But at last, in the northwest, a horseman, unheralded by
gyrating dust column, came into sight. Mr. Harding shook his
head sorrowfully. It had not been from this direction that he
had expected word of Barbara, yet he kept his eyes fastened
upon the rider until the latter reined in at the ranchyard and
loped a tired and sweating pony to the foot of the veranda
steps. Then Mr. Harding saw who the newcomer was.
"Bridge!" he exclaimed. "What brings you back here? Don't
you know that you endanger us as well as yourself by being
seen here? General Villa will think that we have been harboring you."
Bridge swung from the saddle and ran up onto the veranda.
He paid not the slightest attention to Anthony Harding's
protest.
"How many men you got here that you can depend on?"
he asked.
"None," replied the Easterner. "What do you mean?"
"None!" cried Bridge, incredulity and hopelessness showing
upon his countenance. "Isn't there a Chinaman and a couple
of faithful Mexicans?"
"Oh, yes, of course," assented Mr. Harding; "but what are
you driving at?"
"Pesita is on his way here to clean up El Orobo. He can't
be very far behind me. Call the men you got, and we'll get
together all the guns and ammunition on the ranch, and
barricade the ranchhouse.
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