The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-10-01

Phil sat by himself, keeping his
thoughts TO himself, and he stood aloof
while he waited for the worst to hap.
pen.
From the first day Of their under.
taking Hooker had felt that IL was un.
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 a
hundred or so and they're in cahoots
to rob us. But Ill tell you what III
do-you give me a power OF attorney
to receive those papers for you, and
I'll go In and talk Dutch to the whole
outfit"
What do you want to do that for?"
demanded De Lancey querulously
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?'
well. Ill 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. l want to get title
and turn It over to Kruger, before we
lose out somewhere"
What's the matter with me going
in and talking to the agent?" suggest
ed Phil. Then, as he saw his pard-
ners face, he paused and laughed bit
terly.
AOu uOH lIuSl w
you. Bud? ?" he said
We'll, It amt that so much" evaded
Hooker; but sure don't trust that
Manuel del Rey. The first time you
go into town he's going to pinch you,
and | know It,"
I'm going to go in all the same"
declared De Lancey. "and II the little
squirt tries to stop me-"
Jaw. Phil" entreated Bud. "be rea
sonable, can't ye? You got no call to
go up against that little Teller. He's a
bad actor, can see that, and believe
he'd kill you IL he got the chance But
wait little while-maybe he'll get
took of in the fights this SUMMER"
mo. he's too cursed mean for that"
muttered De Lancey. but he seemed
to take some comfort In the thought.
As for Bud. he loafed around for a
while, cleaning up camp, making
smoke for the absent Yaqqui and look.
ing over the deserted mine, but some
thing in the changed atmosphere made
him restless and uneasy.
II wonder where that logged In.
dian went to-" he said for the hun
dredth time. as the deep shadows
gathered in the valley. by Joe, Phil,
II Amigo comes back I'm going to 20 |
ahead on that mine. want TO keep |
him around here. and we might as
well get out some ore. II It's only for
A grubstake. Come on-what do you |
say? Wen open her up-there's moth.
ng to hide now. Well, I'll do It my |
self. then-this setting around is get
ing on my nerves"
His far-seeing eyes, trained from his
ooyhood to search the hills for cattle.
the tops OF the ridges as he
poke; and while he sat and pondered
hey noted every rock.
Then at last he rose up slowly and
,azed at q certain spot. He waved
lis arm, reckoning the distant point
u blackness to come In. and soon
rom around a point in the canyon the
laqui appeared. bearing heavy Maui
er rife on his arm.
Across his broad breast hung the
anne familiar cartridge-belt, two more
'ncircled his hips. and he walked
With his head held high, like the war
Tor that he was.
Evidently his flight had led to the
lace where his arms had been hid, for
10 wore the regulation knife-bayonet
I his hip and around his hat was the
ed ribbon Of his people, but Bud was
90 polite to ask him about his jour
ey. Since his coming the Yaqui had
ways maintained certain mystery,
nd now, though his eyes were big
nth portent and he smiled at the jests
bout his gun. he simply waved his
and to the south and east and muir
lured:
"Muchos revoltosos!"
"Seguro;" answered Bud jokingly;
but have you killed any?"
Not yeti" returned the Indian. and
o did not smile at that
Il wonder what that Indian Is wait
~ around here fort" remarked Phil In
nglish. "He must have his eye on
II
yeah. I bet" agreed Bud. regard '
10 his savage friend with a specula- '
We interest. Most OF them Yaqui