The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-10-03
CHAPTER XIX-Conti7ued.

CHAPTER XIX-Conti7ued.
He looked the adobe house over
thoughtfulIy. listened long to the
news of the border and Of the rurales'
raid on their camp. and retired to the
rocks for the night. Even Bud never
knew where he slept-somewhere up
on the hillside-in caves or clefts 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 a 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 1t too late.
1t was evening, after a rainless day,
and Bud was cooking by the open fire,
when suddenly Amigo vanished and
four men rode in from above. They
were armed with rifles, as befitted the
times, but gave no signs of ruffianly
bravado. and after few words Bud in
vited them to get down and eat.
leader, dismounting and laying his rife
against 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 Next
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. He was tall
for Mexican and heavily built, but
with a rather sinister cast of counte-
nance
Where have l seen you before %
asked Bud. after trying in vain to
place him. In Fortuna?"
No, senor." answered the Mexican
politely Il have never been in that
city. Is it far?"
Ten miles by the trail" responded
Hooker, by no means treasured. and
under pretext of inviting them to eat,
he took look at the other men. II
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 OF
some errand, and watched them IN
seen from the interior. Seeing then
exchange chances then, he leaned his
rife just inside the door and wen
about his cooking.
Il was one of the chances he took
living out in the brush, but he haC
come to know this Iow-browed type o.
semi-bandit all too we'll and had small
respect for their courage. In case o
trouble Amigo was close by in the
rocks somewhere, probably with hi
gun in his hand-but with little pa
thence and circumspection the unWei
come visitors would doubtless NOV,
on.
So he thought, but instead they lin
gered, and when supper was cooked b.
they again refused to eat he woult
send them on their way.
ven amigos" he said, spreading
out the tin plates for them. Come ant
eat!"
The three low-brows glared at thei
leader. who had done what little talk
ing there was so far. and, seized wit
a sudden animation, he immediatel,
rose to his feet.
Many thanks, senor,'' he said wit
erin ;ing and specious politeness
I'VE have come far and the trail
long, so we will eat The times ar
hard for poor men now-this traitor
Madero, has made us all hungry. 1t
by him that we poor working men ar
driven to insurrection-but we knoN
that the Americans are our friends
Yes. senior. l will take some Of you
beans. and thank you"
He filled a plate as he spoke an
lifted biscuit from the oven. col
tinuing with his false patter while th
others fell to in silence.
Perhaps you have heard, senor," b
went on. the saying which is in th
land: Mucho trabajo. pace iinerc
no hay frijoles. viva Madero. tMuc
work. little money; no beans. Ion
i've Madero!l
That, in truth. Is no Jest TO th
Mexican people. This man has b
trayed US all; he has ruined the coul
try and set brother against brothe
And now. while We starve because tn
mines are shut down, he gathers b
family about him in the city and live
TAT on the money he has stolen"
He ran on In this style. after tt
fashion OF the reVoitosos, and by II
very commonplace Of his illumination
Bud was thrown completely on b
guard That was the way they 6
talked. these worthless bandit-begga
that and telling how they loved Il
Amerieanos-and then, Il they got