"Grayson have a job he want good men for. Jose furnish
men. Grayson pay well. Job got nothin' do Pesita, Villa,
Carranza, revolution--just private job. Grayson want senorita.
He pay to get her. That all."
"Oh," said Billy, and yawned. He was not interested in Mr.
Grayson's amours. "Why didn't the poor boob go get her
himself?" he inquired disinterestedly. "He must be a yap to
hire a bunch o' guys to go cop off a siwash girl fer him."
"It is not a siwash girl, Senor Capitan," said Jose. "It is one
beautiful senorita--the daughter of the owner of El Orobo
Rancho."
"What?" cried Billy Byrne. "What's that you say?"
"Yes, Senor Capitan, what of it?" inquired Jose. "Grayson
he pay me furnish the men. Esteban he go with his warriors. I
get Esteban. They go tonight take away the senorita; but not
for Grayson," and the old fellow laughed. "I can no help can
I? Grayson pay me money get men. I get them. I no help if
they keep girl," and he shrugged.
"They're comin' for her tonight?" cried Billy.
"Si, senor," replied Jose. "Doubtless they already take her."
"Hell!" muttered Billy Byrne, as he swung Brazos about so
quickly that the little pony pivoted upon his hind legs and
dashed away toward the south over the same trail he had just
traversed.
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