Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-06-26

tne1r D0OLS ana oVerailSs the Deltef 10
attend to their shipping; mining men.
just as they had come from the hills;
and others more elegantly dressed
but they all had a nod for Henry Kru-
ger. He was a man Of mark. as Bud
could see in a minute; but If he had
other business with those who hailed
him he let 1t pass and took out a rank
brier pipe. which he pulled while Bud
smoked a cigarette.
They were sitting together in q
friendly silence when Phil came out of
the dining room, but as he drew ear
the old a nodded to Bud and went
over to speak to the clerk.
who was that old-timer you were
talking tor" inquired Phil, as he sank
down IL III vacant chair. Looks like
the-morning-after with him, don't it?'
"Um," grunted Bud; reckon it is.
Names Kruger"
"What-the mining mann"
That's right"
WELL" exclaimed Phil, what in the
world was he talking to you about?"
"Oh, some kind of a mining DEAL"
grumbled Bud. Wanted me to go
down into Mexicoi"
"What'd you tell him" challenged
the little man, sitting up suddenly In
his chair. Say, that old boys got
rocksl"
"He can keep EN- for all of me-" OBJ
served Bud comfortably. you know
what | think about Mexico"
Sure; but what was his PROPOSE
ton? What did he want you to do?"
Search me! He was mighty mys-
FERROUS about it. Said he. wanted a
man he could trust"
well, holy Moses, Bud!" cried Phil,
wake upl Didn't you get his PROPOSE
tion?"
mo, he wasn't talking about 1t. Said
1t was a good thing and he'd pay me
well, Or let me In on the deal: but
when he hollered Mexico l quit. I've
got a plenty"
"Yes, but" the little man choked
and could say nc mor We'll, you're
one Jim dandy business man, Bud
Hookerl" he burst out at last. you'd
let"
We'll, what's the matter?" demand
ed Hooker defiantly. do you want to
go back into Mexico? Nor me. neitherl
What you kicking about?"
you might have led him on and
got the scheme, anyway. Maybe
there's a million In it. Come on, let's
go over and talk to him. I'd take a
chance, If it was good enough"
Jaw, don't be a fool, Phil" urged
the cowboy plaintively. We've got no
call to hear his scheme unless we want
to go in on it. Leave him alone and
hell do something for us on this side.
oh, cripes, what's the matter with
your"
He heaved himself reluctantly up
out of his chair and moved over to
where Kruger was sitting.
"Mr. Kruger" he said, as the old
man turned to meet him, "I1l make
you acquainted with Mr.. De Lancey.
my pardner. My names Hooker"
Glad to know you. Hooker" re-
sponded Kruger, shaking him by the
hand. "How'do, Nj. De Lancey.
He gave Phil a rather crusty nod as
he spoke, but De Lancey was dragging
up another chair and failed to notice.
"Mr. Hooker was telling me about
some proposition you had. to go down
into Mexico" he began, drawing up
closer while the old man watched him
from under his eyebrows. That's one
tough country to do business in right
now, but at the same time"
"The country's perfectly quiet" put
In Kruger-"perfectly quiet"
We'll, maybe So" qualified De Lam
cey; but when it ZONES to getting In
supplies"
Not a bit of trouble in the world"
said the old man crabbedly. mot a
bit"
WELL" came back De Lancey,
whats the matter, then? What is
the proposition, anyway"
Henry Kruger blinked and eyed him
~lntently.
I've stated the proposition to Hook
err" he said, land he refused it. That's
enough, amt it?"
De Lancey laughed and turned away.
We'll, yes, I guess it is" Then, In
passing, he said to Bud: go ahead
and talk to him."
He walked away, lighting a cigarette
and smiling good-naturedly, and the
old-timer turned to Bud.
That's a smart man you've got for
a pardner." he remarked. "A smart
man. You want to look out" he added,
"or he'll get away with you"
Nope said Bud. you don't know
him like / do. He's straight as a die"
"A man can be straight and still get
away with you," observed the veteran
shrewdly. yes, indeed" He paused
to let this bit of wisdom sink In, and
then he spoke again.
You'd better quit-while you're