The Ordway new era., 1914-12-11
CHAPTER XVII.

gently, for fear that ne might c1uhn
them and never know.
CHAPTER XVII.
A month Of weary waiting followed
that day of days in Fortuna. and stu
there was NO word from Phil. Bernardo
Bravo and his rebel raiders passed
through the mountains to the east. and
news came Of heavy fighting in Chi
huahua. Don Cipriano Aragon moved
his family back to his hacienda and
Gracia became only q dream.
Then, one day, as Hooker and the
Yaqui were industriously pounding out
gold, messenger came out from town
with q telegram in his hand.
Am in Gadsden. No chance to hold
mine. Kruger says quit.-P.
mo, Ill be sarned II l dol" NUT
tered Bud. Then he sat down to think.
Amigo" he said to the YaQui. ARE
you a Mexican citizen? Can you get
title to mine!"
"Me q Mexican?" repeated Amigo.
tapping himself on the chest. mo.
senor! SECURE que mol"
"All right them" observed Bud bit
terly. here goes nothing-nowhere!
I'll turn Mexican myself"
He passed the messenger on the way
to town, took out his first papers as .
citizen. picked up the mineral agents
expert on the way back. and located
the Eagle Tail in his own name. Be-
fore riding back to camp he wired to
Kruger:
Have turned Mex and relocated claim.
1t was his last card. and he did not
expect to win by 1t. Fate had been
against him from the first, and he
could see his finish. but his nature
drove him to fight on. All that Ara
gon had to do now was to have him
summoned for military service. and
Del Rey would do the rest.
Then he could take over the mine.
A mere formality-or SO 1t seemed
but between Aragon and his mine
stood the Texas blood. Hooker had
been crowded to the wall, and he was
mad enough to fight. 100.
The news of De Lancey's desertion
followed quickly after his night-it
came over the federal wires in . re-
port to Manuel del Rey-but by the
time it got to Aragon that gentleman
was too late. They rode into camp
the next day-Aragon and the captain
of the rurales-and at the first glimpse
Of that hated uniform Amigo was OF
like a buck. Bud went out sullenly
to meet them, his black mood showing
in his lowering eyes, and he halted
them by the savagery of his cursing.
You cock-eyed old reprobate," he
snarled, advancing threateningly upon
the paling Aragon. this makes three
times you've come into my camp and
brought your gun with you! Now take
1t OIL" he yelled, dropping suddenly
into Spanish. Take that gun off-do
you understand"
So violent and unexpected was hie
assault that 1t threw Aragon into a
panic, and even Manuel del Rey soft.
ened his manner as he inquired into
the cause. 5..
"Never mind" answered Bud
smiling crustily as Aragon laid aside
his arms; II know that hombre well!
Now what can do for you, capitan?"
| "Be SO kind as to take your hand
from your belt" replied Del Rey with
a smile that was intended to placate
"Ah, thank you-excuse. my nerves
now can tell you the news. I regret
to inform you. senor. 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 q deserter."
your news is old. captain" re
Joined Hooker. II knew 1t two days
ago. And you can tell Mr.. Aragon
that 1t is no use for him to try to ge,
this mine-I became Mexican citizen
yesterday and located It myself"
80 we learned" responded the cap
tain suavely. ut was part of my
errand today to ask II you would not
enlist In my company Of rurales."
"Muchas gracies, captain" an
swered Hooker with heavy irony. q
do not care tot"
| But your friend" protested Man
my friend was in JAIL" put in Bud;
"he was to be shot at sunrise. But
mira, amigo, 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 te
be caught or killed. Come now. YOU
understand my errand-why make Il
hard for me?" Fr.sE
mo, senor," returned Bud grimly
II know nothing Of your errand. Blu,
this l do know. have done nothing
for which / can be arrested. and II an,