St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-23

out MS claim Tor one hundred and
sixty acres Of land adjoining that Of
Belding and the rangers. These five
tracts took In all the ground necessary
for their operations, but in case Of
the success Of the irrigation project
the idea was to increase their squatter
holding by purchase Of more land
down the valley. A hundred families
had lately moved to Forlorn River
more were coming all the time; and
Belding vowed he could see a vision
Of the whole Altar valley green with
farms.
Meanwhile everybody In Belongs
household, except the quiet Ladd and
the watchful Yaqui, In the absence OF
disturbance Of any kind along the Dor
der, grew freer and more unrestrained,
as II anxiety was slowly fading In the
peace Of the present. Jim Lash made
a trip to the sonoyta oasis, and Ladd
patrolled fifty miles Of the line east.
ward without incident or sight Of raid
ers. Evidently all the border hawks
were in at the picking Of Casita.
The February nights were cold, with
dry, Icy, penetrating coldness that
made warm fire most comfortable.
Belongs household congregated in
the sitting room, where burning mes
quite logs cracked in the open fire
place.
There came low knock at the door,
1t may have been an ordinary knock,
for 1t did not disturb the women; but
to Bedding and his rangers It had 4
subtle meaning.
''Who's thatY asked Bedding, as he
slowly pushed back his. chair and
looked at Ladd.
"Yaqui," replied the ranger
"Come in," called Bedding.
The door opened, and the short,
square, powerfully built Indian en-
tered. He carried a rifle and strobe
with impressive dignity.
''Yaqui, what do you want?'' asked
Belding, and repeated his question In
Spanish.
"Senor Dick" replied the Indian.
Gale jumped up, sitting an excla-
nation, and he went outdoors with
Yaqui. The Indians presence was al.
ways one of gloom, and now his stern
action BODIED catastrophe. Once clear
Of trees he pointed to the level desert
across the river, where a row Of camp
fires shone bright out Of the dark
ness.
Raiders r. calculated Gale.
Then he cautioned Yaqui to keep
sharp lookout, and, hurriedly return.
ing to the house, he called the men
out and told them there were rebels OF
raiders camping Just across the line
-Ladd did not say a word Belding
with an oath, slammed down his
cigar.
''I knew it was too good to last. =
Dick, you and Jam stay here while
Laddy and look around"
Dick returned to the sitting-room
The women were nervous and not
to be deceived SO Dick merely said
Yaqui had sighted lights off in the
desert, and they probably were
camphres. Re1d'ng did not soon re
turn, and when he did he was alone
and, saying he wanted to consult with
the men, he sent Mrs. Bedding and the
girls to their rooms.
'Laddy's gone over to scout around
and try to find out who the outfit be
longs to and how many are In 1t" said
Bedding. II don't look for an attack
on Forlorn River. Tn afraid it's
Belding hesitated and looked with
grim concern at the cavalryman.
"What2" Queried Thorne.
'.I'm afraid It's Rojas."
Thorne turned pale but did not los<
his nerve.
II thought Of that at once. But
Rojas will never get his hands on my
wife. If can't kill him, I'll kill her
Belding, this Is tough on you
this risk we put upon your family
I regret"
"Out that kind Of talk" replied Bel
ding, bluntly. ''Well, If it is Rojas
he's acting d-n queer for a raider
That's what worries me. We can't dc
anything but wait. With Laddy and
Yaqui out there we won't be sur
prised."
The women Of the house might have
gotten some sleep that night, but II
was certain the men did not get any
Morning broke cold and gray, the 10Th
Of February. Ladd came In hungry
and cold, and said the Mexicans were
not breaking camp. He reported 9
good-sized force Of rebels, and wal
taciturn as to his idea Of Forthcoming
events.
About an hour after sunrise Yaqu
ran In with the information that part
Of the rebels were crossing the river
'That can't mean fight vet" de
clared Belding. "But get In the house
boys, and make ready anyway. III
meet him.
"Belding, you're an officer Of tht
United States. Mexfcans are much
impressed by show Of authority. I've
seen that often In camp" said Thorne
"Oh, know the white-liverei
Greasers better than any of you, dom,
mistake me-" replied Bedding. He wa4
pale with rage, but kept command
over himself.
The rangers, with Yaqui and
Thorne, stationed themselves at thu
several windows Of the sitting room
Rifles and smaller arms and boxes o.
shells Uttered the tables and window