The Huttig news., 1917-04-21


 the moonlight, trailing her absurd fire arm after her.
 Now, boyS," the Ranger captain was ] saving, II know most every one of you, and we ain't going to have the least bit ef trouble over this thing, are wei I reckon you-ail are friends of Ricardo ';nznan, ana you just eouldar wa.t to find out about him, eh?''
 Alaire, who had followed Pa1oma, was close enough now to recognize the two Guzman boys as members of the Ranger party. Lewis and his men had drawn together at the first alarm; Lon gorio's Mexicans had gathered about their leader. The entire situation had changed in a moment and the Ranger captain was in control of it.
 Soon Dave Law and Blaze Jones came up over the river bank they paused, stricken with surprise at find ing a score of people where they had expected no more than four.
 Blaze was the first to speak. What's all this?" he cried. Ie peered near sightedly from one to the other; then his huge bulk shook with laughter: Say do my glasses magnify, or Is this an open lodge meetin'?"
 Dad Oh, dad" Paloma seurried to him and flung herself into his arms.
 What you doin' here. kid?" the father exclaimed. "Why. you'd ought to be home and abed, long ago. You'll catch your death of cold. Is that gun loaded ?"
 Dave Law was even more amazed than his companion. Recovering from his first surprise. he took a position beside his superior officer. Captain Evans did not seem at all troubled by the disparity in numbers. One Ranger, or two at the most, had always been sufficient to quell Texan disturbance; now that there were three of them, he felt equal to an invasion of Mexi can soil, if necessary. In consequence, he relaxed his watchful vigilance, and to Dave he drawled:
 We've got most of the leading citi- Zens of the county, and I reckon some body in the outfit will be able to iden tify Guzman."
 "There's no trouble about that, sir. We found him. Pedro and Raoul can make sure." The sons of Ricardo Guz- man stepped forward promptly, and Law waved them toward the boat land- ing, where the two helpers were wait ing with Ricardos remains.
 Despite the Ranger captains easy assumption of command the strain of the situation had not subsided, and Loneorio drew swift attention to him. self when he said:
 Tt is fortunate that I ehaneed to learn of this matter. You have done me a great service, Senor Law, for came to Romero purposely to examine 1 into the death of this unfortunate man. But I could learn nothing; nobody knew anything whatever about the matter, and so became convinced that it amounted to little. Now-behold 1 discover that I was deceived. Or perhaps there still may be mistake.'
 Blaze Jones thrust his daughter aside and advanced toward the speak CT. "There's no mistake" he declared belligerently. II don't make mistakes 1 when l go grave-robbin'. Don Ricardo was shot by your men. He had five thousand dollars on him, or he should have had, and he was an American citi- zen. Your Colonel Blanco covered the body, but he'll have a h--l of job coverin' the facts. It's time we came to showdown with your murderin' outfit and I aim to see if you've got government in your country"
 Heaven guided my hand" devoutly breathed the general. Tt Is regret table that you used this means when a word to me would have served the purpose, for--it is no trivial matter to desecrate a Mexican graveyard. My country, it has government. An officer of the state of Texas, under arms. has crossed the Rio Grande. What does that mean?'
 Captain Evans had sense of hu- nor; Longorio's omlnous words amused him. Say, general, 1t ain't the first time" he ehortled. And you're an off cer, too ain't you? You're in Texas at this minute. and I'll bet if I frisked you I'd find that you was under arms" The Mexican understood English sufii- eiently well to grasp the significance of these words. After a moments con- sideration. therefore, he modified his threatening tone.
 "But my mission was friendly. had no criminal purpose." he said mildly. However-perhaps one offense con- dones the other At any rate, we must have no international complications. There is more practical side to the matter: If Don Ricardo Guzman met his death in Mexico. there will be rigid investigation l assure you.' Evans agreed. "That's fair! And I'll make a bargain with you: you keep still and so'll we. We never aimed for this affair to get out, any how. reckon these men"-he indi- cated Lewis and his followers-"ain't liable to talk much"
 The two Guzman boys, greatly moved. returned to announce that they had identified their fathers body.