The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-05-03

Why, even q cows recognition Of her
WI calf was not evidence for q court,
and alibis were easily proved. Unless
the thieves were caught in the very
act there was no case against them,
and-por Dios lone could not be for
ever on guard. Who could tell where
the malefactors would strike next?
Now, in Mexico one could afford to
Kill an undesirable neighbor without
so much formality. But, thank God!
Don Ricardo was not a Mexican. No,
he was a good American citizen. 1t
was something to make him sleep we'll
in these war times.
Just the same, I'll bet he'd sleep
better If 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 Potosistas. Perhaps he steals
my calves. Who knows?"
"Senor Lewis doesn't need to steal.
he has money" Jones argued.
"True! But who is so rich that he
would not be richer? Lewis employs
men who are poor, and he himself is
above nothing. 1, too, am a friend Of
the rebels. Panchito, the Liberator,
was a saint, and I give money to the
patriots who fight for his memory.
But I do not aid the tyrant Potosi with
my other hand. Yes, md who is richer,
for instance, than Senior Eduardo Aus
tin?"
"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, and 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 Guzman's
guest.
Dave put in the next two days riding
the pastures, f~amiliarizing himself
with the country, and talking with the
few men he met. About all he discov-
cred, however, was the fact that the
Guzman 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-cattle, with Bes-
sic Belle for company. The mare
seemed to enjoy the excursions as
much as her owner. Her eyes and ears
were ever alert; she tossed her head
and snorted when a deer broke cover
or a jackrabbit scuttled out Of her
path; she showed a friendly interest
in the awkward calves which stood
and eyed her with such amazement
and then %galloped stif1y off with tails
high arched. Law had many times un-
dertaken to break Bessie Belle Of that
habit Of finging her head high at sud-
den sounds, but she was nervous and
inquisitive, and this was the one thing
upon which she maintained q feminine
obstinacy.
On the second evening the Ranger
rode home through a drizzle that had
materialized after a long, threatening
afternoon and now promised to be-
come a real rain. Ricardo met him
at the door to say:
"You bring good fortune with you,
senior, for the land is thirsty. To-mor-
row, If this rain holds, we shall ride
together-you, Pedro and I. Those
thieves do their stealing when they
leave no tracks,"
The sky was leaden, the rain still
fell in the morning when Dave and
his two companions set out. Until
afternoon they rode, their slickers
dripping, swaying to the tireless fox
trot Of their steaming horses, their
eyes engaged in a watchful scrutiny.
At last Pedro. who was ahead,
reined in and pointed; the others saw
where the barbed-wire strands of the
fence they had been following were
clipped. A number of horse and calf
tracks led through the opening, and
after an examination Ricardo an
nOunced:
"There are two men. They have
come and gone, with the calves tied
neck and neck"
'That is Las Palmas, isn't it," Law
indicated the pasture into which the
trail led.
Father and son answered, Isl. Sc
nor"
For a time the Ranger lounged side