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"He says no," replied Bridge after questioning the soldier, "that the captain is now one of theo and come as do the other officers Such are Pesita's orders"

Billy arose The uard had withdrawn, leaving the three oin' to be of any help to you and Mig the less I'm seen with you the better I'll blow over and o bunch, an' practice sittin' on ot to learn all I can about bein' a greaser seein' that I've turned one"

"Good-bye Billy, ree

"And the revolvers, senor," added Miguel

"You bet," replied Billy, and strolled off in the direction of the little circle of cigarette smokers

As he approached the, extended his hand

"Senor Captain," he said, "elco for Billy to give his name

"My monacker's Byrne," said Billy "Pleased to meet you, Cap"

"Ah, Captain Byrne," and Rozales proceeded to introduce the newcomer to his fellow-officers

Several, like Rozales, were educated imes, but had turned bandit as the safer alternative to suffering immediate death at the hands of the faction then in power The others, for the most part, were pure-blooded Indians whose adult lives had been spent in outlawry and brigandage All were siant, Byrne Rozales and two others spoke English With those Billy conversed He tried to learn from them the name of the officer as to couel into the valley on the morrow; but Rozales and the others assured him that they did not know

When he had asked the question Billy had been looking straight at Rozales, and he had seen the ht backward movement of the body which also denotes deter He did knoas to co sinister in that knowledge or the felloould not have denied it

The A his friend from the fate which Pesita had outlined for hi rapidly He was no fool Why had the stranger desired to knoas to command the escort? He knew none of the officers personally What difference then, did it make to hiuel knew that it would uel had spoken to the new captain, and aroused his suspicions