Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-05-09

tiOns almost at the same moment, to
find the Ranger with his face buried
In his horses name.
"Caramba What is this2" The old
man flung himself from the saddle
and came running. you are injuredT
Pedro, too. bent over the officer, his
brown face pale with apprehension.
Mother of God !" breathed the latter.
ut was vii thing to do. to ride
alone"
I'm all right" Law said. rising
stiffiy, whereupon both Mexicans
voiced their relief.
1.-THE saints be praised I"
Isl! What happenedf There was
shot! Did you see nothingT
Law jerked his head In the direc-
ton of the fallen man at his back and
Pedro uttered loud cry.
Look! Father and son ran through
the grass, thea recoiled and broke
into a jargon Of oaths and exclama.
tons.
fright In the mouth The fellow
was in death before he realized IL"
"Seel 1t Is as we thought. Pedro;
one of Lewis'l Use! Tsel Tsel
What a sight !"
"Who Is he?" queried the officer.
"PinO Cara, one of the worst |"
chimed the two GuZmans.
Ricardo was dancing In his excite
ment. II told you that Lewis knew
something. The other one got past
me, but l cannot shoot fike--this."
1t was difficult to secure II connected
story from Ricardo. but he finally
made it plain that at the first rsfOrt
the other thief had fed. exposing hin.
self only long enough fUr the old man
to take quick shot In his direction
Ricardo had missed, and the miscre
ant was doubtless well away by this
time. He had ridden a s2rrel horse,
that was all Ricardo could remember.
Law looked only briefly at the grue
some results of his Workmanship
then he turned back to the body of his
beloved mare. Ricardo noticed at
length that he was crying; as the
Ranger knelt beside the dead thor
oughbred, the old Mexican whispered
to his son:
"Valgame Dios! This Is a strange
fellow. He weeps like woman. he
must have loved that horse as mar
loves his wife. Who can understand
these gringos?" After a time he ap
preached cautiously and inquired
what shall we do with this hornbre
senior? Pedro has found his horse
Law reused himself. With his owl
hands he gently removed Bessie BELIEF
saddle, bride and blanket, then h
gave his orders.
"I'll take your horse, Ricardo, an,
you take-,that fellows. Get q wagon
and move him to Jonesville."
"And your
''Tm going to follow that man on the
sorrel."
The dead mans saddle was left be
side the body; then when the ex
change Of mounts had been effected
and all was ready, Law made a re
quest that amazed both father and son
IF I'm not back by morning, I want
you to bury my mare" His voice
broke he turned away his face. BURY
her deep, Ricardo, so-the coyotes
can't dig her up; right where she fell
I'll be back to see that it's done right
Understand"
'Bueno! l understand perfectly
She was pretty horse. She was your
bonita, Ell? Well. you have big
heart, senior, as brave man should
have Everything shall be done al
you wish; give you my hand on it,
Ricardo reached down and gripped
ture for her, too, because it is plain
you loved her dearly. So, then. until
Law watched his two friends ride
away, then, with miserable ache In
his throat, he mounted and rode OF
to pick up the trail Of the man on the
sorrel pony.
The fellow had ridden in the dlrec.
ton Of Las Palmas, which Dave judged
must be fully twelve miles away, and
when they continued to maintain this
course the Ranger became dOubly In.
He risked his own interpre-
tation of the riders intent and pushed
On without pausing to search out the
trail step by step. At the second gate
he signs indicated that his man was
little more than an hour ahead Of him.
The prospect of again seeing the
mistress of Las Palmas
stirred Law more deeply than he cared
% admit. Nevertheless, he was uncOm-
'ortaby aware that she had hus.
)and. Not only so, but the sharp con-
rast in their positions was disagree
lble to contemplate; she was unbeliev.
IDLY rich, and person of influence In
he state, while he had nothing except
lis health, his saddle and his horse ,