The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-11-21

the documents should never reach
him. Do l state the case correctly?"
ASK him." Brockett cut in, If he
the gentlemen of such liberality may
be?"
mot in the least" the br1gand an
swered, amicably. I'm fact, as you
will doubtless meet them both tomor-
row. you might as we'll receive your
Information In advance. One of them
Is a German. His name is quite diff
cult for a Mexican to speak. but he
is a very big man. with. apparently.
q violent temper. The other is a jap
anese. and. I regret to say, his name is
also among the impossibilities."
Are these two in alliance, then?"
Brockett demanded. The big man
smiled sweetly. and shook his head
emphatically.
mo. caballeros, no. That is the
best part of the whole thing. A drama,
q play. Is it not? learn, from these
two gentlemen. that while they are
very good friends. and have worked
p ~ ~ ANA " II
that zach now desires the sole, ex-
elusive possession Of the papers ad-
dressed to Gomez Esteral. Each wish.
es me to secure these papers, turn
them over to him. and fend of the
other with some wild tale of failure.
Carramba, but these diplomats must
be deepdyed prevaricators! OF
course. I taxed each of them for ex-
penses, in advance, and there now re-
poses In my sash, caballeros, 5000
good American dollars from each one
Of them"
How do you propose to deal with
them-and with us?" asked Solano.
Il fear" smiled the brigand. engag-
ingly. that the problem of dealing
with you two is very simple. I cannot
permit yOu to resume your journey,
for Gomez Esteral has a long arm and
q violent disposition. He would in.
quire most searchingly into the stop.
page and robbery of any messengers
bearing documents addressed to him.
1t seems to me that I cannot let you
turn back to the Rio Grande. either,
lest your colonel make complaint to
the Rurales, who would soon swoop
down upon me. No. no. 1t grieves me
extremely, young men. but I fear that
you must die. AS to the papers,
may auction them to the highest bid
der. However, do not let these things
distress o before tomorrow. You
shall be well treated while with me,
on the word Of Juan Torrejon!"
Solano sprang up from his saddle
chair. You are Juan Torrejon?" he
demanded.
wholly at your service, cabaIlero.
Juan Torrejon, humble captain of a
little band that is for the revolution
today, for the government tomorrow
and always, at all times, for Juan
Torrejon. You have heard my name?"
Harry, give me the card that Mex
lean handed you!" And Solano quickly
transferred the card written by Tore.
joins grateful brother to the clutches
OF the robber chief. Juan Torrejon
read the words thereon written, and
seemed to mediate for a few minutes,
Then he burst into a ringing laugh,
and slapped a heavy hand upon the
shoulders of each prisoner.
Fortunate. doubly fortunate were
you. caballeros. that you rendered
this kindness to the brother OF Juan
Torrejon! I. myself. knew not OF my
brothers poverty. for he was ever
proud. even In misfortune. A small
world, after all. Is 1t not. cabalIeros!
Fear not. now, for your safety. Juan
Torrejon would not see o injured
or abused. AS to the documents. how.
ever-l fear that l must relieve you
of them. My word is passed to the
gentlemen with the unpronounceabla
names. and l cannot forego the for
tune l expect to gain. Still, we will
talk further on the morrow. Will you
young men give me your word of hon.
or that you will not destroy the Els.
teral missives during the night? If so,
you shall have a hut to yourselves
and every comfort possible. Have
your word as to the papers?"
Il suppose we might as we'll give
it," said Brockett. Tell him, Ramon,
that we will not tear them up, eat
them, or otherwise annihilate them,
and let it go at that. Tomorrow we
can argue more deeply OF the sub.
ject. We are tired now. disguised
with life in general. and in need of
sleep"
80 let it be-" assented Torrejon.
II accept your word. Who knows, my
friends, but that you. as we'll as I.
ian induce these foreign gentlemen
to bid more vigorously against each
other tomorrow? As. yes-just as in.
cidental, friends-I have heard much
of our great prowess in the Gringos'
game Of baseball. It Is the sport Of
my camp. We play 1t at all leisure
~hours-but, l fear. We play 1t very
badly. The gentlemen of unpro'
nounceable names do not come till
afternoon. VIII you not. during the
-