Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1914-08-13
CHAPTER xVI-continued.


81 wonder where that logged In
dian went to-" he said for the hun
.dredth time, as the deep shadows
gathered in the valley. by Joe, PhA'
If Amigo comes back I'm going to go
ahead on that mine. want to keep
him around here, and we might as
well get out some ore, if it's only for
IA grub-stake. Come on-what do you
say? Well open her up-there's moth
ing to hide now. Well, I'll do it my
self, then-this setting around is get
ting on my nerves"
His far-seeing eyes, trained from his
yboyhood to search the hills for cattle
scanned the tops of the ridges as he
spoke; and while he sat and pondered
Nhey noted every rock.
Then at last he rose up slowly and
,gazed at certain spot. He waved
his arm, reckoning the distant point
of blackness to come i'm and soon
from around point in the canyon the
.IYaqui appeared bearing heavy Maui
ser rife on his arm.
Across his broad breast hung the
same familiar cartridge-belt, two more
iencircled his hips, and he walked
with his head held high, like the war
TioEkhat he was.
Nently his fight had led to the
y Hare fig- a7ihs had been hid, for
ne 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 jokingly;
-''but have you killed any?"
mot 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, | bet" agreed Bud, regard
ding his savage friend with specula-
tive interest. Most of them Yaqui
soldiers was earmhands 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 Ignacio gravely acknowl-
edged that he was, a little.
Then drink plenty coffee" went on
Hooker. Eat lots-tomorrow we go
to work in the mine
Tomorrow" repeated the Indian,
as if considering his other engage
ments; good" He nodded a smiling
assent.
After 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 were heaved aside
and the shattered ledge revealed.
A low cry Of wonder escaped the
Yaoui as he gazed at the rich vein of
ore, and as he saw the grim smile on
Buds rugged countenance he showed
his white teeth in sympathy.
Que bueno!" he murmured. How
zood!" gathering the precious frag-
ments in his handkerchief.
Al the camp they crushed the
uicked ore in mortar and PANIED 1t
IN the creek, and for the moment De
I.ancey dropped his air of preoccu-
nancy as he stared at the streak of
pure gold. Like yellow film 1t lay
along the edge of the last fine taillngs,
and when skilful washing had left 1t
bare, It cleaned like a jewel in the
pan.
by Jove, Bud!" he cried, that's the
real stuff-and 1t goes dollar to the
pan easy!"
"sure thing!" assented Bud. Lets
oound lot of 1t and wash 1t as we go
then we'll have some getaway money
when things break loose here!"
.I,ll go you'll" answered Phil, and
pud,s heart warmed toward him as he
watched him pound up piece OF ore
and 20 to swirling the dirt In the
gan. 10 ohor.