New Britain herald., 1923-04-28
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

Catching up her skirts, she fled to
the barn. Scattered about on the
floor were the remains OF half dozen
empty boxes. They had been broken
open hurriedly and left without any
attempt at concealment. Mercedes
eyes widened in horror at the scream
ing letters printed on their sides and
ends. Esteban's going now explained
itself. This was why he had not
taken Basilio. He was not going to
Kings river. Uncle Peter had dyna-
mite of his own for any need he might
find.
She followed the tracks of the
wheels until they turned into the dim
road that led to the northwest. That
way did not lead to town, or to the
crossing into the Kings. 1t went to
Webster Creek.
Webster Creek Bodine,
The torturing minutes of worry in
creased her nervousness until her
body rebelled at inaction Whatever
lis motive, she was certain that Es-
teban had gone to Bodine's ranch.
With sudden resolve. she determined
10 follow him. 4 word to Teresa
II took her more than two hours
to reach the Webster place. No one
met her as she rode up. She called
aloud several times but got no answer.
This, and the fact that she had trailed
the blackboard right to the ranch
yard only increased her feeling of
alarm.
She sat down to wait. Again in
action assailed her and she began
walking UP and down the path that
led to the barns. Bit by bit she in
creased the distance she was covering
in her excitement. until her horse
brought her to the doors of the old
building. Her breath left her as she
caught sight of the wagon Estenan
had driven. A glance showed her 1t
was empty.
Through an open door in the rear
she saw her brothers team in the
corral.
Mercedes scanned the ground be-
tween the barn and the corrals. trying
TO read signs in the dry SAND she
came upon the fresh trail OF three
horses that led to the north.
A quick glance at the sun told her
il was after three o'clock. She hesi-
tated over riding direct to the pass
that led to the north, unless the tran
of the three horsemen took her there
There was always the chance that
they might circle back. Allowing for
the time she must lose by following
their trail, Mercedes could not hope
to reach the buttes before six.
She did better than that however.
The fresh imprint of shod hoofs held
clear, and ever to the north. SIX
o'clock found her several miles be-
You'd the canon gate. The pace oil
those she followed had been rapid.
Even on the bad footing where the
country began to open again, she saw
there had been no slackening.
AS she rode Mercedes kept con-
tinually asking herself where this
trail led. Not bit by bit, but with
chilling suddenness the truth burst
upon her. This continuous pointing
to the east had told her at last.
THE DAM" she cried. ''Por Dios'
They are going to blow up the dam"
She pictured the water rushing into
the valley; the stock, swept away;
houses made into kindling wood,
PEOPLE killed. A mad, wild scream
came from her: "Basilio!"
CHAPTER XVII.
The Burning Raft
A quarter of an hour after Mer-
cedes caught her first glimpse Of the
lake, she stood at the waters edge.
Her eyes swept the shore-line in
every direction, but she caught sight
of no moving thing. Far away to
the south the top of the wall that
reld back the water showed low
gray streak against the horizon.