The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-09-04

his arms; 81 know that hombre we'll!
Now what can do for you, capitan?"
BE SO kind as to take your hand
from your belt" replied Del Rey with
"Ah, thank you-eXcuse my nerves
now can tell you the news. 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 a 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 became Mexican citizen
yesterday and located it myself"
so we learned responded the cap.
tain suavely. at was part of my
errand today to ask if you would not
enlist in my company of rurales."
"Muchas gracias, captain an
swered Hooker with heavy irony. 81
do not care to-"
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, l am not in Jail, and,
furthermore, do not intend to be-"
"That is very creditable to you,"
laughed Del Rey; but even then you
are entitled to enlist. The country is
full of turbulent fellows who have to
be caught or killed. Come now, you
understand my errand-why make it
hard for me?"
mo, senor," returned Bud grimly,
81 know nothing of your errand. But
this l do know. l have done nothing
for which can be arrested, and if any
man tries to make me join the army
he hooked his thumb into his belt and
regarded the captain fXedly.
"Ah, very WE'LL" said Del Rey, jerk
ing his waxed mustachios, Il will not
press the matter. But ! understand
from one of my men, senior, that you
are hafboring a dangerous criminal
here-the same man, perhaps, whom
saw running up the canyon?"
He smiled meaningly at this, but
Bud was swift to defend his Yaqui.
mo, senor," he replied, II have no
such criminal. I have Mexican work,
ing for me who is one of the best
miners in Sonora, and that is all
know about him."
"A Mexican?" repeated Del Rey,
arching his eyebrows. Excuse me,
sir, but it is my business to know
every man in this district, and he is
no Mexican, but a Yaqui. Moreover,
he is a fugitive and an outlaw, and if
ne had not been enlisted with the fed
erals should have arrested him when
he passed through Fortuna. So | warn
you, sir, not to hide him, or you will
be liable to the law"
I'm not hiding him." protested
Hooker scornfully. Pm just hiring
him as a MINER and any time you want
him you cen come and get him. He's
up in the rocks there somewhere
now"
sol" exclaimed the captain, glanc'
ing uneasiJy at the hillside. 81 did not
think-but many thanks, senior, an.
other time will do as WELL"
He refined his horse away as he
spoke and, with jerk of the head to
Aragon, rode rapidly down the can.
yon. Aragon fingered to retrieve his
fallen gun-belt and then, seeming to
think better of his desire to speak, he
made a single vindictive gesture and
set spurs to his champing horse.
1t was mrely fling Of the hand, as
spontaneous as a sigh or frown, but
in it Hooker read the last evaporation
of the Spaniard and his declaration OF
war to the knife. He barred his strong
teeth in reply and Kissed out blight
ing curse, and then Aragon was gone
That evening, as the darkness came
on and the canyon became hushed and