The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-08-22
CHAPTER XIV.

auaTcny tlat poor man can get his
rights. For eight months Hooker had
battlcd against the petty intrigue Of
Aragon and the agcnto mineral, and
then suddenly. when the times turned
to war and fear gr.pCed at their hearts,
he rose up md claimed his own, hold
Ing out his brawny right hand and de-
manding the concession OF his nine
In day the whirligig OF fortune had
turned. and 1t was the fighting man
who dominated. He spoke quietly and
made no threats. but the look in his
eye was enough. and the agente gave
him his papers. Then he wrote out q
receipt for the mining tax and Bud
stepped forth like king.
With his papers inside his shirt and
q belt Of gold around his waist there
was nothing left in Mexico for him.
Once on his horse and headed for the
line and he could laugh at them ALL
In Gndsden he could show title to
Kruger he could give answer for his
trust and look the world In the eye.
Il had been q long and strenuous
fight: fight made against seemingly
anBurmountable odds: fight that had
cost him much, but he had won. Ho
had proved the trust Kruger had
placed in him. and 1t had bcen a fight
worth winning.
Yes, he WAC man now-but his
work was not quite done. Up at tho
hig house. with the screeehing women
around her, was Gracia Aragon. and
he owed her something for his rough
words. To pay her for that he would
stay. Whatever sho asked now he
would grant It: and IL worst came to
worst he would take her with him and
make good his promise to Phil. He
Ind given his word and that was
enough. Now he had only to walt.
1t would not be long, for the parley
would soon be over. ind II the coward.
ly rurales surrendered the town to
the bandits no would make break for
the limo and civilization with the girl.
1t would be- hard ride. and alone he
would have no foar OF tho results, but
he would chance It oven with tho girl
rather thnn leave her. -
The boy lieutenant, tho brothers
Mendoza, the superintendent. and Man.
ucl del Rey. all were out on the hill
side talking terms with Bernardo
Bravo and his chiefs. With the rebels
1t was largely bluff. since field.
glasses had shown them to be short OF
cartridges: but they had over O thou
eand mon massed along the ridges
and. with courage. could easily take
the town.
Bud knew that courage was the one
thing lacking. 1t was tho one thing
that WAS always lacking in these Mex.
lean fights. }, Tho !..exican bandit takes
but little chance when he goes to war.
;As for the Mendozas and their So
Moran miners, they were properly
| chagrined at their waste of anmuni.
ton and swore by Santa Guadalupe to
fight II out with hand grenades Even
aB their, leaders wrangled the Mexican
powder nien were busily manufactur-
ing bombs. aud all the while ths eu.
perintendent was glancing to the
south, for swift conriers had been sent
to Alvarez. the doughty Spanish ha.
ciendndo OF the hot country. to beg
him to como to their relief. >s'
Twice. before. Alvarez had met the
rebels. The frat time he spoke them
we'll and they ran on ali his horses,
THE second tirle he armed his Yaquie
and .YaQui'v Mayo fanchero6 akaanst
theyu and drove them from his domain,
iniiit tins q sangIinpry punishment.
Since then he had been itching to
engage thona In q ritched battle. end
when the word reached him he Would
come Two hundred and forty Yaquis.
all armed with repeating sifies. would
follow at his back, and even with his
boastsd thousands Bernardo Bravo
could hardly withstand their valor. SO.
while the rebels parleyed, demartins
o .rans6m 'of millions and threatening
to destroy the town. the, defcnders
argued and reasoned with them,.
hoping TO kin the time until Alyases
should arrive.
In the open space in front OF the
house the refugees gathered in an anx-
tous group, waiting sor messengers
from the front. and as Hooker walked
among them he was aware OF the ma
!ignnht glnnce5 os Aragon. There were
other gi4hcss ns wen. Tor he h6d won
grcat favor with the ladias b; ditching
the powder train, but nome from Gra,
cie or her mother. - = = W :aSS !.
Bud would not have admitted that
he resented \ this lack OF appreciation.
on the part Of Gracia. In; fact he hard.
ly. knep sthnt he did resent it, but he
watcheds sanxieEaly for any gign :of up.
proval from this girl Who was to Sber
hia pardnegs bride should no conduct