Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-22
DAUGHTER OF THE SUN

Only when they were fairly down Al
the floor of the valley did xhey SEQ AZ yn
ranch houses. There were sevoro, tue
big, rambling abode with whitewosD.aa
walls. barns and smaller outbuildinss
all making sizable group.
''Neighbors,' said Kendric "Tbo,p
be wanting to know what we're ahcy,,.n
holding" 'neir
ITS anybody's land over tbOr.,
growlsd BARLOW. They'd best keen
They pushed on across the fields M.
ing casually how they were ali levoIsi
and ditched for irrigation, and camo ..
last to the creek, where they res restss
under an oak and drank deeplv ooS
smoked. As they rose to 20 on tba.
saw four horsemcn bearing down unos
them from the direction of the ranch
houses. 'n
"vaqueros. said Barlow. "Tbsrm
be wantin' to know il we're lost ~
They look more like brigands tb.,
cowmen," grunted Kendric. "Evsru
man jack of them wears n rife. InS
they're in a rush, Twisty, old mate
What will you bet they don't herd ".
back where we came FROM"
Let 'em try It on" Barlow shot
back Mt him, his eyes narrowing on ths
oncoming riders. Pm gon' to roll
up in my blanket under those tbrss
peaks tonight il the whole Mexican
Army shows up -"
The two Americans stopped and stood
ready to ease their shoulders out ~
their packs and start pumping lead II
the newcomers turned out TO be half the
dcspcradocs they appeared. The way
to argue with these sort of gents" SAID
Barlow contemptuously. 'is shoot their
eyes out first and talk next" But AZ
the foremost Of the little cavalcade
drew up in front of them, with his three
followers curbing their horses a few
PAGES in his rear, the fellows greetiny
was amazingly hospitable.
"Buenas dias, amigos" he called IN
them. But, though he hailed them in
the name of friendship, his eyes wera
sullen and gave the lie to his speech.
You would be fatigued with walking
across the cursed desert; YOU would bs
parchcd with thirst. Yonder," and hs
pointed toward the distant white walls
'is coolness and pleasant welcome
awaiting you."
"Thanks." returned Barlow. "But
my friend and ] are on our way over
there" He pointed. 1--WE are students
of entomology and are studyln' certain
new butterflies All along, until the
very moment. he had fully intended ex.
planning by saying they were on hunt
ing trip. But rs he spoke it struck
| him that the slopes about his three
! peaks would not harbor jack rabbit,
and furthermore on the instant biz
golden butterfly went Tapping by him,
putting the idea into his head.
| Tho younO MCviran pn1Ind but Z,
sisted.
There will be time for butterfly
catching tomorrow" he said carelesSly.
To-day you will honor us by riding
back TO the Hacienda Montezuma. You
are expected, senOres; everything is
prepared for you. Oyez, Pedro
Juanito." turning in his saddle and
addressing two Of his men. >
Rope two horses and let los Amer.
icanos have yours" And when both
Pedro and Juanito frowncd and hest.
tated. his eyes flashed and he cried
out angrily at them: 'Pronto. It
is commanded -
They rode away toward herd Of
horses half mile down the valley,
their riatas soon in their hands and
widening and swinging into great loops.
Presently they were back, leading two
captured ponies. Dismounting, they
made impromptu hackamOres Of their
ropes and mounted bareback, leaving
their own saddles empty for Kendric
and Barlow.
Look here, amigo said Kendric
then. ''We're much obliged for the
kind invitation. But you've got the
wrong guests. II your outfit was ex-
pccting newcomers it was some one
else
The Mexican lifted his fine black
browS.
Then nrc you not Senorcs Kcndric
and Barlow" he asked impudcntly.
They stared wondcringly at him,
I, then at each other.
"Iou're some - little gucSser,
) stranger grunted Barlow. Who
told you all you know
To be continued tomorrow