The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-04-05
A SLIGHT
MISUNDERSTANDING
BY HENRY HUM1sToN.
MANUEL. the fat bartender In
IvY the Cafe Pasaje. looked sharp


M ANUEL. the fat bartender In
IvI the Cafe Pasa5e. looked sharp
" 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 viciously 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 . doorway.
and q 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 q
shave; he was pale and nervous, and
smoked necessarily. lighting one
cigarat from the butt of the other.
Bob" said the tall 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 l 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 rides you bought
Of met"
why. yes: my men have 1900
Mausers now. thanks to you.
But"
Didn't yourgang got the cartridges
put ashore from the fishing boat
last Tuesday7"
"Yss. We got the cartridges and the
two rapid fire guns that you brought
to ~. 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 EN-. What's the kick?"
simply this" went ON the other
man. "You delivered the goods you
promised. But you are a nlihuster.
A flibuster understand generally
plays fast and loose He takes money
from all sides. l don't say you have
done this. but I've been told 20. You
sold me guns. I'm told you've sold
guns and cartridges to Col. Gonzales,
too Consequently he's ready ia
strike Z blow. and I've got to fight,
when thought that by getting a we'll
equipped little army together Con
zales would be afraid to start any
trouble. l engaged you frst You
were my agent You had no right to
go into the employment Of Gonzales
But what could expect q illi-"
"One mans gold IL az good a.
Another's. isn't it," asked the nli-
buster.
Eyes" answered the tall Ameri.
can. sulkily. Ito q man who doesn't
know what honor IT,"
I'm other words. . hlibuster." sait
the short man.
Exactly"
The dlsreputable man smiled sadly
and lit a fresh clgare4
There comes your other master.
went on the tall American. Thee,
Gonzales. He doesn't know, perhaps
that you have been playing fast ant
loose with US both. Why don't 20,
tell him? 1t will make no difference
though. II he is ready to fight. he'll
flght. know what 1t means In thu
end. 1t means ruin to me. that's all
II l could have won out by that littl,
trick was planning to turn on hin
1t would have settled everything. Blu
anyhow. l played the man: l WASH
sneak and coward that"
''Just cut that out for the time be
ing" said the 1iibuster. here's Con
xales.'
Tho colonel entered the cafe blink
ing his eyes like an owl as he steppe
from the brilliantly lighted street int
the cool darkness .. Of the cafe H
stopped in astonishment when ne say
the flibuster and Bob Nelson to
gether. The alibuster called hir
over.
Colonel said the fllibuster, I'm
friend. Mr.. Martin. thought l ought t
acquaint you with the fact that hav
sold him 1900 stands of arms an
cartridges to match"
The colonel shrugged his shoulder.
Il know It," he said briefly. For tha
am glad. He has what you ca
bluffed shall call that bluff. Their
will be . pretty fight. am tn
stronger. | shall win. IL 1t not 10 ?
Colonel" said the tall America.
II am not = coward. You know tina
I'm willing to fight you to the lai
ditch. But what's the use of KILN
M a lot of people? What's all IN
trouble about. anyhow! You are sc
ing to crush me because your daugt
ter loves me and l love her. You war
70 force her into . marriage with