Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-12-07
ZANE GAEY
Hufbor OF"
Riders Of the Purple
Sage, WiIdfire, Etc.
Copyright by Harper & Brothers.
Copyright by Harper & Brothers.

The coats little large; we might
wrap 1t around you twice"
Mercedes smiled and lightly thanked
him In Spanish. He was about to start
when he observed that I.add had halt
ed and was peering ahead in evideh \
caution. Mercedes horse began to-
stamp impatiently, raised his ears and
head, and acted as if he was about to
neigh.
A warning "hist" from Ladd babe
Dick put a quieting hand on the
horse. Lash came noiselessly forward
to join his companion. The two then
listened and watched.
Presently Lash went to the rear
and Laid started ahead, The prog
ress now, however, was considerably
slower, not owing to bad road-for
that became better-but probably ow
ing to caution exercised by the cow
boy guide. At the end of half hour
this marked elaboration changed, and
the horses followed Ladd's at a gait
that put Gale to his best walking
PAGES.
His steps were halted by Ladd's ac-
lions. The cowboy refined in his horse,
listened a moment, then swung down
out of the saddle. He raised a eau
tioning hand to the others, then
slipped into the gloom and disap-
peared. Gale marked that the halt
had been made in a ridged and cut-up
pass between low mesas. To the right
up under the Lodges some distance
away, stood two square black objects,
too uniform, he thought, to be rocks.
While he was peering at them, uncer-
tain what to think, the shrill whistle
of horse pealed out, to be followed
by the rafting of hoofs on hard stone.
Then a dog barked. At the same
moment that Ladd hurriedly ap-
peared in the road a light shone out
black objects.
Keep close an don't make no
noise" he whispered, and led his
horse at right angles off the road,
Gale followed leading Mercedes
horse. AS he turned he observed that
Lash also had dismounted.
To keep closely at Ladds heels
without brushing the cactus or stun
bling over rocks and depressions was
a task Gale found impossible. 1t was
no easy matter to lead spirited horse
! through the dark, winding lanes walled
| by thorns. Dick saw that the travel
was fast, but by no means noiseless.
| The pack animals at times crashed and
ripped through the narrow places. 1t
seemed to Gale that anyone within
q mile could have heard these sounds
Presently Ladd led out into q
wider lane that appeared to run
straight. The cowboy mounted his
horse, and this convinced Gale that
they had circled back to the road
The march proceeded then once more
at a good steady, silent walk. When
Dick consulted his watch he was
amazed to see the hour was still early
He asked Mercedes If she was cold
and she answered that she was, speak
ing especially of her feet, which were
growing numb. Then she asked to be
helped down to walk awhile. At first
she was cold and lame, and accepted
the helping hand Dick proffered. After
a little, however, she recovered anC
went on without assistance. They
had reached the summit of what was
evidently a high ridge sloped witt
much greater steepness on the fal
side. 1t was only after a few more
forward steps, however, that Dcl
could see down the slope. Then full
in view flashed @ bright campfire
dark figures. They were encamped IL
wide arroyo, where horses could BIZ
seen grazing in black patches of grass
between clusters Of trees A seconC
look at the campers told Gale the!
were Mexicans. At this moment Last
came forward to join Ladd, and thu
two spent a long, uninterrupted mo
ment studying the arroyo. A hoarsC
laugh, faint yet distinct, floated upor
the cool wind.
"Well, Laddy, what r you maxim o
that OUTFIT" inquired Lash, speakin,
softly.
Same as any Of them raider out
fits replied Ladd. They're across
the line for beef. But they'll run of
any good stock. AS boss thieves thes,
rebels have got 'em all beat. Tha
outfit Is waitin till it's late. Nothin
to it but head south for the Rio For
lorn.. It's on the border line, but IT.
country where these rebels amt beer
yet"
ITS a hike to Beldln's ranch. An
If We get there In daylight SOM
Grnaser will see the girl before Beldin
can hide her. It'll get talked about
The news IL travel to Caslta like sag
balls before the wind"
"Shore we don't ride into Rio For
lorn in the daytime. Let's slip tn
packs, Jim. We can hide them off II
the cactus an come back after then
With the young man ridin' We"
The whispering was interrupted b.
loud ringing neigh that whistled u