The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-02-22


rible trip of heat and drought. and
not trace of the Yaqui's party.
''That settles it." declared Belding.
"Yaqui never went to Sonoyta. He's
circled round to the Devils road, and
the rangers. Mercedes, Thorne, the
horses-they-Tm afraid they have
been lost in the desert. It's an old
story on Canine del Diablo"
He had to tell Nell that, and 1t was
an ordeal which left him weak.
Mrs. Belding listened to him, and
was silent for a long time while she
held the stricken Nell to her breast.
Then she opposed his convictions with
that quiet strength so characteristic
Of her arguments.
But mother, they're gone seven
weeks. Seven weeksl At the most /
gave them six weeks. Seven weeks In
the desert"
How do the YaQuis liver she asked
Bedding could not reply to that, but
hope revived in him. He had faith
in his wife. though he could not In
the least understand what he imag.
ined was something mystic in her.
Years ago when ! was searching
for my father 1 learned many things
about this country" said Mrs. Beld.
ing. you can never tell how long
man may live in the desert. The
fiercest. most terrible and inaccessible
places often have their hidden oasis.
In his later years my father became
a prospector. That was strange to
me. for he never cared for gold OF
money. learned that he was often
gone in the desert for weeks, once for
months. Then the time came when
he never came back. That was years
before reached the southwest border
and heard of him. Even then / did
not for long give up hope of his com.
Ing back. I know now-something
tells me-indeed, 1t seems his spirit
tells me-he was lost. But I don't
have that feeling for Yaqui and his
party Yaqui has given Rojas the
slip or has ambushed him In some
trap. Probably that took time and a
long journey into Sonora. The Indian
Is too wise to start back now over
dry trails. He'll curb the rangers;
he'll wait. seem to know this, dear
Nell SO be brave. patient. Dick Gale
will come back to you"
That talk with the strong mother
worked change In Nell and in Beld-
Ing. Nell, who had done little but
brood and watch the west and take
violent rides, seemed to settle into q
waiting patience that was sad, yet
serene. Belding, who had been break
ing under the strain Of worry, recov-
cred himself so that to outward ap-
pearance he was his old self. He
alone knew, however. that his humor
was forced. and that the slow burning
wrath he felt for the Chases was fiam-
ing into hate.
Belding argued with himself that II
Ben Chase and his son. Radford, had
turned out to be big men in other
ways than In the power to carry on
great enterprises he might have be-
come reconciled to them. But the
father was greedy, grasping. hard,
cold; the son added to those traits an
overbearing disposition to rule, and he
showed a fondness for drink and
cards. These men were developing
thC shiiCy, ~ DC bulCs anu a HOIue OI
poor Mexlcans and many Americans
We're benefiting from that develop
ment: nevertheless. these Chases were
operating in way which proved they
cared only for themselves.
; Belding went to Casita with a num-
her of his white thoroughbreds and
shipped them to ranchers and horse
breeders in Texas. Then, being near !.
the railroad, and having time. he went
up to Tucson. There he learned some
interesting particulars about the
Chases. They had an office in the
city; influential friends in the cap
itol. They were powerful men in the
rapidly growing finance Of the West.
They had interested the Southern Pa
cific railroad. and In the near future n
branch line was to he constructed
from San Felipe TO Forlorn River.
These details Of the Chase develop
ment were insignificant when COM
pared to a matter striking close home
to Belding. His responsibility had
been subtly attacked. A DOUBT nad
been cast upon his capability Of exc
cutting the duties Of immigration in
spector to the best advantage Of the
state. Belding OWNED that this was
only an entering wedge The Chases
were bent upon driving him out Of
Forlorn River; but perhaps to serve
better their own ends. they were pro-
ceeding at leisure. Belding returned
home consumed by rage. But he con-
trolled 1t. For the first time In his
life he was afraid Of himself. He had
his wife and Nell to think Of; and the
old law Of the West had gone for
ever.
Dad, there's another Rojas round
these diggings." was Nell's remark,
after the greetings were over and the
usual questions and answers passed.
Belongs exclamation was cut short