Sioux County pioneer., 1922-12-28
ZANE GREY
Riders Of the Purple
Sage, Wi1dfire, Etc.
.Iufbor Of
Copyright by Harper & Brother&


Copyright by Harper & BrotherA
N - . ..'''
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 Ladd had halt
ed and was peering ahead in evident
caution. Mercedes horse began to
stamp impatiently, raised his ears and
head, and acted as II he was about to
neigh.
A warning "hist" from Ladd babe
Dick put 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 Ladd 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 a half hour
this marked deliberation 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-
tions. The cowboy reined In his horse,
listened 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 ridged and cut-up
pass between low mesas. To the right,
up under the ledges 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 pea1ed out, to be followed
by the rattling of hoofs on hard stone.
Then dog barked. At the same
moment that Ladd hurriedly ap-
peared in the road light shone out
and danced before one of the square
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 Ladd's heels
without brushing the cactus or stun
bling over rocks and depresslons was
a task Gale found impossible. It was
no easy matter to lead a 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. It
seemed to Gale that anyone within
a mile could have heard these sounds.
Presently Ladd led out into a
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 IL 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
little, however, she recovered and
went on without assistance. They
had reached the summit Of what was
evidently a high ridge sloped with
much greater steepness on the far.
side. 1t was only after few more
forward steps, however, that Dick
could see down the slope. Then full
in view flashed bright campfire
around which clustered a group Of
dark figures. They were encamped in
wide arroyo, where horses could be
seen grazing in black patches Of grass
between clusters Of trees. A second
look at the campers told Gale they
were Mexicans. At this moment Lash
came forward to Join Ladd, and the
two spent q long, uninterrupted mo-
ment studying the arroyo. a hoarse
laugh, faint yet distinct, floated upon
the cool wind.
"Well, Laddy, what r you maxim Of
that outft?" inquired Lash, speaking
softly. :7s
""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 these
rebels have got 'em all beat. That
outfit is waitin' till It's late. Nothin'
to 1t but head south for the Rio For
lorn. It's on the border line, but it's
country where these rebels amt been
yet" s.s ~
"It's a hike to Beldin's ranch. An
IL We get there in daylight some
Greaser will see the girl before Beldin'
can hide her It'll get talked about.
The news II travel to Casita like sage
balls before the wind" isss ~
ashore we don't ride into Rio For.