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west, join Pesita and urge a new raid upon some favored friend of General

Francisco Villa, for Billy had no love for Villa.

He should have been glad to pay his respects to El Orobo Rancho and its

foreman; but the fact that Anthony Harding owned it and that he and Barbara

were there was sufficient effectually to banish all thoughts of revenge along that

line.

"Maybe I can get his goat later," he thought, "when he's away from the ranch. I

don't like that stiff, anyhow. He orter been a harness bull."

It was four o'clock in the morning when Billy dismounted in front of Jose's hut.

He pounded on the door until the man came and opened it.

Eh!" exclaimed Jose as he saw who his early morning visitor was, "you got away

from them. Fine!" and the old man chuckled. "I send word to Pesita two, four

hours ago that Villistas capture Capitan Byrne and take him to Cuivaca."

"Thanks," said Billy. "Pesita wants you to send Esteban to him. I didn't have no

chance to tell you last night while them pikers was stickin' aroun', so I stops now

on my way back to the hills."

"I will send Esteban tonight if I can get him; but I do not know. Esteban is

working for the pig, Grayson."

"Wot's he doin' fer Grayson?" asked Billy. "And what was the Grayson guy doin'

up here with you, Jose? Ain't you gettin' pretty thick with Pesita's enemies?"

"Jose good friends everybody," and the old man grinned. "Grayson have a job he

want good men for. Jose furnish men. Grayson pay well. Job got nothin' do

Pesita, Villa, Carranza, revolution--just private job. Grayson want senorita. He

pay to get her. That all."

Oh," said Billy, and yawned. He was not interested in Mr. Grayson's amours.

Why didn't the poor boob go get her himself?" he inquired disinterestedly. "He

must be a yap to hire a bunch o' guys to go cop off a siwash girl fer him."

"It is not a siwash girl, Senor Capitan," said Jose. "It is one beautiful senorita--the

daughter of the owner of El Orobo Rancho."

What?" cried Billy Byrne. "What's that you say?"

Yes, Senor Capitan, what of it?" inquired Jose. "Grayson he pay me furnish the

men. Esteban he go with his warriors. I get Esteban. They go tonight take away

the senorita; but not for Grayson," and the old fellow laughed. "I can no help can

270

The Mucker