The Elbert County tribune., 1914-09-25
CHAPTER xIx-centi,ued.


lie looked the adobe house over
thoughtfuIly, listened long to the
news of the border and of the rurales'
raid on their camp. and retired to the
vocks for the night Even Bud never
knew where he slept somewhere up
on the hillside In caves or clefts in
the rocks--and not even the most
pressing Invitation could make him
share the hodse for night. To Amigo.
Az To an animal. a house was a trap;
and he knew that the times were
treacherous.
So indeed they were, as Hooker was
10 learn to his sorrow. and but for the
xaqui and hts murderous knife he
night easily have Learned 1t too late.
It was evening. after raihless day.
and Bud was cooking by the open fire.
when suddenly Amigo vanished and
tour men rode IN from above. They
were armed with rifles, as beiftted the
Zines. but gave no signs OF ruifianly
brarado. and after few words Bud in.
v,ted them to get down and eat 4
Muchas gracias. senor." said the
leader. dismounting and laying his rifle
against a log. I'VE are not hungry"
Then have some Coffee invited
tooker. who made II point to feed
every one who stopped. regardless of
their merit: and once more the Mexi-
can declined. At this bud looked at
him sharply. for his refusal did not
augur well. and II struck him the
mans face was familiar. He was tall
Tor a Mexican and heavily built, but
With rather sinister castsof counte-
nance.
Where have seen you before ?"
asked Bud, after trying in vain to
place him. ''Ih Fortuna?"
No. senor." answsred the Mexic-n
politely. II have ncver been in that
>ity. Is It fart"
Ten miles by the trail.'' responded
Hooker. by no means reassured. and
under pretext Of inviting them to eat,
he took u look at the other men. II
they had not stopped to eat, what
then was their errand while the sun
was sinking so low? And why this
suilen refusal Of the coffee which every
Mexican drinks?
Bud stepped into the houae. as II on
come errand. and watched them un-
seen from the interior. Seeing them
exchange giances then. he leaned his
rifle just inside the door and went
about his cooking.
II was one OF the chances he took
ttving out in the brush, but he had
come to know this low-browed type of
semi-handit all too well and had small
respect for their courage In case Of
trouble Amigo was close by in the
rocks somewhere. probably with his
gun in his hand-but with a little pa
tience and circumspectif,a the unwel-
come visitors would Arubtless move
pu.
So he thought, bue ,nstead they lin
eened, and wheE sssRoc Was cooked he
decided to go tel showdown and "
they again ra$Hsed to eat he would
eend them op thetr way.
Ven esassos." he said. spreading
OUT the ~ plates for them Come and
eat!"
TAs three low-brows glared at their
t.asfer. who had done what little talk
ing there was SO far. and. seized with
n sudden animation, he Immediately
sose to his feet
Many thanks. senor." he said with
n erin slng and specious politeness.
"We have come far and the trail Is
long. SO we will eat The times are
bard for poor men now-this traitor,
'Madero. has made US all hungry. 1t Is
by him that we poor working men arc
driven to insurrection-but we know
that the Americans are our friends,
Yes. senior. viii take some of your
beans, and thank YOU"
He filled a plate as he spoke and
lifted q biscuit from the oven. CON
tinuing with his false patter while the
others fell to IN silence.
Perhaps you have heard. senor," he
vent on. the saying which is in the
xand: Mncho trAbRjo, paco dinero;
no hay frijbies. viva Madefol [Much
iwork. little mopsy; no beans. long
lnfvs HaderoiJ