Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-01-05
ZANE GREY
-1utbor of
Riders of the Purple
Sage, WiIdfire, Etc.
Copyright by Harper & Brothers.
Copyright by Harper & Brothers.

Inc coats a little large; we might
wrap II around you twice"
Mercedes smiled and lightly thanked
MIN IN Spanish. He was about to start
when he observed that Laid had halt
ed and was peering ahead in evident
caution. Mercedes horse began to
stamp impatiently raised his ears and
head. and acted as If he was about to
neigh.
A warning "hist" from Ladd babe
DICK put quieting hand Oh the
horse Lash came noiselessly forward
to join his companion. The two then
listened and watched.
Presently Lash went TO the rear
and Ladd started ahead. The prog
ress now. however, was considerably
slower. not owing to a bad road-for
that became betrer-but probably ow-
ing to caution exercised by the cow
boy guide. At the end Of q half hour
this marked deliberatlon 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 mom"ut, then swung down
out OF the saddle. He raised q eau
tioning hand to the Others, then
slipped into the gloom and dlsap-
peared. Gale marked that the halt
had been made In a rldged and cut-up
pass between low mesas. To the right.
up 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 shril whistle
of horse pealed out. to be followed
by the rafting of hoofs on hard stone.
Then a dog barked At the same
moment that Ladd hurriedly APP
peared in the road light shone out
and danced before one 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 sum-
bling over rocks and depressions was
4 task Gale found impossible. II was
10 easy matter TO lead spirited horse
through the dark, winding lanes walled |
~ thorns. Dick saw that the travel |
vas fast, but by no means noiseless. |
The pack animals at times crashed and |
tipped through the narrow places. II |
eemed to Gale that anyone within |
/ mile could have heard these sounds. |
Presently Ladd led out into a |
WIDER lane that appeared to run
traisht. The cowboy mounted his
orse. and this convinced Gale that |
hey had circled back to the road
he march proceeded then once more
I good, steady, silent walk. When
lick consulted his watch he was
mazed to see the hour was still early.
lie asked Mercedes If she was cold.
nd she answered that she was. speak
lg especially of her feet. which were
rowing numb. Then she asked to be
elped down to walk awhile: At first
ne was cold and lame. and accepted
lie helping hand Dick proffered. After
little, however, she recovered and
ent on without assistance. They
ad reached the summit of what was
-idently a high ridge sOped with
UGH greater steepneSs on the FAR
de. 1t was only aftet few more
rward steps. however. that Dick
uld see down the slope Then full
view flashed bright campfire
ound which clustered group Of
rk figures. They were encamped in
wide arroyo. where horses could be
en- grazing in black patches Of grass q
tween clusters Of trees. A second
ok AZ the campers told Gale they
re Mexicans. At this moment Lash a
me forward TO Join Ladd, and the h
o spent n long. uninterrupted mo- u
mt studying the arroyo. A hoarse nj
Igh. faint yet distinct. foated upon 81
cool wind. II
Well. Laddy what r you maxim Of N
I OUTFIT inquired Lash. speaking Sc
tly. bl
Same as any OF them raider out b.
j" replied Ladd. They're across n
line for beef. But they'll run on
good stock. AS boss thieves these
els have gof 'em an beat. That
N Is waiiin' am ms late. N0thln'
4 bur head south Tor the RIO For
}. us on the border line, bur ifs n
piry where these rebels alnt been 90
a. . hike % Reldlns ranch. A. 90
se gei there ln dayllghf some 10
afer Nlll see ihe glrl before heldln' ia
hlds her ii'li gel falsei about sal
neAs u fralel ~ Castle lile sage ~
; hefoFf ihe HInf' shl
iaof So a0nl rIde lnio iilo fof rhI
M ihf daytime ima s'|p inf ii'
NJ lm Nf pn Dlle HNeu oH POI l''
meus M fHf NafH NfW iNom Hl
b DBL rH0F Nan f'a|p' Nl.
lf al.sn.'0N NH WoUNp'el M
Nd Hn.nH NH'HN ''fI N''H''fI NI '''
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