The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-08-24

ICSS, Jul lIlCy dl SCA SCO JIG puA POSSs
They were making the desert ranch
ers intolerant of the domination of
Morales. Those once patient poems
"a wave of unrest had swept across
their hearts, had changed them and
left them looking with new eyes out
over the far horizon and thought
fully lingering the knives at their
belts.
Already, here and there, in little
villages, a few leaders spoke more
boldly, men who all but said they
were under the protection of FL
Coyote and were ready to follow
him in any test of strength against
the power of Morales. Even in
Verdi there were those who hinted
that this man or that was a leader
of FL Coyotes band, but none said
it openly. Meanwhile those vague
clouds of impending conflict deep
ened, and the vaqueros of Morales
continued to ride in thrces and tours.
At length, among a few of these
leaders, and among the ranchers
who could be trusted, word went
out of a meeting to be held at the
Cantina Azul, a little tavern by the
crossroads south of Verdi.
None knew when. But a week
later, just before sunset, horsemen
galloped up to certain desert and
foothill ranches and, calling softly,
Tonight, amigo" rode swiftly
away. At the summons men armed
themselves and saddled their swift
est horses. They rode silently, talk
ing little. watchful, alert. Many of
them in a sense were already of Ell
Coyotes men. for they had ridden
with his band. had helped them, al
though no one of those who rode
southwark that night beneath the
stars had ever looked upon the lead
er's face.
Not for long years had the border
country seen such an array as met
that evening at the Cantina Azul.
Their numbers were not impressive,
for barely a hundred men had gath
cred there, but each grim-faced one
of them was we'll chosen. Each had
good reason to hate the dominance
of. Morales's men. Each had sworn
to follow any leader who would end |
it. A varied throng. Swarthy, thick
set Mexicans. with here and there a |
American rancher-I
men from the foothills, the border,
and the desert, all of them held by |
a common bond, and in the eyes of |
each the steady gaze of steadfast |
purpose.
Crowding into the patio of the
cantina, they squatted about or
leaned against the adobe walls, and |
as they waited in the darkness, the
tips of their cigarettes glowed red.
Perhaps for half an hour they wait
ed, then from down the hard-packed |
road came the sound of horses feet.
and masked rider forced his way
among them.
A rancher standing on tiptoe
strained forward. us it he, is it Ell
Coyote?" he whispered.
"Quiet. amigo" another answered.
"El Coyote does not come tonight. |
This man brings his message. For
the love Of Our Lady be quiet
there"
The masked rider circled about
the patio, bending careful scrutiny |
upon all he passed. At the farther |
end he stopped and faced them. In |
the dim light men saw that the jaw
was square and clean shaven and that |
beneath the sombrero clustered a |
thick mat of grizzled hair. Several
among the crowd nodded. 1T Is the |
lieutenant Of FL Coyote"-and for
a moment the little patio rang with
an eager shout of welcome to this
man of the border outlaws band.
When he spoke his clear voice, in |
contrast to the grizzled hair, held
something of the quality of youth,
and the fearlessness Of youth.
"compaiieros," he began, you
whom FL Coyote trusts he has called |
together. There are many among |
you who are already Of our band. |
We have ridden together and to-
gether We have held back the val