The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-08-12

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title to miner"
me q Mexican?" repeated Amigo,
tapping himself on the chest mo.
senior! SECURE que mol"
"AIl right then," observed Bud bit
terly, here goes nothing-nowherel
I'll turn Mexican myself"
He passed the messenger on the way
to town, took out his first papers as a
citizen, picked up the mineral agents
expert on the way back, and located
the, Eagle Tail in his W name. Be
fore riding back to camp he wired to
Kruger:
Have turned Mex and relocated claim.
HOOKER.
It was his last card, and he did not
expect to win by 1t. Fate had been
against him from the first, and he
could see his finish. but his nature
drove him to fight on. All that Ara
gon had to do now was to have him
summoned for military service. and
Del Rey would do the rest.
Then he could take over the mine.
A mere formality-or so it seemed
but between Aragon and his mine
stood the Texas blood. Hooker had
been crowded to the wall, and he was
mad enough to fight
The news of De Lancey's desertion
followed quickly after his fight-it
came over the federal wires In a re-
port to Manuel del Rey-but by the
time 1t got to Aragon that gentleman
was too late. They rode into camp
the next day-Aragon and the captain
of the rurales-and at the first glimpse
of that hated uniform Amigo was of
like a buck. Bud went out sullenly
to meet them, his black mood showing
In his lowering eyes, and he halted
them by the savagery of his cursing.
You cock-eyed old reprobate," he
snarled, advancing threateningly' upon
the paling Aragon, this makes three
times you've come into my camp and
brought your gun with you! Now take
1t off" he yelled, dropping suddenly
into Spanish. Take that gun of-do
you understand"
So violent and unexpected was his
assault that it threw Aragon into a
panic, and even Manuel del Rey soft
ened his manner as he inquired into
the cause.
Never mind" answered Bud,
smiling crustily as Aragon laid aside
his arms; II know that hombre we'll!
Now what can / do for you, capitan?"
BE so kind as to take your hand
from your belt" replied Del Rey with
a smile that was intended to placate.
"Ah, thank you-excuse my nerves
now / can tell you the news. / regret
to inform you, senior, that your friend.
De Lancey. has deserted from my COM
mand. taking his arms and equipment
with him. In case he is captured he
will be shot as a deserter."
Your news Is old, captain" re-
Joined Hooker. 81 knew it two days
ago. And you can tell Mr.. Aragon
that it is no s for him to try 10 get
this mine-I became a Mexican citizen
yesterday and located it myself"
$50 we learned" responded the cap
tain suavely. ut was part Of my
errand today to ask If you would not
enlist in my company of rurales."
"Muchas gracias, capitan," an
swered Hooker with heavy irony. Il
do not care to-"
But your friend" protested Man.
uel del Rey with an in%sinuating smile.
MY friend was in JAIL" put In Bud;
The was to be shot at sunrise. But
mira, amigo, / am not in Jail, and,
furthermore, ! do not intend to be-"
That is very creditable to you"
laughed Del Rey; but ever then you
are entitled to enlist. The country Is
full of turbulent fellows who have to
be caught or killed. Come now, you
understand my errand-why make it
hard for me?"
mo. senor," returned Bud grtmly.
Il know nothing Of your errand. But
this l do know. l have done nothing
for which ] can be arrested, and II any
man tries to make me join the army
he hooked his thumb into his belt and
regarded the captain ixedly.
"Ah, very WE'LL" said Del Rey, jerk
ing his waxed mustachios, Il will not
press the matter. But / understand
from one Of my men, senior, hat you
are harboring a dangerous criminal
here-the same man. perhaps. whom l
saw running up the canyon?'
He smiled menningly ut this. but
| Bud was swift 10 defend his YnTnl.
mo, senior" hs replied. u have no
| such criminal ! have q Mexican work-
ing for mo who is one Of he beat
miners in Sonora, and that 10 all
know about him"
"a Mexican7" repeated Del hey.
arching his eyebrows. EXCUSE me-
sir, but 1t Ia my business to know
every man In this district. and ne is
no Mexican. but Il Yadul. Moreover.
he is a fugitive and an outlaw. ana II
he had not been enlisted with tho ieo-
erals I should have arrested him when
he passed through Fortuna. 80 yarn
,ou, sir. not to hide him. or you Will
be liable to the law"
I'm not hiding him." protested
Hooker scornfully. I'm Just hiring
him as a miner, and any time you want
him you can come and get him. He's