The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1904-01-05
A SLIGHT
MISUNDERSTANDING
BY HENRY HUr1IsroN.

-
MANUEL. the fat bartender In
lVI the Cafe Pasaje. looked sharp
ly at the two Americans leaning
against the bar. and when he was
sure that he was unobserved he called
his patron saint to witness, and then
spit yiciously in the direction of the
hated Gringoes Outside the white
tropical sunlight danced in the de-
serted streets OF La Sinceridad. A
soldier was sleeping in a doorway.
and small child. very airily attired,
peered curiously in at the door OF the
cafe at the two strangers. One OF the
Americans was tall and straight and
well groomed The other mans
clothes bore mute evidence to having
been slept in many times The man
himself looked badly in need of a
shave; he was pale and nervous. and
smoked necessarily, lighting one
.cigaret from the butt of the other
Bob said the tail American, II
have heard all sorts OF rumors. Did
you sell me out AS man to man, as
fellow countrymen. beg of you to be
square with me now II you haven't
before. Let me know where stand,
what ! am to expect Have you sold
me out?"
The man in the much worn Broad
way suit shrugged his shoulders
Didn't you get the rifies you bought
of me?"
why. yes; my men have 1900
Mausers now. thanks to you.
But"
Didn't yourgan get the cartridges
put ashore from the fishing boat
last Tuesday,"
Yes, we got the cartridges and the
two rapid fire guns that you brought
to US, too, although where you got
them | can't imagine"
you gave me an order for 1900
rifles and 100000 rounds of cartridges.
delivered the goods You say you
got 'em. What's the kick?"
Simply this" went on the other
man. you delivered the goods you
promised. But you are a filihuster.
A filibuster | understand generally
plays fast and loose. He takes money
from all sides. don't say you have
done this. but I've been told So You
sold me guns. I'm told you've sold
guns and cartridges to Col Gonzales,
too. Consequently he's ready to
strike a blow and I've got to fight.
when thought that by getting well
equipped little army together Con
zales would be afraid to start any
trouble. l engaged you first. You
were my agent. You had no right to
go into the employment of Gonzales.
But what could | expect a fili--"
"One mans gold is as good as
another's, isn't it?" asked the ill-
buster.
Yes" answered the tall Ameri
can. sulkily. ito a man who doesn't
know what honor u.s."
I'm other words. flibuster," said
the short man.
Exactly
The disreputable man smiled sadly
and lit a fresh cigare4.
NAo NcAHoS yOuI OlneT master.
went on the tall American. There's
Gonzales. He doesn't know. perhaps.
that you have been playing fast and
loose with us both. Why don't you
tell him? II will make no difference
though. II he is ready to tight. he'll
fight | know what IT means in the
end It means ruin to me. that's all
II ! could have won out by that little
trick | was planning to turn on him
1t would have settled everything. But
anyhow, played the man; wasn't
a sneak and coward that"
Just cut that out for the time be-
ing" said the flibuster. here's Con
zales"
The colonel entered the cafe blink
ing his eyes like an owl as he stepped
from the brilliantly lighted street into
the cool darkness of the cafe Ho
stopped in establishment when he saw
the filibuster and Bob Nelson TO-
gether. The filibuster called him
over.
Colonel" said the nlibuster "mv
friend. Mr.. Martin. thought | ought 10
acquaint you with the fact that have
sold him 1900 stands OF arms and
cartridges TO match"
The colonel shrugged his shoulders
II know it," he said briefly, For that
am glad. He has what you cali
bluffed. | shall call that bluff There
will be a pretty fight am the
stronger. | shall win. Is 1t not SOL"
Colonel" said the tall American
II am not coward. You know that
I'm willing to fight you to the last
ditch. But what's the use of killing
on q lot OF people7 What's all the
trouble about, anyhow? You are go
ing to crush me because your daugh-
ter loves me and | love her. You want
10 force her into . marriage with