Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-01-31
SECOND EPISODE
Riding With Death.
The man was Pedro.


He had seen the figure of Tienda
Barata, creeping cautiously from the
rear of the house, where the Mexican
quarters were, closely followed by
Lopez, who carried a ladder on his
shoulder. They did not see him, and
he quickly climbed onto the porch and
crouched low in the deep shadows be-
hind the ivy vine that climbed the
trellis-work to the roof.
Pedro had a suspicion that these
Mexicans were up to something evil.
He saw Lopez place the ladder
against the roof, and then, without an
other word, Tienda began climbing 1t.
Presently he heard a noise on the
roof. and then, as he partially raised
himself, he was startled to see Tienda
descending the ladder with the figure
of girl across his shoulder.
"The he-dogsr he muttered under
his breath. and, as the Mexican
reached the ground with his load, Pc
drO sprang from his hiding-place and
closed his fingers around the throat
of Tienda.
But, he soon relaxed his hold. For,
then it was that Lopez, with an oath,
delivered the blow that sent Pedro
sprawIing in the dirt.
"What shall we do with him"
asked Tienda.
Bring him along" commanded
Lopez. ''If we leave him here he'll
spit out his brains when he comes
to his senses"
With that Lopez started for the
cabana, where the vaqueros were
awaiting him with horses.
In the meantime the girl had re-
wived. Lopez snatched the gag from
her mouth.
"Now then, my pretty mistress" he
said snceringly, II show your brave
Captain Rutledge how. Lopez can
ride"
Then, as he looked about him.
@"Tienda, have you that black dog"
Isl. ST." replied that individual as
he dragged the slave, who was just
regaining his senses, up to the group.
"Tie him TO your saddle, ChOpita,"
commanded Lopez.
"Here. Polite, put your mistress on
that horse with you" directed Lopez
as he pushed her over to an evil
eyed Mexican.
A few moments later, the abduc-
tors. with Lopez leading and followed
nv Polite and Liberty, with a half
dozen notwithstanding Mexicans rid
ing behind, started off towards the
chihuahua Mountains. Chopita, with
Pedro, dragging beside his horse,
brought up the rear.
Liberty was powerless. Her hands
were tied behind her back, and, should
she make an effort to escape she
could not get far.
Poor Pedro. As he hobbled along
with Chopita's horse his only thoughts
were of his mistress. He knew he
, could not hope to assist her here.
But, If he could only get back to the
ranch and give the alarm!
Then something happened which
caused Pedro's hopes to rise. Lopez
had ridden back to Polito and was
transferring Liberty to the horse they
had been leading. Chopita was busy
watching them. Here was Pedro's
chance. He strained every muscle in
his body until he felt the rope burn
his arms. Then he relaxed. The
stiff hemp had slackened. Again he
eexnanded his chest and felt the strands
stretch under his powerful strength.
The rope fell loosely to his elbows.
Al that moment the dreaded Lopez
finished transferring Liberty, and
started riding towards the head of
the column. Pedro reached for his
knife. The little company were just
rounding a turn in the road. and
providence was playing in favor of
Pedro; for Chopita and his charge
were some distance behind the others.
Quick as a flash, Pedro cut the rope.
A moment later he was making his
way back through the cactus. A black
object, in the road a few yards be-
hind him, had paid the price of his
freedom.
While these scenes were being en-
acted on the Chihuahua road Cap
tain Rutledge, who found sleep diff
ficult after such an eventful day, was
seated on the easement of his win
dow. calmly smoking a cigarette.
Except for light in Pancho's
room, the whole house was in dark
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