The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-06-21

Morales! Put out your lights"
Both women recognized Tad Lewis as
the speaker.
Alaire had s%tubbornly refused to
charge her husband with any active
share in this evil business, but her
faith in Ed suddenly vanished when
she heard him say:
"I1ush! You're making too much
noise. You'd better scatter out, too,
for there's no telling where they'll
land" Alaire leaned weakly against
the door. I'm going to leave, and let
you-all attend to the rest" he. was
saying. But Tad Lewis halted him as
he turned from the group.
"Where are you going, Ed? You left
your a back yonder by the roau. I
almost ran into it,"
"Eh? What are you talking about?
My car is over by Morales house."
"Senor Austin is in q great hurry"
sncered someone in Spanish. "Once
more he leaves all Of the fighting to
his friends"
That's Adolfo Urbina," painted Pa
Iona. II know him." Stung by this
open charge Of c%owardice, Austin be-
gan a voluble defense, but in the midst
Of it General Longorio addressed him
sharply.
"You will stay here, senior. Nobody
leaves this place."
Il told you I wouldn't be a party to
the business" Ed declared holly. "You
forced me to come in the first place"
Yes! And now I force you to stay"
Longorio's stand appeared to please
Lewis, who chimed in with the words:
That's right, Ed. You've got to stick,
for once in your life"
"What do you mean, you nearly ran
into my a back yonder?" Austin
asked after a moment.
"Ain't that your machine yonder by
the thicket?" inquired Lewis. IF it
amt, whose is it?' AS no one an
swered, he started in the direction he
had Indicated; but at that moment Il
man came running from the river bank,
crying softly:
"Look out! They come"
A mar passed swiftly by the crack
OF the half-open door and scarcely ten
feet beyond. He was followed by three
others.
The first of the newcomers, acting
as spokesman for his party, stepped
out into the moonlight and cried loud
~: Hello. men! What's goin' on
here?" It was an American voice: It
had a broad, slow Texas drawl.
The group of plotters turned: there
was a startled murmur, then Tad
Lewis answered.:
"Hello! Who are you! What do
you want?"
i reckon we must have got off the
road," announced the stranger. Then
lie peered out across the river. "Say!
Amt that a skiff yonder" he INQUIRED.
swell, it don't look like a steam
boat" Lewis laughed d~isagreeably.
We're havin' a little party Of our own.
l c you fellows had better beat
it. Understand"
The outposts that had been sent to
ccter the bank in both directions were
now coming in. Through the stiffness
of the night there sounded the thump
OF oarlocks. Seeing that the stranger
did not seem to take his hint, Lewis
raised his voice menacingly:
That's your road back yonder. It's
a right good road, and I'd advise you
to travel fast"
But this suggestion was also ignored:
! fact, 1t appeared to amuse the man
addressed, for he, too, laughed. He
turned, and the women noticed that he
carried a short saddle gun. They saw,
also, that ut least one Of the men at
Ills back was similarly armed.
Nov, what's the hurry?" The
stranger was %chuckling. Suddenly he
raised his voice and called loudly:
Hello, Dave! Is that you-all?"
The answer floated promptly back:
"Hello. Cap! Sure it's U.S."