The Elbert County tribune., 1914-09-11
CHAPTER xvI-contInued.

II wonder where that dogged In
dian went to-" he said for the hun
dredth time, as the deep shadows
gathered in the valley. by Joe. Phil.
IL Amigo comes back I'm going to go
ahead on that mine. want to keep
him around here, and we might as
well get out some ore. II it's only for
a grub-stake. Come on--what do you
say? Wen open her up--theres moth
ing to hide now. Well, I'll do 1t my
self, then-this setting around is get
ting on my nerves"
His far-seeing eyes. trained from his
boyhood to search the hills for cattle.
scanned the tops of the ridges as he
spoke; and while he sat and pondered
they noted every rock.
Then at last he rose up slowly and
gazed at certain spot. He waved
his arm, beckoning the distant point
of blackness to come in, and soon
from around a point in the canyon the
Yaqui appeared. bearing a heavy Mau-
ser rife on his arm.
Across his broad breast hung the
same familiar cartridge-belt. two more
encircled his hips. and he walked
with his head held high. like the war
rior that he was.
Evidently his flight had led to the
place where his arms had been hid, for
he wore the regulation -bayonet
at his hip and around his hat was the
red ribbon of his people, but Bud was
too polite to ask him about his Jour
ney. Since his coming the Yaqui had
always maintained certain mystery,
and now, though his eyes were big
with portent and he smiled at the jests
hand to the south and east and muir
INJURED:
"Muchos revoltosos!"
"Seguro;" answered Bud jokingly;
but have you killed any?"
mot yeti" returned the Indian. and
he did not smile at that.
Il wonder what that Indian is wait
ing around here for?" remarked Phil in
English. He must have his eye on
somebody"
yeah. bet," agreed Bud. regard
ing his savage friend with a specula-
tive interest. Most of them Yaqui
soldiers was farmhands in this coun-
try before they rounded them up. l
reckon he's looking for the man that
had him deported
Tired. Amigo?" he inquired in
Spanish, and Ignacio gravely acknowl.
edged that he was, a little.
Then drink plenty coffee" went on
Hooker. Eat lots--tomorrow we &c
TO work in the mine.'
Tomorrow" repeated the Indian
as il considering his other engage
ments; good" He nodded smiling
assent.
After month and more of idleness
Bud and Amigo performed prodigiee
of labor in the cut, rolling down
boulders. lifting them up on the tram
and clearing away the face of the cliff
Their tram was ramshackle. theil
track the abandoned rails from Older
workings, and their tools little more
than their hands. but by noon the las
broken fragments we're heaved aside
and the shattered ledge revealed.
low cry of wonder escaped the
Yaqui as he gazed at the rich vein o.
ore, and as he snw the grim smile OF
Buds rugged cnuntenance he showed
his white teeth In sympathy
"Que buenci" he murmured "Hov
good!" gathering the precious frag
ments in his handkerchief
AT tho camp they crushed the
picked sre in a mortar and panned Il
In the ,reek. and for the moment DE-
LaDecy dropped his air of preoccu
pancy as he stared at the streak o
vare gold. Like yellow film 1t la,
Along the edge of the last fine tailings
and when skilful washing had left Il
bare. 1t cleaned like a jewel In the
pan.
by Jove. Budl" he cried. that's the
real stuff-and It goes dollar to the
pan easyi'
Sure thingl" assented Bud. "Let't
pound a lot of 1t and wash 1t as we &C
then wen have some getaway money
~hen things break loose here!"
'J1l go you'll" answered Phil. and
Buds heart warmed toward him as he
watched him pound up piece of ore
and go to swirling the dirt in the
ipan.
Put alas for the fond hopes he cher