The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1915-06-19

- ANS
this mine-I became a Mexican citizen
yesterday and located 1t myself"
So We learned" responded the cap
tain suavely. 1T was part of my
errand today to ask if you would not
enlist in my company Of rurales."
'Muchas gracias, captain an
swered Hooker with heavy irony. Il
do not care to-"
But your friend" protested Man
uel del Rey with an insinuating smile.
My friend was in Jail, put in Bud;
he was to be shot at sunrise. But
mira, amigo, | am not in Jail, and,
furthermore, l do not intend to be-"
THAT is very creditable to you,"
laughed Del Rey; but even then you
are entitled to enlist. The country is
full of turbulent fellows who have to
be caught or killed. Come now, you
understand my errand-why make it
hard for me?''
NO, senor," returned Bud grimly,
Il know nothing of your errand. But
this | do know. l have done nothing
man tries to make me join the army"
he hooked his thumb into his belt and
regarded the captain fixedly.
'Ah, very WELL" said Del Rey, jerk
ing his waxed mustachios, Il will not
press the matter. But | understand
from one OF my men, senior, that you
are harboring a dangerous criminal
here-the same man, perhaps, whom
saw running up the canyon?"
He smiled meaningly at this, but
Bud was swift to defend his Yaqul.
mo, senor," he replied, Il have no
such criminal have Mexican work
ing for me who is one Of the best
miners in Sonora, and that is all l
know about him."
"A Mexican?" repeated Del Rey,
arching his eyebrows. Excuse me,
sir, but it is my business to know
every man In this district, and he is
no Mexican, but a Yaqui. Moreover,
he is a fugitive and an outlaw, and If
he had not been enlisted with the fed
erals | should have arrested him when
he passed through Fortuna So l warn
you, sir, not to hide him, or you will
be liable to the law"
I'm not hiding him." protested
Hooker scornfully. I'm just hiring
him as miner, and any time you want
him you can come and get him. He's
up il the rocks there somewhere
now"
sol" exclaimed the captain, glanc
ing uneasily at the hillside. Il did not
think-but many thanks, senior, an
other time will do as WE'LL
He refined his horse away as he
spoke and, with jerk of the head to
Aragon, rode rapidly down the can
yon. Aragon fingered to retrieve his
think better Of his desire to speak, he
made a single vindictive gesture and
set spurs to his champing horse.
1t was mrely fling of the hand, as
spontaneous as a sigh or a frown, but
in It Hooker read the last evaporation
of the Spaniard and his declaration of
war to the knife. He barred his strong
teeth in reply and Kissed out a blight
ing curse, and then Aragon was gone,
That evening, as the darkness came
on and the canyon became hushed and
still Bud built big fire and stood be-
fore it, his rugged form silhouetted
against the flames. And soon, as quiet
as fox, the Yaqui appeared from the
gloom.
Did he come for me?" he asked,
advancing warily into the freight,
that capitan?"
YES" answered Bud, "and for me,
too. But you must have known him
before, Amigo-he seems to be afraid
Of YOU"
A smile Of satisfaction passed over
the swarthy face of the Indian at this,
and then the lines became grim again.
His eyes glowed with the light Of some
great purpose, and for the first time
since he had been with Bud he drew
aside the veil from his past.
YES" he said. nodding significantly.
the rural Is afraid. He knows have
come to kill him.
He squatted by the fire and poured
out cup of coffee, still brooding over
his thoughts-then, with swift ges-
ture, he laid open his shirt and pointed
to a scar along the ribs.
HE shot me there" he said.
"And so you have come to kill him."
"Yes," answered Amigo; but not
now. Tomorrow l go to my people
l must take them my money first"
Have you got wife," asked Hook
er. forgetting for once his accustomed
reserve.
NO." grumbled Amiga, shaking his
head sadly, mo wife,"