Macon beacon., 1917-04-27

buckle your belt" Anto did as he
was 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.
Goodw
Law stepped into view, his Winches-
ter In the crook of his arm. He emptied
the three discarded weapons, then,
walking to Ant0's horse, he removed
the second carbine from beneath the
saddle-fap 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 Pantllo Sanchez, senor.
Before God, 1 have done nothing" The
speaker was tremendously excited. In
the midst of his incoherent protesta-
tions 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 Panfilo 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"
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. am an excellent,
hard-working man and as honest as
God"
"Surely you don't want him." Alaire
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. snow then,
boys, it will soon be dark and well
need some supper before we start. II
won't hurt Anto's horse to rest bit
either. You are under arrest" he add
ed, addressing the latter. II won't tic
you unless"
"No, senorw Anto understood per
fectly, and was grateful.
swell, then, build fire, and you
} Panfilo, lend a hand. The sonora will
need a cup of tea, for we three have
long ride ahead of u.s."
No time was lost. Both Mexicans
fell to with will, and in surprising
ly short time water was boiling. Wher
1t 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 buckled OF
his cartridge belt and slx-shOoter. HI
was about to pick up his rifle, too, bu
finding Laws eyes inquiringly fixed up
on him, he turned with shrug an(
disappeared down the arroyo. 1t was
plain that he considered his friendl!
relations we'll established and resented
the rangers suspicion.
"How long has that fellow beel
working for your" Law jerked his heat
in the direction Panfilo had taken.
"Not long. I--don't know mucl
about him." Alaire confessed. Then
as IL In answer to his unspoken ques
tlOn, "But I'm sure he's all right"
us he looking up range for your
"N-no! l left him at the ranch.
don't know how he came to be here
unless 1t is rather strange!"
Dave shot swift, interrogation
glance at Panfilos travelling compan
ion, but Anto's face was stony, hi
black eyes were fixed upon the fire.
With an abrupt gesture Law fun
aside the contents Of his cup and strod
to Panflo's horse, which stood defect
edly with reins hanging.
"Where are you-going?" Alaire ros
nervously.
s 1t was nearly dark now; only tn
:, crest Of the ridges were plain agains
t the luminous sky; In the brushy bot
tom Of the arroyo the shadows wer
e deep. Alaire had no wish to be lef
g alone with the prisoner.
: With bride rein and carbine In hi
9 left hand, the ranger halted, ther
STOPPING for Anto's discarded cartridg
e belt, he looped 1t over his saddle-horr
6 He vaulted easily into the seat, say
g ing:
t u hid that mare pretty well. You
:. man may not be able to find her." The
= he turned his borrowed horses hea
d toward the brush.
e Anto had squatted motionless unit
this moment; he had not even turne
his eyes; but now, without the sligh
est warning, he uttered a loud cal
1t might have served equally we'll as
summons or as an alarm, but
d changed the rangers suspicious int
d certainty. Dave uttered an angry e.
d clamation, then to the startled woma
& he cried:
# "Watch this man! He can't hui
you, for I've got his Shells" To hi
prisoner he said, sharply: "Stay wher
+ you are! Don't mover The next IL