The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1914-11-12
CHAPTER XXI.

On the morning after they had
laughed at the comic paper and decid.
ed that all the world was fair, Hooker
and Amigo were squatting by the IRE
and eating a man's-size breakfast.
The creek. swollen by yesterdays
torrential rain. had settled to q rivu-
let. The wind had not risen and the
sun was just over the Hill when. with
a rush and a scramble, Amigo threw
down his cup and was of In fash for
tho rocks.
moment later two men rode down
the canyon. and then two more. and
two more. Il was n column OF men.
all armed with rifles, and they cast
envious eyes at Copper Bottom az they
halted before the camp. As for Bud.
no saluted gravely. for no knew them
for what they were.
These were the lost forces Of Der.
nardo Bravo and Salazar. Rojas and
tho other bandit chiefs, and they
marched. as he we'll knew. upon For
tuna They marched quietly. and the
great whistle had not blown.
II would make a rich prize, Fortuna
AZ they could take II by surprised The
ransom for tAe Spanish haclendados
alone would amount TO thousands of
dollars. and the mine-ownera could
afford 10 pay anything In order to save
their works,
A box OF dynamite under the giant
concentration and tho money would be
produced at once. and yet the acoun-
Arels halted at q onoman camp 70
aleai a single horse.
A flicker OF seorn passed over Hook
,er'B face az tho leader came daAhinG
up, but the Texan greeted him with 9
slow smile,
"Buenos diaa. generall" he said
".you have many men"
Enough" observed the general
hurriedly. "but some IN the rear are
on foot As ! suppose you are In sym
patty with our great cause. viii aal
you for that horse. OF course. ! will
give you a receipt"
He fetched out a blank-book as HI
epoke and motioned to ragged bes
gar at his heela Bud checked tn
sman's rush with . look.
"One moment" he said. and as tn
soldier turned back his general glance'
mp sharply.
"only this, Senior General" ar
uwened bud. "You are welcome b
anything haye--food. blankets. mos
ey-hut | cannot giye you that horse.
but. senor," protested the genera
regarding him with arrogant plg eye
that Ellnted wickedly. this poor so
dIer's fOet are sore. Surely you woul
not make him walk. Only name you
price and | win give you n receipt "a
him. but my man must have n
horas-
There was q pause and men boga
TO dismount and move In closer. 4
q word from their commander an
one OF them would draw and kin hin
as Hooker very well knew. but b
lovs for Copper Bottom made him o
durate
III the mAn L. lame" he said.
wnl give him another horso--bat
eanno, have this sorrel"
Tie stepped quickly over 10 the CO
raj aud turned with bis hack to q
gate. while the commander spat o
orders in Spanish and armed me
GAAAN ANAuAtAk4
'Senor." he said. advancing brusqu
~ upon the defiant Hooker. 4 mu
trouble YOU for that pistol"
NO. senor," answered tho eowbc
keeping his hand upon his gun. n
TO you nor no mAn--and Ill never 81
q up 10 a Mcxioani"
CARAT" exclaimed the ofiicor Inn
Identity. "you are an Amertcano-no
mot only that" rambled Bud, ORA
ting himself up In his pride. Il am
TeiaDe also. aud II any man touch
tina, morse III Min hint"
Ills voice trembled with anger, I
.iss hand was steady and the Mexico
Ala not deceive themselves.
"HA. un Tehno!" murmured
msn who stood about. and one or I
who had started TO climb the feT
thought better OF Il and dropped b
~ the grouh1,
Sud kus' the fate OF sa-orsl z