Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1917-08-04

buckle your belt" Anto did as he
was told, his revolver and cartridge
belt dropped to the ground. "And you,
compadre, do the same. Mind you,
the left hand! Now face about and
walk to the charco, both of you.
GoodW
Law stepped into view, his Winches
ter In the crook of his arm. He emptied
the three discarded weapons, then,
walking to Anto's horse, he removed
the second carbine from beneath the
saddle-fiap and elected Its shells into
his palm.
This done, he addressed the stranger.
"Now, friend, who are you, and why
are you riding with this fellow?"
''My name Is Panfilo Sanchez, senior.
Before God, I have done nothing" The
speaker was tremendously excited. In
the midst of his incoherent protesta-
tons Mrs. Austin appeared.
HE is telling you the truth, Mr..
Law" she said, quietly. "He is one Of
my men,"
Both Mexicans looked blank. At
sight of the speaker their mouths fell
open, and Panfilo ceased his gesticula-
ton.
Mrs. Austin went on: "He is my
horse-breaker's cousin. He couldn't
have had any part In that murder in
Jim Wells county, for he was at Las
Palmas when / left"
Panfllo recovered from his amaze
ment, removed his sombrero, and
blessed his employer extravagantly;
then he turned triumphantly upon his
captor. Behold" cried he. "There
you have the truth. am an excellent,
Woodworking man and as honest as
God"
"Surely you don't want him." Alaire
appealed to Law. "He was probably
helping his countryman to escape-but
they all do that, you know"
"All right If he's your man, that's
enough" Dave told her. snow then,
boys, it will soon be dark and We'll
need some supper before we start. 1t
won't hurt Anto's horse to rest bit,
either. You are under arrest" he add
ed, addressing the latter. II won't tie
you unless"
"No, senor!" Anto understood per-
fectly, and was grateful.
"Well, then, build a fire, and you,
Panfilo, lend hand. The sonora will
need cup of tea, for we three have
q long ride ahead of u.s."
No time was lost. Both Mexicans
fell to with will, and In a surprising
" short time water was boiling. When
It came Laws turn to eat, Alaire, who |
was eager to be gone, directed her en-
ployee to fetch the rangers horse. Pan
ilo acquiesced readily and buckled on
MS cartridge belt and six-shooter. He
was about to pick up his rifle, too, but |
hiding Laws eyes inquiringly fixed up |
IN him, he turned with a shrug and |
down the arroyo. It was
plain that he considered his friendly |
CAotAohS WcA CoLuDlioliCu auu IGoculcu |
he rangers suspicion.
SLOW long has that fellow been |
for you" Law jerked his head |
n the direction Pantllo had taken.
"Not long. I-don't know much |
,bout him. Alaire confessed. Then,
Is If In answer to his unspoken ques-
ion, "But I'm sure he's all right"
us he looking up range for your?
"N--no! left him at the ranch. I
lon't know how he came to be here,
lnless- It Is rather strange"
Dave shot q swift, interrogatory
dance at Panfilo's travelling compan-
on, but Anto's face was stony, his
lack eyes were fixed upon the fire.
With an abrupt gesture Law flung
side the contents of his cup and strobe
o Panflo's horse, which stood defect
'dly with reins hanging.
"Where are you-going?" Alaire rose
lervously.
1t was nearly dark now; only the
rest of the ridges were plain against
he luminous sky; in the brushy bot
ON of the arroyo the shadows vera