Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-24

my men,
Both Mexicans looked blank. At
sight of the speaker their mouths fell
open, and Panfllo ceased his gesticula,
ton.
Mrs. Austin went on: 'Ile is my
horse-brcaker's cousin. He couldn't
have had any part In that murder in
Jim Wells county, for he was at Las
Palmas when left"
Panfilo recovered from his amaze
ment, removed his sombrero, and
blessed his employer extravagantly f;
then he turned trlumphantly 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 LAZY. "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 Wen
need some supper before we start. 1t
won't hurt Anto's horse to rest a bit,
either. You are under arrest" he add
ed, addressing the latter. II won't tie
you unless"
NJ scnor" Anto understood per-
fectly, and was grateful.
"Well, then, build fire, ard you,
Panfilo, lend Il hand. The sonora will
need cup of tea. for we three have
a long ride ahead of us"
No time was lost. Both Mexicans
fell to with q will. and in a surprising
~ short time water was boiling When
it came Laws turn to eat, Aluire, who
was eager to be gone. directed her EN-.
ployee to fetch the rangers horse. Pan
/ flo acqucsccd readily and buckled or
his cartridge belt and six-shooter. He
was about to pick up his rifle, too, but
finding Laws eyes inquiringly fixed up
on him. he turned with a shrug anG
disappeared down the arroyo. 1t was
plain that he considered his friendly
relations well established and resented
the rangers suspicion.
"How lcag has that fellow been
working for you?" Law jcrked his head
in the direction Pantilo had taken.
mot long. don't know much
about him. Alaire confessed. Then,
as if in answer to his unspoken qucs-
ton, 'But I'm sure he's all right"
rs he looking up range for your
"N--no! left him at the ranch. |
don't know how he came to be here,
unless 1t Is rather strangem
Dave shot a swift, intcrrogatory
glance at pantilo's travelling compan-
ion, but An,os face was stony, his
black eyes were fixed upon the fire.
With an abrupt gesture Law flung
aside the contents of his cup and strobe
to Panfilos horse, which stood defect
edly with rens hanging.
"Wherc are you-golng?" Alairc rose
nervously.
1t was nearly dark now: only the
crest of the ridges were plain against
the luminous sky; in the brushy bot.
4 tom OF the arroyo the shadows were
deep. Alairc had no wish to be left
alone with the prisoner.
With bride rein and carbine in his
left hand. the ranger halted, then
STOPPING for Anto's discarded cartridge
belt, he Topped it over his saddle-horn
He vaultcd easily into the seat say
ing:
II hid that mare pretty we'll. You
man may not be able to find her" Their
he turned his borrowed horses hcat
toward the brush.
Ant0 had squatted motionless Unti
this moment; he had not even turned
his eyes; but now, without the slight
est warning, he uttered loud call
1t might have served equally we'll as ,
summons or as an alarm, but !
Changed tlV rangers suspicious int
certainty. Dave uttered an angry cx
clnnlatlon, then 20 the startled woman
he cried.
swatch this man, He can't hur
you, for I've got his shells" To hi
prisoner he said, sharply: "Stay wher
YOU arc Don't mover The next In
tnnt lie had loped into the brush o.
tracks, Of panflo Sanchez spurrln
the tired gu.y pony into vigorous az
ton.
II was I'm uncomfortable Situation Il
which Alairc now fonnd herself. Lay
was too suspicious, she murmured {
herself; he was needlessly melodro
matte; she felt exceedingly Ill at cas-
as the pony's hoof-beats grew fainter
She was startled by hearing other boot
beats now; their drumming came fnin
but umnistakablc. Yes. there were tw
horses racing down the arroyo. Ante
| the fugitive, rose to his feet and stare
into the dusk.
"SIt DOWN. Alalre ordered, sharl
ly. He obcyed, muttcring beneath hi
breath but his head was turned as
, In nn effort TO follow the sounds of th
pursuit.
!. Next came the distant rattle -
, loosencd stoncs-cyllcntly one hors
~.