Gilpin observer., 1914-11-19
CHAPTER XXI.

On the morning a1tef tney naQ
laughed at the comic paper and decid-
ed that all the world was fair, Hooker
and Amigo were squatting by the fire
and eating man 's-size breakfast.
The creek, swollen by yesterdays
torrentiai rain, had settled to rivu-
let. The wind had not risen and the
sun was just over the hill when, with
rush and scramble, Amigo threw
down his cup and was of in flash 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 we'll knew, upon For
tuna. They marched quietly, and the
great whistle had not blown.
1t would make rich prize, Fortuna,
if they could take 1t by surprise! The
ransom for the Spanish haciendados
alone would amount to thousands Of
dollars. and the mineowners could
afford to pay anything in order to save
their works.
A box OF dynamite under the giant
concentration and the money would be
produced at once, and yet the scoun-
drels halted at one-man camp to
steal a single horse.
A flicker Of scorn passed over Hook
ers face as the leader came dashing
up, but the Texan greeted him with u
slow smile.
''Buenos dias, general!- he said;
you have many men,"
Enough" observed the general"
hurriedly. but some IN the rear are
an foot AS I suppose you are in sym.
pathy with our great cause will ask
you for that horse. OF course, will
give you receipt"
He fetched out blank-book 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
anything l have-food. blankets, mon
ey-but | 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 pause and men began
TO dismount and move in closer. At
q word from their commander any
one OF them would draw and kill him.
as Hooker very well knew. but his
durate.
If the man Is lame" he said, 81
will give him another horse-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-
ly upon the defiant Hooker. Il must
trouble you for that pistol"
mo, senor!' answered the cowboy.
keeping his hand upon his gun, mot
to you nor no man-and I'll never give
1t up to Mexican!"
"Carai!" exclaimed the officer impa.
tiently. you are an Americano-no? ?'
Not only that" rumbled Bud, draw
ing himself up in his pride. 81 am Il
Te5ano also. and II any man touches
that horse III kill him!"
His voice trembled with anger. but
his hand was steady and the Mexicans
did not deceive themselves.
"Ha, un Tejano!" murmured the
men who stood about. and oge or two