Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1917-09-01

own calf was not evidence for q court
and alibis were easily proved. Unles:
the thieves were caught In the very
act there was no case against them
and-por Dios lone could not be for
ever on guard. Who could tell where
the malefactors would strike next
Now, In Mexico one could afford tC
kill an undesirable neighbor without
so much formality. But, thank God
Don Ricardo was not Mexican. No
he was good American citizen. II
was something to make him sleep well
in these war times.
"Just the same, I'll bet he'd sleer
better If the Lewis outfit was cleaned
up" Dave ventured, and Blaze agreed
Guzman caught his enemy's name
and nodded.
"Ahl That sin verguenza He sells
arms to the Candeleristas and horses
to the Potosistas. Perhaps he steals
my calves. Who knowsY
"Senor Lewis doesn't need to steal.
He has money" Jones argued.
True! But who is so rich that he
would not be richer? Lewis employs
men who are poor, and he himself is
above nothing. /, too, am a friend Of
the rebels. Panchito, the Liberator,
was saint, and I give money to the
patriots who fight for his memory.
But l do not aid the tyrant Potosi with
my other hand. Yes, and who is richer,
for instance, than Senior Eduardo Aus
tin~
"You surely don't accuse him of
double-dealing with the rebels?" Blaze
inquired curiously.
II don't know. He Is friend Of
Tad Lewis, and there are strange sto-
ries atloat.
Just what these stories, were, how
ever, Ricardo would not say, feeling,
perhaps that he had already said too
much. The three men spent that eve-
ming together, and In the morning
Blaze rode home, leaving the Ranger
behind for the time being as Guzman's
guest.
Dave put in the next two days riding
the pastures, familiarizing himself
with the country, and talking with the
few men he met. About all he discov-
cred, however, was the fact that the
Guzman range not only adjoined some
Of Lewis leased land, but also was
bounded for several miles by the Las
Palmas fence.
It was pleasant to spend the days
among the shy brush-cattle, with Bes-
sic Belle for company. The mare
seemed to enjoy the excursions as
much as her owner. Her eyes and ears
we're ever alert; she tossed her head
md snorted when deer broke cover
,r a jackrabbit scuttled out of her
bath; she showed friendly interest
n the awkward calves which stood
ind eyed her with such amazement
Ind then galloped stiffly off with tails
high arched. Law had many times I'M
lertaken to break Bessie Belle of that |
labit of flinging her head high at sud-
len sounds, but she was nervous and
nquisitive, and this was the one thing
lpon which she maintained feminine
bstlnacy.
On the second evening the Ranger
ode home through a drizzle that had
naterialized after long, threatening
fternoon and now promised to be-
ONE a real rain. Ricardo met him
t the door to say:
"You bring good fortune with you,
enor, for the land Is thirsty. To-mor-
ow, If this rain holds, we shall ride
ogether-you, Pedro and /. Those
hieves do their stealing when they
cave no tracks,"
The sky was leaden, the rain still
ell In the morning when Dave and
is two companions set out. Until
fternoon they rode, their slickers
swaying to the tireless fox
rot of their steaming horses, their
yes engaged In watchful scrutiny.
AT last Pedro, who was ahead,
eined in and pointed; the others saw
here the barbed-wire strands Of the
ence they had been following were
Tipped. A number of horse and calf
racks led through the opening, and
fter an examination Ricardo an
ounced:
There are two men. They have
ONE and gone, with the calves tied
eek and neck" ,
'That Is Las Palmas, isn't it?" Law
,dicated the pasture into which the !
'ail led. /.
Father and son answered, "Si, Sc !
or"
For a time the Ranger lounged side {