www.freeclassicebooks.com

swarthy, ragged ruffians, fully armed, and with an equipment which suggested

that they might be a part of a quasi-military organization.

Close behind the hut four of them dismounted while the fifth, remaining in his

saddle, held the bridle reins of the horses of his companions. The latter crept

stealthily around the outside of the building, toward the door--their carbines

ready in their hands.

It was one of the little children who first discovered the presence of the

newcomers. With a piercing scream she bolted into the interior and ran to cling to

her mother's skirts.

Billy, Bridge, and the Mexican wheeled toward the doorway simultaneously to

learn the cause of the girl's fright, and as they did so found themselves covered

by four carbines in the hands of as many men.

As his eyes fell upon the faces of the intruders the countenance of the Mexican

fell, while his wife dropped to the floor and embraced his knees, weeping.

"Wotinell?" ejaculated Billy Byrne. "What's doin'?"

We seem to have been made prisoners," suggested Bridge; "but whether by

Villistas or Carranzistas I do not know."

Their host understood his words and turned toward the two Americans.

"These are Pesita's men," he said.

"Yes," spoke up one of the bandits, "we are Pesita's men, and Pesita will be

delighted, Miguel, to greet you, especially when he sees the sort of company you

have been keeping. You know how much Pesita loves the gringos!"

"But this man does not even know us," spoke up Bridge. "We stopped here to get

a meal. He never saw us before. We are on our way to the El Orobo Rancho in

search of work. We have no money and have broken no laws. Let us go our way in

peace. You can gain nothing by detaining us, and as for Miguel here--that is what

you called him, I believe--I think from what he said to us that he loves a gringo

about as much as your revered chief seems to."

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 spokesman only grinned

sardonically.

You may tell all this to Pesita himself, senor," he said. "Now come--get a move

on--beat it!" The fellow had once worked in El Paso and took great pride in his

higher English" education.

197

The Mucker