Gilpin observer., 1914-12-03
with his papers inside his shirt and

a DelL OF SOlQ around MS waist there
was nothing left in Mexico for him.
Once on his horse and headed for the
line and he could laugh at them all.
In Gadsden he could show title to
Kruger, he could give answer for his
trust and look the world in the eye.
1t had been a long and strenuous
fight; fight made against seemingly
insurmountable odds; fight that had
cost him much, but he had won. He
had proved the trust Kruger had
placed in him, and it had been a tight
worth winning.
Yes, he was man now-but his
work was not quite done. Up at the
big house, with the screeching women
around her, was Gracia Aragon, and
he owed her something for his rough
words. To pay her for that he would
stay. Whatever she asked now he
would grant it; and If worst came to
worst he would take her with him and
make good his promise to Phil He
had given his word and that was
enough. Now he had only to wait.
1t would not be long, for the parley
would soon be over, and II the coward
ly rurales surrendered the town to
the bandits he would make break for
the line and civilization with the girl
1t would be hard ride, and alone he
would have no fear of the results. but
he would chance it even with the girl
rather than leave her.
The boy lieutenant, the brothers
Mendoza, the superintendent, and Man
uel del Rey, all were out on the hill
side talking terms with Bernardo
Bravo and his chiefs. With the rebels
1t was largely a bluff, since field
glasses had shown them to be short of
cartridges; but they had over a thou
sand men massed along the ridges
and, with courage, could easily take
the town.
Bud knew that courage was the one
thing lacking. 1t was the one thing
that was always lacking in these Mex
lean fights. The Mexican bandit takes
but little chance when he goes to war.
AS for the Mendozas and their So
moran miners. they were properly
chagrined at their waste of ammuni-
ton and swore by Santa Guadalupe to
fight 1t out with hand grenades. Even
as their leaders wrangled the Mexican
powder men were busily manufactur-
Ing bombs. and all the while the su-
perintendent was glancing to the
south. for swift couriers had been sent
to Alvarez. the doughty Spanish ha-
ciendado of the hot country. to beg
him to come to their relief
Twice before Alvarez had met the
rebels. The first time he spoke them
we'll and they ran OF all his horses.
The second time he armed his Yaquis
and Yaqui Mayo rancheros against
them and drove them from his domain,
inficting a sanguinary punishment
Since then he had been itching to
engage them in pitched battle, and
when the word reached him he would
come. Two hundred and forty Yaquis.
all armed with repeating rifles, would
follow at his back, and even with his
boasted thousands Bernardo Bravo
could hardly Withstand their valor So.
while the rebels parleyed. demanding
a ransom Of millions and threatening
to destroy the town, the defenders
argued and reasoned with them,
hoping to kill the time until Alvarez
should arrive.
In the open space in front Of the
house the refugees gathered In an anx-
ious group. waiting for messengers
from the front, and as Hooker walked
among them he was aware of the ma
lignant glances OF Aragon. There were
other glances as well, for he had won
great favor with the ladies by ditching
the powder train. but none from Gra-
cia or her mother
Bud would not have admitted that
he resented this lack OF appreciation
on the part OF Gracia. In fact he hard
ly knew that he did resent II, but he
watched anxiously for any sign OF ap-
proval from this girl who was to be
his pardner's bride should he conduct
her safely to the border.
From the beginning the Sonora Ara
gon had treated him as q stranger. ac-
cording to the code Of her class. and
Hooker had never attempted to In