Mexico Missouri message., 1914-09-03
CHAPTER xvi-continued.

Il wonder where that logged In.
dian went to-" he said for the hun.
dredth time, as the dep shadows
gathered in the valley. by Joe. Phil,
IL Amigo comes back I'm going 70 go
ahead on that mine. want TO keep
him around here, and we might as
well get out some ore. II it's only for
a grub-stake. Come on-what do you
fssy7 Wen open her up--there's moth.
Ing TO hide now Well, I'll do It my.
self. then-this setting around is get
Ting on my nerves"
His far-seefng eyes, trained from his
lboyhood to search the hills for cattle,
scanned the tops OF the ridges as he
spoke; and while he sat and pondered
they noted every rock.
Then at last he rose up slowly and
igazed at a certain spot He waved
Jhis arm, beckoning the distant point
of blackness to come in, and soon
from around a point in the canyon the
Yaqui appeared, bearing a heavy Mau.
ser rife on his arm.
Across his broad breast hung the
same familiar cartridge-be belt, two more
encircled his hips, and he walked
with his head held high, like the war
rior that he was.
Evidently his flight had led to the
place where his arms had been hid, for
he wore the regulation knife bayonet
at his hip and around his hat was the
red ribbon OF his people, but Bud was
too polite 10 ask him about his Jour
ney. Since his coming the Yaqui had
always maintained a certain mystery,
and now. though his eyes were big
with portent and he smiled at the jests
about his gun. be simply waved his
hand to the south and east and muir.
INJURED:
"Muchos revoltosos!"
"Seguro;" answered Bud jokingly;
but have you killed any?"
Not yeti" returned the Indian, and
ne did not smile at that
Il wonder what that Indian Is wait
ing around here fort" remarked Phil in
English. He must have his eye on
somebody"
Yeah. bet" agreed Bud. regard.
Ing his savage friend with a specula.
dive interest Most OF them Yaqui
soldiers was farmhands in this coun.
Try before they rounded them up. !
reckon he's looking for the man tina,
had him deported.
Tired. Amigo?" he inquired in
Spanish. and Ignacio graveiy acknowI
edged that he was, a little.
4, -
Hooker. Eat lots-tomorrow we &c
20 work in the mine"
Tomorrow" repeated the Indian
as II considering his other engage
ments: good" He nodded a smiling
assent
After a month and more of idlenes,
Bud and Amigo performed prodigies
of labor IN the cut, rolling dowr
iboulders. lifting them up on the tram
and clearing away the face of the cliff
Their tram was ramshackle, theii
track the abandoned rails from oldel
workings, and their tools little NOR,
than their hands, but by noon the las
broken fragments were heaved aside
and the shattered ledge revealed.
A low cry Of wonder escaped tht
Yaqui as he gazed at the rich vein O
ore. and as he saw the grim smile OIL
Buds rugged countenance he showed
his white teeth in sympathy.
"Que buenol" he murmured. "Hov
good" gathering the precious frag
ments in his handkerchief.
At the camp they crushed tn,
picked ore in a mortar and PANIED 1
in the creek. and for the moment D.
Lancey dropped his air OF preoccu
pancy as he stared at the streak O
pure gold. Like yellow film il la,
along the edge OF the last fine tallings
and when skilful washing had left /
bare. 1t cleaned like a jewel in tn
pan.
by Jcve. Bud" he cried. that's tn
real stuff-and it goes a dollar to tn
pan easyH
Sure thing!" assented Bud. Let
pound a lot OF II and wash II as we z
then wen have some getaway none
when things break loose here"
'1ll go you'll" answered Phil. an
9uds heart warmed toward him as b
watched him pound up piece OF or
and go TO swirling the dirt In tn
pan
But alas for tas fond hopes he che,