The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-11-29
CHAPTER XVI

Who killed him?"
Pedro, under his Indian restraint,
famed. "That Americana, Ell Cap
itan Blood"
SIS that bushwacker abroad
again? How did it happen, Pedro?"
snapped Bowie.
"This afternoon Sanchez, with his
nephew Felix, was over across the
river, looking for some stray cows.
While Felix worked along the Mele-
ma, Blood saw Sanchez on the hill,
rode up to him and ordered him off
his land-you know, senor."
81 know. Go on!" snapped Bowie.
Sanchez told him it was not his
land but that he wanted no quarrel
with him and rode away. Before
Sanchez had gone fifty yards Blood
drew his rifle and fired at him. The
bullet struck Sanchez in the back.
He fell from his pony"
ibid he die right away?"
'He died before we got him to
the house. Felix had ridden out of
the swamp when Blood rode up to
Sanchez. He heard the talk and
saw the shot fred. Blood turned on
him and swore he would kill him,
too, if he ever caught him that side
Of the river again. So Felix loaded
Sanchez on. his own pony and
brought my friend home" The stol-
id Indians voice broke.
Get my horse, Pedro. Wait here
for me. / will go back with you. Is
Simmie at the rancho?"
s'He is, senior, ,s.
Bowie walked slowly back to the
tables. The guests had risen. Pine
torches were aflame and, fastened
at convenient places, afforded light
for the gamesters. They we're play
ing Twenty One. Carmen stood with
a group of ladies who were discuss
ing her dinner. Approaching, Bow
lie signaled to her. As she joined
him she saw from his face that
something was wrong. what is
it, Senior. Bowler" she asked hur-
riedly.
81 hate to tell you, senorita, but
/ must explain; yet ] don't want
to spoil your party. Don't let any,
one know. Control yourself San
chez has been murdered.
He went on with the story despite
her Mortified expression. She obeyed
his caution SO well that he mar
veled at her restraint.
"It would do no good to tell Don
Ramon or Dona Maria at this time
do you understand, senorita?"
She reflected and sorrowfully as
scented. ~ have spoiled this won
derful party for you, Carmen, only
because I felt / should tell you why
I must leave. I am riding with Pc
dro back to the rancho. You would
naturally want to know why, and ]
somehow just couldn't lie to you"
"Senorita, it's those squatters, and
Blood's the leader. With him to fol-
low, they are getting holder and
holder. IF they can shoot down Don
Ramon's vaqueros like this on his
rancho you may well ask, what
next? Blood must be caught before
he can get away--as he will till
this thing blows over" M
She raised her eyes. The light Of
the campfire struck them, flooding
their depths. ''You will be careful?"
she stammered.
II am always careful"
''But this time very careful, Sc
nor"
II will be-"
81 shall neither sleep nor rest till
you come back"
81 may have to take him to Mon
terey. There may be delays. Tell
Don Ramon in the morning-that
will be time enough. Adios, Carme-
lita."
She could only utter 'Adios."
Pedro took fresh pony. and the
ride back to the rancho was made
in good time. Bowie routed out
Simmie.
II the darkest hour is just before
the day, 1t was certainly dark when
the ponies Of Bowie, Simmie and
Pedro splashed through the Melena
swamp and forded the river a mile
or so above the squatter colony.
Halt an hour later the three men
walked single file, like ghosts, up
to the east door of Blood's shack.
Bowie knocked. It was some time
before there was any answering
sound. Reaching for his pistol,
said Bowie to himself. He knocked
again just as he heard movement
within.
'sWho's there?" the words came
in the loud hoarse tones Of man