Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-05-11

HELLO, Men! What's Going on Here?"
"We're havin' a little party of our own.
I reckon you fellows had better beat
it. UnderstandY'
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 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 (:
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, Dave! Is that you-all"
The answer foated promptly back :
"Hello, Cap! Sure it's u.s.
''Have you got him?"
1t was Blaze Jones' voice which an.
swered this time: "You betn'
Paloma Jones was trembling now.
She chung to Alaire, crying thankfully:
sits the Rangers! The Rangers"
Then she broke away and ran out into
che moonlight, trailing her absurd fire.
arm after her.
"Now, boys" the Ranger captain was
saying, II know most every one of you
and we amt going to have the least
bit of trouble over this thing, are wei
L reckon you-all are friends of Ricardo
Guzman, and you just couldn't wait
to find out about him, eh?'
Alaire, who had followed Paloma,
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 Mexicans had gathered about
their leader. The entire situation had
CllduSCu Ill d lIOluCuts ttuu LlC 4S0dSCA
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 a 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
sightedly from one to the other; then
his huge bulk shook with laughter:
"Say, do my glasses magnify, or is
this an open lodge meetin'?'
dad! Oh, dad!" Paloma scurried
to him and flung herself into his arms.
"What you DOM here, kid?' the father
exclaimed. "Why, you'd ought to be
home and abed, long ago. You'll catch
your death of cold. Is that gun loaded?"
Dave Law was even more amazed
than his companion. Recovering from
his first surprise, he took position
beside his superior officer. Captain
Evans did not seem at all troubled by
the disparity in numbers. One Ranger,
or two at the most, had always been
sufficient to quell Texan disturbance;
now that there were three Of them,
he felt equal to an invasion Of Next
can soil, If necessary. In consequence,
he relaxed his watchful vigilance, and
to Dave he drawled:
"We've got most Of the leading citi-
zens of the county, and I reckon some.
body in the outfit will be able to iden.
tify Guzman."
sThere's no trouble about that, sir.
We found him. Pedro and Raoul can
make sure" The sons Of Ricardo Guz-
man stepped forward promptly, and
Law waved them toward the boat land
ing, where the two helpers were wait.
Ing with Ricardo's remains.
Despite the Ranger captains easy
assumption of command. the strain