Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-07-05

sight before Pedro crept mp behind the
Mexican as he peered at Liberty
through his glasses. Then, with an
agile bound, Pedro leaped to the back
of the horse and strangled the Mexican
into submission. With lengths of
rope cut out from the Mexican's lariat,
Pedro bound him tightly.
Then, carefully guiding the horse
down the mountain trail, Pedro at
tempted the feat which nearly resulted
in Liberty's DEATH Swiftly his why
pony scrambled down the mountain
side Instead of taking the same
route which resulted in Liberty's fall,
however, Pedro followed an old and
unused trail up the bed of a mountain
stream which soon brought him to the
crest of the canyon.
Leaning over the edge of the cliff.
he shouted down to Liberty, who
waved feebly up at him. Then Pedro
quickly lowered a rope to her.
Liberty grasped the end of the rope
knOtted it about her body and with
Pedro pulling from above, was soon
halfway up the canyon side. AS he
pulled on the rope, Pedro saw Manuel
and his bandit riding like mad along
the trail toward them.
Desperately he pulled on the rope
One of the strands, scraping against
the sharp ledge of rock, parted
Drops of perspiration stood out on
Pedro's brow as he realized that if the
rope didn't hold Liberty would plunge
to her death.
He took firm grasp on the rope be-
low the parted strands, however, and
a minute later pulled Liberty, painting
and limp, to the canyon ledge.
Liberty threw her arms around the
faithful Pedro.
Quick" whispered Pedro. Manuel
and one of Lopez's bandits have seen
u.s."
Pedro slapped his horse briskly on
the TANKS and it ran off among the
trees. Liberty and Pedro then made
their way down the mountain side to
little cave which Pedro had noticed
while coming up the canyon.
They heard Manuel and his compan-
ion shouting up above for few mo-
ments and then, many minutes later
Pedro, peering forth, saw them rejoin
the Mexican he had tied on the oppo-
site side of the canyon. When all three
rode off Pedro and Liberty emerged
from their hiding place and made their
then down the valley toward the des-
ert.
From the other side, Manuel and his
men, hidden behind ledge of rock
observed Liberty and Pedro climbing
from their place of refuge. Quickly
ordering the Mexican whom Pedro had
bound to take word back to Lopez that
Pedro and Liberty were ON their way
to rejoin the main American column,
Manuel and his companion again took
up the pursuit.
An hour later the Mexican rode back
to Lopez's band, which was still pep
pering away at the hut in which Rut-
ledge and the three cavalrymen were
fighting for their lives.
When Lopez learned that Liberty
and Pedro had made good their escape
and would soon be in touch with the
main American column, he decided to
drop his siege of Rutledge and his
companions.
Saddle up" he ordered. 1--WE will
catch the Americans at Diabolo pass
and with four machine guns we can
wipe them off the map once and for
all. want dozen of you fellows to
stay behind and keep these Americans
busy while we go ahead
Meanwhile Pedro and Liberty scram-
bled down through the brush. Soon
their clothing was in shreds from the
thorns and man-high cactus which
barred their path. At the edge of the
desert they came upon a Mexicans
hut. Pedro burst in the door and COW
cred the inmate, an aged Mexican,
with his revolver. Quickly he ordered
the old fellow to hide them and to deny
that he had seen them if questioned.
A half hour passed. From their re-
treat Pedro and Liberty heard horses
picking their way through the under
growth around the cabin. A moment
later the butt of a gun banged at the
door.
Manuel and his companion burst in
the door a moment later.
Have you seen an American girl
around here?" demanded Manuel, peer
ing suspiciously into the cabin.
NO, no. senor," replied the old Mex
lean, keenly aware that Pedro had him
covered. Il see no one"
You're a liarI' shouted Manuel
Tell me quick, before 1 shoot you
what have you SEEM"
Il have seen nothing, no one, senor,"
replied the old Mexican with his head
bowed in fear.
search the hut" ordered Manuel.
The greaser's orderly made perfume
tory search
'sThey are not here. sir" ne report
ed