Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1922-12-08

Dick put a %Quieting hand on the
horse. Lash came nolselessly 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 q bad road-for
that became better-but probably ow-
ing TO caution exercised by the cow
how guide. At the end Of a 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-
tions. The cowboy reined in his horse,
listened a moment, then swung down
ont of the saddle. He raised a car-
tioning hand to the others, then
slipped into the gloom and disan-
peared. Gale marked that the halt
had beer made in a ridged and cut-Vp
mass between low mesas. To the right,
IN 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 a horse pealed out, to be followed
hv fine rattling of hoofs on hard stone.
Then a dog barked. At the same
that Ladd hurriedly APP
reared in the road a light shone out
and danced before n 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 depressions was
a task Gale found impossible. 1t 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. II
seemed to Gale that anyone within
a mile could have heard these sounds.
Presently Ladd led out into &
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 II 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 preferred. After
a little, however, she recovered and
went on without assistance. They
had reached the summit of what was
evidently a high ridge sloped with
side. 1t was only after a few more
forward steps, however, that Dick
could see down the slope. Then full
in view flashed a bright campfire
around which clustered a group Of
dark figures. They were encamped in
a wide arroyo, where horses could be
see 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 a long, uninterrupted mo-
ment studying the arroyo. A hoarse
laugh, faint yet distinct, floated upon
the cool wind.
swell. Laddy, what r you maxim of
that OUTFIT" inquired Lash, speaking
softly.
Same as any of them raider u
fits" replied Ladd. They're across
the line for beef. But they'll run off