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Billy heard the soldiers stream from their quarters and a moment later saw them

trot up the street at the double. Everyone was moving toward the opposite end of

the town except the lone sentinel before the guardhouse. The moment seemed

propitious for his attempt.

Billy peered around the corner of the guardhouse. Conditions were just as he had

pictured they would be. The sentry stood gazing in the direction of the firing, his

back toward the guardhouse door and Billy.

With a bound the American cleared the space between himself and the

unsuspecting and unfortunate soldier. The butt of the heavy revolver fell, almost

noiselessly, upon the back of the sentry's head, and the man sank to the ground

without even a moan.

Turning to the door Billy knocked the bar from its place, the door swung in and

Bridge slipped through to liberty.

Quick!" said Billy. "Follow me," and turned at a rapid run toward the south edge

of the town. He made no effort now to conceal his movements. Speed was the only

essential, and the two covered the ground swiftly and openly without any attempt

to take advantage of cover.

They reached Billy's horse unnoticed, and a moment later were trotting toward

the west to circle the town and regain the trail to the north and safety.

To the east they heard the diminishing rifle fire of the combatants as Pesita's men

fell steadily back before the defenders, and drew them away from Cuivaca in

accordance with Billy's plan.

"Like takin' candy from a baby," said Billy, when the flickering lights of Cuivaca

shone to the south of them, and the road ahead lay clear to the rendezvous of the

brigands.

"Yes," agreed Bridge; "but what I'd like to know, Billy, is how you found out I was

there."

"Penelope," said Byrne, laughing.

"Penelope!" queried Bridge. "I'm not at all sure that I follow you, Billy."

Well, seein' as you're sittin' on behind you can't be leadin' me," returned Billy;

but cuttin' the kid it was a skirt tipped it off to me where you was--the beautiful

senorita of El Orobo Rancho, I think Jose called her. Now are you hep?"

Bridge gave an exclamation of astonishment. "God bless her!" he said. "She did

that for me?"

251

The Mucker