OCR Text |
Show SALT FLAT NEWS, MAY 1975 9 No, not exactly, but it must be somewhere in the mountains north of here and not too far PART THREE off. v one of the old its Probably mans. But caramba, there were a couple of dozen of those old hideouts, and I dont believe I can remember just where they were located. Did Carlos ever get by f loyd D. Eaton, International Ranger any threatening notes? Yes, she said, he did get three that I know of. I rememOUR HERO Ked Cougar , personal ace troubleshooter for thempresideht of Mexico, ber what they said; the first one you are herehightails it to Durango after receiving a plea for help from Bumble Bee, whose father, read: informed that you are listed Captain Carlos Gratis, has just been murdered by bandits. Arriving in Durango, Ked is by in my book to die. But not soon. greeted by a hail of gunfire from persons unknown. .Uninjured and unshaken, Ked picks You will be further informed himself off the pavement and proceeds to search for clues in the local cantinas, finally just how long you have to live. the name El Leon de Wlkm (qWms Hiita r H n, Poco. Next, he meets a young messenger boy who of overhearing leads him to the home of Gracis's bereaved daughter; Bumble Bee. I followed him at a respect- able distance, as though I was parents had drawn the line. It ago,, when you and father and a had been because of her flighty couple of squads of the rangers cautipusly strolling' albrig, lookthe over was And that I had tagged the nickname rode out after and chased out of city. ways ing of Bumble Bee on her. no lie, for my eye darted everythe country that bandito called I could see that married life El Leon. where in hopes I could spot my foe before he was ready to pull had been kind to her, in spite of The. lion! Why, hes been the trigger. I removed one of the her being the mother of four dead these past twelve years. He and slipped it into youngsters. She must have was killed when he attacked forty-foumy blouse pocket, keeping my watched her figure by setting be- what he figured to be just a fore a mirror. She was a slender small army patrol, but it so hand on it for quick work. ; The kid turned into Verde with shoulder .length turned but that it really was a Street' and walked halfway down black hair that showed a red tint full strength cavalry company. Yes, I know that to be true, its length to a gate leading whenever the light struck it Her he 'did have a son. And that trimmed a were breasts but did hedge. small, yet they through neatly I followed,' observing the house seem to be straining for freedom son was only ten years old when - ' rs five-on- and its dark shadows. Caramba! The rambling ranch style house wasnt made of adobe but real blonde bricks. Whomever lives here, I thought, has a good taste for modem living. The girl was standing completely in the dark, so l failed to see her when I stepped upon the ; veranda. Youre getting very careless in your old age, Ked, she said, and for the second time in so many hours I hit the deck rolling, mly to come up with both hands filled with artillery. She laughed gaily, saying, You still dont seem to mind getting your clothes dirty. And I am glad to see that your reactions are still alerted to any sudden surprises! That is a very good way for you to enjoy the embrace of Saint Mary, young lady. Just what were you thinking about? I asked. I honestly dont have the slightest idea. . I guiess it was because I was so happy to learn that you were coming in answer to my request Lets go inride so I can see just how much youve changed over the years. Once in where the light was brighter, I sized up this willow of a woman that I remembered as a spindle-legge- d brat of twelve who had tagged after me everywhere I went around the ranch and ;would have followed me, if only shed been allowed to do so, when I went out on a mission or a patrol. But, thats where her . . e, his father was killed, and he vowed on his fathers grave that he would in later years carry out his fathers greatest ambition to track down and destroy all of the rangers of El Ranchero de Diamante de Quebrado. That is, those of the rangers who were still living. As far as I know, those who remained alive and in the country were just yourself, father, that big black man whats-his-namand Cyril Wilson. The boys now about thirty claimed. years old, and hes started out to The only real change that I fulfill that old vow. Hes gathcan see, in you, Ked, is that ered around him a huge band of youve just grown older, but you young toughs that are eager to still have the same hard rugged prove themselves, and hes startfeatures that I so well remem- ed out by murdering Dad. Do you have any idea just bered. And. from your action when you arrived, I can see you about where his hideout might still like to rush headlong into be located? things, swinging fist and guns. That much, if not anything else, is still left of that restless, carey American free, beneath that tight fitting white shirtwaist; her slender but shapely legs were encased In a pair of lavender slacks, and her small but not tiny wrist was encircled by a belt made from the old and long discontinued twenty-fiv- e peso pieces. She made a picture of pure beauty that would have set the heart of any artist yearning to print. Caramba, Bumble Bee! You have most certainly developed into a beautiful woman, I ex- e, -- It wasnt signed. What did the other notes say? I asked. The second one merely said: You have two weeks left The last one came Monday; it said: Three days, have a good time. It was postmarked here in Durango at 2300 hour Sunday ' evening. ' Weil, Querida, it looks to me as if this was a grudge slaying. That kid undoubtedly has a very rick mind to think he can pull - Yes, Tomas was my . husband, and he was really a good man. He treated his family good and he built this house just three years before his death. That is something else I owe you thanks for, catching and sending to prison the ones that killed him. Do you have a phone that I may use, Querida? I asked. Yes, its in the bedroom. Why do you want a phone? I didnt answer her question as she led the way. Hell no, it wasn't the first time that I had ever followed a woman to her bedroom. Just one more question, I do any calling. before Querida, When will Carlos funeral be held? Its planned for Sunday afternoon, she replied. I dialed the operator and asked for a call to be placed to the capital city and gave her the number. I listened to the phone at the other end za it rang several times. Caramba! Was that African out for the evening? I was praying that he would be home when the operator said, Your party is on the line, Just in case somebody was ' eavesdropping along the line, I such tricks and get by with it forever. If I dont miss my guess, hes going to end up just the way spoke in- Chinese: Jess, Bumble that old man of his did, looking Bee is in need of the protection down the barrel of a gun. What I of your gun. How soon can you' mean is, hell be looking down leave for Durango? Bumble Bee? Whos she? the business end of one, and tire The daughter of our old last thing hell see is the flash and a swift puff of smoke. And range police captain, Carlos that guns going to be held by Grads. You remember her the little girl that used to hang onto my own hand., Querida, when will your my coattriL But shes a big girl now. husband be home this evening? Yep, I sure do remember He wont be coming home, So that . was the fellow I her. Ked. He was killed in that train heard about that got killed this holdup eight years ago, do you morning tip there, huh? remember it? That was him, I replied. Yes, I remember it I did the Where are you figuring on investigating on that robbery. That train was carrying the govr bring, Ked? I imagine Til be somewhere emment payroll for the army. in the mountains north of here So, Tomas Rolito was your on the killers trail. But the hot husband? I never knew that 'first thing in the morning Ive before, for. the administrator of to find myself a bronc, justice did the notifying of next got and a carbine. saddle, of kin, and I was busy charing down the banditos. (to be continued) - ; happy-go-luck- boy that 1 lost my heart to. But he could never see beyond his nose, unless it were a good fight I always did have an idea that you were halfway in love with me, I said, and some- times I sort of thought that I might be in love with you. Yet from what I can see, you have done a lot better without me. Now tell me just what all this troubles about. Well, if you still insist on being all business, it all stemmed from an occasion that occurred five years around twenty-thre. e, "A a. OGFGDGG1 DOdlT Dead IlG Z)G You'll find the kirid of coverage you've been looking for in the Salt Flat News. And at just three dollars a year, it's cheaper than the average umbrella. PLEASE CHECK ON: Yes! Enclosed is my check for 3.00. Send me twelve shady issues. Nol I wouldn't be caught dead wearing your newspaper. . V.i- - Mr. Eaton Your Name . . |