Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1914-09-03
CHAPTER XXI.

On the morning after they had
laughed at the comic paper and decid-
ed that I'll the world was fair, Hooker
and Amigo were squatting by the fire
and eating man's-size breakfast.
The creek swollen by yesterdays
torrential rain, had settled to 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 off in fash for
the rocks.
A moment later two men rode down
the canyon, and then two more, and
two more. 1t was column of men,
all armed with rifles, and they cast
envious eyes at Copper Bottom as they
halted before the camp. AS for Bud.
ne saluted gravely, for he knew them
for what they were
These were the lost forces of Ber-
nardo Bravo and Salazar. Rojas and
the other bandit chiefs, and they
marched, as he well knew, upon For
tuna. They marched quietly. and the
great whistle had not blown.
It Nould make ylch prize, Fortuna,
If they could take 1t by surprise! The
ransom for the Spanish haciendados
alone would amount to thousands of
dollars, and the mine-owners could
afford to pay anything in order to save
their works.
A box of dynamite under the giant
concentrator and the money would be
produced at once, and yet the scoun-
drels halted at a one-man camp to
steal a single horse.
A flicker of scorn passed over Hook
er's face as the leader came dashing
up, but the Texan greeted him with
slow smile.
"Buenos dias, general" 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
pathy with our great cause, will ask
you for that horse. OF course, l will
give you a receipt"
He fetched out handbook as he
spoke and motioned to a ragged beg |
gar at his heels. Bud checked the
mans rush with a look
"One moment" he said, and as the |
soldier turned back his general glanced |
up sharply.
only this, Senior General" an
swered Bud. You are welcome to
l have-food, blankets, mon
ey-but l cannot give you that horse"
But, senor!" protested the general,
regarding him with arrogant pig eyes
that glinted wickedly, this poor sol
dier's feet are sore. Surely you would
not make him walk. Only name your
price and will give you receipt for
him. but my man must have the
horse"
There was a pause and men began
TO dismount and move in closer At
a word from their commander any
one of them would draw and kill him,
love for Copper Bottom made him OBJ
durate.
IF the man is lame," he said, Il
will give him another horee-but he
cannot have this sorrel"
He stepped quickly over to the cor
raj and turned with his back to the
gate, while the commander spat out
orders in Spanish and armed men
came running.
"Senor," he said, advancing brusque-
Iy upon the defiant Hooker Il must
trouble you for that pistol"
NO, senor!" answered the cowboy,
keeping his hand upon his gun, mot
10 you nor no man-and I'll never give
L up to a Mexican!"
"Carail" exclaimed the officer impa-
.iently, you are an Americano-no?
Not only that" rumbled Bud, draw /
ng himself up in his pride. II am a !
rejano also, and IL any man touches
hat horse I'll kill him"
His voice trcmbled with anger, but
lie hand was steady and the Mexicans
lid not deceive themselves. |
"Ha, un Tejano!" murmured tho
men who stood about. and one or two
Who had started to climb the fence [
hought better OF it and dropped back [
% the ground.
B1A knew the fate Of seTsral men