The Washington times., 1904-09-04

I
that I might be under the necessity OF
putting my threat into execution, when
1 heard footsteps.
Ny heart gave a great bound when I
recognized Mr.. MeIrose's voice. and I
would have thrown open the door al
once 70 welcome him. but knew that il
was best to act with caution. and so I
let Don Cortinia open the door. while
1 stood back, so as to guard against any
sudden attack.
I Mr.. Melrose. in his Joy at seeing me-
L doubt not. would have thrown himself
upon me. but I looked extremely fierce
with two big revolvers in my hands
ne must have understood the situation.
ana did not explain 70 him that had
Oeeh uolnS heavy guaCd duty.
Inc bandit chief now at once demand
\ ed his release, declaring that his mart
OF the contract had been carried out;
but l had no idea Of letting so danger
Gus an outlaw go until 1 thought II be-
yond his power TO do me harm. I had
the fellow who had brought Mr.. NTeI-
rose fetch my horse from the stable. ana
for two others, there being two horses
hitched at the door, as I have mem
| toned.
released another one Of the men
had decided to take two OF the bandIea
as hostages for our safety unt1 NJ
could get out Of the country. and go a.
formed their chief, with an jntin7e,io,
that if we were attacked, they wound
be shot.
You play me false, You pIav me-
false" cried Montalveo vehementIr- ssIt
is not according to our agreement.
If we are not mOlested they win ba
sent back I replied And as for their
safety, and your own, it will be we'll
! for you to hold your tongue and re-
main where you are until they come
| back to release you
With this bit OF good advice. bada
him good morning. and the five OF Us.
one Of the bandits in the lead. I. myself
in the rear. we took our departure.
AS we passed the hovel where I had
stopped the evening before. two women
came out OF the door. Immediately upon
seeing us. they began TO scream and rain
curses upon Us, doubtless thinking we
had killed the other men, and we're tax
ing these away as prisoners.
Keep still. will your exclaimed the
man in front OF me. You had better
attend to your own business"
He gave them look as il to direct
/ their attention 70 the house we had left.
In a moment they had stopped their
cries, retiring within the house; but af-
ter we had passed by I saw them ruin
out and up the trail. Here was a danger
I had not counted on. They would set
the men in the house free. and give them
I an opportunity 10 follow US. but it could
not be helped now.
I was not making war on women, and
no doubt the men would have soon found
a way Of freeing themselves without the
hel2 OF the women. I was afraid that
! the.- would take a short cut over the
mountain and fire upon us in some OF
the narrow places. As soon as we had
+ travelled mile or two let my hostages
/ 90. thinking I best not TO be impeded
with them.
Why did you set the rascals free?"
demanded Don Cortinia angriIy.
4 gave their chief my word that they
should be released"
They should be shOt-the devils-a
pretty way TO treat with outlaws, What
rights have they"
They have right to expect that
would keep my word
What is your word with bandit2
Had you put the knife TO the whole lot.
it would have served them as they de-
served They would have done the same
10 YOU Ldu LAlcg AA1A4 AAAE OliFoA LtAAAAA-
Oh, you are an American-yOu do not
know them
You forget I replied cOolly. though
I was somewhat incensed at being called
to account IN this way for what I had
done, that 1 treated with them, and
that they had carried out their part OF
| the agreement. and I would be as hon
| orable with them as they havs been with
me-"
| tThey were in your power he re-
piled. But there was no reason why
YOU should have let those fellows keep
their horses"
Il am not a horse thief"
His lip curled-
With their horses they viii follow
US" he said. The passes are known
10 them. and they viii come in ahead
| Of us on the trail You can take my
word for it. We have not seen the last
| Of them"
I have my life at stake. as well as
you have yours" replied impulsively.
If We are fired upon from ambush, IL
will be me that they will first pick on.
But. having met me once. do not think
they viii care 10 meet me again
Come, come. for Gods sake cried
Mr. Melrose. let US get away from
here. I have no relish for having an
other sight OF them"
Put spurs to your horse, then, l re-
Piled Il will keep rear guard.
They did IS I directed, Don COrtinia
taking the lead II was a hard, reckless
ride, over 4 mountain trail but we did
not spare our horses. The Spaniard was
superb horseman, but Mr.. Melrose, I
think. chung TO his saddle for his life
and in mOmentary fear Of being pitched
over his horses head. At times 1 caught
my breath, fearing that he would be
thrown. Fortunately, he had good
horse and one used TO mountain travel,
or he might have met with disaster
As for myself, I had that reckless
/ feeling. which at times will come 10
some men. rendering them senseless 10
danger, and making them oblivioUs 10
fear of any kind In truth. 1 was in
just that frame of mind which would
have led me TO seek danger, rather than
avoid it We pushed on in this way
until we reached the national road and
then drew rein, feeling that we were
| out of immediate danger.
You received my nOte?' asked Mr..
Melrose, as / rode along by his side. II
was the first time we had had OppOr-
/ tunity for speaking together.