Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-03-28

MIN down with his revolver when the
Mexican shouted to a companion.
A few moments later Pedro saw
Manuel join the Mexican who pointed
out Liberty as she lay on a ledge of
rock a thousand feet above the can
yon bed into which her horse had fallen
to his death.
Stll another Mexican on horseback
Joined the group. There followed an
excited conversation. Pedro crept
closer and heard them discussing Lib
erty's capture.
"We1l take the trail around the
mountain" said Manuel. "It's longer
but safer. Then we can throw a rope
down to her and she'll be so glad to
escape from her perilous position that
imprisonment will mean nothing to
her Perhaps-whO knows" laughed
/ Manuel, II caa even become a hero in
/ the eyes of my own wife"
/ Manuel ordered one of the Mexicans
to watch Liberty while he and a COM
paniun took the long trail around.
Hardly had they disappeared from
sight before Pedro crept up 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 larlat,
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 wiry
pony scrambled down the mountain
side. Instead of taking the same
route which resu ted "a 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 1t 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 IL 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
minute later pulled Liberty, painting
and limp, TO the canyon ledge.
Liberty threw her arms around the
faithful Pedro.
"Quiek," WHISPERED Pedro. Manuel
and one of Lopea's bandits have seen
us"
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 a
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 an three
rode off Pedro and Liberty emerged
from their hiding place and made their
way again TO the canyon edge and
then down the valley toward the des-
crt.
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
10 rejoin the main American column,
Manuel and his companion again took
up the pursuit.
An hour later the Mexican rode back
to Lopezs 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. eve will
catch the Americans at Diabolo pass
and with four machine guns we can
wipe them of the map once END Tor
all. l want dozen of you fellows to
stay behind and keep these Americans
busy while we 20 ahead"
Meanwhile Pedro and Liberty scram-
bied down through the brush. Soon
their clothing was in shreds from the
thorns ana man-high cactus which
barred their path. At the edge of the
desert they came upon a MeXican's
hut Pedro burst in the door and COW
cred the inmate. an aged Mexican,
with his revolver. Quickly he ordered
the old fellow 20 hide them ard 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 upaeT-
growth around the cabin. A E.oment
later the butt Of gun banged at the
door. The old native WIS on the point
of throwing the door open when Pedro
Missed at him;
Remember, + you tell, / shoot you
dead"
Manuel and his companion burst in