Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-03

act there was no case against them,
and-bor Dios One could not be for
ever on guard. Who could tell where
the malefactors would strike next?
Now, In Mexico one could afford to
kill an undesirable neighbor without
so much fOrmality. But, thank God.
Don Ricardo was net Mexican. No,
he was good American citizen. 1t
was something to make him sleep well
In these war times.
"Just the same, I'll bet he'd sleep
better If the Lewis outfit was cleaned
up" Dave ventured. and Blaze agreed
Guzman caught his enemy's name,
and nodded.
"Ah! That sin vcrguenza He sells
arms to the Candcleristas and horses
to the Potosistas. Perhaps he steals
my calves. Who knows;"
"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 friend OF
the rebels. panchito. the Liberator,
was saint, and give money to the
, patriots who fight for his memory.
But 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
Misunderstanding with the rcbels?' Blaze
inquired cCriously.
II don't know. He is friend of
/ Tad Lewis, and there are strange stO-
4 ries afloat.
/ just what these stories were, how
ever, Ricardo would not say, feeling,
4 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 Guzmans
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 adioined some
of Lewis leased land, but also was
bounded for several miles by the Las
Palmas fence.
II 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
were ever alert; she tossed her head
and snorted when a deer broke cover
or a jackrabbit scuttled out Of her
path; she showed friendly interest
in the awkward calves which stood
and eyed her with such Amusement
and then galloped stiftly off with tails
high arched. Law had many times un-
dertaken to break BESSIE Belle of that
habit of flinging her head high at sud
den sounds, but she was nervous and
inquisltive, and this was the one thing
upon which she maintained a feminine
Obstlnacy.
On the second evening the Ranger
rode home through a drizzlc that had
materialized after long, threatening
afternoon and now promised to be-
come real rain. Ricardo met hin
at the door to say.
"You bring good fortune with you
senior, for the land is thirsty. To-mor
row, If this rain holds, we shall ridS
togcthcr--you, Pedro and l. Those
thieves do their stealing when the!
leave no tracks"
The sky was leaden, the rain still
; fell in the morning when Dave ant
) his two companions set out. Unit
. afternoon they rode, their slicker.
! dripping, swaying to the tireless fox
trot of their steaming horses, theil
eyes engaged in watchf'sl scrutiny
AT last Pedro, who was ahead
refined in and pointed the others saw
where the barbed-wire strands of tn,
fence they had been following wer'
, clipped. A number of horse and cal
!, tracks led through the opening, AM
: nfter an examination Ricardo an
nounced:
: "There are two men. They hav
/ come and gone, with the calves tle'
neck and neck"
"That is Las Palmas, isn't IT." Lay
Indicated the pasture into which tn
I, trail led.
! Father and son answered, Isl sc
: nor"
: For a time the Ranger lounged side
/, wise in his saddle, studying the cour
try, before him. Perhaps hnlf-mil
away long narrow patch of woods
: with the tops Of occasional oak
= showing, ran parallel with the fenc
{ for a considerable distance.
2 ~rhcy took them in yonder, t
brand" he said strengthening hin
0 self. "Maybe we'll be in time"
Side by side the three men rode o
Guzmans land, following the tract;
to the nearest point of woods; ther
. Law stopped to give his directions.
"pcdro. you ride down this side
Ricardo. you skirt the outside. shn
. keep 10 the middle. Walk your horse
Cos I ebn1i mn c1n,ylv . with "a IuI,int