The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-01
BY M.ArDE j. PERKINS.

( Copyright. ,19I2. by the Associated
Literary Press
] 4 girl was riding toward Holcomb
riding like the wind Oh a ~ift pinto
Behind her was an escort OF foul
Yaqui maidens. who did not dispia,
the grace and abandon Of their lead
or.
She brought. her horse up standing
within few feet af Holeomb's own
and the adyenturer saw that she wa:
not Indian at all. but pure spanish
Her creamy. oval face, full scarle
lips and eyes like pools OF black
water made her very attractive.
The placK eyes appraised Holcomt
swiftly. He sat HIS horse like cow
boy. but the pack animal behind wa:
laden with the outfit Of the prospec-
tor He was hronzed by hot suns
and his handsome face carried an es'
! preston of bold fearlessness that JUS
escaped recklessness.
senior" she said abruptly in Span
ish. don't go to the Three Spears.
why demanded Holcomi
/ abruptly. For AN instant his eyes
sought the shimmering southwest
where three slender peaks arose
from the gray Of the desert into the
| hard blue OF the sky
Danger" With the single WORD
the girl wheelede her horse abruptly
and set off at a gallop toward the
river with her cavalcade. Their goa
was a herd of cattle which was stray
ing from the vicinity OF the settle
ment.
Holcomb. bordering. rode on to
the Iaqui towns. 1t was situated near
the only water within forty miles. u
stream sunk deep in cleft of the
rocks. II was far below the level
of the half desert prairie that
stretched away to the mountains The
grouped on a shelf just above high
water
Twoscore yards below the town,
near where the women were wash
ing clothes. the river dived into a
deep orthce in the mountainside.
running at right angles with the
stream was range of mountains 10
the west. terminating In the distance
with the Three Spears"
Kicking his way Down to the river,
along trail steep and dangerous,
Holcomb replenished his water sup
ply, bought meal OF the sullen In
dams, and set out on his way to the
West again. AZ he climbed to the
plateau a chief halted him with up
raised hand.-a tall man with stern
brown face and narrow eyes
The stranger must not go to the
Three Spears. " he grunted.
Holcomb returned the hostile gaze
with calmness. He rolled husk Gig
arctic. lighted it and shook the reins.
heard you, chief" he answered.
me Indian stepped ungraciously
aside.
An hour later uolcnmh- Hsetet four
dots on the. northern horizon---two
nis'taatsai zaqlfs with pack horses
swinging out and ahead Of him is a
wide haif-circle
Hoioomb was up next morning at
the earliest break OF dawn. for the
ihree Spears" We're less than a DAYS
Journey away and he was anxious to
Teach them. At noon. when he stop
ped for hasty lunch. he was within
the mouth or the defile which let
TO the higher fatnesses.
lie was tightening the cirreh OF his
horse, for the trail ahead was. steep
and~ narrow when a sound caused him
to wheel. The Spanish girl OF the day
oefore was coming toward him.
Tier thin dress was torn and her
moccasins were cut to ehreds. There
We're angry bruises on her bare arms
and she limped as she walked.
1ou must go back." she cried ur-
gently in Spanish, "the Three Spears
mean DEATH.
His mouth set in a nobstinate line.
We travelled for six weeks to see the
Three Spears They say there's gold
there: that's why the Indians guard
them so closely.
The girl laid an imploring hand on
his arm 'No. MOI" Her earnestness
could not be mistaken. There II no
gold there. But in the valley OF the
Three Spears Is the burial-place OF
the tribes. The Great Father comes
there. And the white man must not
see.
If he profanes the valley with his
footsteps. he dies. Even now the
guards are waiting. They Will kill
you II you go on"
Holcomb's face fell. Il don't care
much about graveyards." he muttered
IF there's no gold. I'm not curious.
But" he asked abruptly. what are
You doing with this tribe ?"
My father had Z ranch--there" She
pointed to the Southwest. He died
three months ago. and tho Yaquis
seized out cattle and horses. am
prisoner though they treat me kindly.
They are afraid I would bring the
rurales II they freed me.
How did you ret her