Macon beacon., 1917-04-27


beats now; their drumming came faint
but unmistakable. Yes, there were two
horses racing down the arroyo. Anto,
the fugitive, rose 70 his feet and stared
into the dusk.
"Sit down. Alaire ordered, sharp
ly. He obeyed muttering beneath his
breath, but his head was turned as If
in an effort 10 follow the sounds Of the
pursuit.
Next came the distant rattle Of
loOSened StoneS-evldently one horse
was being urged toward the open high
ground-then the peaceful quiet eve
ming was split by the report Of Laws
thirty-thirty. Another shot followed,
and then third. Both Alaire and her
prisoner were on their feet, the woman
shaking In every limb, the Mexican
straining his eyes into the gloom and
listening intently.
Alaire had begun to feel the strain Of
the situation and was trying TO decide
what next to do, when David Law
came riding out Of the twilight. Ho
was astrlde the gray; behind him at
the end of lariat was Bessie Belle,
and her saddle was empty.
Mrs. Austin uttered sharp cry.
Law dismounted and strode to the
prisoner. His face was black with
fury; he seemed gigantic In his rage.
Without word he raised his right
hand and cufted the Mexican to his
knees. Then he leaped upon him, as
dog might pounce upon a rabbit,
rolled him to his face, and twisted the
fellows arm into the small Of his back.
Anto cursed, he struggled, but he was
like child in the rangers grasp. Law
knelt upon him, and with a jerk Of his
RATA secured the fellows wrists; ris-
ing, he set the knot with another heave
that dragged the prisoner to his knees.
Next he booted Anto to his feet.
"Tve notion to bend gun over
your head" Law growled. "Clever lit
tie game, wasn't it?'
"Where-? Did you-kill him?" the
woman gasped.
Alaire had never beheld such n
demoniac expression as Law turned
upon her. The mans face was con.
torted, his eyes were blazing insanely
his chest was heaving, and for an In.
slant he seemed to include her In his
anger. Ignoring her inquiry, he went
to his mare and ran his shaking handf
over her as if in search of an injury
his questioning palms covered evert
inch Of glistening hide from foreloch
to withers, from shoulder to hoof, ant
under cover Of this task he regained IL
some degree his self-controi.
"That hombre of yours-didn't looi
right to me- he said, finally. Laying
his cheek against Bessie Bellies neck
rs woman snuggles close to the mai
Of her choice, he addressed the mare
II reckon nobody Is going to steal you
eh? Not If l know 1t. No, sir; tha
hombre wasn't any good, was hep
Alaire wet her lips. 'Then you
shot hlmY'
II didn't say shot him." he told hel
, gruffly. II warned him first, and h
turned on me--blew smoke in my fac,
J Then he took to the brush, afoot, and
l cut down on him once more to hel
, him along"
"He got away?"
II reckon So"
. "Oh, OH" Alaire's tone left n
, doubt Of her relief. "He was always
, good man"
t Good? Didn't he steal my horse
: Didn't he aim to get me at the f1rt
l chance and free his compadre? That
) why ne wanted his Winchester. Say
' I reckon he-needs KILN about O
l much as anybody know
II can't understand It," Alaire SC
n down weakly. "One Of my men, too"
"This fellow behaved himself while
was gone, eh?" Law jerked his hea
4 In Anto's direction. II was afraid
/, he'd try something. If he had
: Such possibility, oddly enougl
seemed to choke the speaker, and tn
ferocity Of his unfinished threat cause
I Mrs. Austin to look up at him curiou
!, ly. There was a moment Of silenc
then he said, shortly: "Well, we'y
Y got horse apiece now. Let's 60"
l. The stars had thlckened and brigh
S ened, rounding the night sky into
glltterng dome. Anto, the murdere
G with his ankles lashed beneath h
e horses belly, rode first; next, in a su
= len silence, came the ranger, his chi
upon his breast; and In the rear 70
e lowed Alaire Austin.
Under the stars, at the break Of Il
e arroyo, three hundred yards below Il
It water hole, coyote was Sinking In
t. wide circle around the body of Panf
e Sanchez.