The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-10-26
Lord, no; you mustn't, Dick
you'll be knifed" cried Thorne.

LORD, no; you mustn't, Dick
you'll be knifed!" cried Thorne.
I'll take a chance. Maybe can
surprise that slow Greaser bunch and
get away before they know what's
happened. You be ready
watching at the window. When the
row starts those fellows out there in
the plaza will run into the saloon.
Then you slip out, 90 straight through
the plaza down the street. It's dark
street, I remember. I'll catch up with
you before you get far"
Thorne :gasped, but did not say
word. Mercedes leaned against him.
her white hands now ut her breast.
her great eyes watching Gale as he
went ont.
In the corridor Gale stopped long
enough. to pull on a pair Of heavy
gloves, to muss his hair, and disar-
range his collar. Then he stepped
into the restaurant, went through, and
halted in the door leading into the
saloon. No one appeared to notice
him. Gales rowing glance soon fixed
upon the man he took to be Rojas.
The Mextcan's face was turned aside.
He was IN earnest. excited coIloquy
with q. dozen or more comrades, most
Of whom were sitting round table.
They, were listening, talking, drinking
The fact that they wore cartridge belts
crossed over their breasts satisfied
Gale that these were the rebels. He
became conscious Of an inward fire
that threatened to cverrun his cool
ness. ..Other emotions harried his self
control It seemed as il sight of the
man liberated or created devil in
Gale. ! And at the bottom of his feel
inss there Seemed to he Il wonder at
himself, strange satisfaction for the
something, that had come to him.
He stepped out OF the doorway.
down8the couple OF steps to the floor
Of the saloon. and he staggered Il
little, Stimulating drunkenness. lie fell
over the pool tables, jostled Mexicans
at the bar, laughed like Il maudlin
fool, aBas with his hat slOuched down,
crowded here and there. Presently
his eye caught sight Of the group OF
cowboys whom he had before noticed
with such interest.
They were still in a corner some
what isolated. With fertile mind
working, Gale lurched over to them.
II heswere to get any help from these
silent aloOf rangers it must be by
striking fire from them in one swift
stroke. Planting himself squarely be-
fore the two tall cowboys who were
standing, lie looked straight into
theirclean, bronzed faces. He spared
fun moment for that keen. cool
gaze before" he spoke.
I'm not drunk. I'm throwing a
bluff, and mean to start rough
house, I'm going to rush that id
bandit Rojas. It's to save girl-to
give her lover, who is my friend, 4
chance to escape with her. She's h
the house. Rojas is here to get he..
When I start i row my friend will try
to slip out with her. Every door amt
window is watched. I've got to raise
III to draw the guards in.
Well, you're my countrylnen. We're
in Mexico. A beautiful girls honor
nnd%life are at stake. Now, gentle
men, watch me''
One cowboys eyes narrowed. blink
ing a little, and his lean jaw dropped;
the. others hard face rippled with
iIeeting smile.
Gale backed away. and his pulse
leaped when he saw the two cowboys.
rs If with one purpose, slowly stride
after him. Then Gale swerved. stag
gering along. brushed against the
tables, kicked over the empty chairs.
The; hum of the many voices grew
louder, and when Dick lurched
against a table, .overturning it and
! spilling glasses into tn. laps of sew
eral Mexicans, there arose shrill cry.
Z He had succeeded in attracting at
tention; almost every face turned his
way One of the insulted men. a
little tawny fellow, leaped to confront
Gale, and in a frenzy screamed a, vol
ley of Spanish, Of which Gale diStin-
sgtlished "Gringe!" Dick swung his
leg and with a swift side kick Knocked
!. tile fellows feet from under him.
whirling him down with thud.
Tile action was performed so sud
denly so adroitly. it made the Next
can~such a weakling, ST. like Il turnbIctl
.tennin, that the slrill jabberin.
hustled. Gale knew this to be the
significant moment
Wheeling, he rushed at Roias 1t
was his old line-breaking plunge. Mel
Their Rkjas nor his men had time to
j move. The black-skinned bandits