Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-02-16

| the truth of this statement.
I'll marry her first, then I'll face
my problem. Fetch the padre, Dick.
And ask our kind friends to be wit
nesses at the ceremony"
Much to Gales surprise, neither
Bedding nor Laid objected to the idea
Of bringing a padre into the house
hold, and thereby making known to at
least one Mexican the whereabouts Of
| Mercedes Castaneda. Belongs eau
ton was wearing out in wrath at the
persistent unsettled condition of the
border, and Ladd grew only the cooler
and more silent as possibilities Of
trouble multiplied.
Gale fetched the padre, a little,
without interest or penetration. APP
parently he married Mercedes and
Thorne as he told his beads or num-
bled a prayer. 1t was Mrs. Bedding
who kept the occasion from being q
merry one. and she insisted on not
exciting Thorne. Gale marked her
unusual pallor and the singular depth
and sweetness Of her voice.
Thorne could not be kept In bed,
and all In a day, It seemed, he grew
so we'll and so hungry that his friends
were delighted, and Mercedes was
radiant. In a few days his weakness
disappeared and he was going the
round of the fields and looking over
the ground marked out in Gales plan
Of water development Thorne was
highly enthusiastic, and at once staked
out his claim for one hundred and
sixty acres of land adjoining that of
Bedding 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
had lately moved to Forlorn River
more were coming all the time; and
Bedding vowed he could see a vision
of the whole Altar valley green with
farms.
Meanwhile everybody in Belongs
the watchful Yaqui, In the absence Of
disturbance of any kind along the Dor
der, grew freer and more unrestrained,
as If anxiety was slowly fading in the
peace of the present. Jim Lash made
n 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
a dry, icy, penetrating GOODNESS that
made a warm fire most comfortable
Belongs household congregated IN
the sitting room. where burning mes
ruite logs cracked In the open fire
place.
There came low knock at the door.
II may have been an ordinary knock.
for It did not disturb the women; but
TO Bedding and his rangers II had q
subtle meaning.
who's that?" asked Bedding. as he
slowly pushed back his chair and
looked at Ladd
"Yaqui," replied the ranger.
Come H." called Bedding.
The door opened. and the short, |
square, powerfully built Indian en-
tered. He carried rifle and strobe
with impressive dignity.
"Yaqui, what do you want r. 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
Yaqul. The Indians presence was al
ways one of gloom. and now his stern
action BODIED catastrophe. Once clear
# trees he pointed to the level desert
Tres shone bright out OF the dark
less.
Raiders !" calculated Gale.
Then he cautioned Yaqui to keep
HARP lookout. and hurriedly return
ng to the house. he called the men
'ut and told them there were rebels or
aiders camping just across the line
Ladd did not say word. Belding
With an oath. slammed down his
igar.
IT knew It was too good to last. h..
Dick. you and Jam stay here while
.addy and I look around"
Dick returned TO the sittlng-room,
he women were nervous and not
0 be deceived. So Dick merely said
'aqui had sighted lights off in the
esert. and they probably we're
ampfres. Bedding did not soon re-
urn, and when he did he was alone.
nd. saying he wanted to consult with
ne men. he sent Mrs. Bedding and the
iris 10 their rooms
"Laddy's gone over TO scout around
nd try TO find out who the outfit be-
'ngs to and how many are In IT," said
Gliding. Il don't look for an attack (,
. Forl0rn River I'm afraid It's"
Bedding hesltated and looked with
risa concern at the eayairyman. r
''WbatY gusFiea ThorEe.
HffJ afraid it's ROfas"