Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1917-04-28

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.
GoodI"
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
thc second carbIne from beneath the
saddle-tiap 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, have done nothing" The
| speaker was tremendously excited. In
the midst of his incoherent protesta-
tiOns Mrs. Austin appeared.
''He is telling you the truth. Mr..
Law" she said, quietly. HE is one of
my men"
Both Mexlcans 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-breakers 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;
then he turned triumphantly upon his
captor. Behold! I" cried he There
| you have the truth. l 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. "Now then,
boys, it will soon be dark and wen
need some supper before we start. 1t
won't hurt Antos horse to rest a bit,
| either. You are under arrest" he add
ed, addressing the latter. 81 won't tie
you unless"
| mo, senior - AntO understood per-
fectly, and was grateful.
| well, then. build a fire, and you,
/ Panf1lo, lend hand. The sonora will
need a cup Of tea, for we three have
a long ride ahead of us"
| No time was lost Both Mexicans
fell to with a will, and in a surprising
| ly short time water was boiling. When
1t came Laws turn to eat, Alaire, who
was eager to be gone, directed her en-
| ployee to fetch the rangers horse. Pan
| flo acqulesced readily and buckled on
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 shrIg and
disappeared down the arroyo. 1t was
plain that he considered his friendly
relations well established and resented
the rangers suspicion.
"HOw long has that fellow been
working for you?" Law jerked his head
in the direction Panfilo had taken.
"Not long. don't know much
about him." Alaire confessed. Then,
as if in answer to his unspoken ques-
| ton, "But I'm sure he's all right"
rs he looking up range for your"
"N-no! left him at the ranch. I
don't know now he came to be here,
unless 1t Is rather strange"
Dave shot q swift, interrogatory
glance at Panflo's travelling conpan-
ion, but Anto's 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 PanfilO's horse, which stood defect
edly with reins hanging.
Where are yOu-going2" Alaire rose
nervously.
1t was nearly dark now; only the
crest Of the ridges We're plain against
the luminous sky; in the brushy bot
tom of the arroyo the shadows were
deep. Alaire had no wish to be left
alone with the prisoner.
With bride rein and carblne In his
left hand, the ranger halted, then,
STOPPING for Anto's discarded cartridge
belt, he looped it over his saddle-horn.
He vaulted easily into the seat, say
ing:
Il hid that mare pretty well. Your
man may not be able to find her" Then
he turned his borrowed horses head
toward the brush.
Anto had squatted motionless until
this moment; he had not even turned
his eyes; but now, without the slight
est warning, he uttered a loud call. |
1t might have served equally well as a
summons or as an alarm, but it |
changed the rangers suspicious into |
certainty. Dave uttered an angry ex-
clamation. then to the startled woman I
he cried:
watch this mani He can't hurt |
you, for I've got his shells" To his |
prisoner he said, sharply: "Stay where |
y1u arel Don't mover The next In |
stalt he had loped into the brush on
the tracks OF Panfilo Sanchez, squirting |
the tired gray pony into vigorous &C.
ton.
1t was an uncomfortable situation in