The Idaho Republican., 1914-07-10
, from his rock. whats the


four bad Mexioans, I'm going to make
show. And as for that big brindle
dog of his-well, he's sure going to get
roped and drug II he don't mend
his ways. Come on, let's ketch up our
horses and go in for little time!"
'I'll go you!" agreed Phil with en-
thusiasm, and half an hour later, each
on his favorite horse, they were clat-
tering down the canyon. At the turn
of the trail, where 1t swung into the
Aragon lane, Bud took down his rope
and smiled in anticipation.
You 60 on ahead" he said, shaking
out his loop, "and I'll try to put the
catgut on Brindle."
"Off like a FASH" answered De
Lancey. and, putting the spurs to his
fiery bay, he went dashing down the
street, scattering chickens and hogs
in all directions. Behind came Bud,
rolling jovially in his saddle, and as
the dogs rushed out after his pardner
he twirled his loop once and laid it
.skilfully across the big brindle's back.
But roping dogs is difficult task at
best, and Bud was out of practise. The
sudden blow struck Brindle to the
ground and the loop came away un-
filled. The Texan laughed, shifting in
his saddle.
Come again!" commented Bud,
leaning sidewise as he coiled his rope,
and as the womenfolk and idlers came
rushing to see what had happened he
turned Copper Bottom in his tracks
and came back like streak of light.
Look out, you ugly mans dog!" he
shouted, whirling his rope as he rode;
and then, amid chorus of indignant
protests, he chased the yelping Brindle
down the lane and through a hole in
the fence. Then, with no harm done,
he rode back up the street, smiling
amiably and looking for more dogs to
rope.
In the doc of the store stood Ara
gon, pale with fury, but Bud appeared
not to see him. His eyes were turned
rather toward the house where, on the
edge of the veranda, Gracia Aragon
and her mother stood staring at his
antics.
Good morning to you, ladies!" he
saluted, taking off his sombrero with
flourish; lovely weather, amt it?'
And with his tongue in his cheek and
roguish glance at Aragon, who was
struck dumb by this last effrontery, he
went rollicking after his pardner, send
ing back a series of joyous yips.
Now that sure does me good" he
confided to Phil, as they rode down
between cottonwoods and struck into
the muddy creek. "No sense in it, but
it gets something out of my system
that has kept me from feeling glad.
Did you see me bowling to the ladies
Some class to that bow-no? You
want to look out-l got my eye on that
gal, and I'm sure a hard one to head.
Only thing is, l wouldn't like the old
man for father-in-law the way mat
ters stand between us now."
He laughed boisterously at this wit
ticism, and the little Mexican chill
dren, playing among the willows,
crouched and lay quiet like rabbits.
Along the sides of the rocky hills,
where the poems had their midland
rock houses, mothers came anxiously
to open doors; and as they logged
along up the river the Chinese gar
deners, working in each separate nook
and eddy of the storm-washed creek
bed, stopped grubbing to gaze at them
inquiringly.
wonder what's the matter with
them chinks?" observed Bud, when his
happiness had ceased to effervesce;
they sit up like village Of prairie
dogs! Whole country seems to be on
the rubber neck. Must be something
doing"
That's right" agreed Phil; did you
notice how those poems scattered when
/ rode down the street? Maybe there's
been some insurrectos through. But
say-listen!"
He stopped his horse, and in the
silence a bugle-call came down the
wind from the direction of Fortuna.
"Soldiers!" he said. "Now where
did they come from? was in Fortuna
day before yesterday, and-well, look
at that!"
From the point Of the hill just ahead
of them line of soldiers came into
view, marching two abreast, with a
mounted officer in the lead.
"Aha!" exclaimed Bud with convic-
tion; they've started something down
below. This is that bunch of federals
that we saw drilling up at Aqua Ne
gra."
Yep" admitted De Lancey regret
fully; II guess you're right for once
the open season for rebels has begun"
They drew out Of the road and let
them pass-a long, double line Of
shabby infantrymen, still wearing their
last years straw hats and summer uni
forms and trudging along in tapping
sandals.
In front we're two men bearing Ian
terms, to search out the way by night;
slatternly women, the inevitable camp
followers, trotted along at the sides
"A. u. ~ u