United States or Malaysia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Tell him our message is for Arguilla not Ortez," suggested Brevoort. "There's something wrong here. No use startin' anything," he added hastily, as he dismounted. "Ortez is agent for Arguilla's outfit. If you get a chance, watch what they do with our horses." "We came to see El Comandante," said Pete as the sentries marched them to the house.
"Don't like the looks of that," said Brevoort, as he pulled up his horse. "It's out in front of the 'dobe and it means the Ortez has got company." "Soldiers?" "Looks like it." "Arguilla's men?" "I reckon so. And they're up pretty clost to the line too clost to suit me. We'll ride round and do our talkin' with Ortez." "Ain't they friendly?" queried Pete. "Friendly, hell!
My patron says to call it two hundred even, and to give you a receipt for the money when you turn it over to me." Arguilla's lieutenant had expected to see the herd turned over to Ortez before the payment of any moneys.
Almost on the instant Arguilla's men appeared in the distance, quirting their ponies as they raced toward the coulee. The lieutenant turned and gazed at the herd, which, from bunching through the gateway, had spread out fanwise. Already the Ortez vaqueros were riding out to take charge. But something was happening over near the Olla gate.
A mile, two miles, three miles, and the night-fire of Arguilla's men was a flickering dot against the black wall of the night. Brevoort pulled his horse to a walk. "We done left 'em looking at each other," he drawled. "Two of 'em ain't," said Pete succinctly. Brevoort chuckled. "I was tryin' that hard not to laugh when you smelled them aigs, that I come nigh missin' my chanct.
And from that they came to considering their own plans which, if successful, would find them in El Paso with several thousand dollars which belonged in reality to Arguilla's backers. There was an unvoiced but evident understanding between them that they would keep together so long as safety permitted.
It's in all the papers," asserted Pete, rather proud of himself, despite the hazard of the situation. Arguilla's chest swelled noticeably. He rose and strutted up and down the room, as though pondering a grave and weighty question. Presently he turned to Ortez. "You have heard, señor?" Ortez nodded. And in that nod Brevoort read the whole story. Ortez was virtually a prisoner on his own ranch.
Word Of The Day