Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-09-12
CHAPTER Xl-Continued.

1T is the desire OF the faQulS' ne
had said. when rebuked for serving
under the hated faS of Mexico, TO XIII
Mexicans And" he added grimly, the
federals at this time seem best able
to give us guns for that purpose
But it had been a 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 ofiicers-they would not stack
their arms, and they would not retreat
while there were 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 glances of their lead
ers, they burst forth in weird Yaqui
songs which. IL 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
Yaqui contingent would desert, taking
their arms and ammunition with them.
Gee. what a bunch OF men!" ex-
claimed Bud, as he stood of and ad-
mired their stark forms.
There's some genuine fighters for
YOU" he observed to Phil; and a giant
Yaqui, standing near, returned his
praise with a smile.
IVY, hello there, Amigo!" hailed
Bud, jerking his head in a friendly sa-
lutte. That's a Teller | was making
signs tc up in Aqua Negra," he ex-
planned. "Dogged if l amt stuck on
these Yaquis-they'r 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 they've killed a lot of Americans,
one time and another"
We'll, if they did 1t was for being
caught in bad company" said Hooker.
'T'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 Yaqul
and shook hands tremendously.
Where you go?" he inquired In
Spanish, at the same time rolling a
cigarette and asking by a sign for a
match.
"Moctezuma," answered the Indian
gravely. Then, as Bud offered him the
markings, he. too. rolled a cigarette
and they smoked for a minute in
silence.
You live here?" inquired the Yaqui
at last.
Come here" corrected Bud. 81
have mine-ten miles-over there"
He pointed with the fat of his hand
Indian fashion, and Amigo nodded I'M
derstandingly.
He was fine figure of a man, stand
ing six feet or better in his well-cut
sandals and handling his heavy Mau
ser as a child would swing a stick
Across his broad chest he wore a 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 a canteen and coffee
cup completed his outfit, which, so fal
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 o
the beaten, hunted look of those poo
conscripts he had the steady gaze o
free man.
They stood and smoked for a few
moments, talking briefly, and then. al
the Yaquis closed up their ranks ant
marched off to make camp for thu
night, Bud presented his strang'
friend with the sack of tobacco ant
went back to join his pardner.
That evening the plaza was fille'
with the widest rumors, and anothe
train arrived during the night, Blu
through it all Bud and Phil remainet
unimpressed. In the morning the sol
diers went marching off down the trail
leaving great silence where all ha'
been bugle-calls and excitement, ant
then the first fugitive came in from
down below.
He was an old Mexican, with trem
bling beard and staring eyes, and h
told tale of outrage that made thei
blood run cold. The red-iaggers ha
come to his house at night; they ha'
killed his wife and son, left him upo
the ground for dead. and carried Of
his daughter. a prisoner.
But later. when the comisario que.
toned him sharply. 1t developed tina
he lived not far away, had no daugl
par to lose. and was, In fact, only