Part 59 (1/2)

Bridge turned quickly to look into the soing out to see if I can't find so nothing”

”Si, senor,” agreed Rozales; ”I, too, find it so Let us go together--I knohere the shooting is best”

”I don't doubt it,” thought Bridge; ”probably in the back;” but aloud he said: ”Certainly, that will be fine,” for he guessed that Rozales had been set to watch his movements and prevent his escape, and, perchance, to be the sole witness of soe to the arms of his fathers

Rozales called a soldier to saddle and bridle their horses and shortly after the tere riding abreast down the trail out of the hills Where it was necessary that they ride in single file Bridge was careful to see that Rozales rode ahead, and the Mexican graciously permitted the American to fall behind

If he was inspired by any other e he was evidently content to bide his ti he desired, and it was equally evident that he felt as safe in front of the American as behind him

At a point where a ravine dohich they had ridden debauched upon a ested that they ride to the north, which was not at all the direction in which Bridge intended going The A down in the valley,” urged Rozales

”I think there will be,” was Bridge's enigmatical reply, and then, with a sudden exclamation of surprise he pointed over Rozales' shoulder

”What's that?” he cried in a voice tense with excitement

The Mexican turned his head quickly in the direction Bridge's index finger indicated

”I see nothing,” said Rozales, after a e, and as the Mexican's eyes returned in the direction of his co--the disht in the face

”Senor Bridge!” exclai? What do you e, ”that if you are at all solicitous of your health you'll cli to keep your hands above your head when you reach the ground Now climb!”

Rozales dismounted

”Turn your back toward me,” coe dismounted and reo, Rozales,” he said, ”and should you ever have an Aain reht easily have taken it--when it would have been infinitely safer for me to have done it”

The Mexican made no reply, but the black scowl that clouded his face boded ill for the next gringo who should be so unfortunate as to fall into his hands Slowly he wheeled about and started back up the trail in the direction of the Pesita cae, ”before he gets a chance to tell Pesita what happened to him,” and then he re Rozales' horse behind him

It would never do, he knew, to turn the animal loose too soon, since he would doubtlessso would have to pass Rozales ould catch hie wanted--to be well on his way to Orobo before Pesita should learn of his escape

Bridge knew nothing of what had happened to Billy, for Pesita had seen to it that the information was kept fro not a little at the absence of his friend for he knew that he had taken his liberty and his life in his hands in riding down to El Orobo a avowed enemies

Far to his rear Rozales plodded sullenly up the steep trail through thein his hted to inflict upon the next gringo who came into his power

CHAPTER XVI EDDIE MAKES GOOD

BILLY BYRNE and Eddie Shorter rode steadily in the direction of the hills Upon either side and at intervals of a mile or more stretched the others of their party, occasionally visible; but for the er see their friends or be seen by them