Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1914-09-10
CHAPTER XVIII.

there was no word from Phil. Bernardo
Bravo and his rebel raiders passed
through the mountains to the east, and
news came Of heavy fighting in Chi
huahua. Don Cipriano Aragon moved
his family back to his hacienda and
Gracia became only dream.
Then, one day, as Hooker and the
Yaqui were industriously pounding out
gold, a messenger came out from town
with a telegram in his hand.
Am in Gadsden. No chance TO hold
mine. Kruger says qult.-P.
No, I'll be sarned IL ! do" NUT
tered Bud. Then he sat down to think.
Amigo" he said to the Yaqui, ARE
you a Mexican citizen? Can you get
title TO miner"
Me a Mexican?" repeated Amigo.
tapping himself on the chest. mo,
senior! SECURE que mol"
"All right then" observed Bud bit.
terly, here goes nothing-nowhere!
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 own name. Be-
fore riding back to camp he wired TO
Kruger:
Have turned Mex and relocated claim.
HOOKER.
II was his last card, and he did not
expect to win by 1t. Fate had been
against him from the first, and he
10 An4e huN n To
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 1t 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 fiight--it
came over the federal wires in 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 off
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
it Off" he yelled, dropping suddenly
into Spanish. Fake that gun off-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; Il know that hombre we'll!
Now what can do for you, captain"
BE 30 kind as 20 take your hand
from your belt" replied Del Rey with
smile that was intended to placate.
"Ah, thank you-excuse my nerves
now / can tell you the newe. 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 q deserter."
Your news is old, captain" re.
Joined Hooker. Il 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 1t myself"
80 we learned" responded the cap.
tain suavely. ut was part of my
GRAND today to ask II you would not
enlist in my company OF rurales."
"Muchas gracias, captain" an.
swered Hooker with heavy irony. 81
do not care tot"
But your friend" protested Man.
uel del Rey with an insinuating smile.
My friend was in JAIL" put In Bud ;
he 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 Roy; but even then you
are entitled to enlist The country ia
full Of turbulent fellows who have TO
be caught or killed. Come now, you
understand my errand-wby make II
hard for meT'
mo. senior" returned Bud grImly
Il know nothing OF your errand. But
this | do know. ! have done nothing
for which can be arrested. and 81 any
man tries to make me Join the army