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"Now their cartridge belts!" snapped Billy, and when these had been deposited upon the floor he told Bridge to disar safe?" he asked of Bridge, and receiving an affirmative he called upstairs for the olderreached the foot of the stairs Barbara entered the rooh which Billy had cootta hike," announced Billy "It won't never be safe for none of you here after this, not even if you do think Villa's your friend--which he ain't the friend of no A, and repeated to Billy that which the telephone operator had told hi Pesita and his men ahead of them Billy and the otherswhere the horses of the bandits were tethered They were each armed now from the discarded weapons of the raiders, and well supplied with ammunition The Chinaman and the loyal Mexican also discovered themselves when they learned that the tables had been turned upon Pesita They, too, were armed and all wereweapons upon the balance of the horses the party rode away, driving Pesita's live stock and are, "that you've rather discouraged pursuit for a while at least," but pursuit came sooner than they had anticipated

They had reached a point on the river not far fro froreater speed that theyif possible; but it soon beca theed, for they altered their course and increased their speed so that they were soon bearing down upon the fugitives at a rapid gallop

"I guess," said Billy, "that we'd better open up on 'em It's a cinch they ain't no friends of ours anywhere in these parts"

"Hadn't we better wait aany o," replied Billy His eyes were fastened upon the approaching horsenition "There's Rozales," he said "I couldn't h in takin' a shot at 'euy," and he drew his revolver and took a single shot in the direction of his for Pesitistas reined in Billy returned his revolver to its holster and drew his carbine