The Ely miner., 1923-09-28

the time seemed to fly with the spec,
| of miles.
Cactus barred the way, rocks barre
the way, gullies barred the way, an,
| these Nels addressed in the grin
humor with which he was wont t
view tragic things Again and again
Link used the planks to cross washe
In sand. Presently he came to
ditch where water had worn deep int,
the road. Without hesitation he PLACED
them, measuring distance carefully
ana then started across. The DANCE
was in ditching the machine. One O
the planks split, sagged a little. bu
Link made the crossing without slip.
AT length mile of clean, brown
slope, ridged and grooved like a wash
board, led gently down to meet the
floor of the valley, where the scant
grama-grass struggled TO give a tinge
of gray. The road appeared to be
come more clearly defined, and could
be seen striking straight across the
valley.
To Madeline's dismay, that road
led down to a deep, narrow wash. The
crossing would have been laborsome
for horse; for an automobile It was
impossible. Link drove back to the
road, crossed it, and kept on down the
line of the wash. It was a deep cut in
red earth, worn straight down by
swift water in the rainy season. 1t
narrowed. When Link reached the
narrowest points he got out of the car
and walked from pace to place. Once
with a little jump he cleared the wash.
Then Madeline noted that the farther
rim was somewhat lower. In a flash
she OWNED Links intention He was
hunting place to jump the car over
the crack in the ground.
Soon he found one that seemed to
suit him, for he tied his red scarf upon
a greasewood-bush. Then, returning
to the car. he clambered in, backed up
the gentle slope and halted just short
of sleeper ground. launching low over
the wheel, he stared, slowly at first,
then faster, and then faster. The great
car gave a spring like a huge tiger.
The impact of suddenly formed wind
almost tore Madeline out Of her seat.
She felt Nels' powerful hands on her
shoulders. She closed her eyes. The
jolting headway of the car gave place
to gliding rush. This was broken
by a slight Jar, and then above the
hum and roar rose a cowboy yell.
Madeline waited with strained nerves
for the expected crash. 1t did not
come. Opening her eyes, she saw the
level valley floor without break. She
had not even noticed the instant when
the car had shot over the wash.
A strange breathlessness attacked
her, and she attributed it to the celer-
ity with which she was being carried
along Pulling the hood down over her
farce. she sank low In the seat. The
whir Of the car now seemed to be a
sound. There was a long,
blank period from which she awakened
to feel an arm supporting her. Then
she rallied. The velocity of the car
had been cut to the speed to which she
was accustomed. Throwing back the
hood, she breathed freely again, recov-
cred fully.
The car was bowling along a wide
road upon the outskirts of city.
Madeline asked what place it could be.
Douglas" replied Link. "An' Jest
around is Aqua P.ieta!'
That last name seemed to stun
Madeline. She heard no more, and
saw little until the car stopped. Nels
spoke to some one. Then sight of
khaki-clad soldiers quickened Made
ines faculties. She was or the boun-
1ary-line between the United States
and Mexico, and Aqua Prieta, with its
white and blue-walled houses. It's
roofs, lay before her. A
cavalry officer approached the car,
stared, and removed his sombrero.
"Can you tell me anything about
Stewart. the American cowboy who
was captured by rebels a few days
ago?" asked Madeline.
Yes" replied the officer. Stewart
S reported to have done reckless fight
ng and was captured. He got Mexi-
IAN sentence. He is known here along
he border, and the news Of his cap-
ure stirred up excitement. We did
Ill we could to get his release. The
yuerrilas feared to execute him here.
md believed he might be aided to es-
,ape. So detachment departed with
him for Mezquital."
HE was sentenced to be shot Thurs
lay at SunSet-tonightY
Eyes. / regret that 1 can't give YOU
lefinite information. If you are friends
If Stewards - relatives Il might
Ind"
II am his wife," interrupted Made
Inc. "Wfll you please read these"
She handed him the kilograms. "Ad-
Use me-help me, II you cam"
With wondering glance at her the
officer received the kilograms. He
'ead several, and whistled low in
lmaze. His manner became quick,
llert, serious.
II can't read these written in Span.
sh, but I know the names signed"
Swiftly he ran through the others.
Why, these mean Stewards release
has been authorized. They explain
mysterious .rum0rs we have heard
lere. Greaser treacheryl For some
TRANCE reason messages from the
ebel junta have failed to reach their
raj Salazar, the rebel chief In COM
nand. know him. Perhaps we can
ind out something"
Nels made room for the officer. Link |
ent the car whirring across the line
nto Mexican territory. The road |
nded In an immense plaza, in the CEN
er of which was e circular structure |
hat In some measure resembled
orral. 1t was bull-ring, where the