The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-07-31

weeks nad passed, ana stlll no papers
came. As his anxiety increased Phil
fell into the habit Of staying in town
overnight, and finally he was gone for
two days. The third day was drawing
to a close, and Bud was getting rest
less, when suddenly he beheld the
Yaqui bounding down the hill in great
leaps and making signs down the
canyon.
1.-TWO men!" he called, dashing up to
the tent; "one of them a rural"
why a rural?" asked Bud, mysti.
: fed.
ITO take mel" cried Amigo, striking
himself violently on the breast Lend
me your rifle!"
NO." answered Bud, after pause /;
you might get into trouble. Run and
hide in the rocks-I will signal you
when to come back"
"Muy bien," said the Yaqui obedi-
emily, and, turning, he went up over
rocks like a mountain-sheep, bounding
from boulder to boulder until he dis
appeared among the hilltops. Then,
as Bud brought In his horse and shut
him hastily inside his corral, the two
riders came around the point-a rural
and Aragon!
Now, in Mexico a rural, as Bud we'll
knew, means trouble-and Aragon
meant more trouble, trouble for him.
Certainly, so busy man as Don Cipri-
ano would not come clear to his camp
to help capture Yaqui deserter. Bud
sensed 1t from the start that this was
another attempt to get possession of
their mine, and he awaited their COM
Ing grimly.
as tardes," he said in reply to the
rurars abrupt salute, and then he
stood silent before his tent, looking
them over shrewdly. The rural was
a hard-looking citizen, as many Of
them are, but on this occasion he
seemed a trifle embarrassed, glancing
inquiringly at Aragon. AS for Aragon,
he was gazing at a long line Of jerked
meat which Amigo had hung out to
dry, and his dropped eye opened up
suddenly as he turned his cold regard
upon Hooker.
"Senor," he said, speaking with an
accusing harshness, I'VE are looking
for the men who are stealing my
cattle, and l see we have not far to
go. Where did you get that meat"
II got it from deer" returned
Bud; there is his hide on the fence;
you can see it if you'll look
The rural, glad to create diver
sion, rode over and examined the hide
and came back satisfied, but Aragon
was not so easily appeased.
by what right" he demanded true
ulently, do you, an American, kill
deer in our country? Have you the
special permit which is required?"
mo, senor," answered Hooker So
berly; "the deer was killed by Mex
lean l have working for mel"
Hal" sneered Aragon, and then he
paused, baked. .....
Where is this Mexican?" inquired
the rural, his professional instincts
aroused, and while'Bud was explaining
that he was out in the hills some
where, Aragon spurred his horse up
closer and peered curiously into his
tent.
What are you looking for?" de-
manded Hooker sharply, and then Ara
gon showed his hand.
II am looking for the drills and drill
spoon" he said; the ones you stole
when you took my mine!"
"Then get back out of there!" cried
Bud, selling his horse by the bit and
throwing him back on his launches;
and stay Quit" he added, as he
dropped his hand to his gun. But if
the rural wishes to search" he said,
turning to that astounded official, "he
is welcome to do So"
"Muchas gracias, MOI" returned the
rural, shaking a finger in front of his
face, and then he strobe over to where
Aragon was muttering and spoke in a
low tone.
mol" dissented Aragon, shaking his
head violently; "no-no! want this
man arrested" he cried, turning vim
dictively upon Bud. "He has stolen
my tools-my mine-my land! He has
no business here-no title! This land
is mine, and tell him to 60. Pronto!"
he shouted, menacing Hooker with his
riding-whip, but Bud only shifted his
feet and stopped listening to his ex-
cited Spanish.
mo, senor," he said, when 1t was all
over, this claim belongs to my pard-
ner, De Lancey. You have no"
"Ha! De Lancey!" jeered Aragon,
suddenly indulging himself in sar-
donic laugh. DE Lancey! Ha, hal"
Whats the matter?" cried Hooker,
as the rural joined in with derisive |
smirk. Say, speak up. hombre!" he
threatened, stepping closer as his eyes
took on dangerous CLEAN. And let |
me tell you now" he added, that II |
any man touches a hair of his head |
I'll kill him like dog!"
The rural backed his horse away, as
II suddenly discovering that the Amer
lean was dangerous, and then, salut-
ing respectfully as he took his leave.