Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-08-07

Il Will go ahead; you stay close De
hind. If any of the greasers come mp.
you boys hold 'em out here until we
can make a getaway. understands"
"Surer' came out of the darkness.
NOW. Lanlgan!'
Derrick reached the little veranda
and raped softly at the closed door.
There followed a silence. and then
light footsteps across the floor. A voice
breathed softly from beyond the door.
as it you. father. dear?"
Jim Derrick swallowed a lump In his
throat and spoke h~oarsely. rs this Mr..
Wakeman's little girl the little enc
rita ?"
"Yes-oh. what Is the matterY' The
girls voice shook with terror.
There has been trouble at the mine.
Your father has been hurt. | am Jim
Derrick of the Wet Creek ranch, across
the border. | have come to take you
to my place before the scoundrels get
here to pillage and burn. 1t isn't safe
for you to remain a moment
"And my father?" she asked.
81 will send my men after him." he
said gently.
You say there is danger. actual dan
ger, in my remaining here?"
ut means DEATH" be said grimly.
Every well. Mr.. Derrick. And may !
bring Rosa, my maid:"
Eyes. Have yon a horse of any
kind?"
mot an animal. Some one stole ev-
cry one last night"
Jim went back to his men and told
them that the little senoritn did not
know of her fathers death. and be
told them of the promise he had mnde
to have her father brought to the.
ranch.
Four OF the men volunteered to 20
and recover the body 81 fhe manager.
and in a few moments they rode silent
~ away toward the mine.
Presently the light disappeared from
the window, the door opened and two
the taller. carried u large bundle.
which was strapped on the back of
| Smiths saddle. Lanigan then took the
tall form of Rosa on the saddle before
him, while Jim Derrick lifted the small
form of the little senorita to his own
saddle.
Rather crowded, but it's better than
walking" said Jim grimly. as they
went back through the chestnut grove.
The little senorlta made no answer.
1t was evident that she was very
weary, for presently her head sank
back until 1t rested against Jim's
broad shoulder. The soft tendrils of
her hair brushed his cheek. and her
very nearness thrilled him.
Coming out OF the grove. they ayoid-
ed the mine and went to the river by
another route. They were within a
mile of the Rio tsrande when there
/ came the beat of hoofs on the ground
and the sound Of distant shouts.
"Greasers!" muttered I.anigan over
his shoulder. and they pushed the
horses to renewed speed.
Soon they we're flying down the
rough road that ended in the bridge.
and behind them pounded the hoofs Of
their pursuers.
Smith was riding on ahead with
Rosa's big bundle. and it was Lanigan.
riding close behind with the lean
Rosa, who discovered that the bundle
was leaking white feathers. making a
clear trail for the bandits to follow.
Lanigan shouted the news to his
companion, and, with an oath. Smith
tossed the bundle into the thicket. and
Rosa screeched loudly and fought like
a cat now that her treachery had been
discovered. Lanigan promptly dropped
her into a thicket Of ferns and rode
behind Derrick to cover his retreat
with the little senorita.
When Smith also dropped behind
Derrick was riding ahead. with the
little senorita close In his arms.
Thud. thud. thud, they went, on to
the rickety bridge. then out upon the
freedom of the Texas plains. The Sc
norita was crying softly. and Derrick
felt that It was for her father.
Scattering shots followed them
across the bridge, and there anne the
shrill cries Of the Mexicans as at last
they gave up the pursuit and went
back to their rendezvous.
1t was after midnight when the
three riders reached Wet Creek ranch
and Jim Derrick gave the limp little
bundle into his mothers care. Then
he and his companions rode back to
meet those who were bringing the
body of Bob Wakeman. To their de-
light it was found that the miner was
only slightly injured. and his arrival
at the Wet Creek ranch was an occa-
sion for rejoicing.
Jim Derrick did not see the little
senorita until morning.
At the breakfast table he stopped in
wonderment at the sight of a lovely
girl petite in figure with masses Of red
gold hair and deep violet eyes. She
smiled shyly at Jim Derrick and held
out her hand.
II Inn very grateful to you Mr.. Der
rick" she said earnestly. my father
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