While men and women
fought their little battles, waged their puny quarrels, this stately
miracle occurred once more. Unmindful of the grief of mortals, the day was
about to pass into the arms of the waiting night.
"What's it all about?" "Red" asked, turning from the wonderful scene
without to the frightened people within.
"It is ze ranger what chase me some more again," smiled Lopez. He seemed
wholly unconcerned.
"Texas rangers after you?" asked "Red," startled.
"_Si!_" laughed Lopez.
"And you don't even get excited?"
"For why? It is not my habit. I give not a damn for any man." He snapped
his fingers, as though at life itself.
Two horses could be seen through the door. The men were bringing them up to
their leader. "We should take our time--is no hurry." He took his big
sombrero from the peg where he had put it long ago, and turned to Gilbert.
"Well, I go now. _Adios_, my frand."
"Wait a minute," the other tried to detain him. "You've killed him. You
wouldn't go and leave things this way, would you?"
"As I say, no trouble for me," Lopez boyishly said, and smiled, shrugging
his broad shoulders.
Gilbert was astonished. "Yes; but how about me?" he wanted to know, "You do
not think of that.
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