The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-07

your car back yonder by the road. I
almost ran into it,
'Eh? What are you talking about7
My car is over by Morales house"
''SeEser Austin is in a great hurry"
sneered someone in Spanish. "Once
more he leaves all of the fighting to
his friends
That's Adolfo Urbina," painted Pa
Iona. 81 know him. Stung by this
open charge of cowardice, Austin be-
gan a vOlubIe defense, but in the midst
of it General Longorio addressed him
sharply.
You will stay here, senior. Nobody
leaves this place"
Il told you l wouldn't be a party to
the business" Ed declared holly "You
forced me to come in the first place"
Eyes! And now 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 car back yonder?' Austin
| asked after a moment
''Ain't that your machine yonder by
the thicket?" inquired Lewis eff it
amt, whose is it?" As no one an
swered, he started in the direction he
had indicated; but at that moment a
man came running from the river bank.
crying softly:
Look out They come"
A man 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
ly: Hello, menI What's goin' on
here?" 1t was an American voice; 1t
had broad, slow Texas drawI.
The group of p1otters turned; there
was a startled murmur, then Tad
Lewis answered:
'HellOl Who are you! What do
you want?"
Il reckon we must have got off the
road" announced the stranger. Then
he peered out across the river. "SayI
Amt that a skiff yOnder?' he inquired.
well, it don't look like a steam
boat Lewis laughed disagreeabIy.
Were havin' a little party of our own.
1 reckon you fellows had better beat
| it. Understands
The Outposts that had been sent to
cover the bank IN both directions were
now coming in. Through the stiffness
Of the night there sounded the thurnp
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
right good road, and I'd advise YOU
to travel fast"
But this suggestion was also ignored:
in fact, it appeared to amuse the man
| addressed, for he, too, laughed He
turned, and the women noticed that he
carried short saddle gun. They saw.
also, that at least one of the men at
his back was similarly armed.
'NOw, what's the hurry?' The
stranger was chuckling Suddenly he
raised his voice and called loudly:
Hello, DaveI Is that you-aII?"
The answer floated promptly back:
Hello. Cap! Sure it's u.s.
''Have you got him?"
1t was Blaze Jones voice which an
swered this time: You bet :"
Paloma Jones was trembling now.
She chung to Alaire, crying, thankfully:
Its the Rangers The Rangers ~
Then she broke away and ran out into
the moonlight, trailing her absurd fire.
arm after her.
Nov. boys" the Ranger captain was
saying, Il know most every one of you.
and we amt going to have the least
bit of trouble over this thing, are we?
reckon you-aH are friends of<Ricar(io
G1Znan, and you just couldn't wait
to find out about him, eh?''
AIaire, who had followed PaIoma.
was close enough now to recognize the
two Guzman boys as members OF the
Ranger party. Lewis and his men had
drawn together at the first alarm; Lon
gorio's Medcans had gathered about
their leader. The entire situation had
changed in a moment, and the Ranger
captain was in control OF it.
Soon Dave Law and Blaze Jones
came up over the river bank; they
paused, stricken with surprise at find
ing q score OF people where they had
expected no more than four.
Blaze was the first to speak. whats
all this?" he cried. He peered near
sightedIy from one TO the other; then
his huge bulk shook with laughter: