The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-09-25
CHAPTER XVIII.

Bravo and his rebel raiders passed
through the mountains to the east, and
news came of heavy fighting in CHI
huahua. Don Cipriano Aragon moved
his family back to his hacienda and
Gracia became only a dream.
Then, one day, as Hooker and the
Yaqui were industriously pounding out
gold, a messenger came out from town
with a telegram in his hand.
Am in Gadsden No chance to hold
mine Kruger says quit.-P.
No, I'll be 'sarned If | do" NUT
tered Bud. Then he sat down to think.
Amigo he said to the Yaqui, are
you a Mexican citizen? Can you get
title to mine?"
me a Mexican?" repeated Amigo.
tapping himself on the chest. mo,
senior! SECURE que MOI"
"All right then" observed Bud bit
terly, here goes nothing-nowhere!
III turn Mexican myself"
He passed the messenger on the way
to town, took out his first papers as
citizen, picked up the mineral agents
expert on the way back, and located
the Eagle Tail In his own name. Be-
fore riding back to camp he wired to
Kruger:
Have turned Mex and relocated claim.
HOOKER.
1t was his last card, and he did not
expect to win by 1t. Fate had been
against him from the first, and he
could see his finish, but his nature
! drove him to fight on. All that Ara
gon had to do now was to have him
summoned for military service, and
Del Rey would do the rest.
Then he could take over the mine.
A mere formality-or so it seemed
but between Aragon and his mine
stood the Texas blood. Hooker had
been crowded to the wall, and he was
mad enough to fight.
The news of De Lancey's desertion
followed quickly after his fiight-it
came over the federal wires in a re.
port to Manuel del Rey-but by the
time 1t got to Aragon that gentleman
was too late. They rode into camp
the next day-Aragon and the captain
Of the rurales-and at the first glimpse
of that hated uniform Amigo was of
like buck. Bud went out sullenly
to meet them, his black mood showing
in his lowering eyes, and he halted
them by the savagery of his cursing.
You cock-eyed old reprobate," he
snarled, advancing threateningly upon
; the paling Aragon, this makes three
. times you've come into my camp and
brought your gun with you! Now take
} it off," he yelled, dropping suddenly
into Spanish. Take that gun off-dc
you understand"
So violent and unexpected was HE
, assault that it threw Aragon into a
panic, and even Manuel del Rey soft
ened his manner as he inquired into
the cause.
Never mind" answered Bud
smiling crustily as Aragon laid aside
bis arms; Il know that hombre well!
/ Now what can do for you, capitan?"
, BE so kind as to take your HAND
from your belt" replied Del Rey with
smile that was intended to placate
( "Ah, thank you-excuse my nerves
now can tell you the news. regret
, to inform you, senior, that your friend
, De Lancey, has deserted from my com
+ mand, taking his arms and equipment
, with him. In case he is captured ht
, will be shot as deserter."
t Your news is old, captain" re-
Joined Hooker. 81 knew 1t two DAYS
t ago. And you can tell Mr.. Aragor
Y that it is no use for him to try to gel
:. this mine-I became a Mexican either
yesterday and located it myself"
g $50 we learned" responded the cap
5 tain suavely. 1T was part of m,
|. errand today to ask If you would no
Y enlist In my company Of rurales."
t "Muchas gracias, CAPTAIN" an
3 swered Hooker with heavy irony. "
do not care tot"
q But your friend" protested Man
uel del Rey with an insinuating smile
q MY friend was in JAIL" put in Bud
!, he was to be shot at sunrise. Blu
r mira, amigo, l am not in Jail, and
4 Furthermore, do not intend to be-"
:, THAT is very creditable to YOU
;. laughed Del Rey; "but even then 70,
J. are entitled to enlist. The country il
t full of turbulent fellows who have {,
4 be caught OF killed. Come now, yo,
understand my errard-why make /
D hard for me?"
t No, senor," returned Bud grimly
u know nothing of your errand. Blu
! this | do know. / have done nothin,
t for which | can be arrested, and IL an.
r man tries to make me Join the army