Evening journal., 1915-02-03
CHAPTER XIX.
a Message From the Grave.

@hAfNf ~ AANt
A Message From the Grave.
fVAY1 ILKERsoNs fall from tbs
Il" trestle had not been unno-
DSFS ticed by his outlaws, and be.
sksk8 fore any one in the camp
could make sure that the man was
dead a couple Of the Mexieans had
quickly slipped down the hill to him.
They found him still alive Without
paying any attention TO John DORIS
men, who We're still doubtful Of the
outcome Of the battle, they dragged
their fallen leader away and up into
their own temporary camp.
1t was not long before Wilkerson re-
viyed. He was terribly bruised and
almost insane from physical pain and
wild rage at his defeat 1t was with
difficulty that the unsmiling outlaws
restrained him. Their chief took upon
himself the task of making it plain to
Wilkerson that this was no time for
rash and unorganized attack.
"They have beaten us so far, senior, /"
he said quietly "and you are very
sick. Tomorrow we shall see"
The next mornings sun had scarcely
touched the peaks of the mountains
when Wilkerson stretched his stiff,
sore limbs and began a fresh campaign.
He made it clear to the leader of the
Mexican outlaws that they must work
swiftly.
1T won't be long before the news OF
this fighting gets out and the authori-
ties take hand" he said. "But IL we
can just get this mine into our posses
sion in the next three days / can hire
you and your men as peaceable work
men and swear that Dorr and his gang
are trying to take our property away
by force. l guess my word viii be as
good as his.f
VERY WELL" agreed the Mexican
after thoughtfully considering the mat
ter. I'VE can get back into Mexico in
twenty-four hours from here. So long
as you pay us and let us-what do
you call it-loot, my men are with
you"
Wilkerson covertly studied the des-
perado's impassiye visage Jose Vigas
bore renowned name on the border
for daring, shrewdness and wicked
ness. He was known as "The Merci-
less" For FIVE years he had had a
price set on his head. yet because OF
the loyalty Of his adherents and his
own fearlessness he had escaped
No man better fitted for sinister
purpose could have been found. Ye.
mingled with Wilkerson's satisfaction
at having such tool to his hand was
a dread Of the man himself, and his
calm insistence on the privilege of loot
ing the camp when it was captured
gave him a sense of nausea.
After all, they were Americans down
there in the master Key" camp.
Through his binoculars he could see
Ruth on the porch Of the bungalow.
Vigas, too, saw her. He took no pains
to conceal the cruel interest in his eyes.
The next few days resulted in little
advantage to either side. John Dorr
could not reopen the mine nor even
send in for much needed supplies be-
cause Of the constant menace of the |
outlaws, who occasionally fired scat |
tering shots down into the gulch as \
warning that they were vigilant. I
On the other hand, Wilkerson found !
It impossible to seize the camp with
out precipitating battle, from which
ne shrank. Deeply involved as he al
ready was in crime, he dreaded TO
cross the border line which would for.
ever place him beyond the pale and
make him an outlaw.
Instead, he used every method 70
put himself outwardly in the right He
sent plea after plea to the sheriff OF
he county to come and restore order.
asserting that he had been driven from
his rightful property by violence and
hat the situation was such that, with
out interference from the authorities,
here would be serious trouble and
very likely bloodshed
These pleas availed only partially.
rhe sheriff made a trip into the mine,
talked with John Dorr and Tom Kane
ind then sought out Wilkerson.
1T looks to me as If this was a case
or the courts he said slowly when
ne had examined Wilkerson's forged
leeds. Il knew old Gallon pretty well,
Ind he thought a sight OF that Ruth
sirl Fact is. he told me be intended
Ter TO have the mine and left IL to her
n his will. Now You toddle along
With these papers and want to take It
way from her"
Gallon and I were partners years
go," Wilkerson insisted. 1--WE located
his mine together, and when I came
Jack he gave me over my share"
But you want it all" the sheriff
said dubiously.
Sure; it's all mine,' persisted the
other. Didn't Gallon use all the mon
ey he got out of 1t while I was awavil
And when we came to a settlement be
found that the mine wouldn't pay half
he owed me-
Continued Tomorrow