Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-12-15
The rangers approved of Belongs
plan, snd Thorne went to the side Of


Mercedes, we've planned to outwit
EojGs VIII You tell us what he
wrote?"
"Rojas swore-by his saints and his
Virgin-that If wasn't given-to him
in twenty-four hours-he would set
fire to the village-kill the men-car-
ry off the women-hang the children
on cactus thorns!"
A moments silence followed her
last halting whisper.
Then the Yaqui uttered a singular
cry. Gale had heard this once before,
and now ne remembered 1t was at the
Papago we'll.
"Look at the Indian" whispered
Belding, hoarsely. "D-n If I don't
believe he understood every word Mer-
cedes said. And, gentlemen, don't mis-
take me, If he ever gets near Senior
Rojas there'll be some CORY Aztec
knife work."
YaQui had moved close to Mercedes,
and stood beside her as she leaned
against her husband. She seemed i'm
PEELED to meet the Indians gaze, and
evidently it was so powerful or hyp-
motto that it wrought irresistibly upon
her. But she must have seen or d.
vined what was beyond the others,
for she offered him her trembling
hand. Yaqui took 1t and laid 1t
against his body in a strange motion,
and bowed his head. Then he stepped.
back into the shadow Of the room.
Belding went outdoors while the
rangers took up their former position
at the west windor. Each had his
own sanber thoughts, Gale imagined,
and knew his own we're dark enough.
He saw Bedding halt at the corrals
and wave his hand. Then the rebels
mounted and came briskly up the
road, this time to rein in abreast.
Wherever Rojes had kept himself
upon the former advance was not
clear; but he certainly was prominent
ly In sight now. He made a gaudy,
almost q daShing figure. Rojas dis
mounted and seemed to be listening.
Belding made gestures, vehemently
bObbed his big head, appeared to talk
with his body as much as with his
tongue. Then Rojas was seen to reply,
and after that it was clear that the
talk became painful and difficult. 1t
ended finally in what appeared to be
mutual understanding Rojas mount
ed and rode away with his men,
while Belding came tramping back to
the house.
AS he entered the door his eyes
were shining, his big hands were
clenched, and he was breathing au-
dibly.
"You can rope me II I'm not To-
coed!" he burst out. 81 went out to
conciliate a red-handed little MUIR
derer, and d-n me If didn't meet
a-a-Igell. we no suitable name
handy. I started my bluff and got
along pretty we'll, but 1 forgot to men
tiOn that Mercedes vas ThOrne,s wife.
And what do you think? ROjaS swore
he loved Mercedcs--swore he'd marry
her right here in ForlOrn River
swore he would give up robbing and
killing people, and take her away
from Mexico. He has gOld-jewels.
He swore If he didn't get her norh-
ing mattered. He'd die anyway with
out her. And here's the strange
thing. l believe him He was cold
as ice, and all HI inside. Never saw
a Greaser like him. Anyway, without
my asking he said for me to think it
over for day and then we'd talk
again."
"Shore we're born luckyw ejacu-
lated Ladd.
Il reckon Rojas'll be smart enough
to string his outfit across the few
trails out Of Forlorn River" remarked
Jim.
"That needn't worry us. All we
want is dark to come" replied Bel
ding. "Yaqui will slip through. II
we thank any lucky stars let it be for
the Indian. You may go to Yuma in
six days and maybe in six weeks. You
may have a big fight. Laddy, take
the .405. Dick will pack his Reming-
ton. All of you 30 gunned heavy. But
the main thing Is pack thatll be
light enough for swift travel, yet one
that'll keep you from starving on the
desert"
The rest of TINT day passed swiftly.
The sun set, twilight fell, then night
closed down, fortunately night
slightly overcast Gale saw the white
horses pass his door like silent
ghosts. Even Banco Diablo made no
sound, and that fact was indeed
tribute to the Yaqui. Gale went out
to put his saddle on Blanco Sol. The
horse rubbed q soft nose against his
shoulder. Then Gale returned to the
sitting room. There was nothing more
TO do but wait and say gOOd-by. Mer-
cedes came clad in leather chaps and
coat, slim strlrling of cowboy, her
dark eyes flashing. Her beauty could
not be hidden, and now hope and
courage had fired her blood.
Gale drew Nell into his arms.
dearest, I'm going soon. +.
And moybe I'll never"