The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-06-16

mans rush with a look.
Zone moment" he said, and as tn
soldier turned back his general glance
up sharply.
Only this, Senior General" al
swered Bud You are welcome t
anything have-food, blankets, NOR
ey-but | cannot give you that horse.
But, senor!" protested the general
regarding him with arrogant pig eye
that glinted wickedly, this poor sol
dlers feet are sore. Surely you woul'
not make him walk Only name you
price and will give you receipt To-
him, but my man must have tn,
horse"
There was pause and men begar
to dismount and move in closer. A
a word from their commander any
one of them would draw and kill him
as Hooker very we'll knew, but his
love for Copper Bottom made him OBJ
durate.
IF the man is lame," he said. "a
VIII give him another horse-but he
cannot have this sorrel."
He stepped quickly over to the cor
raj and turned with his back to the
gate, while the commander spat out
orders in Spanish and armed men
came running.
Senior" he said, advancing brusque-
ly upon the defiant Hooker, Il must
trouble you for that pistol"
No, senor!" answered the cowboy,
keeping his hand upon his gun, mot
10 you nor no mainland I'll never give
1t up to Mexican!"
"Carai!" exclaimed the officer impa.
tlently, you are an Americano-no?
Not only that" rumbled Bud, draw
ing himself up in his pride, Il am a
IeJano also, and If any man touches
that horse I'll kill him!"
His voice trembled with anger, but
his hand was steady and the Mexicans
dld not deceive themselves.
"Ha, un Tejano!" murmured the
men who stood about, and one or two
VINO had started to climb the fence
thought better Of it and dropped back
to the ground.
Bud knew the fate Of several men
who had proclaimed themselves Ameri-
leans to the insurrectos-bo astfully
done, 1t was said to be the quickest |
way there was of drawing a Mexican
bullet. But to be Texan was differ.
the very name suggest.
cd trouble to their minds and an Ala
mo fight to the death Hooker saw
nat he had made an impression, and
le was not slow to follow it up.
III you need horse" he said to
ne general, "let your man go up that
'rroyo and he will find one hobbled on
ne fiat. Then give me your receipt
or two hundred dollars gold and |
VIII contribute saddle"
1t was a reasonable concession nm.
Ter the circumstances, and, best of all
saved the generals face. The hid
GUS frown with which he had regard
q the American changed suddenly to
look of pompous pride. He ierked
n imperlous head at his ragged re-
amer and drew forth his receipt-book
18th flourish
.
while he waited for the horse to ap
ear he turned upon his shopping men
I'd drove them to their mounts with
lrses. Evidently 1t was no sinecure f
command in the army Of the liber- t
Ilon, and the yelled mutterings of 4
Is followers showed that they were C
tile better than tigers In leash =
Mounted upon horses, mules and y
zen burros; armed with every con-
'lVable weapon from a musket to
andard repeating rifles, they were
tterdemalion army, more fit for
reason, stratagems and spells" than
e sterner duties Of war.
Bud looked them over closely. well
tlshed to have his back against a n
I'll, and when the low-browed re.
iher came hurrying back with the
rse he quickly took the worthless
oelpt and watched them on their
". Then as the last camp-follower
appeared, he ran for his saddle and Al
le and within minute he was M
united and away. M
lhere were rebels below him-yerv I'M
ely there were more to come-the VI
~ safe place for Copper Bottom a
8 over the hills at Fortuna. With
stopping for path or trail, he head
straight northwest over the ridges. W
ing as the cowboys do when they 40,
70 the range for cattle. Hardly had 70,
topped the first high crest when we
came in sight of Amigo, loaded
yn with his cartridge-belts and car AL
ng his heavy Mauser. mo
n a long, shambling trot the Yauui On Gn'
drifting along the hillside with be
free grace of wild creature. and s Sip
en- Hooker pulled down his horse cas-
keep pace with him he laughed and 11ol
toned him on. Taking the lead. he has
ed on over hogback and barranca. knC
king out the best trail by instinct fire.
gra