The Coolidge examiner., 1933-03-17
CHAPTER XIIl-Continued

hill watching this drama, Roberta
prayed for those men as she had
never prayed before; she cried out
in agony when Ken Hobart's horse
went to its knees, rose again-and
stood still. Even one so unversed
in warfare aS Roberta could real
ize that the poor brute had been
hit and crippled. She saw Hobart
and Julio dismount and, kneeling
some twenty feet apart, open fire
on the distant herders as calmly as
IL shooting at a mark
And then. over the crest behind
her, came the five men detailed to
follow Ken Hobart They slack
ened speed as they sighted the girl,
holding up her hand in a signal
10 halt.
She trembled so she could, with
difficulty, speak coherently, "Don
.Jaime-engaged at the water hole
with ten men-Ken Hobart and
Julio over south-shooting at the
herders-Ken says-rear attack"
The three American riders gazed
at her. not quite comprehending
DESTROYS. perhaps. of receiving
more explicit instructions in such
an emergency.
What are you standing there
for?' Roberta cried Historically.
Follow me. I'll show you" With
a savage little dig Of her duh dress
spurs she was of. the five men
streaming behind her. Across the
northern flank of the valley they
raced. the patter of rifle fire from
The herders probably drowning the
sound of their thudding approach.
Tor they were within hundred
yards of the nearest men before
the latter saw them. One of them
fired al Roberta. She thrilled
with a cold fear and a wild exalta-
tion as the bullet whistled past
a faint recollection of dark.
frightened. but defiant face that
loomed for an instant in front of
her before she rode the man down.
Pistol shots . then back
ward look Behind her the five
rode with upraised pistols. flour
fishing them at her. yelling fierce
appreciation OF her leadership.
The sheep. in panic. fled wildly,
leaping over each other. bleating,
leaving a cloud of grayish white
dust behind them. Roberta rode
into the clOud-rode through the
fringe of stragglers, knocking them
down. leaDing over and among
them. Pistols popped behind her.
She was clear of the sheep.
Her dull little riding acad-
emy spurs prodded her mounts
tanks: the Quirt rose and fell.
She caught the CLEAN of sunshine
as the last level rays of the dying
day were reflected on pool.
Among some rocks beyond the pool
three figures moved. the crackle of
fire grew louder; she could discern
the sharp. spiteful reverberation of
il now. Where was the corral?
Don Jaime was there. wounded.
dying perhaps .
She saw it-a circle of weather
beaten boards, nailed SO close to-
gether that the fence appeared like
wall Straight at il she drove
tier mount. realizing vaguely as
she did SO that 1t was a hurdle AT
least foot higher than she had
ever faced in sport.
She saw her horses ears flicker.
felt his stride slacken a little: then
his head shot forward and his ears
came up straight. Good horse! He
was not going to refuse the jump
She felt him gather himself for the
leap. and took firm grip on the
reins.
ALLEY oop!" she cried.
While in midair she saw Don
Jaime of on the right flank, stand.
ing in the bed of a wagon. firing
over the fence: then she was over
and inside the corral with him.
Jimmy J" she shouted.
lie turned. staring at her amazed
Then he yelled:
Down. Flat %
She rode up 10 the wagon
slipped off, pulled the rifle from the
Scabbard and united the cartridge
belt from her pommel. Then, with
a slap on her horses rump. she sent
him trotting across the corral.
And then Don Jaime acted. he
leaped down at her. his powerful
arm swept her backward and off
balance: she slid down his body
gently TO the ground and he threw
himself beside her.
>Oh, my Cd. sweetheart, why
did you Gomez" he almost moaned.
Because love you. Jaime Mi
g1el Higuenes. You are in danger
and I couldn't stay away. I'll help
you. Jimmy. II you have to die l.
want you 10 know before that hap
pens-thai life without you-will
be desolate-"
He croOned TO her in Spanish.
his hot eyes devouring her. his
griny perspiring hands caressing
her cheek Il always knew yOII