The Arvada enterprise., 1923-08-09
ger could there ~ she could thlnh
OF nothing EXCEPT the Gu0rrtllas,

met ana checked BY this man Stewart,
who was laundering up on his feet
horse: and a. he neared her, so that
she could sec the dark CLEAN Of face
and eyes. abe had 4 strange feeling Of
trust In her dependence upon him.
The big black was 80 close to Made
line and her friends that when Stew
kicked up by his pounding hoofs flew
In their faces.
"Oh. Stewart. what y Nr' cried
Madeline.
Guess I scared you. MISS Ham.
mond.' he replied. "But I'm pressed
for time. There's q gang OF bandits
hiding on the ranch, most likely In q
deserted hut. They held up train
near Aqua Prieta. Pat Have Is with
the posse that's trailing them. and you
know Pat has no use for us. I'm afraid
II wouldn't DO pleasant for you or your
guests to meet either the posse or tho
bandits"
II fancy not" said Madeline con.
siderably relieved. EVEN hurry bach
to the house."
They exchanged no more speech At
the moment, and Madeltne's guests
were silent. Perhaps Stewards &C
lions and looks belied his calm words.
His piercing eyes rovcd round tho rim
Of the mesa. and his face was a. hard
and stern as chiseled bronze.
Monty and Nick came Halloping up,
each leading several horses by the
brides. Nels appeared behind them
with Majesty. and he was having trou.
bic with the rom. Madeline observed
TINT all the other cowboys hnd dlsap.
penrd.
One sharp word from Stewart
Gained Madellnes horse; the other
horses. however. were frightened and
not inclined to stand. The men mount.
ed without trouble, and likewise Made
line and Florence. But Edith Wayne
and Mrs. Beck. being nervous and al.
most helpless. were with difficulty got.
ten into the snddle.
''l'cH pardon. but I'm pressed for
time" said Stewart, coolly. as with
iron arm no forced Dorothys horse
almost to Its knees. Dorothy, who
WINS active and plucky, climbed
nstride: and when Stewart loosed his
hold on bit and name the horse
doubled up and began to buck. Dorothy
screamed ms she shot into tho air.
Stewart. as quick rs the horse, lcaped
forward and caught Dorothy In his
arms. She had slipped head down
ward. and. had no not caught her.
would have had a serious fall. Stew.
art. handling her ~ n she were .
child. turned her right side up to sct
her upon her feet. Dorothy evidently
thought only Of the spectacle she pro.
scented. and made startled motions to
readJust her riding habit. II was no
time to laugh. though Madeline felt a.
II she wanted TO. Besides, II was i'm
possible to be anything but sober with
| Stewart In violent mood. For he had
Jumped Mt Dorothy's stubborn mount.
All cowboys were masters Of horses.
II was wonderful 70 sec him conquer
the vicious animal. lie was cruel. per
haps. yet II was from necessity. When,
presently. he led the horse bRck 70
Dorothy she mounted without further
trouble. Meanwhile, Nels and Nick
had lifted Helen into her saddle.
"Ws'll take the side TRAIL" said
Stewart, shortly. % he swung upon the
big black. Then he led the way, and
the other cowboys trotted in the rsar.
II was loose trail. The weathsrs red
slopes seemed to slide under the fest
Of the horses. Dust-clouds formed ;
rocks rolled and ratified down; cactus
spikes tors At horse and Rider. Half
the time Madeline could not distin.
guish those ahead through the yellow
dust. II was dry and made her cough.
The horses snorted. At length the
clouds Of dust thinned and Madeline
saw tho others before her ride out
upon a level. Soon she was down. and
Stewart also.
The alert. quiet manner Of all the
cowboys WINS not reassuring. Az they
resumed tho ride II was noticeable
that Ncls and Nick were far In sd.
vance, Monty stayed far In the rear.
and Stewart rode with the party.
Madeline knew that they were really
being escorted home under armed
gunrd.
When they rounded the hcnd Of the
mesa. bringing into view the ranch.
house and the valley. Madeline saw
dust or smoke lowering over hut
| upon the outskirts Of the Mexican
| quarters. Az the sun had vet and ths
light wns finding. she could not distin.
guish which Il wns Then Stewart ret
inst pnce for the house. In IA few
minutes the pnriy WINS In the yard.
rendy ana willing TO dismount.
S,illwcll appeared. os'cnsibly cheer.
fui. too cheerful 10 deceive Madeline.
She noted nlso TINT n number of
armed cowboys were wniklng with
their horses Just below the house.