The Lamar register., 1923-02-07


wrote?"
'ROJas swore-by his saints and his
virgin-that II 1 wasn't given-to him
in twenty-four hours-he would Sci
nre to the vilIage-kill the men-car-
ry on the women-hans the children
on cactus thornsi"
A moments silence followed her
last halting whisper
Then the Yaqui uttered singular
cry. Gale had heard this once before.
and now he remembered II was at the
Papago well.
Look at the Indian" whispered
Belding. hoarsely. "D-n II | don't
believe he understood every word Mer-
cedes said. And, gentlemen. don't mis-,
take me, II he ever gets near Senior
Rojas there'll he 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 1t was so powerful or hyp-
motto that II wrought irresistibly upon
her But she must have seen or di-
vined what WIS beyond the others.
for she offered him her trembling
hand. Yaqui took II and laid II
against his body In strange motion.
and bowed his head. Then he stepped
back into the shadow of the room.
Bedding went outdoors while the
rangers took up their former position
at the west window. Each had his
own somber thoughts, Gale imagined.
and knew his own were dark enough
He saw Beldins 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 Rojas had kept himself
upon the former advance was not
clear; but he certainly was prominent.
ly In sight now. He made a gaudy
almost dashing figure. RoJas dis
mounted and seemed to be listening
Beldlng made gestures, vehemently
bobbed his big head. appeared to talk
with his body as much as with his
tongue. Then Rojas was seen 10 reply.
and after that II was clear that the
talk became painful and difficult. II
ended finally In what appeared to be
mutual understanding. Rojas mount
ed and rode away with his men
while Belding came trsmping back to
the house.
As he entered the door his eyes
We're shining. his blg hands were
rlen"h-d and he was breathing AL.
dlhIy.
''You can rope me II I'm not io
i n.
cuntfliaie II rei-landed little mur
dnrer. aud f-n ne n didn't meet
a-r We'll I've no suitable name
handy. started my blum and gni
alOng pretty We'll. bui frrr". tn Iur.r
tion that Mercedes Va- ItntIt'- als,'.
And what do yuu tllinE: I:nii, sHure
he loved Merce,lcS--swUr,- ted marry
her right here IN Forlorn River
swore he would give up rubbing aud
killing people and take her away
from Mexico. He has gOld-jewels.
He swore II he didn't get her moth.
ing mattered. He'd die anyway with
out her. And here's the strange
thing. | believe hint He was cold
as ice. and all hi inside. Never saw
Greaser like him. Anyway, without
my asking he said for me to think 1t
over for a day and then we'd talk
again"
Shore we're born Iuckyr' 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 win slip through. II
we thank any lucky stars let 1t 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 .4O5. Dick will pack his Reming-
ton. All of you go gunned heavy. But
the main thing is pack thst1l be
light enough for swift travel, YET one
that'll keep you from starving on the
desert"
The rest OF thar day passed swiftly.
The sun set. twilight fell, then night
closed down. fortunately night