The state herald., 1917-08-03
CHAPTER vl-continued.

Law ventured to remark that none
of Blaze's enemies had grown fat In
prosecuting their feuds, but this was
n subject which the elder man inva-
rlably found embarrassing, and now
he said:
"Pshawl l never was the blood
letter people think. I'm us gentle as
n sheep" Then to escape further Gu
riosity on that point, he suggested that
they round out their riotous evening
with game of pool.
The next morning at breakfast Pa.
Iona announced, "Father. you must
help Dave hunt down these cattle
thieves"
"Ain't that sort Of a big orderf"
Blaze queried.
"Perhaps, but you're the very man
to do 1t. Ricardo Guzman is the only
person who knows the Lewis gang as
well as you do"
Jones shook his head doubtfully.
"Don Ricardo has been working up his
own private feud with that outfit. II !
was the kind that went looking for n
fight. ! wouldn't have paid freight on
myself from the Panhandle down here.
l could have got one right Mt home,
any morning before breakfast"
"Ricardo Guzman Is something Of u
black sheep himself" Law spoke up.
"Pshawl He's all right. l reckon
he has changed a few brands in his
time. but SO has everybody else. Why.
that's how Old Ed Austin got his
start. II cowman tells you he never
stole anything, he's either good liar
or bad roper. But Rlcardo's going
straight enough now"
ale has lost his share of stock" PA.
Iona explained. 'and he'll work with
you II father asks hin. You 60 along
with Dave"
''I'm too busy" Blaze dcmurred.
''and l amt feeling good. had bad
ircams NIL night"
II don't want you around me here
this morning. That new drcssmaker
is coming"
Jones rose abruptly from the table.
II reckon my business can whit.
Hustle up. Dave" A few moments
later. as they were saddling their
horses, he lnmented: "what did tell
your Here l 60. on the dodge from n
dressmaker. s'pose I've got to live
like a road-agent now. till something
happens"
Don Ricardo Guzmnn was an Ameri.
Gan. but he spoke no English. An &C.
eident Of birth had mnde him citizen
81 the United States--hIs father hav.
Ing owned rnnch which lay north
instead Of south Of the Rio Grandc.
inasmuch as the property had fallen
to Jtcnrdo. his sons, too, were Yam
KEGS In the eyes Of the Inv. But In
all other respects Don Ricardo and
his family differed not ut all from the
many Guzmans who lived across the
border. The Guzmnn ranch comprised
u goodly number Of acrcs. and. since
live stock multiply rapidly. Its owner
Ind In some sort prospered. On the
bank OF rcsncn-n former bed OF the
Rio Grandc--stood tho house. IN adobe
structure. square. white and unprotect-
ed from the sun by shrub or tree. BE.
hind II were some brush corrals and
n few scattered mud jncals, In which
lived the help.
Rlcnfio Ind Just risen from a sicstn
when his two visitors rode up. md he
mnde them welcome with the best he
Ind. In the cool Of the afternoon III.
cardo rode with his visitors, md then.
cordial relations being now cstnb.
iIshcd. he began to dlyulgc information
OF value TO Law.
Yes, he hnd endured mnny deprcdn.
lions from thieves. II was shameful.
3ut doubtcns God wiilcd that n certain
amount OF stealing should go on In
the world. The cylldocrs were Ger.
tnlnly favored by nature. In this locnl.
ity, for me great cSpnnsc OF brush
country to the north md east offered
almost perfect security. md tho river,
to the south. gnyc Immunity from pur.
suit ;r prosecution. The bccyes were
drivfn north into tho Wilderness. but
the horses went 10 Mexico, where the
war hnd crontcd mnrkct for them.
The fcdcrnls Ind plenty OF money to
buy mounts.
Whom lid Don Ricardo suspcctf
The old mnn was noncommittal.
suspicion wns ono thing. proof WINS
cutie another; und conviction was aim.
ralt utd.r tbs hest OF circumstances.