The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-04-05

buckle your belt" Anto did as he
told, his revolver and cartridge
belt dropped to the ground. "And you,
compadre, do the same. Mind you,
the left hand! Now face about and
walk to the charco, both Of you.
Good!"
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-fap 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 fellow?"
my name is Panflo Sanchez, senor.
Before God, I 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 n Of
my men,"
Both Mexicans looked blank. At
sight Of the speaker their mouths fell
open, and Panfllo ceased his gesticula-
ton.
Mrs. Austin went on: "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 I left"
Panflo 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. Gle was probably
helping his countryman to escape-but
they all do that, you know"
GAIL right! If he's your man, that's
enough" Dave told her. snow then,
boys, it will soon be dark and Well
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, senor!" Anto understood per-
fectly, and was grateful.
swell, then, build a fire, and you,
Panfilo, lend a hand. The sonora will
need a cup Of tea, for we three have
a long ride ahead of u.s."
No time was lost. Both Mexicans
fell to with q will, and in a surprising
ly short time water a boiling. When
it came Laws turn to eat, Alaire, who
was eager to be gone, directed her en-
ployee to fetch the rangers horse. Pan
flo acquiesced readily and buclled on
his cartridge belt and s~ix-shooter. Hc
was about to pick up his rifle, too, but
finding Laws eyes in%quiringly fixed up
on him, he turned with a shrug and
disappeared down the arroyo. 1t was
plain that he considered his friendly
relations we'll established and resented
the rangers suspicion.
GLOW long has that fellow been
working for you?" Law jerked his head
in the direction Pan1lo had taken.
Not long. I-don't know much
about him." Alaire confessed. Then,
as if in answer to his unspoken ques-
ton, "But I'm sure he's all right"
us he looking up range for you?"
"N-no! I left him at the ranch. I
don't know how he came to be here,
unless It is rather strange"
Dave shot a swift, interrogatory
glance at Panfilo's travelling compan-
ion, but Anto's face was stony, his
black eyes were fixed upon the fire.
With an abrupt gesture Law flung
aside the contents Of his cup and strobe
to Panflo's horse, which stood defect
edly with reins hanging.
"Where r you-going?" Alaire rose
%nervously.
1t was nearly dark now; only the
crest of the ridges were plain against
the luminous sky; in the brushy 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 it over his saddle-horn.
He vaulted easily into the seat, say
ing:
II hid that mare pretty we'll. Your
man may not be able to find her" Then
he turned his borrowed horses head
toward the brush.
AntO had Suuatted mOtionless until
this moment; he had not even turned
his eyes; but now, without the slight
est warning, he uttered a loud call.
1t might have served equally we'll as a
summons or as an alarm, but it
changed the rangers suspicious into
certainty. Dave uttered an angry ex-
clamation, then to the startled woman
he cried:
swatch this man! He can't hurt
you, for I've got his Shells" To his
prisoner he said, sharply: "Stay where
v~s