The Elbert County tribune., 1909-08-26

hear until some time after our first
encounter at Tucson. Therefore, was
not altogether surprised when few
months later an event occurred which
seemed to vindicate my Judgment Of
that gentleman's character.
1t happened in this way. The Great
Gait camp was divided into two rival
clubs, consisting of six members each
between whom a good rivalry
existed. One aggregation was devoted
to poker-playing and the other to
double pedro. and each maintained 10y
ally the superiority of their respec-
tive games with an earnestness wor-
thy of a better cause. An invitation
had been extended to the entire crowd
to be present at good time" to be
given by the Greenock outfit on the
other side of Blue mountain, and great
preparations were being made for the
approaching festival Twelve boiled
and starched shirts had been con
veyed by the freighter from Phoenix
to adorn the manly bosoms OF the in
vited guests and all was joy until the
question of suitable conveyances to
the scene arose.
Now the Great Gait boasted but two
fitting vehicles-one rusty, some
what dilapidated blackboard, the other
a bran new, freshly vanished noun
tain wagon recently purchased. The
members of each party felt that the
honor of their particular organization
demanded that they should occupy
the more stylish wagon, which was SO
equipped as to carry six people com
fortably. The decision being left to
the superintendent, that sagacious
gentleman ruled that lots should be
drawn for the coveted prize. This
was done and the Poker club, of which
Fordham was a member was declared
loser. The Pedro outfit exulted loudly
and Sam Eustis. young fellow who
belonged to the latter aggregation,
expressed his jubilation in terms that
aroused the wrath of Wylie Fordham.
Eustis was Chicagoan who had been
in the camp long enough to have dis
pensed with the epithet of tender
foot, and being jovial, athletic youth,
had established himself as prime ia
vorite with everybody in the camp
except Fordham. The latter, indig-
a quarrel upon him and sharp fight
between the pair followed There was
no gun play, for such methods of set
ting an argument were not looked
upon with favor at the Great Gait,
but fistic combat ensued which
furnished the onlookers with plenty
of excitement.
Eustis. although not as big a man
as his opponent, was an amateur boxer
of no mean skill, while Fordham was
deficient in this respect. Moreover, 1t
is probable that AngloSaxon grit as
opposed to mongrel strain had much
to do with the outcome of the battle
which was very thorough thrashing
administered to Fordham, who de-
clared he had enough at an early stage
OF the proceedings.
This incident did not tend to i'm
prove the half breeds naturally mo-
rose temper. and his anger at the sue
ces of Eustis' party in obtaining the
new wagon became even more pro-
nounced than before. After careful
consideration he evolved a plot by
means of which he hoped to deprive
the Pedros of the advantage they had
fairly won. Nearly a mile from the
camp there was an old abandoned 30
foot shaft IL which a few days be-
fore lost lead" had been located and
taken over by the Great Gait superin
tendent. Having bribed the Mexican
cook. Ramirez by name. Fordham ar
ranged with that individual to have
his brother relieve him of his duties
on the night appointed for the Green.
ock celebration. Ramirez was to slip
quietly out of camp with the team and
new wagon while the Pedros were at
supper and drive to the old shaft
where he would find Fordham and his
five companions awaiting him. Then
the members of the Poker club would
take possession of the vehicle and
speed gallantly away to Greenocks. ar
irving there with tremendous effect
and scoring a decided hit on their dis.
comfited rivals.
1t CHANGED, however, that Shorty
Glen, one of Eustis's colleagues, over
heard the conversation between the
plotters, and burning with indigna.
tion hastened to lay the details of the
intended treachery before his fellows.
Therefore, when Ramirez, faithfully
following out his instructions. reached
the old shaft, he little suspected that
Eustis had arrived before him and
was hiding close at hand in a grease
wood thicket.
The cook halted his team, hitched
up. and walked to the shaft where his
employers lay in hiding. He did not
call to them, but lowering himself
over the edge disappeared from view.
The instant he vanished Eustis sprang
from his concealment and hastened to
the pits mouth. Leaning over he