yson saw the latter he gave an exclamation of
understanding.

"I know him now," he said. "You've made a good catch, Sergeant. This
is the fellow who robbed the bank at Cuivaca. I recognize him from the
descriptions I've had of him, and the fact that he's got the Brazos pony
makes it a cinch. Villa oughter promote you for this."

"Yep," interjected Billy, "he orter make youse an admiral at least;
but youse ain't got me home yet, an' it'll take more'n four Dagos an' a
tin-horn to do it."

"They'll get you there all right, my friend," Grayson assured him. "Now
come along."

They bundled Billy into his own saddle, and shortly after the little
party was winding southward along the river in the direction of El Orobo
Rancho, with the intention of putting up there for the balance of the
night where their prisoner could be properly secured and guarded. As
they rode away from the dilapidated hut of the Indian the old man stood
silhouetted against the rectangle of dim light which marked the open
doorway, and shook his fist at the back of the departing ranch foreman.

"El cochino!" he cackled, and turned back into his hut.

At El Orobo Rancho Barbara walked to and fro outside the ranchhouse.
Within her father sat reading beneath the rays of an oil lamp. From the
quarters of the men came the strains of guitar music, and an occasional
loud laugh indicated the climax of some of Eddie Shorter's famous Kansas
farmer stories.

Barbara was upon the point of returning indoors when her attention was
attracted by the approach of a half-dozen horsemen. They reined into the
ranchyard and dismounted before the office building. Wondering a little
who came so late, Barbara entered the house, mentioning casually to her
father that which she had just seen.

The ranch owner, now always fearful of attack, was upon the point
of investigating when Grayson rode up to the veranda and dismounted.
Barbara and her father were at the door as he ascended the steps.

"Good news!" exclaimed the foreman. "I've got the bank robber, and
Brazos, too. Caught the sneakin' coyote up to--up the river a bit." He
had almost said "Jose's;" but caught himself in time. "Someone's been
cuttin' the wire at the north side of the north pasture, an' I was
ridin' up to see ef I could catch 'em at it," he explained.

"He is an American?" asked the boss.

"Looks like it; but he's got the heart of a greaser," replied Grayson.
"Some of Villa's men are with me, and they'r