The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-09-11
CHAPTER XVI.

At their camp by the Eagle Tail
mine, even though they held It still
and we're heirs to half It's gold, the
two partners were glum and sorrow.
full. The treacheries which Bud had
forgiven in a moment Of exaltation
came back to him now as he brooded:
and he eyed his friend askance, as II
wondering what he would do next.
He recalled all the circumstances Of
their Quest-the meeting with Kruger.
Pills insistence ON the adventure, the
oath Of loyalty which they had sworn;
and then the gradual breaking down
Of their brotherly devotion until now
they we're strangers at heart.
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 it was un.
lucky, and now he knew that the end
was coming. His friend was lost to
him. lost alike to 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 halt
Of 1t 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 III tell you what I'll
do-you give me power Of attorney
to receive those papers for you. and
I'll 90 In and talk Dutch to the whole
outfit"
What do you want to do that fort"
demanded De Lancey ENORMOUSLY.
why can't you wait q while7 Those
papers have to go to Moctezuma and
Hermosillo and all over the City Of
Mexico and back, and it takes time.
What do you want to make trouble
for?"
We'll, I'll tell you, Phil" answered
Bud honestly. i've got bunch II We
don't grab them papers soon we won't
get EN- at all. Here these rebels are
working closer all the time, and Ara
gon is crowding US. want to get title
and turn 1t over to Kruger, before We
lose out somewhere"
What's the matter with me going
IN and talking to the agent?" suggest
I'd Phil Then, as he saw his pard.
lers face, he paused and laughed bit
:erly.
"You don't trust me any more, do
you. Bud?" he said.
We'll, it amt that so much" evaded
but sure don't trust that |
Manuel del Rey. The first time you
go into town he's going to pinch you.
and I know it."
I'm going to 90 in all the same"
declared De Lancey, land II the little
squirt tries to stop me-"
Jaw, Phil" entreated Bud, "be rea-
can't ye? You got no call to |
90 up against that little feller. He's q
bad actor. l can see that, and believe
ned kill you II he got the chance. But |
wait little while-maybe he'll got |
:ook of In the fights this SUMNER"
mo, he's too cursed mean for that"
nuttered De Lancey. but he seemed
% take some comfort in the thought
As for Bud, he loafed around for q
while. cleaning up camp, making
'moke for the absent Yaqqui, and look.
ng over the deserted mine, but some
hing in the changed atmosphere made
him restless and uneasy.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)