Gilpin observer., 1914-10-22
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
II Amigo comes back I'm going to go
ahead on that mine. I want to keep
him around here, and we might as
well get out some ore, if it's only for
a grub-stake. Come on-what do you
say? Well open her up--there's 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 a certain spot. He waved
his arm, beckoning the distant point
of blackness to come in, and soon
from around point in the canyon the
Yaqui appeared, bearing heavy Mau-
ser rife on his arm.
Across his broad breast hung the
same familiar cartridge-belt, two more
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 knife-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
about his gun, he simply waved his
hand to the south and east and MUIR
INJURED:
"Muchos revoltOsos!"
"Seguro:" answered Bud 1okingly:
but have you killed any?"
Not 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, l 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. /
reckon he's looking for the man that
had him deported.
Tired. Amigo?" he inquired in
Spanish. and lgnacio gravely acknowl-
edged that he was. little.
Then drink plenty coffee" went ON
Hooker. Eat lots-tomorrow we 20
TO work in the mine"
Tomorrow" repeated the Indian,
as If considering his other engage
ments; "good!" He nodded a smiling
assent.
After a month and more of idleness
Bud and Amigo performed prodigies
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. their
track the abandoned rails from older
workings. and their tools little more
than their hands. but by noon the last
broken fragments we're heaved aside
and the shattered ledge revealed.
A low cry OF wonder escaped the
Yaqui as he gazed at the rich vein Of
ore. and as ho saw the grim smile on
Buds rugged cruntenance he showed
his white teeth In sympathy.
Que buenoi" he murmured. How
good" gathering the precious frag-
ments in his handkerchief
At tho camp they crushed the
picked ore In mortar and panned 1t
in the creek, and for the moment De
Lanpes dropped his air OF preoccu-
paHcy as he stared at the streak of
yure gold. Like yellow film 1t lay
along the edge OF the last fine tailings,
and when skilful washing had left il
bare. 1t. cleaned like Jewel in the
pan.
BY Jove. Bud!" he cried. that's the
real stuff-and It goes a dollar to the
pan easy!"
Sure thing!" assented Bud. Lets
pound lot OF II and wash 1t as we go
then Wen have some getaway money
when things break loose here!"
'Tll go you" 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
fan.
aps alas for fhn SonA hon>s ha ,har