The copper era and Morenci leader., 1912-03-01

overheard between you convinced me you were the victim of deceit. But your. going to that place alone was 8 most reckless act.''
 She lifted her hand to her eyes, her head dropping forward.
 Wasn't it what he told me-the out-station of a ranch?"
 NO; have ridden this country for years, and there is no ranch pasturing cattle along the Salt Fork Miss Hope, [ want you to comprehend what 1t is you have escaped from; what you are now fleeing from. Within the last two years an apparently organized body of outlaws have been operating throughout this entire region. Often times disguised as Indians, they have terrorized the Santa Fe trail for two hundred miles, killing travellers in small parties. and driving off stock. There are few ranches as far west as this, but these have all suffered from raids. These fellows have done more to precipitate the present Indian war than any act of the savages. They have endeavored to make the authori- ties believe that Indians were guilty of their deeds of murder and robbery. Both troops and volunteers have tried to hold the gang up, but they scatter and disappear, as though swallowed by the desert. I have been out twice, hard on their trail only to come back bafned. Now, think accident has given me the clue"
 She strengthened up; glancing ques- tioningly at him through the dark ness.
 This Is what I mean, Miss Hope. I suspect that cabin to be the rem dezvous of those fellows. and I half believe Hawley to be their leader"
 Then you will report all this to the authorities?"
 He smiled grimly. his lips com pressed.
 q hardly think SO; at least, not for the present. I am not blood-thirsty, or enamored of maintaining. but I happen to have 8 personal interest in this particular affair which I should prefer to settle alone" He paused, swiftly reviewing the circumstances of their short acquaintance, and as suddenly determined to trust her dis cretion. Deep down in his heart he rather wanted her to know. "The fact of the matter is. that Neb and I here were the ones that particular posse were trailing
 "You!" her voice faltered. He said those men were under arrest for murder, and had broken jail"
 "He also said it was easy to con- vict men in this country if you only ,1xr H1x fc fy-1ro xu0 hroko Hail but only in order to save our lives; 1t was the only way. Technically. we are outlaws, and now run the risk of immediate re-arrest by returning north of the Arkansas. We came to you fugitives; I was charged with, murder, the negro with assault So. you see, Miss Hope, the desperate class of men you are now associating with"
 The slight bitterness in his tone stung the girl into resentment. She was looking straight at him. but in the gloom he could not discern the expression of her eyes.
 q don't believe it." she exclaimed decisively, "you-you do not look like thati"
 My appearance may be sufficient to convince you," he returned, rather dry ly, "but would weigh little before a Western court. Unfortunately, the evidence was strong against me; or would have been had the case ever come to trial. The strange thing about it was that both warrants were sworn out by the. same complainant. and apparently for similar purpose Black Bart Hawley."
 What purpose2'',
 ITO keep us from telling what we knew regarding a certain crime. in which either he. or some of his inti- mate friends, were deeply interested"
 But 1t would ali come out at the trial, wouldn't it?"
 There was to be no etrial;. Judge, Lynch settles the majority of such cases out here at present. It is ex-. tremely simple. Listen. and will tell you the story" ....
 He reviewed briefly those occur rences leading directly, up to his ar, rest, saying little regarding the hor- TOTS of that scene witnessed near the Cimmaron Crossing, but making suffl. cieptly clear his very slight .connec- ton with 1t, and the reason those who were guilty of the crime were. so anx- ious to get him out of the. way, She listened 1intently,, sflsi asking few 'ques- tions, until he ended. Then they both looked, up.S conscious that dawn was becoming gray in the east, ,Keith's A first thought was one of relief-the bright sky showed him they were rid, ing straight north. ,. .. r'
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