The state herald., 1917-08-03

why, eNcn IL COW y recognition OF her
own calf was not evidence for a court.
and alibis were easily proved. Unless
the thieves were caught in the very
net there was no case against them,
and-por Dios!-one could not be for
ever on guard. Who could tell where
the malefactors would strike next I
Now, In Mexico one could afford to
Kill nn undesirable neighbor without
so much formality. But, thank God
Don Ricardo was not q Mexican. No,
he was good American citizen. 1t
was something to make him sleep well
In these war times.
"Just the same. I'll bet he'd sleep
better II the Lewis outfit was cleaned
up" Dave ventured, and Blaze agreed,
Guzman caught his enemy's name,
and nodded.
"Ah! That sin verguenza! He sells
arms to the Candeleristas and horses
to the Potosistns. Perhaps he steals
my calves. Who knows?"
"Senor Lewis doesn't need to steal
lie has money" Jones argued.
"Truel But who is so rich that he
would not be richer? Lewis employs
men who are poor. and he himself Is
above nothing. i. too. am friend Of
the rebels. Panchito, the Liberator,
was saint, and give money to the
patriots who fight for his memory.
But do not aid the tyrant Potosi with
my other hand. Yes. and who is richer,
for instance. than Senor Eduardo Aus.
tinY"
"You surely don't accuse him OF
double-dealing with the rebels?" Blaze
inquired curiously.
Il don't know. He Is a friend OF
Tad Lewis. md there are strange sto.
ries afloat.
Just what these stories were, how.
ever. Ricardo would not say. feeling.
perhaps that he had already said too
much. The three men spent that eve
ming together. and In the morning
Blaze rode home. leaving the Ranger
behind for the time being as Guxman's
guest.
Dave put In the next two days riding
the pastures, familiarlzing himself
with. the country. and talking with the
few men he met. About all he discov-
cred. however. was the fact that the
Guzinan range not only adjoined some
OF Lewis leased land. but also was
bounded for several miles by the Las
Palmas fence.
It was pleasant to spend the days
among the shy brush.cnttle. with Bes-
sic Belle for company. The mare
seemed to enjoy the excursions us
much as her owner. Her eyes and ears
were ever alert: she tossed her head
and snorted when deer broke cover
or n Jnckrnbbit scuttled out Of her
path; she showed u friendly interest
In the awkward calves which stood
md eyed her with such amazement
and then galloped stlfily OF with tails
high archcd. Law had many times un.
dertnkcn to break Bessie Belle OF that
habit OF ningine her head high at sud.
den sounds, but she was nervous and
inquIsitivc. and this was the one thing
upon which she maintained feminine
obsilnncy.
ON the second evening the Ranger
rode home through u drizzle that had
after long. threatening
afternoon and now promised to be.
come n real rain. Ricardo met him
nj the door to say:
"You bring good fortune with you,
senor. for the land is thirsty. To.mor.
row. II this rain holds. we shall ride
Pedro md !. Those
thieves do their stealing when they
lcnvc no tracks,"
The sky was lcadcn. the rain stlll
fell In the morning when Dave and
his two companions set out. Until
afternoon they rode. their slickcrs
dripping. swaylng TO the tlrcicss fox.
trot OF their stenmlng horses. their
eyes engaged In wntchful scrutiny.
At last Pedro. who wns nhcnd,
rclncd In md pointed; the others saw
where the barbcd.wlrc strands Of the
fence they Ind been following were
clipped. A number OF horse and Gulf
tracks led through the opening. md
after mn examination Nicnrdo nm.
nounccd:
There nre two men. They have
come and gone. with tho calves tied
neck and neck"
"rhnt is Las pnlmns. isn't itT Law
ndicated tho pasture Into which tho
,rnii led.
Father and son answered. "si. sc.
ior."