Part 53 (1/2)
”It's just as well,” he thought ”She's not for round beyond theBridge beca He saw it rise and resolve itself into the figure of a man, and then, in a lohisper, came a familiar voice:
”There ain't no roses in my hair, but there's a barker in my shi+rt, an' another at ot kisses beat a city block How's the door o' this thing fastened?” The speaker was quite close to the , his face but a few inches froe's
”Billy!” ejaculated the conde you know; but about the door?”
”Just a heavy bar on the outside,” replied Bridge
”Easy,” commented Billy, relieved ”Get ready to beat it when I open the door I got a pony south o' town that'll have to carry double for a little way tonight”
”God bless you, Billy!” whispered Bridge, fervently
”Lay low a few uardhouse
A few ht air the dismal hoot of an owl At intervals of a few seconds it was repeated twice The sentry before the guardhouse shi+fted his position and looked about, then he settled back, transferring his weight to the other foot, and resuuardhousethe side of the structure until he stood within a few feet of the unsuspecting sentinel, hidden froled froht hand He held it loosely by the barrel, and waited
For five ht was unbroken, then frole shot, followed i fusillade and a chorus of hoarse cries
Billy Byrne smiled The sentry resuuardhouse ca From the opposite end of the town the noise of battle welled up to ominous proportions
Billy heard the soldiers stream from their quarters and a moment later saw the toward the opposite end of the town except the lone sentinel before the guardhouse The moment seemed propitious for his atteuardhouse Conditions were just as he had pictured they would be The sentry stood gazing in the direction of the firing, his back toward the guardhouse door and Billy
With a bound the American cleared the space between hi and unfortunate soldier The butt of the heavy revolver fell, almost noiselessly, upon the back of the sentry's head, and theto the door Billy knocked the bar froh to liberty
”Quick!” said Billy ”Follow e of the town He made no effort now to conceal his movements
Speed was the only essential, and the two covered the ground swiftly and openly without any attee of cover
They reached Billy's horse unnoticed, and atoward the west to circle the town and regain the trail to the north and safety
To the east they heard the di rifle fire of the combatants as Pesita's men fell steadily back before the defenders, and drew them away from Cuivaca in accordance with Billy's plan
”Like takin' candy frohts of Cuivaca shone to the south of theands
”Yes,” agreed Bridge; ”but what I'd like to know, Billy, is how you found out I was there”
”Penelope,” said Byrne, laughing
”Penelope!” queried Bridge ”I'm not at all sure that I follow you, Billy”
”Well, seein' as you're sittin' on behind you can't be leadin' me,”