Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-02-15
ZANE CIR Y
~6ufbor Of
Riders Of the Purple
Sage, Wi1dfire, Etc.
Copyright by Harper & Brothers.
.Aufbor Of

peared. Gale marked that the halt
had been made in a ridged and cut-up
pass between low rlesas. To the right,
up under the lodges some distance
away, stool two squar 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
by the rafting of hoofs on hard stone.
Then dog parked. At the same
moment that Laid hurr;edly ap-
3eared in the road a light shone out
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
task Gale found impossible. 1t was
no easy matter to lead 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. 1t
seemed to Gale that anyone within
a mile could have heard these sounds.
Presently Laid led out into a
fn nm
straight. The cowboy mounted his
horse, and this convinced Sale that
they had circled back TO the road.
The march proceeded then once more
at good, steady, silent walk. When
Dick consulted his watch he was
amazed to see the hour was still early.
He asked Mercedes If 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
much greater steepness on the far
sfde 1t was only after a Cew more
forward steps, however, that Dick
could see down the slope. Then full
In view flashed bright campfire
around which clustered group Of
dark figures. They were encamped in
a wide arroyo, where horses could be
seen grazing in black patches of grass
between clusters % trees. A second
look at the campers told Gale they
were Mexicans. A 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.
"WeIl, Laddy, what r you maxim of
that OUTFIT" inquired Lash, speaking
softly.
Same as any of them raider out
fits" replied Ladd. They're across
the line for beef. But they'll run off
any good stock. AS boss thieves these
rebels have got 'em all beat That
outfit Is waitin' till it's late Nothfn'
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"
TITS hike TO Beldin's ranch. An
If 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"
"Shore we don't ride into Rio For
lorn in the daytime. Let's slip the
packs, Jim. We can hide them off in
the cactus an come back after them.
With the young man ridin' We"
The whispering was interrupted by
a loud ringing neigh that whistled up
from the arroyo. One of the horses
had scented the travellers on the
ridge top. The Indifference of the
Mexfcans changed t attention.
Ladd and Lash turned back and led
the horses into the first opening on
the south side of the road The packs
were slipped, securely tied and hidden
in a mesquite clump. Laid strapped
a blanket around one of the horses.
His next move was to take off his
chaps.
Gale, you're wearin' boots, an by
liftin' your feet you can beat the cac-
tus," he whispered. 'But the-the-
Miss Castaneda, she'll be torn all to
pieces unless she puts these on.
Please tell her-an hurry"