The Elbert County tribune., 1914-08-21
CHAPTER xI-contInues-

-" &c iepofteu IN Nue vicinity
CHAPTER xI-continued-
TT is the desire OF the Yaquis." he
had said. when rebuked Tor serving
under the hated flag of Mexico. ito kill
Mexicans. And" he added srimly. the
federals at this time seem best able
to give US guns for that purpose"
But 1t had been year now since
Bule had passed his word and. though
they had battled valiantly. their land
lad not been given back to them. The
wild Yaquis. the irreconcilables who
never came down from the hills. had
gone on the warpath again. but Bule
and his men still served.
Only in two things did they disobey
their officers-they would not stack
thoir 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 winter of idleness at
Aqua Negra, they were marching
south toward their native land and. in
spite of the stern glances of their lead
ers, they burst forth In weird Yaqui
songs which, II their words had been
known. might easily have caused their
Mexican officers some slight uneasi-
ness.
1t was, in fact, only 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 of and ad-
mired their stark forms.
There's some genuine fighters for
you" he observed to Phil; and a giant
Y5qui. standing near, returned his
praise with a smile.
wy, hello there, Amigo!" hailed
Bud, jerking his head in friendly ga
Lutte. That's feller was making
: signs to up in Aqua Negra." he ex-
planned. "Dogged II amt stuck on
these Yaquis-they're all men. believe
mel"
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 lot OF Americans,
one time and another"
Well, If they did 1t was for being
caught in bad company" said Hooker
'I'd take chance With 'em any time
but II you go into their country
with 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 got" he inquired La
Spanish, at the same time rolling a
cigarette and asking by a sign for q
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 here7" inquired the Yaqui
at last.
Come here" corrected Bud. 'T
have mine-ten miles--over there"
He pointed with the fiat OF his hand
Indian fashion. and Amigo nodded un-
derstandingly.
He was fine figure of a man, stand
Ing six feet or better In his well-cut
sandals and handling his heavy Mau-
ser as child would swing a stick.
Across his broad chest he wore a full
cartridge belt, and around his waist
he had two more. filled to the last
hole with cartridges and loaded clips.
At his feet lay his blanket. bound into
tight roll, and canteen and coffee
cup completed his outfit. which. SO far
AS impedimenta were concerned, was
simplicity itself
But instead of the cheap linen uni
form Of the federals he was dressed
In good American clothes-a striped
shirt, overalls. and d sombrero banded
with bright ribbon-and in place of
the beaten. hunted look of those poor
conscripts he had the steady gaze of
free man.
They stood and smoked for a few
moments. talking briefly, and then, as
the Yaquis closed up their ranks and
marched off to make camp for the
night, Bud presented his strange
friend with the sack of tobacco and
went back to Join his par6ner.
That evening the plaza was filed
with the widest rumors. and another
train arrived during the night. but
through 1t all Bud and Phu remained
nnimpressed. In the morning the sol
elers went marching OF down the trail.