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CHAPTER XIII. BARBARA AGAIN

CAPTAIN BILLY BYRNE rode out of the hills the following afternoon upon a pinto

pony that showed the whites of its eyes in a wicked rim about the iris and kept its

ears perpetually flattened backward.

At the end of a lariat trailed the Brazos pony, for Billy, laughing aside Bridge's

pleas, was on his way to El Orobo Rancho to return the stolen horse to its fair

owner.

At the moment of departure Pesita had asked Billy to ride by way of Jose's to

instruct the old Indian that he should bear word to one Esteban that Pesita

required his presence.

It is a long ride from the retreat of the Pesitistas to Jose's squalid hut, especially

if one be leading an extra horse, and so it was that darkness had fallen long

before Billy arrived in sight of Jose's. Dismounting some distance from the hut,

Billy approached cautiously, since the world is filled with dangers for those who

are beyond the law, and one may not be too careful.

Billy could see a light showing through a small window, and toward this he made

his way. A short distance from Jose's is another, larger structure from which the

former inhabitants had fled the wrath of Pesita. It was dark and apparently

tenantless; but as a matter of fact a pair of eyes chanced at the very moment of

Billy's coming to be looking out through the open doorway.

The owner turned and spoke to someone behind him.

Jose has another visitor," he said. "Possibly this one is less harmless than the

other. He comes with great caution. Let us investigate."

Three other men rose from their blankets upon the floor and joined the speaker.

They were all armed, and clothed in the nondescript uniforms of Villistas. Billy's

back was toward them as they sneaked from the hut in which they were

intending to spend the night and crept quietly toward him.

Billy was busily engaged in peering through the little window into the interior of

the old Indian's hovel. He saw an American in earnest conversation with Jose.

Who could the man be? Billy did not recognize him; but presently Jose answered

the question.

It shall be done as you wish, Senor Grayson," he said.

254

The Mucker