Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-02-25
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CHAPTER XIX.
A Message From the Grave.

I1CCu Wy uiS JULIA VoS NA4N "
fore any one in the camp
could make sure that the man was
dead d 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-
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, senor."
he said. quietly. land you are very
sick. Tomorrow we shall see"
The next mornings sun had scarcely
touched the peaks of the mountains
when Wilkerson stretched his sttn,
sore limbs and began o fresh campaign.
he made it 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 Il we
can just get this mine into! our posses
sion in the next three days l can hire
you and your men as peaceable work.
men aud swear that Dorr and bis gang
are trying to take our property away
by force. ! guess my word will be as
good as his"
.'Verry we'll" 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. ana let us-what do
you call it-loot. my men are with
you"
Wilkerson covertly studied the sdes-
perado's impassive visage. Jose Vigas
bore q renowned name on the border
for daring. shrewdness and wicked
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ness. He was known as The Merci-
less" For Eve years be had had a
price set on his head. yet because Of
the loyalty Of his adherents and his
own, f~earlessuess he had escaped
sINo 1ndsins better fitted Tor . sinister
pdfpcss cosldR have beensfoun1 Yet
mingiea withsaswnkeesan1 satisfaction
It having suehsa tool to'bb hand was
aHtdread " the man himself ands$hi
calm insstence on theSprivileseo Of loot
md tho camp when Il was captured
gave him D sense OF ffnausea.,
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 fred scat
tering shots down into the gulch as a
warning that they were vigilant.
On the other hand. Wilkerson found
it impossible to seize the camp With
out precipitating a battle, from which
he 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. be 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
out interference from the authorities,
there would be serious trouble and
very likely bloodshed.
These pleas availed only partially.
The sheriff made a trip into the mine,
talked with John Dorr and Tom Kane
and then sought out Wilkerson.
1T looks to me as IL this was a case
for the courts" he said slowly when
be had examined Wilkerson's forged
deeds. II knew old Gallon pretty well,
and he thought a sight Of that Ruth
girl. Fact Is, he told me be intended
her to have the mine. and left II, to he,
in bis will. Now you toddle along
with these papers and want to take II
AWAY from. her"
Gallon and l were partners years
ago" Wilkesson insisted. 1--WE located
this mine together and when I came
back be gave me, over my share.
''But you want It all," the sheriff
said dubiously. g
""Sure;; its all mine" persisted. th,
other. Didn't Gallon use all the mon
ey he got out Of It while l was away
And when We came to a settlement b,
found that the mine wouldn't pay hal
he owed me-" 9s
I'm simply "a peace .oncer." til,
sheriff said finally. Il don't know
who's in the right. That's for tn
court to decide"
Wasn't l In possession?" demanded
Wilkerson. Haven't ] been drtxel
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