The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-11-01

two vaqueros were killed, his house
burned and two of his little girls
carried into captivity by the Indi-
ans"
Bowie eyed the Franciscan for a
moment without speaking. He was
completely surprised. The priests
features were immobile. II do re-
member such an incident, yes, Pad
re-" returned Bowie impassively.
Then with his curiosity aroused:
why do you ask?"
The questioning padre straight
ened on his stool. Because" he
said slowly, ''you are the Texan
who brought those two girls back
from the mountains. / am the priest
in whose care you left them.
have been looking for you for twelve
years."
Twelve years agol Is it that long?
It must be. These years have taken
their toll of your health and
strength. Give me the stool; you
take the bunk. It is a little better.
If were a Catholic ! would confess
to you that the reason did not ask
you to the better seat is because
. do not think you will betray
me-" He lowered his voice. "I'm
digging tunnel to get out of this
place."
II had already perceived as
much!"
Bowie laughed, in spite of him
self as the dry avowal
cit is certainly strange, Padre,
that you and / should meet again
after twelve years, under circum-
stances such as these! Well, queer
things happen in California. Those
were two nice little girls-I remem-
Der them well. But they were
scared dumb. Whatever became of
them?"
"My son, I have not seen these
girls for almost ten years. They
live far north in California
But to your present position" He
lowered his voice to a whisper.
''Should your attempt to escape fail,
you face terrible alternative. You
may face firing squad within a
few hours"
''No, Padre milo. I shall face no
squad. These Mexican dogs-I
should feel disgraced to be shot by
such ours. If you sympathize with
my predicament, dismiss your fears
for myself I have but one per-
plexity: where to find a horse when
I get out"
"a horse?"
"a man on foot in California!
Only you padres can stand that"
81 have thought" whispered the
padre. "But if I could provide a
horse how could you, a stranger
here, find it,"
"Please sit here with me on the
bunk" Bowie spoke in whispers to
one on whose good faith he was
practically stalking his life. II shall
not use this tunnel. 1t is a blind,
Padre, to protect a friend. I shall
walk out of the door tonight. A
guard, to whom / once did good
turn, will aid me. Before daybreak
I shall be gone"
IF can have horse at the back
of this guardhouse at certain time
tonight, can you get to it,"
II certainly can and I will thank
you forever"
''But the time"
eff / could see the stars I could
tell you," said Bowie. "But have
no way. A signal? I could hear
that. What time will the moon
rise?"
''Not until after midnight"
''Then, by ten o'clock. All will
be quiet here. Padre, you could not
get two horses?"
"As easily as one."
"Then the guard will 60 with me.
Two low whistles will tell me the
horses are there. I shall be eternal
ly grateful"
Shortly after dark" said the
padre, 81 shall pass your cell door.
Be alert. If I do not speak, the
horses will be there. And now we
must think about eternity. If you
are discovered escaping, you will
be instantly shot"
"A AAC0vy 4OOsSs~P &RRAOsA~AA~0 AA
the corridor. It was the guard. He
knocked roughly with his keys on the
cell door.
''Is my time up?" asked the padre
quietly as the gvard stuck his face
against the bars of the peephole.
you're long past your time" he
answered in surly tone. Come out"
''Give me but two minutes"
pleaded the padre.
''No."
Zone minute"
zone minute-no MORE" roared
the guard.
''He's drunk" whispered Bowie.
"You do not know how to make
confession of your sins?" whispered
the padre to his neophyte.
81 do not, Padre"
''But tell me-for ! think your
heart is good-now, in the face of
possible death, tell me you are sor-
ry for your sins. Can you honestly
do this, my SOM"