The Snowflake herald., 1917-06-22

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: "He is my
borse-breaker'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
then he turned triumphantly upon his
captor. "BehOld!" cried he 'There
vou have the truth. am an excellent,
Woodworking man and as honest as
Cod"
"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 We'll
need some supper before we start 1t
won't hurt Anto's horse to rest bit,
either. You are under arrest" he add
ed, addressing the latter. Il won't tie
you unless"
"No, senorr' Anto understood per-
fectly, and was grateful.
"Well, then, build a fire, and you,
Panfilo, 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
it came Laws turn to eat, Alaire, who
was eager to be gone, directed her en-
ployee to fetch the rangers horse. Pan
flo acquiesced 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 a shrug and
disappeared down the arroyo. 1t was
plain that he considered his friendly
relations we'll 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. I-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"
us he looking up range for you?'
"N-no! left him at the ranch. l
don't know how he came to be here,
unless 1t is rather stranger
Dave shot a swift, interrOgatOry
glance at PanfilO's travelling compan-
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-going?" Alaire rose
nervously.
1t was nearly dark now; only the
crest of the ridges were 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 carbine 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:
II 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 we'll as a
summons or as an alarm, but it
changed the rangers suspicious into
certainty. Dave uttered an angry ex-
cIamation, then to the startled woman
lie 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 novel" The next In
stant he had loped into the brush ON
the tracks of Panfilo Sanchez, squirting
the tired gray pony into vigorous ee-
ton.
1t was an uncomfortable situation in
which Alaire now found herself. Law
was too suspicious, she murmured ~
herself; he was needlessly melodra-
matte; she felt exceedingly ill at ease
as the pOnys hoof-beatS grew fainter.
She was startled by hearing other hOof-
beats now; their drumming came faint
but unmistakable. Yes, there were two
horses racing down the arroyo. AntO
the fugitive, rose to his feet and stared
into the dusk.
"Sit DOWN. Alaire ordered, sharp
ly. He obeyed, muttering beneath his
breath, but his head was turned as if
in an effort to follow the sounds of the
pursuit.
Next came the distant rattle of
loosened stOnes-evidently one horse
was being urged toward the open high
ground-then the peaceful quiet eve
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