The Huttig news., 1914-09-05
CHAPTER XVI.

At their camp by the Eagle Tail mine. even though they held it still and were heirs to half it's gold, the two partners were glum and sorrow full. The trcacheries which Bud had forgiven in moment of exaltation came back to him now as he brooded; and he eyed his friend askance, as If wondering what he would do next.
 He recalled all the circumstances of their quest-the meeting with Kruger, Phil's insistenee on the adventure, the oath of loyalty which they had sworn; and then the gradual breaking down of their brotherly devotion until now they were 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 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 felt bound to keep his part. One thing alone could make him break it-his word to Henry Kruger. The Eagle rail mine he held in trust, and half of it was kruger's.
 Phil" he said at last, when his of thoughts, q believe that mineral agent is holding back our papers. believe old Aragon has passed him 8 l hundred or so and theyre in cahoots l to rob us Hut I'll tell you what I'll do-you give ne 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 Laneey auerulously Why can't you wait while? 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?"
 Well, I'll tell you, Phil" answered Bud honestly. I've got hunch if 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. want to get titie md turn it over to Kruger, before Vt 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 ner's face, he paused and laughed bit terly
 You don't trust me any more, do 'ou, Bud?" he said.
 Well, 1t ain't that so much," evaded Hooker; but I sure don't trust that Manuel del Rey The first time you 90 into town he's going to pinch you. and know it."
 I'm going to go in all the same" declared De Laneey, "and if the little squirt tries to stop me"
 'Aw. Phi" entreated Bud, "be req sonable, cant yeY You got no call to 70 up against that little feller. He's bad actor, can see That. and I believe he'd kill you if he got the chance. But wait little while-maybe he'll ge, took off in the fights this summer!"
 No, he's too cursed mean for thati" muttered De Laneey, but he seemed to take some comfort in the thought.
 As for Bud, he loafed around for a while, cleaning up camp, making ing over the deserted mine, but some thing in the changed atmosphere made him restless and uneasy.
 'I 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. if Amigo comes back I'm going to go ahead on that mine. I want to keep him around here and we might aa well get out some ore, if it's only for grub-stake. Come on-what do you say? We'll open her up-there's noth- ing to hide now. Well. I'll do 1t my self tben-this setting around is get ting on my nerves
 His far-seeing eyes, trained from hts boyhood to search the hills for cattle scanned the tops of the ridges as he spoke; and while he sat and pondered they noted every rock.
 Then at last he rose up slowly and gazed at a certain spot. lie waved his arm, heckoning the distant poini of blackness to come in, and soor YsQui appeared. bearing heavy Mau