I'll find out all about it, and where she went. If anybody has
dared to--" He drew a deep breath and his listlessness vanished;
his eyes gleamed with a hint of their customary fire. "I reckon
I've got one punch left in me." He turned and strode to his room.
As Dave changed into his service clothes he was surprised to feel
a new vigor in his limbs and a new strength of purpose in his
mind. His brain was clearer than it had been for a long time. The
last cobweb was gone, and for the moment at least he was lifted
out of himself as by a strong, invigorating drink. When he stood
in his old boots and felt the familiar drag of his cartridge-belt,
when he tested his free muscles, he realized that he was another
man. Even yet he could not put much faith in Phil Strange's words-
-nevertheless, there might be a danger threatening Alaire; and if
so, it was time to act.
Phil watched his friend saddle the bay mare, then as Dave tied his
Winchester scabbard to its thongs he laughed nervously.
"You're loaded for bear."
The horseman answered, grimly: "I'm loaded for Jose Sanchez. If I
lay hands on him I'll learn what he knows."
"You can't get nothing out of a Mexican,"
"No? I've made Filipinos talk.
Pages:
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389