Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-13

the bandits. and the gold was heavy
on Bob. But they slid and ran a
thousand yards down the painless
Gin, ciutching at briar and stone I'M
III they came to a narrow ledge that
belted the mid heights.
The ledge was clear to view from
above, and below was sheer drop of
1000 feet. They had to push their
way along it until they could reach
the brush again.
lose was cursing picturesquely as
he lead the way.
Shots suddenly sputtered from the
cliff top over them.
Make quick!" commanded Jose.
He glided along the foot-wide ridge
like a snake. Bob followed.
Bob Is Injured.
The shots kept on chugging into
the rocks below, and swishing through
the underbrush above.
They reached the end of the ledge.
1t led into a path sheltered by fallen
tree trunks and bushes. Jose plunged
into the shelter, then turned suddenly
and stopped.
He had heard the crack of the dry
branches as Bob's body rolled off the
tip of the ledge.
Without an instant's hesitation, he
Owed after the body He caught it,.
His feet dug into soft dirt and an
chored him. Bleeding from face and
arms and bruised of body, he picked
his master up and started on down.
They were out of sight of the rifles
now, but the voices of the pursuing
bandits could be plainly heard. They
were coming nearer and nearer.
Better drop me- boy, and run: I'm
no good; the gold doesn't matter"
gasped Bob.
Damn soon not" replied Jose.
Jose's Clever Coup.
in thicket denser than the rest he
laid down his precious burden. With
flying fingers he unlaced Bob's shoes
and pulled them off. He tore his own
grimy footgear away and put on the
shoes of his master
Il come back" he said, and van
ished into the wilderness. BOb's last
conscious thought was godspeed to
the brave fellow who was risking his
life for him.
Jose was careful to conceal himself
now, but not careful to conceal his
footprints. He dug the unaccustomed
boots deep into the sand. He reeled.
and plunged and slid down the cliff
until he reached the desert level.
There be began to skirt the cliff.
Now and then shots battered about
him. The bandits were getting near
err He was becoming exhausted
When he lunged finally into d sand
hole. he fell and lay there painting,
helpless
The bandits came up. Black San
chez stopped over the PROSTATE man.
laundering curses, picturesque,
whole hearted. came from his lips,
and were taken u by his men.
Not a thing on him: he threw the
stuff away" snOrted one.
Threw nothing; look at them
Shoes" said Sanchez. The COLDS on
the other man. He threw the other
man away and took his shoes Hang
him!" o..
Saved Just in Time
This was not a curse, it was 4
command.
Jose was draooed down the path to
the main road, where the only trees
grew.
"Never mind just tie him up and
take few shots at his dirty heart-if
he don't tell where Melville is" or
dered Sanchez.
where's Rob?" they asked Jose as
they tied him to a tree. Say quick:
get shot"
Get shot" said Jose.
But around a bend of the road there
sounded unexpectedly the beat Of
hoofs. And an instant later wheeled
into view Ramon Ferrera. the ricn
planter. miner ard magistrate, with
his bodyguard.
Jose, silent until now, resigned 70
death. let out a sudden yell. One
spiteful shot blaZed at him, but the
bandits scurried for cover like vul-
lures scared.
Senior Ferrera with his own hands
cut Jose's bonds The servant was
trying to tell them something, but
they could not understand before he
tainted.
The poor Mexican lay on one of the
great beds OF the Ferrera villa when
Bob was brought in. Bob had been
picked UP by a party of prospectors
who heard his groans, The gold was
safe.
Carmen Ferrera parted her nurs-
ing art in the m ddle and gave one
share to the master, one 10 Jose.
But Jose's wound healed very SLOW
". and when he was strong enough -