Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1923-04-28
SYNOPSIS
April 2Sth, 1923
1T

nois. Cameron's explanations appease
warren and the two proceed together.
Taking refuge from a sandstone in
cave. Cameron discovers gold, but too
late; both men are dying. Cameron leaves
evidence, in the cave. of their discovery
OF gold ard personal documents
CHAPTER I.-Richard Gale. adven-
turer in Casita, Mexican border town,
Ninth cavalry, old college friend Thorne
tells Gale he is there to save Mercedes
Castaneda. Spanish girl. his afianced
wife. from Rojas, Mexican bandit.
CHAPTER II.-Gale "roughhouses'
Rojas and his gang, with the help of
two american cowboys, and he, Mercedes
and Thorne escape. A bugle call from
the fort orders Thorne to his re iment.
He leaves Mercedes under Gales pro-
lection.
Gale jumped up In Joy. What luck
The speakers were 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
blinking 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 a 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 1t wasn't so
dark" replied Gale, hating. 81 spoke
to you a little while ago-ln the sa-
loon back there"
"Come over an let's see you" said
the cowboy, curtly.
Gale advanced till he was close to
the horse. The cowboy leaned over
the saddle and peered into Gales
face. Then, without a word, ne
sheathed 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, peered
closely into Gales face.
"My names Ladd," he said. Reckon
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 a class of men whom he
had despaired of ever knowing.
"Gale-Dick Gale is my name," he
began, swiftly. 81 dropped into Caslta
tonight hardly knowing where l was.
A boy took me to that hotel There
met an old friend whom I had not
seen for years. He belongs to the
cavalry stationed here He had be
friended Spanish girl-fallen in love
with her. Rojas had killed this girls
father-tried to abduct her i
You know what took place at the no
tel. Gentlemen, If it's ever possible
I'll show you how l appreciate what
you did for me there l got away
found my friend with the girl. We
hurried out here beyond the edge of
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't |
know what TO do. Thorne swears Ca
sta is no place for Mercedes at |
night"
1.-THE girl amt no peon, no common |
GreaserT' interrupted Laid.
mo. Her name is Castaneda. She |
belongs to an old Spanish family, once
rich and influential"
"Reckoned as much" replied the |
cowboy. There's more than Roias'
wantin' to kidnap a pretty girl. Shore |
he does that every day or so. Must
be somethin' political or feelin'
against class. Well Casita. amt no
place for your friends girl at night |
or day, or any time Shore, there's |
Americans who'd take her in an fight |
for her, if necessary. But 1t amt wise
to risk that. Lash, what do you say?' |
Its been gettin' hotter round this |
Creaepr corral for some weeks re
piled the other cowboy. IF that
two-blt OF a garrison surrenders,
there's no tellin' whatll happen, an
bein' across the U. S. line few
inches or so. don't make no hi of a
difference. My advice is, don't let
Miss Castaneda ever set foot in Casita
again"
Looks like you've shore spoke
sense" said Ladd. 81 reckon, Gale
you an the girl ought to come with US.
We know people who'll take care OF
the senorita till your friend can come
for her"
Dick warmly spoke his gratefulness
and. inexpressibly relieved and happy
for Mercedes, he went toward the
clump of cactus where he had left
her. She stood erect. waiting, and,
dark as it was, he could tell she had
lost the terror which had so shaken
her.