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"Ah!" thought Billy; "the foreman of El Orobo. I wonder what business he has with

this old scoundrel--and at night."

What other thoughts Billy might have had upon the subject were rudely

interrupted by four energetic gentlemen in his rear, who leaped upon him

simultaneously and dragged him to the ground. Billy made no outcry; but he

fought none the less strenuously for his freedom, and he fought after the manner

of Grand Avenue, which is not a pretty, however effective, way it may be.

But four against one when all the advantages lie with the four are heavy odds,

and when Grayson and Jose ran out to investigate, and the ranch foreman added

his weight to that of the others Billy was finally subdued. That each of his

antagonists would carry mementos of the battle for many days was slight

compensation for the loss of liberty. However, it was some.

After disarming their captive and tying his hands at his back they jerked him to

his feet and examined him.

"Who are you?" asked Grayson. "What you doin' sneakin' 'round spyin' on me,

eh?"

"If you wanna know who I am, bo," replied Billy, "go ask de Harlem Hurricane, an'

as fer spyin' on youse, I wasn't; but from de looks I guess youse need spyin, yuh

tinhorn."

A pony whinnied a short distance from the hut.

That must be his horse," said one of the Villistas, and walked away to

investigate, returning shortly after with the pinto pony and Brazos.

The moment Grayson saw the latter he gave an exclamation of understanding.

"I know him now," he said. "You've made a good catch, Sergeant. This is the fellow

who robbed the bank at Cuivaca. I recognize him from the descriptions I've had of

him, and the fact that he's got the Brazos pony makes it a cinch. Villa oughter

promote you for this."

"Yep," interjected Billy, "he orter make youse an admiral at least; but youse ain't

got me home yet, an' it'll take more'n four Dagos an' a tin-horn to do it."

They'll get you there all right, my friend," Grayson assured him. "Now come

along."

They bundled Billy into his own saddle, and shortly after the little party was

winding southward along the river in the direction of El Orobo Rancho, with the

intention of putting up there for the balance of the night where their prisoner

255

The Mucker