The Ordway new era., 1914-11-27

marco Bravo and hls men are marcn
ing to take our town. No. ] value the
friendship Of the valiant Americans
very highiy-so WI let your friend
90. But first he must promise me one
thing-not to trouble the senor Ara
gon by making further love to his
daughtsr!"
Very well!" replied Bud. "He has
already promised that to me; 10 come
on and let him out.
ITO your" repeated Manuel del Rey
with faint smile. Then. perhaps"
perhaps nothing!" broke in Hooker
shortly. Como on!"
He led the way impatientiy while
the captain. his saber clanking. strobe
out and rode beside him. He was not
big man. this swashing captain of
the rural police. but he was master.
nevertheless, OF great district, from
Fortuna to the line, with . reputation
for quick work In the pursuance OF his
duty a. well ~ in the primrose ways
Of love. I..
In the insurrections and raidings Of
the previous summer he had given the
coup de grace with his revolver to
more than one embryo bandit, and In
his love affairs he had shown that he
could be equally summary. ..
The elegant Feliz Luna. who for
time had fingered near the charming
Gracia, had finally found himself up
asaipst pair Of pistols with the op-
ton Of either fighting Captain del Rey
or returning to his parents. The young
man concluded TO beat . retreat For
a like offenss Philip Do Lancey had
been unceremoniousiy thrown into
Jail; and now the captain turned his
attention to Bud Hooker, whose mind
he had not yet fathomed.
Excuse me, senor." he said. after a
brief silence. but your words left me
in doubt-whether to regard you as
friend or rival"
"What?" demanded Bud. whose
knowledge Of Spanish did not extend
to the elegancies.
"You said" explained the captain
politely, that your friend had prom
ised you he would not trouble the lady
further. Does that mean that you are
interested In her yourself, or merely
that you perceive the hopelessness Of
his suit and wish to protect him from
greater evil that may well befall
him! For look you. senior, the girl is
mine, and NO man can come between
us!''
HUH" snorted Bud, who caught
the last all right. Then he laughed
shortly and shrugged his shoulders. II
don't know what you're talking about"
he said sruniy. but he will stay away.
all right"
"Muy .bien," responded Del Rey care
lessly and. dismounting at the jail, he
threw open the door and stood aside
for his rival to come out.
"Muchas gracias, senior captain" sa-
luted Bud, as the door. Changed to be-
hind his pardner. But Phil still bristled
with anger and defiance. and the cap
tain perceived that there would be no
thanks from him. -
ut 10 nothing" he-replied.- bowling
politely, and something In the way he
said It made De Lancey choke with
rage. But there by the carcel door
was not the place for picking quarrels.
They went to the hotel. where Don
Juan. all apologies for his apparent
neglect-which he excused on tho
ground that De Lancey had been held
omunicado-placated them as best
he could and hurried on to the news.
MY gracious, Don Felipe" he cried
you don't know how sorry was to
see you in Jail. but the captains or
ders were that no one should 30 near
you-and in Mexico we obey the ru-
rales, you know. Otherwise we are
placed against wall and shot
"But have you heard the news from
down below? All, what terrible times
they are having there-ranches raided.
women stolen. rich men held for ran
som! Yes. it is worse than ever! Al
ready am receiving kilograms to pre-
pare rooms for the refugees. and the
people are coming in crowds.
"Our friend, the Senior Luna, and
his son Feliz have been taken by Ber
nardo Bravo! Only by an enormous
ransom was he able to save his wife
and daughters, and his friends must
now pay for him.
"At the ranch OF the rich Spaniard.
Alvarez, there has been great battle
in which the red-fiaggers were defeat
ed with losses. Now Bernardo Bravo
swears he will avenge his men, and
Alvarez has armed his Yaqui work
men.
He is a brave man. this Colonel
Alvarez, and his Yaquis are all war
riors from the hills; but Bernardo has
gathered all the insurrectos in the
country together-Campos. Rotas. the
brothers Escaboza-and they may
crush him with their numbers But
now there is other news-that they
are marching upon Fortuna and El
Tigre, to seize the mines and mills
and hold the rich American companies
up for ransom.
mo. senores. you must not return
to YOUR camp. Remain here, and YOU