Part 54 (1/2)
At the moment of departure Pesita had asked Billy to ride by way of Jose's to instruct the old Indian that he should bear word to one Esteban that Pesita required his presence
It is a long ride from the retreat of the Pesitistas to Jose's squalid hut, especially if one be leading an extra horse, and so it was that darkness had fallen long before Billy arrived in sight of Jose's
Dis some distance from the hut, Billy approached cautiously, since the world is filled with dangers for those who are beyond the law, and onethrough a small , and toward this he er structure from which the former inhabitants had fled the wrath of Pesita It was dark and apparently tenantless; but as a matter of fact a pair of eyes chanced at the very h the open doorway
The owner turned and spoke to someone behind him
”Jose has another visitor,” he said ”Possibly this one is less harreat caution Let us investigate”
Three other men rose from their blankets upon the floor and joined the speaker They were all armed, and clothed in the nondescript uniforms of Villistas Billy's back was toward the to spend the night and crept quietly toward hih the littleinto the interior of the old Indian's hovel He saw an American in earnest conversation with Jose Who could the nize him; but presently Jose answered the question
”It shall be done as you wish, Senor Grayson,” he said
”Ah!” thought Billy; ”the foreman of El Orobo I wonder what business he has with this old scoundrel--and at night”
What other thoughts Billy ht have had upon the subject were rudely interrupted by four energetic gentleed hiht none the less strenuously for his freedoht after the manner of Grand Avenue, which is not a pretty, however effective, way it es lie with the four are heavy odds, and when Grayson and Jose ran out to investigate, and the ranch foreht to that of the others Billy was finally subdued That each of his antagonists would carry ht compensation for the loss of liberty However, it was so his hands at his back they jerked him to his feet and examined him
”Who are you?” asked Grayson ”What you doin' sneakin' 'round spyin' on me, eh?”
”If you wanna knoho I ao ask de Harlem Hurricane, an' as fer spyin' on youse, I wasn't; but frouess youse need spyin, yuh tinhorn”
A pony whinnied a short distance from the hut
”That must be his horse,” said one of the Villistas, and walked away to investigate, returning shortly after with the pinto pony and Brazos
The ave an excla
”I know hieant This is the felloho robbed the bank at Cuivaca I recognize him froot the Brazos pony hter promote you for this”
”Yep,” interjected Billy, ”he orter ot os an' a tin-horn to do it”
”They'll get you there all right, ”
They bundled Billy into his own saddle, and shortly after the little party inding southward along the river in the direction of El Orobo Rancho, with the intention of putting up there for the balance of the night where their prisoner could be properly secured and guarded As they rode away from the dilapidated hut of the Indian the old ht which marked the open doorway, and shook his fist at the back of the departing ranch foreman
”El cochino!” he cackled, and turned back into his hut
At El Orobo Rancho Barbara walked to and fro outside the ranchhouse
Within her father sat reading beneath the rays of an oil lauitar h indicated the climax of some of Eddie Shorter's famous Kansas far indoors when her attention was attracted by the approach of a half-dozen horsemen They reined into the ranchyard and dis a little who ca casually to her father that which she had just seen
The ranch owner, noays fearful of attack, was upon the point of investigating when Grayson rode up to the veranda and dismounted