The Dolores star., 1911-10-27

and again. but the house remained
quiet. The door stood open. and he
entered cautiously. The light was
suhicisnt for him to see that no ons
was At home, He struck a match and
lighted . lamp that stood on a table.
The room was that OF bachelor
ranchman who was content with the
necessaries Of life. Chicken rummaged
intelligently until he found what he
had hardly dared hope for-a small,
brown Jug that still contained some
thing near . quart Of his desire
Half an hour later. Chicken-now
q samecock Of hostile aspect--emerged
ON the house with unsteady steps.
re had drawn upon the absent ranch.
mans equipment to replace his own
ragged attire. He wore a suit OF
coarse brown ducking. the coat being
. sort Of rakish bolero. jaunty to a
degree. Boots he had donned. and
spurs that whirred with every lurch-
ing step. Buckled around him was .
belt full Of cartridges wit a big sig.
shooter In each Of its two holsters.
Proving about. he found blankets,
. saddle and bride with which he
saparisoned his steed. Again mount.
ing. 10 rode swiftly avay. singing .
loud and tunelsss song.
Bud Kings hand Of desperadoes.
outlaws and horse and cattle thieves
we're In camp At . secluded spot on
The hank Of the FRO. Their depreda-
tieas In the Rio 0rands country. while
- holder than usual. had been ad-
vsrtissd more extensively. and Cap
tain Kinnsy's company Of rangers had
bssn ordered down to look after them.
Consequently. Bud King. who was .
wise general. instead Of cutting out
. hot trail for the upholders Of the
Law. % his men wished to do. retired
for the time to the prickly Businesses
q the FRO valley.
Though the move was . prudent
eas. and not incompatible with Buds
wsll-known courage. II raised dissen-
sion amoag the members Of the band
In fact, while they thus lay inglori-
ously psrdu in the brush. the question
Of Bud Kings fitness for the leader
ship vas argued. with closed doors.
40 II vsrs. By his followers. Never
before had Buds skill or efficiency
bssa brought to criticism: but his
glory Vas waning land such 10 glory's
fats) In the light Of . newer star.
The sentiment Of the band was crys-
taliisins into the opinion that Black
Eagle could lead them with more lus-
tor. profit and distinction.
This Black Easle-sub-titled ( he
Terror Of the Border"-had been Q
member Of the gang about three
months.
One night while they we're In camp
on the San Miguel water hole q soil
stssd dashed In among them. The
newcomer vas Of . portentous and
dsvastatins aspect. A beak.iks nose
with . predatory curve projected
above . mass Of bristling. blue black
whisksrs. His eye WAS cavernous
and fierce He was spurred. SOM
brsrosd. booted. Earnished with re-
volvsrs. abundantly drunk and very
much unafraid. Few people In the
country drained by the Rio Bravo
would have cared thus to invade.
alone. the camp Of Bud King. But
this fell bird swooped fearlessly upon
them and demanded to be fed
Hospitality In tho prairie country II
not limited. Even n your enemy pass
your way you must feed him before
you shoot him. You must empty your
lardsr into him before you empty
your lead. So. the stranger Of IN
declared Intentions vas set down to
. mighty feast.
A talkative bird he vas. full Of
most marvellous loud tales and CT.
r'oits. and speaking . language at
times obscure but never coioriess
Hs vas . new sensation to Bud
Kins's men. Who rarely encountered
new typss They hung. delighted.
upea Ais vaingiorious boasting. the
spicy strangsnsss Of his lingo. his con.
tsmDtuous familiarity With life. the
world and remote places, and the ex-
tfsvasant frankness with which he
conveyed his sentiments.
TO their guest the band Of outlaws
seemed 70 b nothing more than .
ceagrseatiea q country pumpkins
vAoa As vas "strinOinG for grub"
1ass - hs would have told his stories
q the hack door Of . farmhouse to
vhssAls Q neal And. indeed. his
i0posancs vas not without excuse. for
~ "bal man" Of the southwest does
aee rua 10 extremes. Those brigands
might Justly have bsen taken for .
little party Of psacsabls rustics -.
se0bse1 for . Ash try or pecan gath.
ssias 0satis Of manner. siouchins Of
GAIT. se(t.veicsd. unpicturssqusly
clotAs1: not eos oe them presented
- ~ 90 any vttas6s Of the dss-
Dosots 1ss1s tAsy had earned.
~ I've lAys The siittssins stranger
WITHIN ~ eAaD vas fsostsd. Then.
~ ooOOoo oooooot. - vas invited
- 0n0A0 n AnAhnp - ahA knah ia