The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-20
An AVenging Rescue.

that was engaged in building a railroad
in the State of Chihuahua. While thi.
place was one that gave me constant op-
portunity for the study of mulishness
there having been three hundred mules in
the outfit, it was not one calculated tt
make me familiar with feminine nature
a graders camp being no place for a wo-
man; nevertheless. it was while so en-
ployed that my personal observation
brought me to the conclusion that there is
no creature more whimsical than a woman
unless it be a mule.
Chihuahua was q wild bit of country in
those days, an uninhabited desert, OF bare
mountains and hills, and waterless valley:
and plains for the greater part; as for that
matter, it is still so, but the Apaches are
not there now, and Apaches are-well
there is nothing with which to compare
an Apache. unless to the devil, OF whose
characteristics l have only a hearsay
knowledge.
The mules of the outfit were plain
everyday mules, sometimes sensible ant
tractable, at other times foolish and stub
born, but energetic kickers always. Their
leader was not one of their own number
as one would naturally expect. but an old
grey mare with a vicious temper-who
hated them with all her heart, and who
was continually fighting them, ever keep
ing them well beyond the reach of her
heels and teeth-and her they reverenced.
if mules can be said to reverence any
thing, never offering to return her kicks
and bites. and they would have followed
her into the very jaws Of death. And be-
cause of this leadership the old grey nas
assigned as mount to the man who took
the herd out every night to pasture. for
with her under the control of an expert
enced man there was little danger of the
mules being stampeded and run of By the
Apaches.
With few exceptions, the men Of the
outfit were in keeping with their sur
roundings. Wild, rough fellows, whose
only law was the dictate of the six
shooter held persuasively at "the drop"
and the few orders issued by the boss"
OF the outfit. or these, none was wilder
or rougher than one who was named Bill
Smith. Physically he was a giant, and he
was an ideal laborer. but morally he was
a weakling, and his great strength. in
in drawing his gun. giving him unlimited
confidence in himself. at the same time
inspiring his comrades with fear of him,
he became the bully OF the camp, though
he was not the coward that most DULLES
are. Among the few who were not of
Bills class was young Mexican, whose
name appeared on the books as Luis
Montez but who was known by the men
as kid Cook this nickname having
come OF his position as cooks assistant,
and his smooth, beardless face. He was a
quiet fellow OF about nineteen years. given
to bIushing when roughly spoken to. and
&c bv oil
he associated very little with the other
men, and, disliking him because Of this,
they bullied him continually.
Part of Kids duty was to help serve at
table, and one day, while filling Bills
cup with coffee. some one struck his arm.
and some Of the hot fluid fell on the
bully's hand. With a below of rage. Bill
sprang to his feet, and with a sweeping
blow. sent Kid staggering down into a
corner Of the tent, where he stood over
him with drawn revolver, threatening to
kill him in dozen different ways il he
should SO much as bat his eye. Nobody
offered to intervene. for all knew that,
II left alone. Bill would do the boy no
further harm. but if interfered with might
shoot him in spirit OF savage wifullness,
and that, as he used his gun promiscu-
ously when once started, somebody else
would get hurt. Kid wisely made no pro-
lest. but lay still and quiet, covering his
tanning face with his hands, and. after a
while, Bill put up his gun and went back
% the table.
Anybody but bully would have let that
md the incident, but Bill seemed Unable
TO forget his scalded hand, and never
tired of badgering the timid cook. Kid
avoided him as much as possible, but
,ould not escape him at meal times, when
would pour from him a perfect torrent OF
abuse. Watching Kid at these times l
would see that his eyes, usually soft and
shy, would fairly blaze with venomous
hatred, and, knowing something Of Mexi-
IAN nature. and how handy they are with
| knife, 1 came to the conclusion that II
were in Bills place l would do one OF
.wo things-apologize to Kid and let him
alone, or-kill him. I thought OF speak
ng to Bill about it, but meddling in an
,ther mans row was unhealthy business
in those days, so 1 ended by keeping
silent.
Kid did not disappoint me. One night
Is / sat reading in my tent there came
rom the outside a sharp exclamation that
was followed Immediately by the sounds
# struggle, then a piercing scream. and
heard Enthusiastically in Bits voice: Yer
mis- -rable, sneakin little kyote! Put or
| recin not, An now III jest give yer
taste Of it, my little snake-in- tn grass"
Grabbing up my gun, knowing that moth
ng short OF that would have any weight
with Bill. l hurriedly threw open my tent
and, the bright light Of my lamp flashing
1ut, saw Kid fiat on his back with Bill
on his chest. one hand gripping
re boys threat and the other grasping
/ knife, appraised to strike. In Kids ia
here was look OF horror that I will re-
member as long as l live. The sudden
food of light caused Bill to pause. ard
hen his arm sank slowly to his side, the
Knife slipping from his hand. WAL, I'll
lest be all over d-d." he calculated
md letting go of Kids throat he stood
Up. / could see nothing to justify such
change in his attitude. and was amazed
o see him now reach down and take Kids
land.
cit up" he said gruffly: II amt er goin'
er hurt yer-never would er teched yer
# I'd knowed what i know now, an I'm
orry done it." He helped Kid to his feet
md went on: Now. go back to yer tent;
amt agoin' ter blow on yer. an won't
,ullyrag yer no more-sabe? I'll keep the
lnife. though. SOS yer won't git inter no
more mischief with it.
Kid made no answer. and / could not
zee his face. but l 1id zee his hands sud
lenly clinch as he went away into the
darkness. Having watched him out of
light, Bill walked off without even glance
n my direction. was greatly puzzled by
What had occurred, and my curiosity be-
ng reused I determined to find Bill the
text morning and get him to tell me what
was that had caused this sudden change
oward Kid; but that day was Sunday,
nd he loft af dayhraaE
ope hunt, so l did not see him. Turning
he affair over in my mind that morning,
came to the conclusion that Bill's heart
vas too large for his judgment, and that
Kid would yet revenge himself; and was
lot wrong, though he did it in a way that
could not have expected.