The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-05-24

was LOA0s Alo ACNVifCA aAQ CdIltln6C
belt dropped to the ground. sand you,
compadre, do the same. Mind you,
the left hand! Now face about and
walk to the charco, both Of you.
Goodl"
Law stepped into view, his Winches-
ter In the crook of his arm. He emptied
the three discarded weapons, then,
walking to Anto's horse, he removed
the second carbine from beneath the
saddle-iap and elected it's shells into
his palm.
This done, he addressed the stranger.
"Now, friend, who are you, and why
are you riding with this fellowT
"My name Is Panfilo Sanchez, senior.
Before Cod, / have done nothing" The
speaker was tremendously excited. In
the midst of his incoherent protesta-
lions Mrs. Austin appeared.
"He Is telling you the truth, Mr..
Law" she said, quietly. "He is one Of
my men,"
Both Mexicans looked blank. At
sight OF the speaker their mouths fell
open, and Panflo ceased his gesticula-
ton.
Mrs. Austin went n "He Is my
horse-breaker's cousin. He couldn't
have had any part In that murder in
Jim Wells county, for he was at Las
Palmas when ! left"
Panfilo recovered from his amaze
ment, removed his sombrero, and
blessed his employer extravagantly ;
then he turned triumphantly upon his
captor. Behold" cried he. "There
you have the truth. I am an excellent,
Woodworking man and as honest as
God"
"Surely you don't want him." Alaire
appealed to Law. "He was probably
helping his c%ountryman to escape-but
they all do that, you know"
"All right If he's your man, that's
enough Dave told her. "Now then.
boys, II will soon be dark and Wen
need some supper before we start. 1t
won't hurt Anto's horse to rest a bit.
either. You are under arrest" he add
ed, addressing the latter. II won't tie
you unless"
"No, senorl" Anto understood per-
fectly, and was grateful.
swell, then, build a FIRE, and you,
Panflo, lend a hand. The SENIORS will
need q cup Of tea, for we three have
q long ride ahead Of U.S."
No time was lost. Beth Mexicans
fell to with q will, and in q surprising.
To- cho~< <av,n vyotou x~,a hoglgrr yUhoc
1t came Laws turn to eat, Alaire. who
was eager to be gene. directed her EN-.
pidyee to fetch the rangers horse. Pan.
flo a~cQuiesced readily and buckled on
his cartridge belt and six-shooter. He
was about to pick up his rife, too, but
findiag Laws eyes inQuiringly flxed up.
on him, he turned with a shrug and
disappeared down the arroyo. 1t was
plain that he considered his friendly
relations well established and resented
the rangers suspicion.
"How long has that fellow beer
working for your Law jerked his head
In the direction Panflo had taken.
"Not long. don't know much
about him." Alaire confessed. Then
as II fh answe to his unspoken CUES
ton, "But I'm sure he's all right"
us he looking up range for you?"
"N-noi / left him Mt the ranch. ]
don't know how he came to be here
unless It IL rather strangel"
Dave shot q swift, interrogatory
glance at Panflo'ss travelling compan.
ion. but Anto's face was stony, his
black eyes were fixed upon the fire.
With On abrupt gesture Law flung
inside the contents Of his cup and strobe
to Families horse, which stood defect
edly with reins hanging.
"Where are you-going7" Alaire rose
nervously. e
II was nearly dark now; only the
crest OF the ridges were plain against
the luminous sky In the -hrushy bot
tom OF the arroyo the shadows were
deep. Alaire had no wish to be left
alone with the prisoner.
With bride rein and carbine In his
left hand, the ranger halted, then,
STOPPING for Anto's discarded cartridge
belt, he looped 1t over his saddle-horn.
He vaulted easily Into the seat. say.
Ing:
II hid that mare pretty well. Your
man may not be able to ind her." ~nen
he turned his borrowed horses head
toward the brush
Anto had sQuatted motionless until
this nz0nients he had mo- even turned
his eyes; but now, without the slight.
est warHines he uttered a loud Gull.
It might have served equally well as q
summons or as an alarm, but Il
changed the rangers suspicious into
certainty. Dave uttered an angry ex.
ciamation, then to the startled woman
he cried:
watch this mani He cant hurt
you, Tor I've got bis shells 10 his
prisoner AZ said. sharply: "Stny where
you arefs Don't move r The next ID
slant he had loped into the brush on
The trucks % Pnnflo Sanchez. squirting
the tired gray pony into vigorous az.
don.
Wn1c17 @Alafre DOW Hound herSelf. Inv
Il WnG too n1nnnfefnnn nho xmnrs,1xs~o>7 -