The Raymer enterprise., 1917-07-26

ahuihlts tut out your HgHls.
Both women recognized Tad Lewis us
the speaker.
Alaire had stubbornly refused to
charge her husband with any active
share in this evil business, but her
faith in Ed suddenly vanished when
she heard him say:
"llush You're making too much
noise. You'd better scatter out, too,
for there's no telling where they'll
land" Alalre leaned weakly against
the door. "Im going to leave, and let
you-all attend to the rest" he was
saying. But Tad Lewis halted him as
he turned from the group.
"Where are You going Ed? You left
your car back yonder by the road. l
almost ran into It,"
"Eh? What are you talking about ?
My car Is over by Morales house"
"Senor Austin is In great hurry"
sneered someone In Spanish. "Once
more he leaves all of the fighting to
his friends"
"That's Adolfo Urblna," painted Pa.
Iona. II know him." Stung by this
open charge OF cowardIce, Austin be-
gan a voluble defense. but In the midst
Of II General Longorio addressed him
sharply.
"You will stay here, senior. Nobody
lenves this place"
81 told you / wouldn't be party to
the business" Ed declared hotly. "You
forced me to come in the first place
"Yes! And now force you to stay
Longorio's stand appeared to please
Lewis, who chlmed In with the words |:
That's right, Ed. You've got to stick,
for once In your life."
"What do you mean, you nearly ran
Into my car bacs yonderi' Austin
usled after moment.
"Ain't that your machine yonder by
the tllcket?" inquired Lewis. 'If II
alnf. whose Is it?' As no one an
swered. he started In the direction he
had indicated; but at that moment Il
man came running from the river bank,
crying softly:
Look out! They come"
A man passed swiftly by the crack
OF the half-opcn door and scarcely ten
feet beyonc. lie was followed by three
others.
The first Of the newcomers, acting
MS spokesman for his party, stepped
out into the moonlight and cried loud.
~: "lIello, men! What's goin' on
hercf" 1t was an American voice; II
had broad, slow Texas drawl.
The group Of plotters turned; there
was startled murmur then Tad
Lewis answered:
"lIeIlol Who are you! What do
you wantf'
Il reckon we must have got OFF the
road announced the stranger. Then
he peered out across the river. "Say!
Amt that skin yonder?" he inquired.
swell. 1t don't look like steam.
boat" Lewis laughed dlsagreeably.
We're hayin' little party of our own.
| reckon you fellows had better beat
1t. UnderstandT
The outposts that had been sent to
cover the bank In both directions were
now coming in. Through the stiffness
of the night there sounded the thump
of oarlocks. Seeing that the stranger
did not seem to take his hint, Lewis
raised his voice menacIngly:
That's your road back yonder. It's
a right good road. and I'd advise you
TO travel fast"
But this suggestion was also ignored;
in fact, II appeared TO amuse the man
addressed, for he. too, laughed. He
turned, and the women noticed that he
carried short saddle gun. They saw,
also. that at least one Of the men at
his back was similarly armed.
"Now. what's the hurry?" The
stranger was chucklIng. Suddenly he
raised his voice and called loudly:
Hello. Dave! Is that you.allY
The answer fioated promptly back:
Hello. Capt Sure It's u.s.