more of
Perriot's men we're coming.
He raised his head. The Mexi-
cans were crossing the stream again,
plying spur and lash as they went.
One OF them, the man who had al
ready struck him, turned in his sad
die and fired at the figure tied to the
tree, but the bullet few wide OF its
mark.
The pounding of hoofs increased !,
and pouring over neighboring rise
came party of wildly riding COW.
boye. Penryn looked again and
recognized old Jase Howard at their
head. He cried aloud to him and
then hung limp upon his bonds.
He came to himself again in mo-
ment. Jase had him lying upon the
grass, and he found himself choking
over some of "the real stuff" which
the foreman had.forced between his
lips.
1--WE we're just In time, by thun-
der" exclaimed Howard. allow dye
feel now?"
Better" said Penryn sitting up.
"Here, femme bind that up" said
the old man, muffing the lower part
OF his employers face in a linen
handkerchief. "Them greasers had
better light out erbout as fast as
they kim" he pursued. "The boys
sir hot after 'em, an the hull range'll
be buzzin erbout their ears afore
mornin."
"How did you know about it?'
asked Penryn.