The Huttig news., 1917-03-24


 Ricardo had just risen from a siesta when his two visitors rode up, and he made them welcome with the best he had. In the cool of the afternoon Ri cardo rode with his visitors, and then, cordial relations being now estab- lished, he began to divulge information of value to Law.
 Yes. he had endured many depreda- tions from thieves. It was shameful, but doubtless God willed that certain amount of stealing should go on in the world. The evildoers were ger tainly favored by nature in this local ity, for the great expanse of brush country to the north and east offered almost perfect security, and the river, to the south, gave immunity from pur- suit or prosecution. The heeveS were driven north into the wilderness but the horses went to Mexico, where the war had created a market for them. The federals had plenty of money to buy mounts.
 Whom did Don Ricardo suspect?
 The old man was noncommittal. Suspicion was one thing, proof was quite another; and conviction was diff cult under the best of circumstances Why, even a cows recognition of her own calf was not evidence for court, and aiibis were easily proved. Unless the thieves were caught in the very act there was no case against them, anH-nDr Dioc f-pAa aonl6 paf ha for ever on guard. Who could tell where the malefactors would strike next? Now, in Mexico one could afford to kill an undesirable neighbOr without so much formality. But, thank God Don Ricardo was not Mexican. No, he was good American citizen. It was something to make him sleep we'll in these war times.
 "Just the same, I'll bet he'd sleep better if the Lewis outfit was cleaned up." Dave ventured and Blaze agreed.
 Guzman caught his enemys name, and nodded
 "Ah That sin verguenza !! He sells to the Potosistas. Perhaps he steals my calves. Who knowsT'
 "Senor Lewis doesn't need to steal. He has money" Jones argued.
 "True! But who is so rich that he would not be richer? Lewis employs men who are poor, and he himself is above nothing. l. too, am a friend of the rebels. Panchito, the Liberator was a saint, and I give money to the patriots who fight for his memory But do not aid the tyrant Potosi with my other hand. Yes, and who is richer for instance, than Senor Eduardo Aus tin?"
 You surely don't accuse him of doubledealing with the rebels?" Blaze inquired curiously.
 "I don't know. He is a friend of Tad Lewis, and there are strange sto- ries afioat.
 Just what these stories were, how ever, Ricardo would not say, feeling, perhaps that he had already said too much. The three men spent that eve ming together. and in the morning Blaze rode home, leaving the Ranger behind for the time being as Guznans guest.
 Dave put In the next two days riding the pastures, familiarizing himself with the country, and talking with the few men he met About all he discoy- cred however, was the fact that the Guzman range not only adjoined some of Lewis leased land, but also was bounded for several miles by the Las PalmaS fence
 II was pleasant to spend the days among the shy brush cattle, with Bes- sic Belle for company. The mare seemed to enjoy the excursions AS much as her owner. Her eyes and ears were ever alert; she tossed her head and snorted when deer broke cover or jaekrabbit scuttled out of her path; she showed a friendly interest in the awkward calves which stood and eyed her with such amazement and then galloped stiffly off with tails high arehed. Law had many times un- dertaken to break Bessie Belle of that habit of flinging her head high at sud den sounds, but she was nervous and inquisitive, and this was the one thing upon which she maintained feminine Ohstinacy.
 On the second evening the Ranger rode home through drizzle that had materialized after a long, threatening afternoon and now promised to be- come a real rain. Ricardo met him at the door to say:
 You bring good fortune with you. senor, for the land is thirsty. To-mor- row, if this rain holds, We shall ride together-you Pedro and I. Those thieves do their stealing when they leave no tracks"
 The sky was leaden, the rain still fell in the morning when Dave and his two companions set out. Until afternoon they rode, their sIickers dripping, swaying to the tireless fox trot of their steaming horses, their eyes engaged in watchful scrutiny.
 At last Pedro, who was ahead refined In and pointed; the others saw where the barbed-wire strands of the fence they hod heen folloyinp yypra