The state herald., 1917-07-06

Ducklo your Delt. Ant0 QlQ as he
was told, his revolver and cartridge
belt dropped to the ground. "And you
compadre, do the same. Mind you
the left handl Now face about and
walk to the charco. both Of you
GoodI"
Law stepped into view, his winches
ter In the crook of his arm. He emptied
the three discarded weapons, then
walking to Anto'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 fellow7"
my name is Panfllo Sanchez, senior
Before God. 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. Al
sight of the speaker their mouths fell
open, and Panfllo ceased his gesticula.
tton.
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 left"
Panfilo recovered from his amaze
ment, removed his sombrero, and
blessed his employer extravagantly
then he turned triumphantly upon his
captor. "BeholdI" cried he. 'There
you have the truth. am nm 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 rightl II he's your man. that's
enough" Dave told her. "Now then,
boys, 1t will soon be dark and we'll
need some supper before we start. 1t
won't hurt Anto's horse to rest bit,
either. You are under arrest" he add
ed, addressing the latter. II won't tie
you unless"
mo. senori" Anto understood per-
fectly, and was grateful.
swell, then, build n fire, and you,
Panfilo. lend q hnnd. The sonora will
need a cup Of tea, for we three have
II hong ride ahead of u.s."
No time was lost. Both Nexicans
fell to with will. and In surprising
ly short time water was boiling. When
1t came Laws turn to eat. Alaire. who
was eager to be gone, directed her EN-.
ployee to fetch the rangers horse. Pam
flo acqulesced readily and buckled On
his cartridge belt and slx-shooter. He
was about to pick up his rife. too, but
finding Laws eyes inqulringly fixed up
on him, he turned with q shrug and
disappeared down the arroyo. It was
plain that he considered his friendly
relations well established and resented
the rangers suspicion.
SLOW long has that fellow been
working for your" Law Jerked his head
In the direction Panfilo had taken.
"Not long. I-don't know much
about him." Alaire confessed. Then,
as II In answer to his unspoken ques-
tion. "But I'm sure he's all right"
rs he looking up range for your"
"N-no! left him at the ranch.
don't know how he came to be here,
unless 1t IL rather stranger
Dave shot a swift, interrogatory
glance mt Panfilo's travelling compan.
Ion. but Anto's face was stony, his
black eyes were fixed upon the fire.
With nm abrupt gesture Law flung
aside the contents Of his cup and strol
to Panflo's horse, which stood deject-
edly with reins hanging.
"where are you-golngf" Alaire rose
nervously.
II was nearly dark now; only the
crest Of the ridges were plain against
the luminous sky: In the brushy bot.
tom Of the arroyo the shadows were
deep. Alaire Ind no wish to be left
alone with the prisoner.
With brIdle rein and carblne In his
left hnnd, the ranger halted, then
stooping for Anto's discarded cartridge
belt. he looped It over his saddle-horn.
He vaulted easily Into the seat, say.
Ing:
II hid TINT mnre pretty well. You,
man may not be able to ind her" Then
he turned his borrowed horses head
townrd the brush.
Anto had sQuatted motionless until
this moment; he hnd not even turned
his eyes; but now. without the slight
est warning, he uttered a loud call
1t might hnve served equally well ms
summons or ns nm alarm, but 4,
changed the Ringers suspicious int
certainty. Dave uttered nm angry cx
clnmntion. then TO the startled womnr
he cried:
swatch this mnni Hc can't hur,
you. for I've got his shells" To nj,
prisoner he said. sharply: "stny whcr.
you are! Don't move" The next In
U..aa a A.