landed in El Paso a few days
later, drawn thither by various pieces of intelligence he had gathered
en route, though with much delay and consequent vexation.

Even after he had quitted the train he was none too sure that he was
upon the right trail though he at once repaired to a telegraph office
and wired his chief that he was hot on the trail of the fugitive.

As a matter of fact he was much hotter than he imagined, for Billy and
Bridge were that very minute not two squares from him, debating as to
the future and the best manner of meeting it before it arrived.

"I think," said Billy, "that I'll duck across the border. I won't never
be safe in little old U. S., an' with things hoppin' in Mexico the way
they have been for the last few years I orter be able to lose myself
pretty well.

"Now you're all right, ol' top. You don't have to duck nothin' for you
ain't did nothin'. I don't know what you're runnin' away from; but I
know it ain't nothin' the police is worryin' about--I can tell that by
the way you act--so I guess we'll split here. You'd be a boob to cross
if you don't have to, fer if Villa don't get you the Carranzistas will,
unless the Zapatistas nab you first.

"Comin' or goin' some greasy-mugged highbinder's bound to croak you if
you cross, from what little I've heard since we landed in El Paso.

"We'll feed up together tonight, fer the last time. Then I'll pull my
freight." He was silent for a while, and then: "I hate to do it, bo, fer
you're the whitest guy I ever struck," which was a great deal for Billy
Byrne of Grand Avenue to say.

Bridge finished rolling a brown paper cigarette before he spoke.

"Your words are pure and unadulterated wisdom, my friend," he said. "The
chances are scarcely even that two gringo hoboes would last the week
out afoot and broke in Viva Mexico; but it has been many years since I
followed the dictates of wisdom. Therefore I am going with you."

Billy grinned. He could not conceal his pleasure.

"You're past twenty-one," he said, "an' dry behind the ears. Let's go
an' eat. There is still some of that twenty-five left."

Together they entered a saloon which Bridge remembered as permitting
a very large consumption of free lunch upon the purchase of a single
schooner of beer.

There were round tables scattered about the floor in front of the bar,
and after purchasing their beer they carried it to one of these that
stood in a far corner of the room close to a rear door.