Gilpin observer., 1914-11-19

iCdub 10 tne lnSGTreCtOS-DOaSt1
done, it was said to be the quickest
way there was of drawing a Mexican
bullet. But to be q Texan was differ
ent-somehow the very name suggest
ed trouble to their minds and an Ala
mo fight to the death. Hooker saw
that he had made an impression, and
he was not slow to follow it up.
III you need horse" he said to
the general, "let your man 60 up that
arroyo and he will find one hobbled on
the fiat Then give me your receipt
for two hundred dollars gold and
will contribute saddle"
1t was a reasonable concession, un-
der the circumstances, and, best Of all.
1t saved the generals face. The hid
eous frown with which he had regard
| ed the American changed suddenly to
a look Of pompous pride. He jerked
an imperious head at his ragged re-
tainer and drew forth his receipt-book
| with a flourish.
While ne waited for the horse to ap.
pear he turned upon his snooping men
/ and drove them to their mounts with
| curses. Evidently it was no sinecure
d, to command in the army of the liber-
alton. and the yelled mutterings of
his followers showed that they were
little better than tigers in leash.
Mounted upon horses, mules, and
even burros; armed with every con-
ceivable weapon from a musket to
standard repeating rifles, they were
tatterdemalion army, more fit for
treason, stratagems and spoils" than
the sterner duties Of war.
Bud looked them over closely, well
| satisfied to have his back against a
wall, and when the low-browed re-
tainer came hurrying back with the
horse he quickly took the worthless
receipt and watched them on their
way. Then. as the last camp-follower
disappeared, he ran for his saddle and
rifle and within a minute he was
mounted and away.
There were rebels below him-very
likely there were more to come-the
only safe place for Copper Bottom
was over the hills at Fortuna With
out stopping for path or trail. he head
] ed straight northwest over the ridges,
riding as the cowboys do when they
rake the range for cattle. Hardly had
he topped the first high crest when
he came in sight Of Amigo, loaded
HHn With his cartridge-belts and car
aD his heavy Mauser.
In long, shambling trot the Yaqui
was drifting along the hillside with
the free grace of wild creature, and
when Hooker pulled down his horse
to keep pace with him he laughed and
motioned him on. Taking the lead, he
loped on over hogback and barranca,
picking out the best trail by instinct
and setting such a pace that Bud was
hard pressed to keep up with him.
He had heard it said that in the
Yaqui country no white man. no mat
ter how well he was mounted, could
outdistance the Indians on foot and
now he knew 1t was true. But why
this killing haste on the part of Ami
in town; why. then. should he run SO
fast to warn them Of the enemy?
They racked on, up one hill and
down another, while the insurrectos
followed the canyon that swung to the
south, and finally. in a last scramble,
they mounted rocky ridge and
looked down upon old Fortuna
Already the hard-driven poems were
out in the fields at work and smoke
gon was busy. but his labors would be
worse than wasted II the red-fiaggers
took him prisoner. As Bud breathed
his horse he hesitated whether to ride
back and warn him or press on and
notify Fortuna; but even for that
brief spell the Yaqui could not wait.
"Adios," he said, coming close and
holding out his black hand; 81 go this
way!' And he pointed along the ridge.
But why?" said Bud. still at loss
to account for his haste. Then, seeing
the reticence in the Indians eyes, he
thrust put his hand in return.
"Adios, Amigo mioi" he replied, and
with quick grip the Yaqui was gone.
With that same deceptive speed he
shambled through the bushes. still lug.
ging the heavy rifle and making for
higher ground. Bud knew he had
some purpose-he even had a sneak
Ing idea that 1t was to take pot.shots
at Captain del Rey-but six months in
Mexico had made him careless, and he
half hoped the Yaqui would win.
The captain had It coming to him
for his brutality. but with Aragon 1t
was different-Aragon had q wife and
daughter-and. with the memory OF
Gracia In his mind. Bud sent his horse
plunging down the ridge to warn them
before 1t was too late.
There were some brush fences to be
jumped. but Copper Bottom took them
flying. and as they cut into the river
trail he made the mud-puddles splash
Across the fields to the south Bud
could see the poems running for cover
the ineurrectos must be in sight be