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CHAPTER XV. AN INDIAN'S TREACHERY

THE Brazos pony had traveled far that day but for only a trifle over ten miles had

he carried a rider upon his back. He was, consequently, far from fagged as he

leaped forward to the lifted reins and tore along the dusty river trail back in the

direction of Orobo.

Never before had Brazos covered ten miles in so short a time, for it was not yet

five o'clock when, reeling with fatigue, he stopped, staggered and fell in front of

the office building at El Orobo.

Eddie Shorter had sat in the chair as Barbara and Billy had last seen him waiting

until Byrne should have an ample start before arousing Grayson and reporting

the prisoner's escape. Eddie had determined that he would give Billy an hour. He

grinned as he anticipated the rage of Grayson and the Villistas when they learned

that their bird had flown, and as he mused and waited he fell asleep.

It was broad daylight when Eddie awoke, and as he looked up at the little clock

ticking against the wall, and saw the time he gave an exclamation of surprise and

leaped to his feet. Just as he opened the outer door of the office he saw a

horseman leap from a winded pony in front of the building. He saw the animal

collapse and sink to the ground, and then he recognized the pony as Brazos, and

another glance at the man brought recognition of him, too.

"You?" cried Eddie. "What are you doin' back here? I gotta take you now," and he

started to draw his revolver; but Billy Byrne had him covered before ever his hand

reached the grip of his gun.

"Put 'em up!" admonished Billy, "and listen to me. This ain't no time fer gunplay

or no such foolishness. I ain't back here to be took--get that out o' your nut. I'm

tipped off that a bunch o' siwashes was down here last night to swipe Miss

Harding. Come! We gotta go see if she's here or not, an' don't try any funny

business on me, Eddie. I ain't a-goin' to be taken again, an' whoever tries it gets

his, see?"

Eddie was down off the porch in an instant, and making for the ranchhouse.

"I'm with you," he said. "Who told you? And who done it?"

"Never mind who told me; but a siwash named Esteban was to pull the thing off

for Grayson. Grayson wanted Miss Harding an' he was goin' to have her stolen for

him."

The hound!" muttered Eddie.

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The Mucker