Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1914-09-17

after they discovered the mine And
now the Indians are making poasu
they are drunk with the thought OF
their valor and claim that the rebels
fed from them alone.
"The roadmaster came into town
this morning on velocipede and said
that the Yaquis are insufferable. think
ing that it was their renown as hight
ers and not the news OF the dynamite
that drove all the soldiers from town.
However, Aqua Negra is once more
in the hands of the government; the
track Is clear and most OF the bridges
repaired; so why quarrel with the
Yaquis? While they are. OF course.
nothing but Indians, they serve their
purpose in battle"
well, I guess yes!" responded Bud
warmly. Serve their purpose, ehY
! Where we're these Mexican soldiers
and them Spanish officers when the
Yaquis we're taking the town? And
that was just like q dog-goned Mexi'
can--setting that time-fuse and then
1 not having 1t go of. More'n likely the
poor zap that fred 1t was so scairt he
couldn't hold match-probably
never lit 1t, jest dropped the match
and run. They're bum bunch, IL
you want to know what l think. I'd
rather have Yaqui than a hundred
of emil"
"a hundred OF whom7" inquired
cool voice behind him, and looking up
Hooker saw the beautiful Gracia gaz-
ing out at him through the screen
door.
"A hundred Mexicansl" be repeated,
and Gracia murmured Obi" and was
gone.
Miss Aragon is very loyal to her
country" observed Don Juan. but
Hooker only grunted.
Somehow, since those four Mexicans
had come to his camp. he had soured
on everything south OF the line; and
even the charming Gracia could not
make him take back his words. II she
had intended the remark as chal-
lenge-a subtle invitation to follow
her and defend his faith-she failed
for once Of her purpose, for II there
was any particular man in Mexico that
Bud hated more than another 1t was
her false-hearted father.
Hooker had, in fact, thought more
seriously Of making her half-orphan
than of winning her goodwill, and he
fingered about the hotel, not to make
love to the daughter, but to strike ter
ror to Aragon.
|, The company being good. and a
| train haino axnortaA aeon pud ofa we'd
over another day. In the morning,
when he came down for breakfast, he
found that Aragon had fed before him.
With his wife, daughter and retinue,
he had moved suddenly back to his
home. Hooker grinned when Don Juan
told him the news.
well, why not?" he asked, chuck
ling maliciously. Here it's the mid
die OF the rainy season and the wal
going on all summer and nary rebel
, in sight. Where's that big fight you
was telling about-the battle of For
, tuna? You've made regular fortune
out of these refugees, Brachamonte
but fail to see the enemy"
"Ah. you may laugh" shrugged the
hotel-keeper. but wait! The time will
come. The rebels are lost now-some
day, when you least expect 1t, they
! will come upon us and then, believe
here. What Is few weeks bill com
pared to being held for ransom? Lool
at that rich Senior Luna, who was here
for time in the spring. Against M
advice he hurried home and now hi
is paying the price. Ten thousand
: pesos II cost to save his wife anC
? family, and for himself and son hi
!, friends advanced ten thousand more
| make no evil prophecies. but 4
F., would be better for our friend II HI
: stayed on at my poor hotel"
Whose friend?" inquired But
bluffiy, but Don Juan struck him upor
|, the back with elephantine playfulnesl
= and hurried off to his duties.
AS for Hooker, he tarried In tow
until he got his mail and a copy o
y the Sunday paper and then, we'll sat
. wars a thing of the past. he amblet
back to the Eagle Tail and SETTLED
down for rest.
Flat on his back by the doorwa!
:, he lay on his bed and smoked, reading
his way through the lurid supplement
and watching the trail with one eye
= Since the fight with Aragon's Mex
cans all his apprehensions had lef
him. He had written briefly to Phi
|. and Kruger. and now he was holding
the fort.
, 1t had been a close shave, but h
had escaped the cowardly assassin
and had Aragon in his power. Not b.
e any force of law. but by the force o
e fear and the gnawing weakness of Ara
l. CONS own evil conscience.
:. Aragon was afraid Of what he ha,
d done. but it was the suspense whicl
rendered him so pitiable. On da,
" he had sent four armed Mexican
u to kill this Texan-not one had re