The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1914-06-25
CHAPTER XVI.

At their camp by the Eagle Tail
mine. even though they held IL still
and were heirs 70 half its gold, the
two pardners were glum and sorrow
full. The treacheries which Bud had
forgiven In a moment Of exaltation
came back to him now as he brooded:
and he eyed his friend askance, a. II
wondering what he would do next.
lie recalled all the circumstances OF
their quest-the meeting with Kruger,
Phil's insistence on the adventure, the
oath OF loyalty which they had sworn;
and then the gradual breaking down
OF their brotherly devotion until EOw
they were strangers AZ heart.
Phil sat by himself. keeping his
thoughts 10 himself, and he stood aiOOf
while he waited for the worst to hap
pen.
From the first day OF their under.
taking Hooker had felt that Il was un.
lucky. and now he knew that the end
was coming. His friend was lost to
him, lost alike 20 a sense Of loyalty
and honor: he gloomed by himself and
thought only OF Gracla Aragon.
The oath which Phil himself had
forced upon Bud was broken and for.
gotten. but Bud. by a sterner standard,
felt bound to keep his part One thing
alone could make him break this
word TO Henry Kruger. The Eagle
Tall mine he held In trust. and half
OF 1t was kTuger's.
Phil, he said at last. when his
mind VAS weary OF the ceaseless grind
OF thoughts. Il believe that mineral
agent is holding back our papers. 1
believe old Aragon has passed him a
hundred or 40 and they're In cahoots
TO rob us. But IN tell you what III
do-yOu give me n power OF attorney
TO receive those papeIs for you. and
I'll go In and talk Dutch TO the whole
OUTFIT"
What do you want to do that forg"
demanded De Lancey querulously.
why can't you walt q while3 Those
papers have % 60 20 MOctezuma and
Hern0slilo and all owe the City of
Mexico and back. and Il takes time
What do you wan 10 make trouble
for2"
well. III tell you. Phil" answered
Bud honestly. rive got a bunch II we
don't grab them papers soon we won't
get en- al all. Here these rebels are
working closer all the time, and Ara
son u croNdlnE Va. ! want 70 get tisle
and turn Il over 10 Kruger, before We
lose out somewhere"
"Whats the matter with me going
In and talking 10 the agent7" suggest
ed Phil Then. as he saw his pard.
ners face, he paused and laughed bit.
terly.
You don't trust me any more, do
you. Budl" he said.
We'll. Il Amt that 50 much" evaded
Hooker: but / sure don't trust that
Manuel del Rey. The fret time you
go into town he's going 10 pinch you.
and ! knoW a."
Elm going to go In all the same"
declared DE Lancey, and II the little
squirt tries 10 stop me-"
AN. Phil" ~entreated Bud. be Fea,
sonable, can't YET You got no call 20
go up against that little felier. He's a
bad actor. ! can see that, and ! believe
he'd XII yoB n he got the chance. But
wait a little ~while-maybe he'll get
took on IN the lights this SUMNER"
no. he's too cursed mean for that"
muttered DE Lancey. but he seemed
10 take some comfort in the thought.
As for bud. he loafed around for a
while. cleaning up camp. making
smoke for the absent YaqQui and look.
ing over the deserted mine. but some.
thinE IN the changed atmosphere made
him restless and uneasy.
Continued Tom0FrOW A~ftorno0n.)