Gilpin observer., 1919-08-07
CHAPTER III-contlnued.
twenty-five" replied

-
twenty-five" replied Gaucho
promptly.
"Good," cried stanway. "Take
twenty men with you; send the other
ave 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, senor."
"Have the doors and windows shut,
the shutters locked. When Gaucho
sends the FIVE men. Pot 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. / 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 restf'
"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 of. 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 q
shrek.
''Sangre" she cried. "Jesus Maria I
Sta muertol 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 60 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 q 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 befUre7"
He nodded.
You think that they have-killed
him?"
No" he crted, more assurance in
his voice than in his heart. ut means
nothing If there is a little blood after
men have struggled as they must have
fought here. And II they killed him
then why carry the body with them
He is alive; he must be-"
Yer" she answered, ~ should fee
1t here" Her hands were pressed tighi
upon her breast. "Now go with them
Senor Billy. You are good to u.s."
Good to myself" he laughed bacl
at her, trying to speak easily.
Attf int 10
running toward the corrals where h
bad left his own horse saddled unde
live oak. As he ran he heard tn,
girls voice calling to him:
"Remember, Senor Billy, that 70,
are riding across the border tonigh
into Mexican territory. There is dan
ger there. And-well. perhaps ther
is one who will pray for your speed.
and safe return"
He saw the futter Of her gowi
through the misty moonlight, swept OF
his hat, called back a CHEEKY WORD
and ran on.
He saw group OF men mounted o
mounting now. at the corral, and kne,
Gaucho and his vaqueros were ready
He could see the CLINT Of the pal
night light upon the rifles In thei
lean brown hands.
He found his own horse, tall. rel
tive sorrel, swung into the saddl,
called sharply to Gaucho, and the
realised suddenly that something wa