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bank at Cuivaca--he is an American--that his friend, Senor Bridge has been

captured by Villa and is being held for execution in Cuivaca. You must go at

once--you must get word to Senor Bridge's friend so that help may reach Senor

Bridge before dawn. Do you understand?"

The Indian nodded assent.

Here," said the girl, "is a payment on account. When I know that you delivered

the message in time you shall have as much more. Will you do it?"

I will try," said the Indian, and stretched forth a clawlike hand for the money.

Good!" exclaimed Barbara. "Now start at once," and she dropped the silver coins

into the old man's palm.

It was dusk when Captain Billy Byrne was summoned to the tent of Pesita. There

he found a weazened, old Indian squatting at the side of the outlaw.

Jose," said Pesita, "has word for you."

Billy Byrne turned questioningly toward the Indian.

I have been sent, Senor Capitan," explained Jose, "by the beautiful senorita of El

Orobo Rancho to tell you that your friend, Senor Bridge, has been captured by

General Villa, and is being held at Cuivaca, where he will doubtless be shot--if

help does not reach him before tomorrow morning."

Pesita was looking questioningly at Byrne. Since the gringo had returned from

Cuivaca with the loot of the bank and turned the last penny of it over to him the

outlaw had looked upon his new captain as something just short of superhuman.

To have robbed the bank thus easily while Villa's soldiers paced back and forth

before the doorway seemed little short of an indication of miraculous powers,

while to have turned the loot over intact to his chief, not asking for so much as a

peso of it, was absolutely incredible.

Pesita could not understand this man; but he admired him greatly and feared

him, too. Such a man was worth a hundred of the ordinary run of humanity that

enlisted beneath Pesita's banners. Byrne had but to ask a favor to have it

granted, and now, when he called upon Pesita to furnish him with a suitable

force for the rescue of Bridge the brigand enthusiastically acceded to his

demands.

"I will come," he exclaimed, "and all my men shall ride with me. We will take

Cuivaca by storm. We may even capture Villa himself."

247

The Mucker