Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-05-23

around the neck Of their prisoner.
Then they proceeded to drive four
stakes into the ground and placed
across it 12-ineh plank, after which
rope was thrown over the limb of a
tree and the end tied TO the trunk Of
another. Liberty. who had cautiously
followed them, was hiding in the
bushes nearby.
Then Pedro was made to stand on
the plank, bound hand and foot, as the
rope was drawn taut. Not wishing to
lose any Of the pleasure of the ocea-
sion, Lopez, with his own hand, touched
fire to the dry underbrush which had
been placed under the plank. AT last.
he was going TO reap his vengeance
on one of his greatest enemies for,
when the plank burned through. Pedro
would die by the double method of
strangulation and burning, unless he
told them where Liberty was hiding.
In the meantime, Lopez and his men
were drinking continually, until two
of them were overcome with intoxica-
tion. Then they lay down to await
the finish, and in a few minutes were
overcome with drowsiness, and fell
asleep. Liberty, who had been watch
ing from the bushes, realized her
chance had come and. stealing quietly
from her place of hiding. she went
over to one of the sleepers and took
his gun. Then she returned TO the
bushes. The fire had now almost
burned through the board, and Lib
erty, aiming carefully, fired. The bull
let severed the rope, and Pedro
dropped and leaped from the board
onto Lopez. AS the other two were
trying to recover their senses, Liberty
ran up and covered them with her
gun.
Lopez, who reached fer his gun,
found it had been snatched from his
holster by Pedro and, just as the slave
was about TO deliver him a heavy
blow, the bandit leader broke loose
and ran for the bushes. Liberty saw
him, raised her gun and fired, but
missed him. Then she wheeled on
the two men and made them unbind
the feet of Pedro, after which she and
Pedro tied the two men. up and then
mounted their two horses and escaped
to the hacienda of Pancho. Leon.
where they were given shelter.
The bandit leader, who had man
aged to get back to the rest of his
detachment. ordered them to mount
at once. Then, with Lopez at their
head. they started after Liberty and
Pedro.
Now, Pedro had heard that Colonel
Horton had made provision for him
in his will. and, thinking it was about
time for him to receive this money
from Pancho, the slave asked the trus-
tee to show him the paper. 1t was
shortly after Pedro and his mistress
had finished the light meal Leon had
prepared for them. The old Mexican,
who seemed to have aged considerably
during the time since Liberty had seen
him last, was quick to grant Pedro's
request, and after showing him the
paper, which bequeathed to him ST.
600, he explained to Pedro where 1t
was deposited. Then he turned to
Liberty.
II think you had better keep this"
he said, as he handed it to her.
Just as Liberty took the will from
him, one of the laborers rushed into
the room.
"They come, Senorita ~ he said.
"Who?" asked Liberty, somewhat
surprised and bewlldered.
Lopez - shouted the peon. HE
has big many men with him. He
come down road Seer Then he ran
to the window and pulled aside the
curtain. Liberty and Pedro, who had
followed him, stared out across the
fiat country. The man told the truth.
Liberty turned with a despairing
face to Pedro, who looked upon her
with countenance which told of his
utter helplessness. Then she missed
Pancho. While their backs were
turned he had quietly slipped out.
While she stood in the center of the
room wondering just what to do, Pan
cho returned. In his hand he gripped
heavy Mexican revolver. He brushed
past her and went over to the window,
and with his black, piercing eyes gaz-
ing with hatred at the bandit, who
was now but a few yards from the
hacienda. he muttered, almost to HIM
self, but loud enough for Liberty to
hear:
This time 1t is going to be, you--or
me-"
(TO BE CONTINUED.)