Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1914-09-17
CHAPTER xIx-contlaued

He looked the adobe house over
fhoughtfully, listened long to the
news OF the border and of the rurales
raid on their camp. and retired To the
rocks for the night Even Bud never
knew where he slept-somewhere up
on the hillside-in caves or ciefts In
the rocks-and not even the most
pressing invitation could make him
rshare the house for a night To Amigo.
sas to an animal, house was trap;
land he knew that the times we're
ttreacherous.
So indeed they were, as Hooker was
ITO learn to his sorrow. and but for the
Yaqui and his murderous knife he
might easily have learned 1t too late.
1t was evening. after n rainless day.
and Bud was cooking by the open fire.
when suddenly Amigo vanished and
four men rode in from above. They
we're armed with rifles, rs befitted the
times, but gave no signs of rufianly
bravado, and after a few words Bud in
vited them to get down and eat
-'Muchas gracias, senor," said the
leader, dismounting and laying his rife
against log, I'VE are not hungry"
Then have some coffee" invited
Hooker, who made IL a point to feed
every one who stopped, regardless OF
their merit; and once more the Next
can declined. AT this Bud looked at
him sharply. for his refusal did not
.augur we'll, and IL struck him the
mans face was familiar. He was tall
for a Mexican and heavily built, but
-
nance.
Where have I seen you before ??
asked Bud, after trying in vain to
place him. ~In FortunaT'
No, senor," answered the Mexican
politely. Il have never been in thai
city. Is it fart"
Ten miles by the trail" Responded
Hooker, by no means treasured. anC
under pretext of inviting them TO eat
he took look at the other men.
they had not stopped To eat. wha
then was their errand while the SUI
was sinking so low? And Why thi
sullen refusal OF the coffee which ever.
Mexican drinks?
Bud stepped into the house. zss IL o.
some errand. and watched them uI
seen from the interior. Seeing Their
exchange glances then, he leaned hi
rifle Just inside the door and wen
about his cooking.
IL was one OF the chances he tool
living out in the brush. but he ha
come TO know this low-broved type G
'semi-baDdit all too Wen and bad sma
respect for their courage. In case c
strouble Amigo was close by In tn
cocks somewhere, probably Eith hi
gun in his hand-but with a little d;
tience and circumspection the unRe
come visitors would doubtless nov
ON.
- So he thought, but instead they III
gered, and when supper was cooked
decided to 60 to a show-down-and
they again refused to eat he woul
send them on their way.
Ven amigos" he said. spreadin
out the tin plates for them Come an
eat!"
The three low-brows giared at the
leader, who had done what little tall
ing there was 30 far. and, seized wit
a sudden animation. he immediatel
rose to his feet.
Many thanks, senor." he said wit
a erin 3ing and specious politenes
We have come far and the trail
long. so we will eat The times al
hard for poor men now-this traffic
-Madero, has made us all hungry. II
by him that we poor working men al
driven to misunderstanding we kno
that the Americans are our friend
Yes. senior, | will take some of yol
beans. and thank you"
He filled a plate as he spoke az
aired a biscuit from the oven, 90
ttinuing with his false patter while II
Others fell to in silence.
Perhaps you have heard. seaor,"
went on. the saying which Is in II
Hand: Mucho trabajo. pace diner'
no hay frijoles. viva Aadero, [Mu'
~ork. little money: M beanR. lou
sue kadeToll