Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1914-09-24
CHAPTER XXI.

On the morning after they had
laughed at the comic paper and decid-
ed that all the world was fair. Hooker
and Amigo were squatting by the FIRE
and eating man's-size breakfast
The creek. swollen by yesterdays
torrential rain. had settled 10 a rivu-
let. The wind had not risen and the
sun was just over the hill when. with
rush and scramble. Amigo threw
down his cup and was of in fash for
the rocks
moment later two men rode down
the canyon, and then two more, and
two more. Il was a column of men.
all armed with rifles. and they cast
enyious eyes at Copper Bottom as they
halted before the camp. AS for Bud,
he saluted gravely. for he knew them
for what they were
These we're the lost forces OF Ber-
nsrdo Bravo and Salazar. Rojas and
the other bandit chiefs, and they
marched. as he we'll knew. upon For
tuna. They marched quietly, and the
great whistle had not blown.
II would make rich prize. Fortuna.
If they could take 1t by surprise! The
ransom for the Spanish haciendados
alone would amount to thousands OF
dollars, and the mine-owners could
afford TO pay anything In order to save
their works,
a box Of dynamite under the giant
concentrator and the money would be
produced at once, and yet the scoun-
drels halted at one-man camp to
steal a single horse.
A flicker of scorn passed over Hook
er's face as the leader came dashlng
up, but the Texan greeted him with a
slow 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
patty with our great cause. will ash
you for that horse OF course, vii
give you q receipt"
He fetched out a blank-book as h
spoke and motioned to a ragged beg
gar at his heels Bud checked tn,
mans rush with a look.
"One moment" he said, and as tn
soldier turned back his general glance
mp sharply.
only this. Senior General" ar
swered Bud. You are welcome t
anything have-food, blankets. NOR
ey-but cannot give you that horse.
But. senor!" protested the genera
regarding him with arrogant pig eye
that glinted wickedly. this poor so
dier's feet are sore. Surely you woul
not make him walk. Only name you
price and will give you receipt fc
him. but my man must have th
horse"
There was a pause and men bega
10 dismount and move In closer. A
word from their commander an
one OF them would draw and kill hin
as Hooker very well knew. but b
love for Copper Bottom made him o.
durate.
IF the man is lame" he said,
Will give him another horse-but \
cannot have this sorrel"
He stepped quickly over to the co
raj and turned with his back to Il
gate, while the commander spat OF
orders in Spanish and armed me
g.
Senior" he said, advancing brusqu
ly upon the defiant Hooker. Il mu
trouble you for that pistol"
mo. senor!" answered the cowbo
Keeping his hand upon his gun, IN,
20 you nor no man-and I'll never civ
81 up to a Mexicanl"
"Carai!" exclaimed the officer imp
tently. you are an Americano-no
Not only that" rumbled Bud. dra'
ing himself up In his pride. Il am
Tejano also. and II any man touch'
that horse I'll kill himi"
His voice trembled with anger. b
his hand was steady and the Mexican
did not deceive themselves.
"Ha, un Tejanol" murmured Il
men who stood about. and one or ty
who had started to climb the fen,
thought better OF It and dropped ba,
10 the ground.
Bad knew the fate OF several m,