The Huttig news., 1914-09-19

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 Be so kind as to take your hand from your belt" replied Del Key with smile that was intended to placate. An. thank you--excuse my nerves now l can tell you the news l regret to inform you, senor, 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 deserter"
 Your news is old, capitan," re- joined Hooker T knew it two days ago. And you can tell Mr Aragon that it is no use for him to try to get this mine-I became a Mexican citizen yesterday and located it myself"
 "So we learned" responded the cap tain suavely. Tt was part of my errand today to ask if you would not enlist in my company of rurales."
 "Muchas graeias, eapitan," an swered Hooker with heavy irony. q do not care toi"
 'But your friend--' protested Man. uel del Key with an insinuating smile.
 My friend was in jail,'' put in Bud i; The was to be shot at sun rise But mira, amigo, I am not in jail, and, furthermore, do not intend to be-
 That is very creditable to you,' laughed Del Key; but even 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 mel"
 No, senor," returned Bud grimly 'I know nothing of your errand. But this I do know. I have done nothing l for which I can be arrested, and if any man tries to make me join the army he hooked his thumb into his belt ant regarded the captain fixedly.
 "Ah. very we'll said Del Key. jerk ing his waxed mustachios, T VIII not press the matter. But I understand from one of my men, senor, that you are harboring a dangerous criminal here-the same man. perhaps, whom l saw running up the canyon?"
 He smiled meaningly at this, but Bud was swift to defend his Yaqui.
 No, sepor." he replied, "I have no such criminal. l have a Mexican work ing for me who is one of the best miners in Sonora, and that is all I know about him.
 "A Mexican?' repeated Del Key. arching his eyebrows. Excuse me, sir, but it is my business to know every man in this district, and he Is no Mexican, but a Yaqui. Moreover, he is fugitive and an outlaw, and if he had not been enlisted with the fed he passed through Fortuna. So warn you. 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 up in the rocks there somewhere now"
 Sol" exclaimed the captain, glanc- ing uneasily at the hillside q did not think-but many thanks. senor, an other time will do as we'll"
 He refined his horse away as he spoke and, with jerk of the head to Aragon, rode rapidly down the can yon. Aragon fingered to retrieve his fallen gun-belt and then, seeming to think better of his desire to speak, he made single vindictive gesture ana set spurs to his ehamping horse.
 It was mrely a fling of the hand as spontaneous as a sigh or a frown. but in it Hooker read the last exasperation of the Spaniard and his declaration of war to the knife. He barred his strong teeth In reply and hissed out a bighl. ing curse, and then Aragon was gore.
 That evening, as the darkness came on and the canyon became hushed and still Bud built big fire and stood be- fore it, his rugged form silhouetted against the flames. And soon, as quiet as fox, the Yaqui appeared from the gloom.
 Did he come for mel" he asked, advancing warily into the firelight, that capitan?'
 Yes" answered Bud, "and for me, too. But you must have known him before. Amigo-he seems to be afraid of you.'
 A smile of satisfaction passed over the swarthy face of the Indian at this, and then the lines became grim again His eyes glowed with the light of some great purpose. and for the first time since he had been with Bud he drew aside the veil from his past.
 Yes" he said, nodding significantly, the rural is afraid. He knows have come to kill him.
 He squatted by the fire and poured