The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-10-16
(coo,,,shs 1914 b. Faak 4. Aussry)

battle.
Seventeen thousand rounds OF the
precious thirty-thirties had been de'
livered to the excited miners and now
except for what few the Americans mao
saved, there was not a cartridge IN
camp. Very soberly the superintendent
assured the leaders that he had nc
more; they pointed at the full belts OF
the American guard and demanded
them as their right: and when the
Americans refused to yield they flew
into a rage and threatened.
All in all, it was q pitiful exhibition
of hot.headedness and imbecility. and
only the f1rmness of the supertntend'
ent prevented a real spilling Of blood
The Me4icans retired in q huff and
broke into the cantina, and as the
night came on the valley re-echoed to
their drunken shoutings.
Such was war as the Sonorans con-
ceived it. When Hooker, standing his
guard in the corredor, encountered
Gracia Aragon on her evening walk,
he could scarcely conceal a grin.
What are you laughing at, Senior
Hooker?" she demanded with asperity.
lis it so pleasant, with q houseful Of
frightened women and screaming chill
dren, that you should make fun of our
plight"
mo. indeed" apologized Bud; moth
ing like that. Sure must be bad in
there-I stay outside myself. But
reckon it'll soon be over with. The
Mexicans here in town have shot off
all their ammunition and reckon the
rebels have done the same. Like as
not they'll all be gone tomorrow, and
then you can 60 back home"
"Oh, thank you for thinking about
mel" she returned with a scornful curl
Of the lip. But II all men were as
open as you, Mr.. Hooker, we women
would never need to ask a question.
This morning you told me l did not
know what was talking about-now l
presume you are thinking what cow
ards the Mexicans are!
"Oh. l know! You need not deny it!
You are nothing but a great byte.
jano! Yes, was going to say brute
but you are . friend Of dear Phil's, and
30 / viii hold my tongue. II it wasn't
for that, I'd" She paused, leaving
him to guess.
"Oh, do wish he were here" she
hreathed, leaning YEARLY against the
white pillar OF IN arch and gazing
down through the long arcade.
1T was % close in there" she con.
tinued, II could not stand It q minute
longer. These Indian women. you
know-they weep and moan all the
time. And the children-I am 10 CORY
for them. l cannot 90 now. because
they need me: but tomorrow-if Phil
were here-I would leave and ride for
the line.
Have you seen Del Rey today? No!
Then Ill the better-he must be polio,
ing the town. It 10 only Of him I am
afraid. These rebels arc nothing-l
agree With you! Mo-! Ram not angry
With you ct Ill now! But tomorrow
Just 1t dusk, when Ill 10 still % it ID
Ut this time. then, II Phil were here
l would mount my brave horse and
ride out By the western pass"
She ended rather inconclusively. let
ting her voice trail Of wistfully % sh(
waited for him to speak, but somethin,
within moved Hooker to hold hi,
peace. and he looked out over the tow
without commenting on her plans. Il
WAS evident to him that she was deter
mined to enlist hin sympathy and In
volve him in her Wild plot, and eacl
time the conversation veered in tia,
direction he took refuge in stubbor,
silence. -~~. -.
What are you thinking Of. Mr.
HookerT she asked 1t last, - h,
gased into the dusk. "sometimes
scold you and sometimes I try I,
please you, but never know what 70,
think! I did not mean that when
said could read your thoughts-yo,
are 90 different from poor, dear Phil!
), "M.m.m." mumbled bud, shifting hi,
feet, and his face turned little xrim
i Aha" she cried with ill.conceale,
satisfaction. you do not like me {,
call him like that, do you? Poor, dea
Phil.-like that! But do you kno1
why do 1T It Il to punish you 10
never coming near me-when I siRne,
to you-when waited for you-lon,
ago! All, you were 20 cruel! lvant
Cd to know you-you were Z cowboy
and l thought you were brave enoue
to defend me-but you always rod
right by. Yes. that was it-but Phi
was different! He came when | sen
for him: he sang songs to me at night
he took my part against Manuel de
Rey: and now
Il "Yes!" commented Bud bruskl,
with his mind on dear Pills" finist
], and she turned to peer into his face
so that IL IT." she said. "You d
not trust me. You think that am no
your friend-that will serve YOU .
he was served. II that what you ar
thinking?"
4 Something like that" admitte
Il Hnnkor lonninn aSi1u >~.s..A ~