The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-07-22

them-some kind Of an understanding
between Bernardo Bravo and these
blackleg federals.
"The only fighting there was was
when a bunch Of twenty Yaquis got
away from their officers in the rough
country and went after Bernardo Bra
vo by their lonesome. That threw q
big scare into him, too, but he man
aged to fight them off-and If / was
making a guess I'd bet that your Yaqu1
friend was one Of that fighting
twenty"
81 reckon" assented Bud; "but don
you say nothing. I need that hombre
in my business. Come on, let's go w
and look at that cut come across
an old board today, down in the muck
and l bet you it's a piece that Kruger
left. Funny we don't coae across
some Of his tools, though, or Che hole
where the powder went off,"
when we do that" observed Phil
we'll be where we're going. Nothing
to do then but lay off the men and walt
till I get my papers. That's why l say
don't hurry so hard-we haven't go'
our title to this claim, pardner, and
we won't get it, either-not for some
time yet. Suppose you'd hit this
ledge"
well, If i hit It," remarked Bud
I'll stay with it-you can trust me
for that. Hello, what's the YaQui
found?"
AS they came up the cut Amigo quit
work and, while the Mexicans followed
suit and gathered ex~pectantly behind
him, he picked up three rusty drills
and an iron drill-spoon and presented
them to Bud.
Evidently he had learned the object
Of their search from the Mexicans, but
If he looked for any demonstrations OF
delight at sight of these much-sought'
for tools he was doomed to disappoint'
ment, for both Bud and Phil had
schooled themselves to keep their
faces straight. 49,. -
"Um-m," said Bud, "old drills, eh!
Where you find them?"
The Yaqui led the way to the face
of the cut and showed the spot, a hole
beneath the pile of rtven rock; and
a Mexican, not to be outdone, grabbed
up a handful of porphyry and ind.
Gated where the dynamite had pulver'
lied. 1t. ..
"Bien," said Phil, paving solemnly
around in the bottom of the hole; and
then, filling his handkerchief with fine
dirt. he carried 1t down to the creek.
There, in a miners pan, he washed
1t out carefully, stopping the waste
over the edge and swirling the water
around until at last only a little dirt
was left in the bottom Of the pan.
Then, while all the Mexicans looked
on, he tailed this toward the edge,
scanning the last remnant for gold
and quit without a color.
"Nada!" he cried, throwing down
the pan, and in some way the MeG'
cans sensed the fact that the mine had
turned out a failure. Three times he
went back to the cut and scooped up
the barren dust, and then he told the
men they could quit.
mo more work." he said, affecting
a detected bitterness; mo hay NADIA
there Is nothing!" And with this sad,
but by no means unusual, ending to
their labors. the Mexicans went away
to their camp, specializing among
themselves as to whether they could
get their pay. But when the last Of
them had gone Phil beckoned Bud into
the tent and showed him a piece OF
quartz. s'
Just take a look at that" he said,
and a single glance told Hooker that
it was full Of fine particles Of gold.
"I picked that up when they weren't
looking" whispered De Lancey. his
eyes dancing with triumph. IT'S the
| same rock-the same. as Kruger's!"
well, put 'er there, then, p%ardner!"
cried Bud, grabbing at De Lancey's
hand; we've struck it,"
And with a broad grin on their de-
ceitful faces they danced silently
around the tent, after which they paid
off the Mexicans and babe them
"adios!"