The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-08-29
CHAPTER XI-continued.

at is the desire of the Yaquis, he
had said, when rebuked for serving
under the hated flag of Mexico, ito kill
Mexicans. And" he added grimiy, the
federaIs at this time seem best able
to give us guns for that purpose.
But it had been a year now since
Bule had passed his word and, though
they had battIed valiantly, their land
had not been given back to them. The
wild Yaquis, the irreconcilables who
never came down from the hills, had
gone an the warpath again, but Bule
and his men still served.
Only in two things did they disobey
their officers-they would not stack
their arms, and they would not retreat
while there were still more Mexicans
to be killed Otherwise they were
very good soldiers.
But now, after the long campaign in
Chihuahua and a winter of idleness at
Aqua Negra, they we're marching
south toward their native land and, in
spite of the stern chances of their lead
ers, they burst forth in weird YaQui
songs which, if their words had been
known, might easily have caused their
Mexican officers some slight uneasi-
ness.
1t was, in fact, only a question of
days, months, or years until the entire
Yaqui contingent would desert, taking
their arms and ammunition with them.
Gee, what a bunch of men!" ex-
claimed Bud, as he stood off and ad-
mired their stark forms.
There's some genuine fighters for
you" he observed to Phil; and a giant
Yaqui. standing near, returned his
praise with smile.
IVY, hello there, Amigo!" hailed
Bud. Jerking his head in friendly sa-
lutte. That's a teller l was making
signs to up in Aqua Negra," he ex-
planned. "Dogged if I amt stuck on
these Yaquis-they're all men, believe
met"
Good workers, all right" conceded
De Lancey, but I'd hate to have 'em
get after me with those guns. They
say they've killed a lot of Americans,
one time and another"
We'll, if they did it was for being
caught in bad company" said Hooker.
I'D take chance with 'em any time
but if you go into their country
with a Mexican escort they'll kill you
on general principles. Say" he cried
impulsiVely, I'm going over to talk
with Amigo!"
With broad grin on his honest face
he advanced toward the giant Yaqui
and shook hands tremendously.
Where you go?" he inquired In
Spanish. at the same time rolling a
cigarette and asking by a sign for a
match
MocteZuma," answered the Indian
gravely. Then, as Bud offered him the
makings, he, too, rolled a cigarette
and they smoked for a minute In
silence.
you live here?" inquired the Yaqui
at last
Come here" corrected Bud. az
, have mine-ten miles-over there"
He pointed with the fat of his hand
Indian fashion, and Amigo nodded I'm
derstandingly.
He was a fine figure of a man. stand
ing six feet or better in his weIl-cu
sandals and handling his heavy Mau
ser as a child would swing a stick
Across his broad chest he wore a full
cartridge belt, and around his Wais
hoO wv A1OAOS 41lSu TO the las
hole with cartridges and loaded clips
At his feet lay his blanket, bound int
tight roll, and a canteen and coffet
cup completed his outfit, which. so IA
as impedimenta were concerned, wa
simplicity itself
But instead of the cheap linen uni
form of the federals he was dresse,
in good American cIothes-a stripe,
shirt, oveFalls, and a sombrero bande,
with bright ribbon-and in place o
the beaten, hunted look of those poo
conscripts he had the steady gaze Q
free man.
They stood and smoked for a fey
moments, talking briefly. and then, a
the Yaquis closed up their ranks an
marched of to make camp for tn
night, Bud presented his strang
friend with the sack OF tobacco an
went back to join his pardner.
That evening the plaza was file
with the widest rumors, and anothe
train arrived during the night, bu
through it all Bud and Phil rename
unimpressed. In the morning the so
diers went marching of down the trai
leaving great silence where all ha
been bugle-calls and excitement, an
then the first fugitive came In froI
down below
He was an old Mexican, with tren
bling beard and staring eyes, and b
told tale of outrage that made the
blood run cold. The red-faggers Ia
come to his house at night; they ha
killed his wife and son. left him upo
the ground for dead. and carried G
his daughter, a prisoner
But later, when the comisario que
toned him sharply. it developed TIA
he lived not far away, had no daug
ter to lose. and was. In fact, only