Part 14 (1/2)

”Oh, Senor Purdee!” There was false injury in the tones.

”And I'm not so sure but what it will turn out that way in the end,”

added the cowboy grimly. ”However, we'll give the benefit of the doubt for the time being. File out!”

Del Pinzo gave an order, and his band of disreputable half breeds like himself, including several Indians, though not of the Yaquis tribe, marched out, hands above their heads, while Snake and his men, the boy ranchers in the van, watched.

”Is that all?” asked Snake, when the outlaws stood in a row amid the rocks. He was taking no chances on leaving a hidden, lurking foe to fire behind their backs.

”All, Senor Purdee. Shall we go?”

”When I tell you to, yes. Now, Del Pinzo, you know I don't trust you, and there's no use soft soaping the situation. I wouldn't trust you with a Mexican dollar. So here's what you've got to do.

”March over there,” and he indicated a bunch of scrub about half a mile away. ”Stay there until we get breakfast and are on our way. When we're far enough off I'll fire a shot, and that'll mean you can come over here again, get your horses and guns, and take after the Yaquis, if it suits you.”

”We want to drive the Indians back,” declared Del Pinzo.

”Yes, I reckon they're picking on your preserves, that's the reason,”

said Snake. ”Well, this is a free country. As long as you're out of jail--though how you beat it I can't guess--you can do as you please, I s'pose--as long as it doesn't interfere with us.

”So hit any trail you like as long as it isn't ours. Now remember--don't make a break for your horses and guns until I fire a shot.”

”So be it, Senor. And one thing more?”

”What is it?”

”May I put down my hands? I am wounded--”

”Oh, put 'em down? I didn't more than graze you to keep you from shooting one of our men. Put 'em down!”

With a sigh of relief the outlaw lowered his hands, an example followed by his men, all of whom were unarmed. They marched behind their leader to the place designated, and for the first time Snake breathed easily.

”How do you reckon he got here?” asked Bud, when hurried preparations were under way for breakfast.

”Give it up,” answered Snake, who had sent some men to collect the guns and horses of the Del Pinzo gang.

”He may have bribed his way out of jail, or have broken out, and we'll have to let that go until later. He may really be trying to drive back the Yaquis, for fear they'll steal things that he has an eye to himself. Or he may be lying--I think most likely the last. Anyhow he happened to strike this place the same time as we did, and either knowing who we were, or not knowing, and that part has me guessing, he tried to pick us off. However we'll give him the slip this time.”

”I don't see how, if you leave him his horses and guns,” put in Yellin'

Kid.

”Well, he and his men can't do much riding on horses without saddles and bridles,” said Snake, ”and as for the guns--well, I'll leave them for him at the first ranch I come to.”

”You mean you're going to take his guns with you?” asked Bud.

”Surest thing you ever said, son. Think I'd trust him with any shooting irons behind me. And we'll just strip his horses, too. We can pack along his saddles and bridles. If they want to ride bare back that's up to them.”

And this was the plan followed. There were several pack animals in the outfit from the Diamond X, and on these the saddles and bridles from the outlaws' horses were packed. Then the guns were collected from the ambush, and taken along when the start was made after breakfast.