We can go in pairs--then if
one's killed the other can ride out an' lead the way back to
where it happened."
The men seemed satisfied with the plan and broke up into
parties of two. Eddie Shorter paired off with Billy Byrne.
"Spread out," said the latter to his companions. "Eddie an'
I'll ride straight ahead--the rest of you can fan out a few
miles on either side of us. S'long an' good luck," and he
started off toward the hills, Eddie Shorter at his side.
Back at the ranch the Mexican vaqueros lounged about,
grumbling. With no foreman there was nothing to do except
talk about their troubles. They had not been paid since the
looting of the bank at Cuivaca, for Mr. Harding had been
unable to get any silver from elsewhere until a few days since.
He now had assurances that it was on the way to him; but
whether or not it would reach El Orobo was a question.
"Why should we stay here when we are not paid?" asked
one of them.
"Yes, why?" chorused several others.
"There is nothing to do here," said another. "We will go to
Cuivaca. I, for one, am tired of working for the gringos."
This met with the unqualified approval of all, and a few
moments later the men had saddled their ponies and were
galloping away in the direction of sun-baked Cuivaca.
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