Part 41 (1/2)
Miguel looked his appreciation of Bridge's defense of him; but it was evident that he did not expect it to bear fruit Nor did it The brigand spokesrinned sardonically
”You may tell all this to Pesita hiet a move on--beat it!” The fellow had once worked in El Paso and took great pride in his ”higher English” education
As he started to herd thee
”Most of this talk gets by h I've copped off a little of it in the past teeks
Put ink's lay”
”Elee ”We are captured by bandits, and they are going to take us to their delightful chief ill doubtless have us shot at sunrise”
”Bandits?” snapped Billy, with a sneer ”Youse don't call dese little runts bandits?”
”Baby bandits, Billy, baby bandits,” replied Bridge
”An' you're goin' to stan' fer lettin' 'eh stuff without handin' 'eainst just that very thing,” said Bridge ”There are four carbines quite ready for us It would mean sudden death to resist now Later we may find an opportunity--I think we'd better act simple and wait” He spoke in a quick, lohisper, for the spokeslish and was on the alert for any trickery
Billy shrugged, and when their captors again urged theht have perturbed the Mexicans had they known Billy Byrne of Grand Avenue better--he was suel had two ponies in his corral These the brigands appropriated, placing Billy upon one and Miguel and Bridge upon the other Billy's great weight rendered it inadvisable to double hi Billy leaned toward Bridge and whispered:
”I'll get these guys, pal--watch me,” he said
”I ahed Bridge
”Which reminds me,” said Billy, ”that I have an ace-in-the-hole--the boobs never frisked e, as the horses started off to the yank of hacka the of Service's:
Just think! Soray stone, And trace a name with silver beauy,” was Billy's only comment
CHAPTER VII IN PESITA'S CAMP
PESITA was a short, stocky e, dark mustache He attired himself after his own ideas of what should constitute the uniforeneral--ideas more or less influenced and modified by the chance and caprice of fortune
At the ed into his presence his torso was enwrapped in a once resplendent coat covered with yards of gold braid Upon his shoulders were brass epaulets such as are connected only in one's ht operas of fifteen or twenty years ago Upon his legs were soed overalls His feet were bare
He scowled ferociously at the prisoners while his lieutenant narrated the thrilling facts of their capture--thrilling by ee and Billy
Both agreed that they were Then Pesita turned toward Miguel
”Where is Villa?” he asked
”How should I know, uel ”Who am I--a poor reat ones of the earth? I did not even knohere was the great General Pesita until now I aracious presence, to throw myself at his feet and implore that I be permitted to serve him in even the meanest of capacities”