Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-05-09
BUT DOESN'T TURN BACK

country to the north and east offered
almost perfect security, and the river,
to the south, gave immunity from pur-
suit or prosecution. The beeves were
driven north into the wilderness, but
the horses went to Mexico, where the
war had created 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 cows recognition of her
own calf was not evidence for court,
and alibis were easily proved. Unless
the thieves were caught in the very
act there was no case against them,
and-por DiOs lone could not be for
ever on guard. Who could tell where
the malefactors would strike nextp
Now. In Mexico one could afford to
kill an undesirable neighbor without
so much Formally. But thank God
Don Ricardo was not Mexican. No,
he was good American citizen. 1t
was something to make him sleep we'll
in these war times.
"Just the same, I'll bet he'd sleep
better II the Lewis outfit was cleaned
up," Dave ventured, and Blaze agreed.
Guzman caught his enemy's name,
and nodded.
"Ah! That sin verguenzai He sells
arms to the Candeleristas and horses
to the POtOsistas. Perhaps he steals
my calves. Who knows?"
"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. I, too, am a friend of
the rebels. Panchito, the Liberator.
was saint, and 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 Senior Eduardo Aus
tinY
you surely don't accuse him of
double-deallng with the rebels?" Blaze
inquired curiOusly.
II don't know. He Is a friend of
Tad Lewis, and there are strange sto.
ries afloat.
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 Guzmans |
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 discov-
cred, however, was the fact that the |
Guzman range not only adjoined some |
of Lewis leased land, but also was
bounded for several miles b. the Las
PalmaS fence.
1t 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 a deer broke cover
or jackrabbit scuttled out of her
path; she showed friendly interest
in the awkward calves which stood
and eyed her with such amazement
and then galloped stiftiy off with tails
high arched. Law had many times un-
1ertaken to break Bessie Belle of that
habit Of flinging her head high at sud-
len sounds, but she was nervous and
nquisitive, and this was the one thing
upon which she maintained a feminine
)bstinacy.
On the second evening the Ranger
ode home thf ough a drizzle that had
after a long, threatening
afternoon anc now promised TO be-
come real rain. Ricardo met him
It the door to say: II
you bring good fortune with you.
senior, for the land Is thirsty. To-mor-
'ow, If this rain holds, we shall ride