Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1917-09-08
CHAPTER VIII.
Following Up the Trail.

ToiioWing UP tnc iran.
Dave was glad that he had swal-
lowed young Eds" incivility, not only
for his own sake, but for the sake of
Alaire. After all, he argued, it was
barely possible that Ed had spoken the
| truth. There were many sorrel horses
the evidence of those rain-washed hoof-
prints was far from conclusive; even
the fact that Urbina belonged to the
Tad Lewis outfit was no more than a
suspicious circumstance. And yet, ear
nestly rs he strove to convince himself
of these possibilities, the Ranger could
| not down the conviction that the ranch
er had lied and that he himself was on
the right track.
1t was late when he arrived at his
destination, but Lewis house was dark,
and it required some effort to awaken
the owner. When Tad at last ap-
peared, clad in undershirt and trou-
sers, he greeted the Ranger with a lev
eled rifle; but when Dave had
made known his identity, he invited
him in, though with surly reluctance.
Lewis was sandy-complexioned
man of about forty, with colorless
brows and mean, shifty eye. For
merly a cowboy, he had by the exer-
else of some natural ability acquired a
good prOperty-and a bad reputation.
Just how or why he had prospered
was a mystery which his neighbors
never tired of discussing.
Tad, it seemed, resented any inter-
ruption of his rest, and showed the
fact plainly.
Yes, he employed fellow named
Urbina. What was wanted Of him?
Law explained briefly.
"Why, he's one of my best men !"
laughed the rancher. ''He wouldn't
steal nothing"
"Well, / had to shoot another good
man of yours" Dave said quietly.
Lewis fell back step. (which one?
Who?" he inquired quickly.
"Pino GarZa" Dave told of the
meeting at the branding fire and it's
outcome. He was aware, meanwhile,
that Lewis family were listening, for
behind a half-open bedroom door he
could hear an excited whispering.
"Killed the first shot, eh?" Tad was
dumfounded. 'Now, | never thought
Pine was that bad. But you never can
tell about these Greasers, can you?
They'll all steal if they get chance.
let Pine go, bout a week back; but
he's been hangin' around, amin to
visit some of his relatives up in the
brush country. 1t was probably one
of them old Guzman saw. Anyhow, it
couldn't of been Adolfo Urbina; he
was over to Las Palmas all the after
noon"
odd you send him there?
"Sure. Ed Austin can tell you"
"Where is Urbina now"
II reckon he's asleep somewhere.
Wen dig him up and talk to him, if
you say So"
But Adolfo Urbina was nowhere to
be found. No one had seen him since
about seven o'clock, nor could it be dis
covered where he was spending the
night. Dave remembered that it had
been about seven when he left Las Pal
mas, and ascertained, indirectly, that
Tad had a telephone. On his way from
AuStln's Law had stopped at rancho
for bite to eat, but he could forgive
himself for the delay if, as he sur
missed, Urbina had been warned by
wire of his coming.
'"That's too bad, amt it?" Lewis
said. "But he'll be around again in the
morning, and I'll get him for you. You
leave it to me-"
There was plainly nothing to do but
accept this offer, since it could avail
nothing to wait here for Urbina's re-
turn. Unless the fellow gave himself
up, he probably could not be found,
now that the alarm was given, without
considerable search II in view of
which Dave finally remounted his bor-
rowed horse and rode away in the di-
rection of Jonesville.
1t was after daylight when he dis
mounted stiffly at Blaze's gate. he
was wet to the skin and despatched
with mud; he had been almost con-
stantly in the saddle for twenty-four
hours and Don Rlcardo's COW pony
was almost exhausted.
Blaze and Paloma, of course, we're
tremendously interested in his story.
SAY, now, that's quick work." the
latter exclaimed, heartily. you're
some thief-buster, Dave, and if you'll
just stay around here little calves can
grow up with some comfort"
When Dave rode to Jonesville, after
breakfast, he found that the body of
his victim had been brought in during
the night, and that the town was al
ready buzzing with news of the encoun-
ter. During the forenoon Don Ricardo
and his sons arrived, bringing addi-
tional Information, which they prompt
ly impaired to the Ranger. The Guz-
mans were people Of action. All three
OF them had spent the night on horse
back, and Pedro had made a discovery.
On the day previous CARA had been
seen riding in company with a man