Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01

i IrESLlS u6O MOI peSu u11uO-
T ticed by his outlaws, and be
R fore any one in the camp
could make sure that the man was
dead q 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.
II was not long before Wilkerson re
vived. 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 1t plain to
Wilkerson that this was no time for
rash and Unorganized attack.
"They have beaten us so far, senior"
he said quietly, land you are very
sick. Tomorrow we shall see"
The net mornings sun had scarcely
touched the peaks Of the mountains
when Wilkerson stretched his stiff,
sore limbs and began fresh campaign.
lie 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 hand ne said. But if we
can lust get rhis mine into our posses
sion in the next three days l 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. ] guess my word will be as
good as his
VERY we'll" agreed the Mexican
after thoughtfully considering the mat
ter. I'VE can get back into Mexico in
twentv-four hours from here. So long
as you pay us and Let us-what do
you call st-loot, my, men are with
you
Wilkerson covertly studied the des-
perados impressive visage. Jose Nigas
bore q renowned name on the border
for daring, shrewdness and wicked
ness. He was known as ''The Merci
less For five years he had had q
price set on his head. vet 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. Yet
! mingled with Wilkerson's satisfaction
at having such tool to his hand was
q dread Of the man himself, and his
calm insistence on the privilege of loot
ing the camp when it was captured
gave him q sense of nausea.
After all, they were Americans dow1
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 Dor
could not reopen the mine nor ever
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
On the other hand, WiIkerson found
it Impossible to seize the camp with
out precipitaeng battle. from which
ne shrank. Deeply involved as he al
ready was in crime, he dreaded II
cross the border line which would for
ever place him beyond the pale ant
make him an outlaw
Instead. he used every method II
put himself outwardly in the right. HI
sent plea after plea 10 the sheriff O.
the county to come and restore order
asserting that he had been driven from
his rightful property by violence ant
that the situation was such that, with