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Jose had ridden far that day, since Billy had left his huone to the west to the little rancho of one of Pesita's adherents who had dispatched a boy to carry word to the bandit that his Captain Byrne had escaped the Villistas, and then Jose had ridden into Cuivaca by a circuitous route which brought hi once again for Pesita; but this time he would bear the infor tobacco and a cigarette paper the Indian finally reached the purpose of his visit

"Jose has just come from Cuivaca," he said, "and there he drank with all the Mexican vaqueros of El Orobo Rancho-- ALL, eneral, you understand It seems that Esteban has carried off the beautiful senorita of El Orobo Rancho, and the vaqueros tell Jose that ALL the Aeneral, you understand In such tios should leave El Orobo thus unguarded Only the rich Senor Harding, two house servants, and a Chinaman remain"

A man lay stretched upon his blankets in a tent next to that occupied by Pesita At the sound of the speaker's voice, low though it was, he raised his head and listened He heard every word, and a scowl settled upon his brow Barbara stolen! Mr Harding practically alone upon the ranch! And Pesita in possession of this infore belt about his waist and picked up his carbine, then he crawled under the rear wall of his tent and walked slowly off in the direction of the picket line where the horses were tethered

"Ah, Senor Bridge," said a pleasant voice in his ear; "where to?"

Bridge turned quickly to look into the s out to see if I can't find so nothing"

"Si, senor," agreed Rozales; "I, too, find it so Let us go together--I knohere the shooting is best"

"I don't doubt it," thought Bridge; "probably in the back;" but aloud he said: "Certainly, that will be fine," for he guessed that Rozales had been set to watch his movements and prevent his escape, and, perchance, to be the sole witness of soe to the arms of his fathers