Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-04-11

walking to Anto's horse, he removed
the second carbine from beneath the
saddle-flap and elected its 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 Panfilo Sanchez, senior.
Before God | have done nothing" The
speaker was tremendously excited. In
the midst of his incoherent protesta-
tons 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 Panf1lo 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 left"
ment, removed his sombrero, and
blessed his employer extravagantly
then he turned triumphantly upon his
captOr. Behold" cried he. "There
you have the truth. l am an excellent.
Woodworking man and as honest as
God"
Surely you don't want him." Alalre
appealed to Law. HE was probably
helping his countryman 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. 1t will soon be dark and wen
need some supper before we start. 1t
won't hurt Anto's horse to rest bit,
either. You are under arrest" he add
ed, addressing the latter. II won't tie
you unless"
mo, senor" Anto understood per-
fectly, and was grateful.
swell, then. build a fire. and you,
Panfilo, lend hand. The sonora will
need cup of tea, for we three have
long ride ahead of u.s."
No time Wss lost, Both Mexicans
fefi to with Wnf, and In a surprising
ly short time water was boiling. When
1t came Laws turn to eat, Alaire, who
was eager to be gone. directed her en-
plOyee to fetch the rangers horse. Pan
flo acqulesced readily and buckled on
his cartridge belt and six-shooter. He
was about to pick up his rifle, too, but
finding Laws eyes inquiringly fixed up
on him, he turned with shrug and
down the arroyo. 1t was
plain that he considered his friendly
relations well established and resented
the rangers suspicion.
"How long has that fellow been
for your" Law jerked his head
In the direction Panfilo 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 your"
"N-no! left him at the ranch. l
don't know how he came to be here,
unless It Is rather strange!"
Dave shot swift, interrOgatory |
glance at Panflo's travelling c0mpan-
on, 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
10 Panfilo's horse, which stood defect
edly with reins hanging.
"Where are you--goingT Alaire rose
1ervously.
1t was nearly dark now: only the
rest Of the ridges were plain against
he luminous sky; in the brushy bot
:om Of the arroyo the shadows were
leep. Alaire had no wish to be left
llone with the prisoner.
With bride rein and carbine In his
eft hand, the ranger halted, then.
stopping for Anto's discarded cartridge
,elt, he looped 1t over his saddle-horn.
lie vaulted easily into the seat. say
ng:
II hid that mare pretty well. Your
nan may not be able to find her." Then
le turned his borrowed horses head
oward the brush.
Anto had squatted motionless until
his moment; he had not even turned
lis eyes; but now, without the slight
st warning, he uttered q loud call.
t might have served equally we'll as a
ummons or as an alarm. but 1t
hanged the rangers suspicious into