Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-12-07
CHAPTER III
A Ellaht Into the Desert.

OlICCSN anu Sltl biNt' N'oiC 'N' 'iNN
his ear to the soft wind. Presently
he heard, or imagined he heard, low
beats. In moment he was certain
the sounds were the padlike steps of
hoofs in yielding sand. The regular
tramp was not that of grazing horses
In the instant, made cautious and
stealthy by alarm, Gale drew Mer'
cedes deeper into the gloom Of the
shrubbery. The sounds of hoofbeats
grew louder. Gale made out a dark
moving mass against a background of
dull gray. There was a line of horses.
He could not discern whether or not
all the horses carried riders. The
murmur of a voice struck his ear
then a low laugh. 1t made him Jingle,
for it sounded American. Eagerly he
listened.
at shore was, Laddy, it shore was, "
came a voice out Of the darkness.
Trough housed Laddy, since wire
fences drove us out of Texas we amt
seen the like of that. An we never
had such a call"
"Call? It was a burnin' roast" re-
piled another voice. II felt low down.
He vamOOsed some sudden, an I hope
he an his friends shook the dust of
Casita. That's a rotten town, jim"
Gale jumped up in JOY. What luck
The speakers We're none other than
the two cowboys whom he had accOst,
ed in the Mexican hotel.
"Hold on, fellows" he called, and
strobe into the road.
The horses snorted and stamped
Then followed swift ruStling sounds
clinking Of spurs, then silence. The
figures doomed clearer In the gloom
Gale saw five Or six horses, two with
riders and one other, at least, carry
ing pack. When Gale got within
fifteen feet Of the group the foremost
horseman said:
81 reckon that's close enough
stranger"
Something in the cowboys hand
glinted. darkly bright in the starlight
you'd recognize me, If it wasn't SO
dark" replied Gale, hating 81 spoke
to you a little while ago-in the sa,
loon back there"
Come over an let's see you" said
the cowboy, CURLY.
Gale advanced till he was close to
the horse. The cowboy leaned over
the saddle and peered into Gales
face. Then, without a word, he
sheathedl the gun and held out his
hand. Gale met a grip of steel that
warmed his blood. The other COW.
boy got off his nervous, spirited horse
and threw the bride. He, too, peereC
closely into Gales face.
"My names Ladd," he said. "Reckor
I'm some glad to meet you again."
Gale felt another grip as hard and
strong as the other had been. He
realized he had found friends who
belonged to class Of men whom he
had despaired of ever knowing.
"Gale-Dick Gale is my name" he
began, swiftly. 81 dropped into Casita
tonight hardly knowing where | was
A boy took me to that hotel. There
met an old friend whom I had no
seen for years. He belongs to the
cavalry stationed here. He had be
friended Spanish girl-fallen in low,
with her. Rojas had killed this girl'i
father-tried to abduct her.
You know what took place at the no
tel. Gentlemen, if it's ever possible
ri show you how I appreciate wha
you did for me there | got away
found my friend with the girl. w,
hurried out here beyond the edge o
town. Then Thorne had to make /,
break for camp. We heard bugle calls
shots, and he was away without leave
That left the girl with me. don
know what to do. ThOrne swears Ca
sta is no place for Mercedes a
Tight"
"The girl amt no peon, no common
Ereaser?" interrupted Ladd.
mo. Her name is Castaneda. Sh
elongs to an old Spanish family, one
rich and influential"
ReckOneu as HuCn, replied tn
rowboy. "There's more than Roja'
wantin' to kidnap a pretty girl. Shor
he does that every day or so. Mus
be somethin political or feelir
against class Well Casita. amt n
place for your friends girl at nigh
M day, or any time. Shore. there
Americans who'd take her in an fgl
for her, If necessary. But it amt wis
to risk that. Lash, what do you say?
"It's been gettin' hotter round thi
ircaepr corral for some weeks" r,