Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-08-22

become member of such band and
ascertain the intentions of its leader.
Juan CARA, they declared. was some
where dead in the chaparral and the
handwriting was Vavara's own, de-
signed TO mislead and betray.
However" said Mr.. Deveraux. voic-
ing thereby the sentiments of his COM
panions. its blimed dull around here,
with nothing better TO shoot than
black-tailed deer We have not had
even a cougar in two years. II the
Mexican fellow is after cattle We
catch him, and if he wants fight be eau
have it. say. chaps let's go out and
shoot Vavara."
So said they all of them. A merry
crowd it was, fresh-cheeked and alive
with. the joy of living
A half honr later rider, with in
structions to ride hard, dashed from
the rancho and headed to the north
eastward, His destination was Fort
Clark. twenty miles away. Hills bare,
hills swathed to their tops in tangles
of mesquite. huisache, catclaw and
cacti, stretches of level hard prairie,
stretches of deep sand, arroyas with
only blue and brown pebbles on their
dry beds, arroyas with sparkling water
girth-deep to the horse lay between
him and his goal. yet he was light OF
weight, he sat his steed as if they were
one and the same animal, he rode from
the knees up and crouched forward so
that his pounds should not press upon
the hack Of the horse and he knew
that two hours at furthest would see
him in the little frontier town OF
Bracket. hard by the fort-Brackett
with its dancehall, its saloons, its
Mexican girls and above all, its monte
tables. AS he rode he swung the quirt
which dangled from his right wrist by
thong and his white teeth cleaned
between parted lips as he carolled his
Mexican roundelay; "Querida! Queri-
da. Stella de mi vidal"
This rider. in leathern pouch at
tached to the saddle, bore letter. 1t
was addressed to Captain Robert
Harding. u. S. A. Fort Clark" and
signed "Glynn." 1t said merely:
my Dear Harding-I have informa-
ton in which | place reliance that Va
vara will cross the river day after to-
morrow night He wants cattle, l.
don't know how many men he will
have. The crossing will be made at
a newly discovered ford few miles
below here. Wouldn't you like to catch
him, wherever he may be? Can you
send some men, or, better still, can you
bring some men here by tomorrow
evening. We will go with you and we
ought to get the Black Fox this time
If there are any rangers near, you can
NV loo oh Intt
them know May | count on your"
When Robert Harding read this note
he smiled. Then he glanced at his
spurs on the table in his quarters and
at his pistols in their holsters on the
wall. Then he turned to the Mexican
messenger and said:
No monte for yoc tonight, my son;
no mescal; no aguadiente; no fat Mex
lean gals; no vachuca; no nothing but
sweat and work Back your cayuse.
Don Juan Antonio Jesus Maria San
Miguel de Bustamente de Palacios y
Caramba and head him southwest
ward. Make him pick up four feet
where he puts down two Find your
boss; just tell him that you saw me
and he will know the rest"
The Mexican. not shade of disap-
Dointment on his face, turned to re-
mount, then paused and said tentative
ly;
"One liz drink?'
Sure" said the Captain, much sym
pathy showing in his gray eyes. Here.
Try this"
He extracted a decanter from the
bottom section of pine sideboard and
handed it to the rider with a goblet
The goblet was filled two-thirds full
and tossed off without the culver of
an eyelash Five minutes later bron-
cho and vaquero had disappeared, 60
ing at the tireless gallop with which
they had come.
Ito be Continued)