The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-07-17


Then. with a saddle-gun under MIS-
knee and his six-shooter hung at mis-
hip. he rode rapidly down the road,
turning out from time to time to let
long cavalcades of mules string BY
The dead-eyed arrieros, each with his
combined mule-blind and whiplash
swinging free, seemed to have very
little on their minds but their pack
lashings, and yet they must be three
days out from Moctezuma.
Their mules, too, we're we'll loaded
with the products Of the hot country
-fanegas of corn in red leather SACKS,
oranges and fruits in handmade
crates, panoches of sugar In balanced
frames, long joints of sugar-cane Tor
the dulce pedlers, and nothing to lndi-
| cate either haste or flight
Three times he let long pack-trains
| go by without word, and then at last,
overcome by curiosity, he inquired
about the revoltosos
What revoltosos?" queried the old
man to whom he spoke.
why, the men OF Bernardo Bravo
answered Bud; "the men who are
marching to take Moctezuma."
when l left Moctezuma," returned
the old man politely, "all was quiet
there were no revoltosos. Since then,
l cannot say"
But the soldiers!" cried Bud.
Surely you saw them! They were
marching to fight the rebels"
Perhaps so," shrugged the arriero,
laying the lash of his topojo across
the rump Of mule; "but know moth
ing about it."
"No," muttered Bud, as he continued
on his way; land I'll bet nobody else
does"
Inquiry showed that in this, too, he
was correct. From those who travelled
fast and from those who travelled slow
he received the same wondering an
swer-the country might be filled with
revoltosos; but, as for them, they
knew nothing about 1t.
Not until he got back to Fortuna
and the busy federal telegraph wire
did he hear any more news Of rapine
and bloodshed, and the light which
dawned upon him then was gradually
dawning upon the whole town.
1t was false alarm, given out for
purposes of state and the higher poll
J tics" with which Mexico is cursed, and
the most that was ever seen of Ber-
nardo Bravo and his lawless men was
twenty miserable creatures, half
starved, but with guns in their hands.
who had come down out of the noun
tains east of Moctezuma and killed q
few COWS for beef. s,otg
Thoroughly Disguised, and yet
vaguely alarmed at this bit of opera
bouffe warfare, Bud set himself reso-
lutely to work to hunt up men for
were out Of employment because Of
the general stagnation Of business, he
soon, had ten Mexicans at his call.
Then, as Phil had dropped out Of
sight, he ordered supplies at the store
and engaged Cruz Mendez-who had
spent his fortune in three days-to
pack the goods out on his mules.
They were ready to start the next
morning IL De Lancey could be found
to order the powder and tools, and as
the afternoon wore on and no Phil
appeared, Bud went on a long hunt
which finally discovered him in the
balcony Of their window, making signs
in the language of the bear" as q
man who flirts with woman in Mex
leo is called.
Say, Phil" he hailed, disregarding
his pardners obvious preoccupation;
"break away for minute and tell me
what kind of powder to get to break
that schist-the store closes at five
o'clock, and"
He thrust his head out the door as
he spoke and paused, absshed.
Through the half-closed portal of the
next balcony but one he beheld the
golden hair of Gracia Aragon, and she
fixed her brown eyes upon him with
dazzling, mischievous smile.
"O-ho!" murmured Bud, laying COM
polling hand on De Lancey and back
ing swiftly out of range; so this is
what you're up to-talking signs! But
say, Phil" he continued, reckoning
him peremptorily with jerk of his
head, II got ten men hired and lot
Of grub bought, and IL you don't pick
out that mining stuff we're going to
lose day. So get the lady to excuse
you and come on now"
'1n minute" pleaded Phil, and he
went at the end Of his allotted time,
and perhaps it was the imp of jealousy
| that put strength into Hooker's arm.
well, that's all right" said Bud, as
Phil began his laughing excuses; but
you want to remember the Maine,
pardner-we didn't come down here to
play the bear. When theys any love-
making to be done I want to be in
on it. And you want to remember that
promise you made rne-you said you
wouldn't have thing to do with the
Aragon outfit unless I was with you!"
why. you aren't-you sren't jeal.
Gus, are you, Bad?" "dGr vr3foN