New Britain herald., 1923-04-20

I reckon I'd better take this" he murmured offhandedly, "The old iron you gave me when I came bucks about every second shot. This is a real rifle; brand new. too."
 "No, don take any gum" Cash drawed. "Ain't you stlll got that hat trick if anybody jumps you?"
 That's right, Kildare" Acklin went on. I'm sending you because l particularly don't want a fight, You had better get startetd." Blaze had palmed one of the shells from Acklins gun; and he compared 1t as soon as he got away. with the one he had found on the rocks. There was no question of their like ness
 The Basques. bareheaded under the blazing sun, murmured age-old Latin prayers for the repose of their leader, as the body was lowered to its last resting place. Kildare took off his hat and whispered Amen" in unison with the mourners It was an un- conscious ,reverential touch; re- sponse to a tug at his emotions that surprised him.
 He saw Mercedes, with Basilio's hand in hers. kneeling beside the grave as the earth was shoveled on the coffin. As if in response to his penetrating gaze, she turned and saw him.
 Their eyes conveyed to each other an unspoken massage. Mercedes seemed to appeal dumbly to him in her misery. Kildare stepped for ward, but he stopped almost immedi- ately as he saw an expression of in- tense fear creep over the girls face.
 Romero and Salvador had recog- nized the Double A man. They drew near, and still Blaze made no move. Kent wondered why he did not draw. Romero had his six-gun ready for action.
 Drop that shootin'-iron quick" Kent commanded. It was said so quietly that not a whisper reached those beside the grave. Buth Romero heard and obeyed. TuAGarora was not fooling, Save for Mercedes, no one in the crowd had been conscious of their movements.
 Why does he come here?" Ro- nero questioned savagely.
 He's a sneak for the Double A" Salvador choked.
 Kildare's blood leaped
 I'll take that from no bosco!" he cried.
 He used the cow-man's term of coptempt for the Basque with a shade of emphasis that meant deadly insult.
 Kildare was tending to his own business" Tuscarora stated loud enough for all to hear. These boys butted in on him-tried to jump him. We won't have any rumpus." CHAPTER XVII. Friends to the Rescue Long after the mourners had dis persed, Kildare and Tuscarora sat. in their saddles at the gate of the ceme- tery.
 Tuscarora had swung his horse around, and was staring intently at the rise back of the cemetery down which Blaze had come. Kildare saw immediately the cause of the little mans interest. Silhouetted against the sky were sixhorsemen. As the two of them watched, the riders separated. One went north, and the others dashed away to the east
 Kent whirled on Blaze. 'Is that your bunch? ?" he demanded.
 T came alone" the Double A man shot back, quick to realize the in- situation. T think I recognize the big fellow ahead!"
 "Yeh?"
 "Bodine! Let's find out what they've got on their mind!"
 You said it, son. I don't fancy this MT. Bodine even a little bit" |
 To avoid seeming to trail the mys- terious riders, Blaze and Kent chose rather to intercept them by follow ing the road Mercedes had taken. She and Basilio had left with old l Peter, the head of the Bengoa clan of Kings River. The gray-haired | Basque was an uncle to them by marriage.