The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-04-26


was told. his revolver and cortridpe
belt dropped to the ground. "And YOU
! compadre, do the same. Mind Won,
the left hand! Now face about and
walk to the charco, both Of YOU
! Good" !"
Law stepped into view, his Winches-
ter In the crook of his arm. He cmptied
the three discarded weapons. then
! walking to Anto's horse, he removed
the second cnrbine from beneath the
saddle-fap and elected It's 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 Pnnfilo Sanchez. senor.
Before God, have done nothing" The
speaker was tremendously excited. In
the midst Of his incohercnt protestu-
tons Mrs. Austin appeared.
He is telling you the truth, Mr..
Law" she said, quietly. "Hc 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: "Ie is my
horse-breakers cousin. He couldn't
have had any part In that murder in
jim Wells county, for he was at Las
Palmas when left"
Pan1ilo recovered from his amaze
ment, removed his sombrero. and
blessed his employer extravagantly !;
then he turned triumphnntly upon his
captor Behold !" cried he. "There
YOU have the truth. am an excellent,
Woodworking mnn and as honest ms
God"
Surely you don't want him." Alaire
appealed to Law "He was probably
helping his countryman to escape-but
they NIL do that, you know"
"All right! If he's your man, that's
enough" Dave told her. "Now then,
boys, 1T will soon be dark and we'll
need some supper before we start. 1t
wont 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"
mo, senor! Anto understood per
fectly, and was grateful.
well, then, build fire, and you
Panfilo, lend hand. The sonora will
need cup Of tea, for we three have
n long ride ahead Of u.s.
No time was lost. Eoth Mexican
fell to with n will, and In surprising
ly short time water was boiling Whel
1T came Laws turn to eat, Alaire, wht
was eager to be gone directed her EN-
ployee to fetch the rangers horse. Pan
f1lO acQuiesced readily and bucliled on
his cartridge belt and SiX-Sh00ter. II,
was about to pick up his rifle, too, bu
finding Laws eyes inauiringly fixed up
on him, he turned with shrug ant
disappeared down the arroyo. 1t wa:
plain that he considered his friendl,
relations we'll established and resented
the rangers suspicion.
"How long has that fellow beer
working for you?" Law jerkcd his hea,
IN the direction Panfllo had taken.
Not long. I-don't know mucl
about him. Alnire confessed Then
as If In answer to his unspoken ques
ton, "But I'm sure he's all right"
us he looking up range for you?"
"N-no! l left him at the ranch.
don't know how he came to be here
unless 1t is rather stranger
Dave shot swift interrogation,
glance at Pantilos travelling compan
ion, but Anto's face was stony, hi
black eyes were fixed upon the fire.
with an abrupt gesture Law fun,
aside the contents Of his cup and strod,
to Panflo's horse, which stood defect
edly with reins hanging.
Where are you-going?" Alaire ros,
nervously.
1t was nearly dark now; only tn,
crest Of the ridges were plain agains
the luminous sky; in the brushy bot
tom OF the arroyo the shadows wer,
deep. Alaire had no wish to be lef
} alone with the prisoner.
With bride rein and carbne in hi.
left hand, the ranger halted, then
STOPPING for Anto's discarded cartridg,
belt, he looped 1t over his saddle-horn
He vaulted easily into the seat, say
ing:
Il hid that mare pretty well. You
man may not be able to find her." The,
he turned his borrowed horses heat
toward the brush.
Anto had squatted moti0nless 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 well as
summons or as an alarm, but /
changed the rangers suspicious int
certainty. Dave uttered an angry ex
clamaton, then to the startled woman
he cried:
watch this man! He can't hurt
you, for I've got his Shells" To his
prisoner he said, sharply: "Stay where
you are! Don't mover The next in.
cfnnf hn hnL