Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1915-01-29
CHAPTER NIH.
A Message From the Grave.

AaAN . tHo
l"I trestle had not been unno-
EE6Fi ticed by hts outlaws. and be.
tkk4s2f foro any one in the camp
could mako sure that the man was
dead couple of the Mexicans had
quickly slipped down the hill 10 him.
They found him still alive. Without
paying any attention TO John DORIS
men. who were 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-
vived. He was terribly bruised and
almost insane from physical pain and
wild rage at his defeat II was with
difficulty that the unsmiling outlaws
restrained him. Their chief took upon
himself the task OF making It plain 20
Wilkerson that this was no time for
rash and unorganized attack.
They have beaten US so far. senor.' -
he said quietly, and you are very
Sick. Tomorrow we shall see."
The next mornings sun had scarcely
touched the peaks of the mountains
.
sore limbs and began fresh campaign.
He made IL clear TO the leader Of the
Mexican outlaws that they must work
swiftly.
ut won't be long before the news OF
this fighting gets out and the authori-
ties take a hand" he said. But II 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 20 take our property away
by force. guess my word viii be as
good as his"
Every 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 impassive visage. Jose vigas
bore a renowned name on the border
for daring. shrewdness and wicked
ness. He was known as THE Merci.
less" For Eve years he had bad
price set on his bead. yet because OF
the loyalty Of his adherents and his
own fearlessness be had escaped.
No man better fitted for a sinister
purpose could have been found. Yet
mingled with Wilkerson's satisfaction
at having such tool TO his hand was
a dread OF the man himself. and his
calm insistepce on the privilege Of loot
ing the camp when IL was captured
gave him a sense OF nausea
After all. they were Americans down
there In tho Master Key" camp.
Through his binoculars he could see
Ruth on the porch Of the bungalow.
vigas. too. saw ber. He took no pains
60 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 mu~i needed supplies be-
cause OF the constant menace OF the
outlaws. who occasionally 6ped scat
tering shots down into the gulch as a
warning that they were vigilant
On the other hand. Wilkerson found
1t impossible to seize the camp with
out precipltating q battle. from which
he shrank. Deeply involved as he al
ready was 10 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 to
put himself outwardy In the right. He
sent plea after plea to the sheriff OF
the county 20 come and restore order.
asserting that he had been driven from
his rightful property by violence and
that the situa tion was such that. with