The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1914-10-15
CHAPTER XVI.

At their camp by the Eagle Tan
mine. even though they held 1t still
and were heirs to half Its gold the
two partners were glum and sorrow
full. The treacheries which Bud had
forgiven In a moment OF exaltatlon
came back to him now as he orooded;
and he eyed his friend askance, as II
wondering what he would do next
He recalled all the circumstances OF
their quest-the meeting with Kruger
Phil's insistence on the adventure. the
oath OF loyalty which they had sworn;
and then the gradual breaking down
OF their brotherly devotion until no"
they we're strangers at heart.
Phil sat by himself, keeping his
thoughts to himself. and he stood aiooi
while he waited for the worst to hap
pen.
From the first day of their under
taking Hooker had felt that 1t was I'M
lucky, and now he knew that the end
was coming. His friend was lost to
him, lost alike to a sense OF loyalty
and honor: he gloomed by himself and
thought only of Gracia Aragon.
The oath which Phil himself had
forced upon Bud was broken and for
gotten; but Bud, by sterner standard,
felt bound to keep his part One thing
alone could make him break this
word to Henry Kruger. The Eagle
Tail mine he held in trust, and half
of II was Kruger's.
phil" he said at last, when his
mind was weary OF the ceaseless grind
OF thoughts, Il believe that mineral
agent Is holding back our papers.
believe old Aragon has passed him
hundred or so and they're in cahoots
to rob us. But I'll tell you what I'll
do-you give me power OF attorney
to receive those papers for you, and
I'll 20 In and talk Dutch to the whole
outfit"
What do you want to do that for?'
demanded De Lancey ENORMOUSLY
why can't you wait a while? Those
papers have to go to Moctezuma and
Hermosillo and all over the City. OF
Mexico and back. and 1t takes time
What do you want to make trouble
| for?"
"Wer. I'll tell you, Phil" answered
Bud honestly. I've got a bunch IL we
don't grab them papers soon we won't
get 'em at all. Here these rebels are
working closer all the time, and Ara
| gon is crowding us. | want to get title
and turn 1t over to Kruger. before We
| lose out somewhere"
What's the matter with me goint
in and talking to the agent?" suggest
ed Phil Then, as he saw his pard
ner's face. he paused and laughed bit
terly
"You don't trust me any more. d.
you, Bud?" he said.
We'll, 1t amt that so much" evadeC
Hooker; but l sure don't trust tina
Manuel del Rey. The first time yol
go into town he's going to pinch you
and l know It,"
I'm going to go in all the same.
declared De Lancey, "and II the littl'
squirt tries to stop me-"
Jaw, Phil" entreated Bud, "be rea
sonable, can't ye? You got no call Il
go up against that little Teller. He's
bad actor. can see that, and believ
he'd kill you II he got the chance. Blu
walt little while-maybe he'll &c
took off in the fights this SUMMER"
mo, he's too cursed mean for that
muttered De Lancey, but he SCENE,
to take some comfort in the thought
As for Bud. he loafed around for
while. cleaning up camp, maxim
smoke for the absent Yaqqui. and looh
ing over the deserted mine. but sons
thing in the changed atmosphere mad
him restless and uneasy.
| (To BE CoNTINUED.l