The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1916-01-20

and Manuel, who happened to be her
husband, had shamelessly deserted
their service. and they were entirely
alone
What shall we do?" Taber asked
the question this time.
1--WE better ride over to El Dora and
send message to Linwoodx for i'm
mediate help. Let him understand
that this is IS o S" call, wireless
code, and that help must come p. d. O..
plain American talkw
Good. Our going together will en-
able one Of us to reach El Dora even
If the other one stops n rebel bullet,
eh? Good thing we shipped the last
accumulation of ore in season."
Yes. We should have Linwood's
receipt for it when we reach El Dora.
Better take plenty Of cartridges and
anything we especially value. Some
thing may break loose here before we
get back"
Just at nightfall the superintendent
and his assistant rode slowly down the
mountain side and turned into the beat
en- path that followed the El Dora riv-
er across the Sandy plain. In the light
of full moon the shadows of horses
and riders made huge blots on the
white sand. They rode on in silence
mile after mile, now and then the
road plunging into dark forest where
unseen streams murmured secretly be-
fore they dropped into underground
channels. Night birds stirred seepily
as they passed by. Once a cougar
dropped from a branch directly in the
path Of Taber's horse. The animal
sQuealed as he reared back and Taber
flashed his electric torch in the cats
glowing eyes.
Frank Whites automatic cracked
sharply and the cougar bounded into
the air and then fell dead in the
bushes.
Nearly got you that time. Neal"
laughed Frank as they rode on.
I'D rather meet n dozen cougars
than one sneaking Mexican assassin"
retorted Neal. How many miles fur
ther have we got to go?''
Twenty. If know my country here
abouts," returned White. There is a
shorter cut. When we are out of this
jungle we can skirt it toward the north
and so through the little valley Of the
white hacienda"-
"The valley Of the white hacienda"
interrupted Neal Taber curiously.
You sound like romance, Frank"
That's what the greasers call 1t. 1
passed that way one night when was
in hurry. There's some kind Of q
fruit farm there; regular little paradise
I've heard. but haven't had time to
investigate; our rascals have raised
too much Of the other thing ever since
I've been here"
Wen try the other way-the short
er way" decided Taber
Consequently when they reached the
end Of the jungle they turned their
borses sharply to the right and found
we'll travelled road that skirted the
jungle for several miles: then it turn
ed to the northwest and entered be-
tween high wooded hills green valley
bathed in the moonlight
In the middle of the valley was
white blot
"Ionder is the white hacienda" re-
marked Frank White as they rode
along
Seems to be n light In the window
there. it's gone. wonder If we're
trespassing, Frank?"
II believe there's n public right of
way through here
They passed q high stockade that
quite hid the white house and the
grounds from their view. They fol-
lowed the stockade for several hun
dred yards and finally emerged upon
narrow trail that mounted up and dis
appeared among tall oak trees.
"On the other side of this ridge lies
Ell Dora" explained Frank.
They were climbing the trail, still In
the glare OF the white moon, when two
figures sprang into view from the
shadows.
Two slim, graceful girls, daintily
clad In native costume. with dark
mantillas tossed around their beauti-
full olive skinned tinted faces, lustrous
dark eyes. lips like cactus flowers and
misty tendrils of dark hair.
They were alike as two peas or two
roses or two cactus blossoms
One Of them Neal called the pref
tier but Frank contested the state
menb stepped forward and spoke mu.
sically In Spanish:
"Ah, senores, we are in great danger.
Our father has left for El Dora on i'm
portant business, and tonight all our
men have deserted and Joined the rebel
army The wife Of one of the men
las risked her life to tell us that there
Is to be raid on our valley tonight.
YOU
The other girl caught her arm and
spoke rapidly I'm English.
"Oh, Dolores, these men may belong
to the rebels! See, they are quite
quite villainous lookingr'
"Villainous looking" laughed Do.
lores. Nonsense, Marta! Truly, they
are gentlemen. Perhaps they under
stand English-and how rude you have
beenr'
Taber leaned down from his saddle