Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1914-11-13
XXI.

Sh inc morning alteT lney Hau
laughed at the comic paper and decid-
ID that all the world a fair. Hooker
Aand Amigo were squatting by the fire
and eating a man's-size breakfast.
The creek, swollen by yesterdays
,torrential rain, had settled to a rivu-
bet The wind had not risen and the
0un was Just over the hill when, with
q rush and a scramble, Amigo threw
down his cup and was of in a fash for
the rocks.
A moment later two men rode down
che canyon. and then two more, and
two more. 1t wac q column of men,
all armed with rifles, and they cast
0uvious eyes at Copper Bottom as they
halted before the camp. AS for Bud,
he saluted g~ravely. for he knew them
for what they were.
These were the lost forces Of Ber-
nardo Bravo and Salazar, Rojas and
Che other bandit chiefs, and they
1uarched, as he we'll knew, upon For
1eina- They marched quietly, and the
great whistle had not blown.
II would make a rich prize, Fortuna,
tf they could take 1t by surprise! The
Tansom for the Spanish h%aciendados
alone would amount to thousands Of
dollars. and the mlne-owners could
AFFORD to pay anything In order to ave
fheir works.
A box Of dynamite under the giant
concentrator and the money would be
produced at once, and yet the scoun-
drels halted at a one-man camp to
steal Il single horse.
A flicker of scorn passed over Hook.
srs face as the leader came dashing
mp, but the Texan greeted him with a
allow smile.
"Buenos dias, general!" he said;
you have many men,"
Enough" observed the general
hurriedly, but some in the rear are
on foot. AS | suppose you are In sym.
pathy with II great cause, | will ask
you for that horse, or course, | will
give you a receipt"
He fetched out q blank-book as he
spoke and motioned to a ragged beg
Ear at his heels. Bud checked the
mans rush with a look.
One moment" he said, and as the
soldier turned back his general glanced
mp sharply.
Only this. Senior General" an
'swered Bud. You are welcome t
anything have-food, blankets, mon
"sy--out | cannot give you that horse.
But. senor!" protested the general
regarding him with arrogant pig eye,
'ehat glinted wickedly, this poor sol
dfer's feet are sore. Surely you woul,
not make him walk. Only name you
price and will give you a receipt 10
bin. but my man must have tn
horse"
There was a pause and men begal
90 dismount and move in closer. A
. word from their commander an
one OF them would draw and kill him
as Hooker very we'll knew, but hi
Aove for Copper Bottom made him oil
Gurate.
III the man is lame" he said, 4"
will give him another horse-but h
cannot have this sorrel."
He stepped quickly I'VE to the CO.
raj and turned with his back to tn
safe. while the commander spat GU
orders in Spanish and armed me
came running.
Senior" he said, advancing brusqu,
" upon the defiant Hooker. Il mus
Grouble you for that pistol"
mo, senor!" answered the cowbo,
Keeping his hand upon his gun. nc
BIO you nor no man--and III never Civ
II up to a Mexican!"
"Carai!" exclaimed the officer imp,
Gently, you are an A~mericano-no ?
mot only that, rumbled Bud, draw
ing himself up in his pride, II am
Tejano also, and II any man touche
that horse I'll kill him!"
His voice trembled with anger, b,
his hand was steady and the Mexican
did not deceive themselves.
"Ha, TN Tejano!" murmured tt
enen who stood about, and one or tw
who had started to climb the fenc
Thought better of 1t and dropped bac
40 the ground.
Bud knew the fate Of several me