Gilpin observer., 1914-11-12

of Del Rey. l would come myself IL Il
| wasn't sure death. Be quick about 1t
Bud; count on you.
The other letters were all like that
but nothing about the mine. And yet
it was the mine that Bud was fighting
for-that they had fought for from the
first. The railroad was torn up now,
and flight with Gracia was hopeless,
but 1t was just as well, for he never
would abandon the Eagle Tail.
In two months, or three, when the
rebels were whipped on. his papers
might come. Then he could pay his
taxes and transfer his title and con-
slider the stealing OF Gracia. But since
he had seen her and touched her hand
something held him back-a grudging
reluctance-and he was glad that his
duty lay elsewhere. II she was his
girl now he would come down and get
her anyway.
But she was not his girl and, gazing
back grimly at the seething plaza and
the hotel that hid her from sight, he
rode somherly down the road. After
| all, there was nothing to get excited
about-every revoltoso in the country
was lined up around Aqua Negra and,
with four hundred soldiers to oppose
them and artillery to shell their ad-
vance, it would be many long day be-
fore they took that town.
Twice already Aqua Negra had
fallen before such attacks, but now it
was protected by rifie-pits and ma
chine guns set high on mud roofs. And
then there were the Yaquis, still faith
full to Madero. They alone could hold
the town, If they made up their minds
to fight. So reasoned Hooker, mulling
over the news that he had heard. But
he watched the ridges warily, for the
weather was good for raiders.
A day passed, and then another and
the big whistle blew only for the
shifts; the loneliness of the hills op-
pressed him as he gazed out at the
quivering heat. And then, like a toad
after a shower, Amigo came padding
into camp on the heels of a thunder.
storm, his sandals hung on his hip and
his big feet squelching through the
mud.
Across his shoulders he wore a gay
serape. woven by some patient woman
Of his tribe; and in the belt beside
Buds pistol he carried a heavy knife,
blacksmithed from a ten-inch file by
some Yaqui hillman. All in all, he
was fine barbarian, but he looked
good to the lonely Bud.
"Ola, Amigo!" he hailed, stepping
out from the adobe house where he
had moved to avoid the rains; and
Amigo answered with his honest smile
which carried no hint of savagery or
deceit.
Try as he would, Bud could not
bring himself to think Of his Yaqui as
dangerous; and even when he bal
anced the Indians murderous bowie
knife in his hands he regarded it with
a grin. 1t was heavy weapon, broad
across the back, keen on one edge
and drawn to point that was both
sharp and strong. The haft was
wrapped with rawhide to hold the
clutch of the hand.
What do you do with this?" queried
Hooker. Chop wood? Skin deer?"
but he replaced it carefully in his belt.
He looked the adobe house over
thoughtfully. listened long to the
] news of the border and of the rurales
raid on their camp. and retired to the
rocks for the night. Even Bud never
knew where he slept-somewhere VI
| on the hillside-in caves or clefts in
: ha lie no
pressing invitation could make him
share the house for a night. To Amigo
as to an animal, house was trap;
and he knew that the times were
treacherous.
So indeed they were, as Hooker was
to learn to his sorrow. and but for the
YaQui and his murderous knife he
might easily have learned 1t too late.
1t was evening, after rainless day
and Bud was cooking by the open fire
when suddenly Amigo vanished ant
four men rode in from above. The!
were armed with rifles, as befitted tn,
times, but gave no signs OF ruffianl.
bravado, and after few words Bud in
vited them to get down and eat.
|
leader. dismounting and laying his riff
against a log. I'VE are not hungry"
Then have some Coffee" invite,
Hooker, who made 1t a point to fee,
every one who stopped. regardless o
their merit; and once more the Mex
can declined. At this Bud looked a
him sharply. for his refusal did no
augur well. and 1t struck him tn
mans face was familiar. He was tai
for a Mexican and heavily built. bu
with a rather sinister cast of counte
nance.
Where have seen you before? ?
asked Bud, after trying In vain t
place him. in Fortuna?'
mo. senor." answered the Mexical
politely. Il have never been in tha
city. Is 1t far?"
n