The Huttig news., 1914-09-19

after shower, 4-.n oo ca1ie p G@ling into camp on the heels of thunder. storm, his sandals hung on his hip aud lis big feet squelching through the mud
 Across his shoulders he wore a gay serape, woven by some patient woman of his tribe; and in the belt beside Buds pistol he carried heavy knife, hlacksmithed from a ten-inch file by some Yaqui hillman All in all. he gas a fine barbarian, but he looked good to the lonely Bud
 Ola, Amigol" he hailed. stepping out from the adobe house where he had moved to avoid the rains; and Amigo answered with his honest sasile which carried no hint of savagery or deceit
 Try as he would, Bud could not bring himself to think of his Yadui as dangerous; and even when he bal anced the Indians murderous bowie knife in his hands he regarded it with a grin. It was heavy weapon, broad across the back, keen on one edge, and drawn to point that was both sharp and strong The haft was wrapped with rawhide to hold the clutch of the hand
 What do you do with this?" queried Hooker. Chop wood? Skin deer?"
 "Yes, chop wood!" answered Amigo, but he replaced it carefully in his belt.
 He looked the adobe house over thoughtfully, listened long to the news of the border and of the rurales raid on their camp, and retired 10 the rocks for the night Even Bud never knew where he slept--somewhere up on the hillside-in caves or elefts in the rocks-and not even the most pressing invitation could make him share the house for night To Amigo. as to an animal, a house was trap; and he knew that the times were treacherous.
 So indeed they were, as Hooker was to learn to his sorrow, and but for the Yaqui and his murderous knife he might easily have learned it too late.
 It was evening, after rainless day, and Bud was cooking by the open ire, when suddenly Amigo vaniehed and four men rode in from above. They were armed with rifles, as belitted the times. but gave no signs of ruffianly bravado. and after few words Bud in vited them to get down and eat l "Muchas gracias, senor.'' said the leader, dismounting and laying his rife l against a log, i've are not hungry.
 "Then have some coffee." invited Hooker, who made it a point to feed every one who stopped, regardless of their merit; and once more the Mexi- can declined. At this Bud looked at him sharply, for his refusal did not augur well, and it struck him the mans face was familiar He4was tall for Mexican and heavily built but with a rather sinister cast Of eounte- nance.
 Where have I seen you before ?" asked Bud, after trying in vain to place him. 'In Fortuna?''
 No, senor," answered the Mexican politely. T have never been in that city. Is 1t far?s
 Ten miles by the trail" responded Hooker, by no means reassured, and under pretext Of inviting them to eat, he took a look ut the other men. If they had not stopped to eat, what then was their errand while the sun was sinking so low? And why this sullen refusal of the coffee which every Mexican drinks?
 Bud stepped into the house, as if on some errand. and watched them un- seen from the interior. Seeing them exchange glances then, he leaned his rifle just inside the door and went about his cooking
 It was one of the chances he took. living out in the brush, but he had come to know this low-browed type of semi-bandit all too well and had small respect for their courage In case of trouble Amigo was close by in the rocks somewhere, probably with bis gun in his hand-but with little pa- tience and circumspection the unwel- come visitors would doubtless move on.
 So he thought, but instead they lin- gered, and when supper was cooked he decided to go to a show-down-and if they again refused to eat he would send them on their way.
 Ven amigos" he said spreading out the tin plates for them Come and eat!"
 The three low-brows glared at their leader. who had done what little talk ing there was so far, and, seized with a sudden animation, he immediately rose to his feet.
 
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