The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1908-10-29

morning before starting over IL. Atter
they had gone about three miles back
over the old trail Mike suddenly
checked his burro and whispered ex-
citedly:
Did you see 1t, Tommy--a light on
the trail? Or have got 'em?'
Before Jerry could answer he saw
light bobbing up and down far down
the path.
What in thunder can 1t be, Mixer"
he exclaimed.
"A goblin or somebody comm this
way" The next moment the burros
we're led into a thicket at the side OF
the trail. far enough away so that they
could not be heard. and the two men
secreted themselves within few
feet of the pathway. The light came
nearer and nearer. until man on
burroback could be seen. The light
came from a lantern fastened to the
saddle, and was brilliant enough to
make the features OF the rider dis
tinguishable. Ten yards from where
Mike and Jerry lay the rider got of
his burro and began to tighten the
girth. The animal was hard TO man
age. and the man cursed 1t roundly.
At his first word Mike clutched Jer-
RVS arm excitedly.
'Riaz!" he whispered, family.
The man soon remounted and pro
ceeded on his way. The light showed
the smooth face of a young man. After
he had passed them about so feet they
crawled to the edge Of the trail and
watched him out OF sight.
"Riaz!" exclaimed Jerry. How do
you know"
TITS the voice | heard from the
old man that night in Vera Cruz, I'll
swear. Tommy, the voice heard that
night was an unusual one. and the
voice We just heard was the same.
What shall we do?"
I'VE must find where he goes. by all
means" said Jerry, his blood running
fast and hot. "A thousand to one he's
headed for where they are, and IL he
is we shall find her!"
They set out afoot to follow the
man with the lantern. II was not long
before they had picked their way to
within 100 feet OF the rider. They
retraced those miles and were sur
prised to see the man turn up the new
found pathway, which they had de-
cided to go over on the following day.
He had not gone up the mountain
side very far when he dismounted
and sat down at the side OF the trail.
Mike and Jerry crept up so feet near
er. and then lay back in the bushes to
await his further proceeding. Pres
emily they saw another light come
suddenly into view about 100 yards
farther up. at a place in the open.
There's a cave up there" whispered
Jerry, and that's where this fellow is
bound for
The new light came nearer, and in
ten minutes 1t was near enough TO
show the outline OF the man carry.
ing ii.
THE burro was ready to drop in his
tracks" said the man Jerry and Mike
had followed. land | had to give him
a rest" The other man came up and
snapped:
1T has taken you long time TO go
and come. And now you rest," He
sat down beside him.
"Andre!" whispered Mike, again
clutching Jerry's arm.
What did you find out?" asked
Andre.
He is at Parral. and he is almost
ready to scour the country with gov
eminent troops. The whole town
knows of his presence there and OF
his mission, and every man seems
willing to run us down and risk his
life to rescue her. On many sides I
heard the belief expressed that we
were on this trail, and one man even
went so far as to say that we were
hidden near the red-topped mountain.
There are those who know every cav
ern on this trail, and our situation,
however careful we may be, is dan.
gerous."
when will they start out?"
"Forerunners will leave, heavily
armed, on fast horses. In the morn
ing"
hlaz, we must get away from here
tonight" said Andre. now on his feet
and moving about nervously.
Three Of us would be mighty weak
II they should come upon u.s." said
Riaz. who. too. was yisibly excited.
only three o. thim." whispered
Mike. and he gripped his revolver.
I'VE can skin 'eml"
Without saying a word Jerry started
to crawl towards the two men. Mike
following at his heels. When they
had gone TO within dozen feet OF
them Mikes knee came down hard on
piece of dead wood which broke in
two and brought the gaze OF Andre
quickly In their direction. With their
hearts in their mouths and fearing
that they We're about TO be discovered,
they stopped still
What was that noise?" Andre
asked.
Only an animal, ! guess" answered
Riaz
They continued 10 move forward