andits, for it was presumed that Pacheco's lieutenant would carry the word

eling much by night, and keeping in concealment by day, an

e line of railroad, it had not even felt the touch of Northern civilization, an

ll ther way through, an' it's ten ter one thar ain't nary galoot besides

l the natives of Huejugilla el Alto were able to do, with the exception

ood, so they found lodgings at a low, rambling adobe building, which served as a hotel. They paid in advance for

derned bandits are bold enough 'long ther line of ther railroad, but they lay 'way over thet

n with t

iers is arter 'em, an' don't

id of the bandits, which

n thar's something of ther bandit in ev'ry blamed Greas

ere exceedingly polite and chivalrous, treating strangers with the utmost courtesy, if courtesy were given in return. Rudeness seemed to shock and wound them, causing them to draw within themselves, as a turtle draws into its shell. Indeed, so

nd, when it was served, they proceeded to satisfy the hunger w

to look after the horses

ator," said the Westerner, as he saw the articles mentioned were placed under lock and key. "Ef w

eco as soon as Huejugilla el Alto was reac

expect he has suffered untold

otch don'd peen britty sick uf dis v

the hotel when they heard a great com

oy, in alarm. "Sounds like dere v

ing for his revolvers; "and it is

," observed Bushnell, lazily. "Best git

rses' hoofs, the cracking of pist

Merriwell became

hear the voice of Profe

s, "I belief I

said Bushnell. "Ef he's thar, we'll take a

and, in a moment, he ret

ed by at least twenty wild riders, some of whom were shooting at the legs of the fleeing hor

the professor!" shouted Fra

er chip in right hyar an' n

oulder, and a spout of fire strea

ng up his arm and plunged headlong from t

sor!" shouted Fran

back the reply. "T

ll off-get o

ght! he

elf from the back of the animal he had ridden, struck the ground, rolled over and

steady stream of fire seemed to pour from the muzzle of the weapon, and the cracking of the weapo

most cases at short range, his motto was to "shoot low," for he well kne

ception in Huejugilla el Alto, and it was the last thing they had expected. With all possible haste, they reined about and took to f

ore the rush of the bandits, so there was little danger th

ts was brought about in a few secon

nery Greasers any time! Ther derned sk

ssor, flinging the man across his sho

hnell came sauntering lazily in after the

t, professor?" ask

nd every bone in my body is broken! Farewell, my boy! We'll meet in

are you

t! They fired more than four hundred bullets through me! I

the professor, who lay on the floor

v ter stand up an' let me put a few more holes in yer. I can't find a place whar you're tou

sat up with

t shot? I'm not all broke up? Is

can belief me. You vas all righd

call great luck! Why, I thought I must be killed sure! I don't know how I esc

me der town in," said Hans; "but you vos alo

ng up in a perfect tumult of terror,

ined man, and you are responsible for it. You must leave my house without delay! If you remain here, the whole town will rise against me! All the people will know this must make Pacheco very angry, and they will know he must take revenge o

gh of this to transl

said. "Ef we wait, ther outlaws will watch every road o

uttered the professor. "If I fall int

decided Frank; "but we'll do it as

They left the hotel by a back way, and, guided by the landlord, made their way along dar

d, after calling down blessings on their hea

a good long stretch between ourselves an' Huejugilla el Alto be

r the Silver Pal