The Spectator., 1915-10-12

Copyright. 1915. by otis F. Woody

who noticed at all, merely laughed at the girls futile struggles. Jose's arm was already raised with the knife in | his hand. when a sudden blow brought
 a yell of pain to his lips. The knife l fell clattering to the floor. He sprang
 up, his eyes red with fury. A man
 had entered the door from behind
 and was standing within a few feet | of him, man with long. pale face, | air of fugitive. A flood of incoherent abuse streamed from Joses lips He | stopped for the knife. Marta threw | herself upon him. The two cowboys
 who had been dancing suddenly inter- | vened The girl screamed. "It was Jose's fault" she cried. Jose was mad. He would have killed | mel
 Craig faced them all with sudden
 courage.
 AS I came in," he explained, ."that man had his knife raised to stab
 the girl. You don't allow that sort of thing, do you, here?"
 The two cowboys linked their arms through Jose's and led him off toward | the door
 The strangers right, Jose" one of them insisted. You can't carve a girl
 up in company" The girl clutched at Craig's arm. Sit down here. please" she begged.
 Wait
 She disappeared for a moment and came back with a glass full of wine,
 which she set down on the table. Drink this" she invited. And thank you for saving me- Craig emptied the glass eagerly. T just happened to be the first to see him., he said They aren't quite
 wild enough to allow that here. are | they?"
 "Quien sabe? The girls do not like
 me! The men do not care, she de- l clared Dose took me by surprise, though or [ would have killed him. come from?''
 'T have just crossed the border. he
 replied
 She nodded understandingly. Were they after you?" Yes! with a warrant for my ar rest!"
 She patted his hand You are safe now" she whispered.
 We care that much for United | States warrant" and she snapped her slim fingers. You shall stay with us | for a time. We will take care of you He sighed wearily.
  Back in the camp, a spirit of devilry
 had entered into Long Jim and his
 mates. A tactless remark on the part
 of one of the deputies had set alight | the smoldering fire of resentment
 which the cowboys had all the time | felt against them. At word from
 Long Jim they were taken by surprise | and tied to the wagon. The deputies spluttered with rage and lear. Shot rained about them and | the canvas of the wagon was riddled. Suddenly they all paused to listen. | The sound of horses slow footfall was heard close at hand. Presently Quest appeared out of the shadows, | carrying Lenora ln his arms. Laura | rushed forward.
 "Lenora!" she cried. "Is she hurt?" Quest laid her tenderly upon the ground.
 We had a spill at the bridge" he | explained, quickly. "I don't know whether Craig loosened the supports. | He got over all right, but it went down | under Lenora, who was following, and I had to get her out of the river. | Where's the professor?" The professor came ambling from the tent where he had been lying. He | stopped at once over Lenora's still un- conscious form. Dear mel" he exclaimed. Dear | me! Come comet" He passed his hand over her side
 and made brief examination. -Four ribs broken" he pronounced. Tt will be a week, at any rate. before we are able to move her. Nothing | more serious, so far as l can see, Mir. Quest. but she'll need rest and all the comfort we can give her." Say, that's too bad!" Long Jim de- clared. If you've got to stay around
 for time, though. you can have the tents. We boys can double up any where. or bunk on the ground. That's | right, ain't it?" he added, turning around to the cowboys. There was little grunt of acquies- cence. They carried Lenora to the largest of the tents and made her as comfortable as possible. CHAPTER xxx.