The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1919-06-11

luCu, WuliC COlHc, 1dA
on Stairway. "It is the Mexicans,
think, who have taken your master.
There was the noise of caballos run
ming back toward the border. They
are not ten minutes ahead. How
many? Quien sabe, Gaucho? Prob
ably just a band of raiders, not many.
How many men, with rifles, can you
get to horse pronto?"
twenty-five" replied Gaucho
promptly.
Good" cried Stairway. '"Take
twenty men with you; send the other
five to the house. Pronto, Gaucho."
Gaucho turned and ran, calling to
his vaqueros as he went.
"Pedro," called Stairway to the chief
of the house servants.
"Aqui, senior"
"Have the doors and windows shut,
the shutters locked. When Gaucho
sends the five men, put one of them
upon the senorita's balcony, the 9TH
ers at the windows, especially the
south windows, Pedro. Then put out
all the candles and be silent, all of
you.
mo one goes to bed again tonight.
Each one, man and woman, find a gun
of some sort. I do not think that
there is danger, but remember that
the border is just there, remember
that they have taken the good senior
from you, remember that we are leav-
ing the senorita in your protection"
He spoke swiftly and turned to
follow Gaucho out into the dark. Te-
resa, who had been watching him in
silence, came to him and put her hand
upon his arm.
"Senor Billy" she whispered. "You
are going with Gaucho and the rest"
"Yes," he answered shortly. 'You
are safe here; they do not dare an
open attack in United States territory.
And no doubt we shall be back before
morning"
"What have they done with himT
she was asking, trying to speak stead
lily. "What do you think-did they"
She broke off. He could see her
lips trembling. One of the Indian
women, through habit beginning to
tidy the room, moved the rug Stairway
had placed by the table, discovered
the stain, went down on her hands
and knees, and then rose with
shrek.
"Sangrei" she cried. "Jesus Maria
sta muertO! He is dead. They have
killed him. The beloved senior, who
was so good"
Stairway strobe back to her, taking
her by the shoulders and commanding
her to stop her noise and go help Pc
dro lock the doors and windows. But
Teresa had heard; they had all. heard.
She stood very still then, looking
tall and slender and white.
"Go to the doors and windows as
the American senior commands" she
said steadily. Leave no light to show
| that anyone is awake. Do whatever
Pedro tells you to do, in swiftness and
in silence. shall come to see what
you are doing in moment now. Co."
They left as she commanded, in
Swiftness and silence. The doors
closed behind them, and Teresa turned
her great eyes, full Of dread and suf-
fering, upon Stairway.
"You saw it beforew
He nodded.
'You think that they have-kiIled
| him?"
NO." he cried, more assurance in
his voice than in his heart. "It means
nothing if there is a little blood after
men have struggled as they must have
fought here. And if they killed him,
then why carry the body with them?
| He is alive; he must be-"
"Yes," she answered; II should feel
it here" Her hands were pressed tight
upon her breast. "Now go with them,
Senior Billy. You are good to u.s."
"Good to myself" he laughed back
at her, trying to speak easily.
Stairway passed out into the patio,
running toward the corrals where he
had left his own horse saddled under
live oak. AS he ran he heard the
girls voice calling to him:
Remember, Senior Billy, that you
are riding across the border tonight
into Mexican territory. There is dan
ger there. knd-well, perhaps there
is one who will pray for your speedy
and safe return"
He saw the f1utter of her gown
through the misty moonlight, swept of
his hat, called back CHEEKY word,
and ran on.
He saw group of men mounted or
mounting now, at the corral, and knew
Gaucho and his vaqueros were ready.
He could see the CLINT of the pale
night light upon the rifles in their
lean brown hands.
/ He found his own horse, a tall, res
tive sorrel, swung into the saddle,
called sharply to Gaucho, and then
realized suddenly that something was
keeping the men at the corral gate,
that their voices were raised excitedly.
Giving his mount the spur he dashed
down to them.
| Some esp he called half angry ri