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Billy, blithe as a lark, rode gaily back along the trail to ca intervieith Pesita, and to the wild, half-savage life which association with the bandit promised All his life had Billy Byrne fed upon excite, holdup man and second-story artist Billy had found food for his appetite within the disreat West Side, and then Fate had flung hie shore of Yoka to find other for ainst primeval men and conditions The West Side had developed only Billy's basest characteristics He ht have slipped back easily into the old ways had it not been for HER and the recollection of that which he had read in her eyes Love had been there; but greater than that to hold a ht and narrow path of decency and honor had been respect and adoddess should feel such things for him--for the same man her scornful lips once had branded as coward and ht, and since then Billy Byrne had done his best according to the fight that had been given him to deserve the belief she had in him

So far there had crept into his consciousness no disquieting doubts as to the consistency of his recent action in joining the force of a depredating Mexican outlaw Billy knew nothing of the political conditions of the republic Had Pesita told him that he was president of Mexico, Billy could not have disputed the statee of facts which he possessed As a matter of fact about all Billy had ever known of Mexico was that it had some connection with an i eneral, and Billy, himself, a bona fide captain He had entered an army which was at ith so about Billy knew not, nor did he care There should be fighting and he loved that--that much he knew The ethics of Pesita's warfare troubled hieneral had said: "War is hell" Billy illing to take his word for it, and accept anything which cauise of war as entirely proper and as it should be

The afternoon was far gone when Billy drew rein in the camp of the outlaw band Pesita with the bulk of his raiders was out upon some excursion to the north Only half a dozenaway the hot day They looked at Billy in evident surprise when they saw hi in alone; but they asked no questions and Billy offered no explanation--his report was for the ears of Pesita only