The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-02-24
= - CHAPTER XIX. - : :
A Message From the Grave.

In" trestle had not been unno.
~S ticed by Ills outla VS., and be-
fs27 fore any one in the camp
could make sure that the man was
dead a couple Of the Mexicans had
quickly slipped down the hill to 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.
yived. He was terribly bruised and
almost insane from physical pain an.:
wild rage at his defeat. 1t was with
difficulty that the unsmiling outlaws
restrained him. Their chief took upon
himself the task Of making 1t plain to
iWilkerson that this was no time for
rush and unorsanized attack.
''They have beaten MS so Ear, 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 still,
sore limbs and began a fresh campaign.
He made 1t clear to the lender Of the
Mexican outlaws that they must work
swiftly.
at 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
Noe I 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. guess my word will be as
good as his"
Every WELL" agreed the Mexican
after thoughtfully considering the mat
ter I'VE can get back into Mexico In
twcnty-four hours from here. So long
as you pay us and let us-what do
you call it-loot. my men are With
you"
Wllkerson covertly studied the des.
perados impressive visage. Jose Vigas
bore a renowned name on the border
for daring. shrewdness and wicked.
ness. He was known as 1.-THE Merci.
less" For five years he had had
price set on his head. yet because Of
the loyalty Of his adherents and his
own fearlessness he had escaped.
No man better fitted Tor sinister
purpose could have been found. Yet
mingled with Wilketson's satisfaction
ut 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 u 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 4
warning that they were vigtlant.
On the other hand, Wilkerson found
it impossible to seize tile camp With.
ont precipitating battle. from which
he shrank. Deeply involved US 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 to
put himself outwardly in the right. He
sent plea after plea to the sheriff of
the county to come and restore order.
asserting that he had been driven from
his rightful property by violence and
that the situation was such that, with