Jackson County journal. (Sylva, N.C.) 19??-19??, 1914-06-19

fair fight and none OF this snake-rn-,he-
grass business
Yes, but don't put it on him." pro-
tested De Lancey. Let him be
friendly for while. II he wants to-"
Cant be friends" said Bud lacon-
ically; we Jumped his claim"
Maybe he doesn't want it." sus-
sested Phil hopefully. He's dropped
lot of money on it."
You bet he wants it." returned
Hooker. with conviction. I'm going
to camp out there-the old boy Ii
liable to jump u.s."
"Aw, you're crazy, Bud" cried Phil;
but Hooker only smiled.
You know what happened to Kru-
GER" he answered. 'Tll tell you what.
We got to keep our eye open around
here"
1ney rode on to the mine, which
was only about five miles from For
tuna, without discussing the matter
further; for, while Phil had generally
been the leader. in this particular case
Kruger had put Bud in charge, and
ne seemed determined to have his
way so far as Aragon was concerned.
IN the ordering of supplies and the
laying out Of development work he
deferred to Phil in everything. but for
tactics he preferred his own Judgment.
IL was by instinct rather than rea-
son that he chose to fight, and people
who follow their instincts are hard to
change. So they put In the day in
making careful measurements, &C
cording to the memoranda that Kru-
ger had given them; having satisfied
themselves as to the approximate
locality of the lost vein. they turned
back again toward town with their
heads full Of cunning schemes.
Since 1t was the pleasure of the
Senior Aragon to make war on all
who entered his preserves, they check
mated any attempt on his part to
locate the lead by driving stakes to
the north of their ledge; and. still fur
Their to throw him off, they decided to
mark time for while by doing dead
work on a cut Such an approach
would be needed to reach the mouth
of their tunnel.
At the same time it would give
steady employment to Mendez and
keep him under their eye, and as soon
as Aragon showed his hand they could
make out their final papers in peace
and send them to the City of Mexico.
And not until those final papers
were recorded and the transfer duly
made would they so much as stick
a. pick into the hillside or show a
lump of quartz.
But for Spanish gentleman, sup
posed to be all supple curves and sinu-
Gus advance. Don Cipriano turned out
somewhat Of a surprise, for when they
rode back through his narrow street
again he met them squarely in the
road and called them to a halt.
by what right, gentlemen" he de-
manded in voice tremulous with
rage by what right do you take
possession Of my mine, upon which I
have paid the taxes all these years.
and conspire with that rogue, Cruz
Mendez, to cheat me out of it? 1t
is mine, tell you, no matter what the
agente mineral may say, and"
Your mine, nothing!" broke in
Hooker scornfully, speaking In the
ungrammatical border-Mexican of the
cowboys. 1--WE meet one Mexican
he shows us the mine-that is all. The
expert of the mining agent says it is
vacant-we take it. Stawano!"
He waved the matter aside with
masterful Indifference, and Aragon
burst into torrent of excited Span
ish
Very likely, very likely" comment
ed Bud dryly, without listening to a
word: Isl, senior, 20 pienso!"
A wave of fury swept over the Span
iards face at this gibe and he turned
suddenly to De Lancey.
"Senor," he said. you seem to be a
gentleman. Perhaps you will listen to
me. This mine upon which you are
working is mine. 1 have held it for
years, seeking for the lost vein of the
old padres. Then the rebels came
sweeping through the land. They stole
my horses, they drove off my cattle.
they frightened my workmen from the
mine. l was compelled to fee myself
and my family-to keep from being
held for ransom. Now you do me the
great injustice to seize my mine!"
"Ah, no, senor," protested De Lam
cey, waving his finger politely for 81
lence, you are mistaken. We have
inquired about this mine and It has