Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1914-09-03
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 grimly, the
9ederals at this time seem best able
to give us guns for chat purpose"
But it had been a year now since
TBule had passed his word and, though
they had battled valiantly, their land
had not been given back to them. The
wild Yaquis, the i~rreconcilables 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
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 a smile.
IVY hello there, Amigo!" hailed
Bud, Jerking his head in a friendly sa-
lutte. That's a Teller / was making
signs to up in Aqua Negra," he ex-
plained. "Dogged if ! 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 a 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 a broad grin on his honest face
ne advanced toward the giant Yaqui
land 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
markings, 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. II
have mine-ten miles-over there"
He pointed with the fiat of his hand,
Indian fashion, and Amigo nodded un-
sderstandingly.
He was a fine figure of a man, stand
i1ng six feet or better in his well-cut
sandals and handling his heavy Maui
ser as a 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
n tight roll, and a canteen and coffee
cup completed his outfit, which, SO far
las impedimenta we're 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 a sombrero banded
with a bright ribbon-and in place Of
the beaten, hunted look Of those poor
~conscripts he had the steady gaze Of
IN free man,
They stood and smoked for a. few
moments, talking briefly, and then, al
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 anG
vent back to join his pardner.
That evening the plaza was fillet
with the widest rumors, and another
train arrived during the night, but
through it all Bud and Phil remained
unimpressed. In the morning the SOL
sdiers went marching off down the trail
leaying D great silence where all hat
been ~bugle-calls and excitement, ani
then the first fugitive came in from
down below.
He raj an old Mexican, With trem
bling beard and staring eyes. and hi
told a tale OF outrage that made thei
blood run cold. Eha reddaggersr ha,
come TO his house at night; they be,
killed his wife and son, left him npei
the ground for dead. and carried 81
his daukhteE a prisoner,
bat hitter. whsnsthe cofnisafi0 Qaef
toned h~ifulGharpix. ltdeveloped tina
be lived not far away, had no daugl
- 70 Lose, and was. in fact. only