The Colorado statesman. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1895-1961, 1915-07-17

Are you aware tnaC a DauQ OF 10
Mexicans is encamped five miles be-
low here and that it is their boast
that the Amory house will be a ruin
by morning and the Amorys-" he
paused uncertainty.
"The Amorys will fight their own
battles!" finished Amory obstinately.
IF Ritch had sent his own car
had come himself-would you have
gone with him?" demanded Campbell
in an ugly tone.
Very likely the fight would have
proved more attractive to u.s."
sneered Mr.. Amory.
clatter of shoes on the stones. who
is that?" asked Amor sharply while
the women held breath.
"Adios, senor!" shrilled Marta's
voice, and they knew that she was
fleeing with the faithful Pedro.
Barbara had Joined her uncle and
aunt and the three stood in a little
group at the edge of the veranda
dim light from the hall showed them
standing in stiff opposition to the bur-
ly young mine owner who had been
their enemy
Suddenly something flashed in the
lamplight and the Amorys WINGED to
find themselves staring into a pair
of long, blue-nosed guns held in the
muscular hands of Mr.. Gordon Camp
bell
Hands up" he ordered sharply,
land, believe me, l mean every word
of It'll" he snapped. When they had
obeyed dazedly. Amory muttering
threats of vengeance, Campbell con-
tinued: MRS. Amory and Miss Dare,
you will please walk down and get
into the car. You, Mr.. Amory, will
hand over any guns you may have
thanks. Now, Amory, just hustle
those bundles into the tonneau and
take your seat beside me. Got any
cats and dogs you want along-no?
Well, here's hoping you come back
again some day" The machine trem.
bled and then shot forward into the
night. Daniel Amory grumbling at the
bonds Campbell had knotted about his
wrists
AS they swept into the highway
there came a rush of hoofs from the
east and the moonshine glittered on
the meager accouterments OF the at
lacking cavalry. There was a roar of
anger from the Mexicans as the ma
chine and it's occupants disappeared
around bend in the road, and there
followed a clatter of hoofs and rat
Ting volleys Of musketry.
Just in time," admitted Daniel Am
DRY sheepishly.
Campbell said nothing.
Barbara, holding her frightened
aunt in her strong, young arms. felt
that she hated Gordon Campbell for
the high-handed manner in which he
had saved their lives.
Campbell stopped the car and got
out and lighted the big searchlight at
the front. Then in broad, triangular
path Of white light they went down
the hill.
There they could see the bridge still
stretching it's wooden spans across
the black gorge.
Thank Cod" Campbell muttered,
and his three captives, knowing that
grave danger had been averted, felt
sudden revulsion of feeling toward
Gordon Campbell. AS they rounded
the shoulder of hill a glare of light
from above showed them that their
home was in flames and their depart.
ture had been none too soon.
Across the bridge that swayed un.
der the weight of the heavy car and
then on to solid ground again, they
turned west and mile after mile
curled from under the tires until at
last they could smell the salt SAVIOR
of the Pacific.
Just as dawn was breaking behind
them Campbell turned in his seat and
with flash of his penknife severed
Amory's bonds.
I'm sorry that it was necessary,
Amory," he said brusquely. Now.
perhaps the ladies' would like refresh.
ments you will find food in the lunch
hamper on the left side-and hot and
cold drinks in the thermos bottles"
Amory opened the lunch hamper
. and supplied the wants of his wife and
niece. He passed several sandwiches
and a cup of coffee to his captor, but
took nothing himself. He was feeling
nightly ashamed of himself and the
part he had played.
When they reached rise of ground
that showed the blue ocean sparkling
in the sunshine, while the white
walls of peaceful town slumbered
at its edge Gordon turned his gray
, eyes on Daniel Amory
Below us is little town of Santa
! Ana. You will see three ships in the
harbor flying the Star and Stripes.
We will be safe aboard in half an
hour"
you are going. too?"
Campbell shook his head I'm 60
ing back for few days to finish up
my affairs" He threw in the clutch
and the car started ON its final Ian of