Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1914-07-23
CHAPTER xl-continued.

CHAPTER xl-continued.
"It Is the desire of the Yaquis," he
lad said, when rebuked for serving
under the hated flag of Mexico, ito kill
Mexicans. And" he added grimly, the
federals at this time seem best able
to give us guns for that purpose.
But it had been year now since
Bule had passed his word and, though
they had battled valiantly, their land
had not been given back to them. The
wild Yaquis, the irreconcilables who
never came down from the hills, had
gone on the warpath again, but Bule
and his men still served.
Only in two things did they disobey
their officers-they would not stack
their arms, and they would not retreat
while there we're still more Mexicans
to be killed. Otherwise they were
very good soldiers,
But now, after the long campaign in
chihuahua and winter OF idleness at
Aqua Negra, they were marching
south toward their native land and, in
spite of the stern chances of their lead
ers. they burst forth in weird Yaqul
songs which, if their words had been
known, might easily have caused their
Mexican officers some slight uneasi-
ness.
1t was, in fact, only a question of
days, months, or years until the entire
Yadui contingent would desert, taking
Wi fhQfn
Gee, what a bunch of men!" ex-
claimed Bud, as he stood off and adj
mired theit stark forms.
There's some genuine fighters for
you," he observed to Phil; and a giant
Yaqui, standing near, returned his
praise with smile.
IVY, hello there, Amigo!" hailed
Bud, Jerking his head In friendly sa-
Lutte. That's a Teller l was making
signs to up in Aqua Negra," he ex-
planned "Dogged if l amt stuck on
these Yaquis-they're all men, believe
mel"
Good workers, all right" conceded
De Lancey, but I'd hate to have 'em
get after me with those guns. They
say Iuey We hlll6u d AOL VI AAhOl ASoAASS
one time and another"
well, If they did it was for being
caught in bad-eompany," said Hooker.
I'D take a chance with 'em any time
but If you go into their country
with a Mexican escort they'll kill you
on general principles. Say" he cried
impulsively, I'm going over to talk
with Amigo"
With broad grin on his honest face
he advanced toward the giant Yaqui
and shook hands tremendously.
Where you go?" he inquired in
Spanish, at the same time rolling
cigarette and asking by sign for
match.
"Moctezuma," answered the Indian
gravely. Then, as Bud offered him the
makings, he, too, rolled cigarette
and they smoked for a minute in
silence
You live here?" inquired the Yaqui
at last.
Come here" corrected Bud. Il
have mine-ten miles-over there"
He pointed with the fiat Of his hand,
Indian fashion, and Amigo nodded I'M
derstandingly.
He was a fine figure of a man. stand
ing six feet or better in his well-cut
sandals and handling his heavy Maui
ser as a child would swing a stick.
Across his broad chest he wore full
cartridge belt, and around his waist
he had two more, filed to the last
hole with cartridges and loaded clips.
At his feet lay his blanket, bound into
a tight roll, and canteen and coffee
cup completed his outfit, which. so far
as impedimenta were concerned, was
simplicity itself.
But instead of the cheap linen uni
form Of the federals he was dressed
in good American clothes-a striped
shirt, overalls, and a sombrero banded
with a bright ribbon-and in place of
the, beaten, hunted look of those poor
conscripts he had the steady gaze of
q free man.
They stood and smoked for a few |
moments, talking briefly, and then, as
the Yaquls closed up their ranks and
marched off to make camp for the
night, Bud presented his strange |
friend with the sack of tobacco and |
went back to join his pardner.
That evening the plaza was filled |
with the widest rumors, and another
train arrived during the night. but |
through it all Bud and Phil remained
unlmpresSed. In the morning the sol. |
dlers wets marching Off down the trail, |