The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-09-18

ahead Gracia cast anxious glancss be.
hind.
They are coming!" she cried al
last, as a moving spot appeared in the
rear. "Oh, there they are!"
Good" breathed Hooker, as he
rose in his stirrups and looked.
why, good?" she demanded, cu-
riously.
"They's only three Of EN-" answered
Bud. Il was afraid they might be In
'front.'" he explained, as she gazed at
him with puzzled SMILE
Yes" she said; but what will you
do If they catch us?"
They won't catch u.s." replied Hook
er confidently. mot while I've got my
rife. Aha!" he exclaimed, still look-
ing back, now we know all about it
that sorrel is Manuel del Rey's!"
"And will you kill him." challenged
Gracia, rousing suddenly at the name.
Hooker pretended not to hear. In
stead, he cooked his eye up at the
eastern mountain, whence from time
to time came muffled rifle-shots, and
turned his horse to go. There was
trouble over there to the east some
where-Alvarez and his Yaquis, still
marrying the retreating rebels-and
some Of it might come their way.
With Rel Rey behind them, even
though in sight, he was the least Of
their troubles, and could be easily.
cared for with a rifle shot II they
could not distance him. Hooker knew;
that the two rurales with him would,
not continue the pursuit If their lead-i
er was out of the way, so that it would
not be necessary to iniure more than
one man.
"Ah, how hate that mani" ragged
Gracia, squirting her horse as she
scowled back at the galloping Del
Rey and his men who were riding on
ward rapidly.
"All right" observed Bud with a
quizzical SMILE 'Tll have to kill him
for you them"
She gazed at him a moment with
eyes that were big with questioningj
but the expression on his rugged face
baffied her.
II would not forget it," she cried inn
pulsively. mo, after all l have suf-
fered, think could love the man who
would meet him face to face! But why
do you-ah!" she cried, with sudden
tragic bitterness. You smile! You
have no thought for me-you care
nothing that / am afraid of him! All,
Dios, for man who is brave-to rid
me Of this devil!"
Never mind" returned Bud, his
voice thick with rising anger. IF
kill him it won't be for you'll"
He jumped Copper Bottom ahead
to avoid her, for in that moment she
had touched his pride. Yes, she had
done more than that--she had de.
stroyed dream he had, a dream of a
beautiful woman, always gentle, al
ways noble, whom he had sworn to
protect with his life. Did she think
he was pelado Mexican, hot-coun'
try lover, to be inflamed by glance
and a smile? Then Phil could have
her, and welcome. Her TRADE had
lessened his burden. Now his fight
was but duty to his pardner In the
performance of which he would be no
less careful, but to turn her over to
Phil would not now be painful.
"Ah, Bud" she appealed, squirting
up beside him, you did not under
stand! know you are brave-and If
he comes" - she struck her pistol
fiercely-"I will kill him myself"
Never mind" answered Bud in a
kinder voice. "l'll take care of you.
Jest keep your horse in the trail" he
added as she rode on through the
brush, "and III take care of Del Rey."
He beckoned her back with jerk
of the head and resumed his place in
the lead. Here was no place to talk
about men and motives. The noun
tain above was swarming with rebels,
there were rurales squirting behind
yes, even now, far up on the eastern
he could see armed men-and
now one was running to intercept
them!
Bud reached for his rife, jerked up
a cartridge, and sat crossWise in his
saddle. He rode warily watching the
distant runner, until suddenly he pulled
in his horse and threw up welcom-
ing hand. The man was Amigo-no
other could come down hillside so
swiftly-and he was signaling him to
wait.
"Who is that man." asked Gracia,
as she refined in at his side. DO you
know him."
Sure dol" responded Hooker jovi-
ally. He's the best friend l got in
Mexico!
"Kai, Amigo! he hailed, as the
Yaqui came quartering down the hhl,
md, apparently oblivious of the on
coming pursuers, he rode out of the
rail to meet him. They shook hands
md Amigo flashed his familiar smile,
shyly over the horses back
It the daughter of the Aragons.