Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-24
sa@ rns E1E

was being urged toward the open high
ground-then the peaceful quiet eve
ming was split by the report Of Laws
thirty-thlrty. 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 tn decide
what next to do, when David Law
came riding out of the twilight. He
was astride the gray; behind him at
the end of a lariat was Bessie Belle,
and her saddle was empty.
Mrs. Austin uttered n sharp cry.
Law dismounted and strobe to the
prisoner His face WAS black with
fury; he seemed gigantic in his rage.
Without a word he raised his right
hand and cufIed the Mexican to his
knees. Then he lcapcd upon him, as
II dog might pounce upon n 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 a child in the rangers grasp. Law
knelt upon him, and with 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.
1--WE notion to bend gun over
your head" Law growled. "Clever lit
tie game, wasn't it?"
"Wherc--? Did you-liill him?' the
woman gaspc1.
Aaire had never bcheld such a
demoniac expression as Law turned
upon her. The mans face was con-
torted, his eyes were blazing insanely
his chest was heaving and for nn In
slant he seemed to include h. in his
anger. Ignoring her inquiry, iin'wcn'
to his mare and ron his shaking. hands
over her rs if in search of an injury
his questioning pafins covered every
inch of glstoning hide from forelocl
to withers, from shoulder to hoof. ant
under cover Of this tasl, he rcgaiped il
sumo degree his srtfvurtrur.
THAT hombre Of youls--tlidn't lool
right TO me-" he said. finally. Laying
his check against Bessie Bellies neck
rs 4 woman snugglcs close to the man
OF her choice, he addressed the mare
II reckon nobody is going to steal you
CHI? Not If know it. No, sir; that
hombre wasn't any good, was he?"
Alarc wet her lips. "rhen YOU
shot him?'
81 didn't say shot him." he told her
grully. 81 warned him first, and he
turned on mc--bew smoke in my face
Then h took to the brush, afoot, and
I cut down on him once more to hell
him along"
'lIc got away?'
Il reckon So
"Oh oh :" Alairc's tone left M
doubt of her relief. HE was always 6
good man
Good? Didn't he steal my horse
Didn't he aim TO get me ut the frs
chance and free his compadre? That
why he wanted his Winchester. Say
reckon he--needs KILN about a'
much as anybody | know"
Il can't understand It," Alaire sa
down weakly. "One of my men, too"
"Ths fellow behaved himself while
was gone, eh?" Law ierlled his heat
in Anto's direction IL was afraid hC
--hc'd try something. If he had
Such a possibility, oddly enough
seemed to choke the speaker, and the
fcrocity Of his unfinished threat caused
Mrs. Austin to look up at him curious
ly. There was moment of silence
then he said shortly: "Well, we've
got horse apiece now, Let's co."
The stars had thickened and bright
ened, rounding the night sky INTO ;
glitterlng dome. Anto, the murderer
with his ankles dashed beneath hi
horses belly, rode first: nest, in n sui
len silence. came the ranger, his CHI
upon his breast; and in the rear FOL
lowed Alaire Austin.
Under Tie stars, at the break Of tn
arroyo, three hundred yards below tn
water hole, q coyote T"s Sinking in
wide circle around the body Of panii!
Sanchez.
FrD RE CONTINIrED\