The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-06-09
CHAPTER XII

Cantering where the ground per-
mitted. moving at fast running walk
where 1t did not, Roberta and Don
Jaime reached the waiting truck and
motorcar in thirty minutes. Through
out the journey following her hosts
announcement of his inflezible purpose
to fight Bill Dingle and his herders
before sunset) no word had passed be-
tween the two. Don Jaime rode
ahead, occasionally looking back to
see that all was well with the girl;
seemingly, in his eagerness for con-
flict. he would gladly have dispensed
with her society if he could. At least
Roberta thus read his thoughts, nor
was she far wrong. as his first subse-
quent words proved.
"Bobby, this Job of mine is mans
work. Aurelio is going back with the
truck, so IL you'll dismount Wen load
your horse into it. Then. If you will
be good enough to take the motorcar
and drive it home for me I'll be your
debtor"
"No," she answered sharply. "My
horse and the motorcar should remain
here. l might need the car to carry
some wounded men to the doctor in
Los Algodones or some dead men to
the morgne. When this issue is set
tied I'll know what to do and I'll not
have to be told"
1.-The objection you raise Is a logical
one. Have it your own way" He
gave Aurelio his orders in Spanish and
when the latter had departed with the
truck, Don Jaime sat down on the run
ming board Of the motorcar and mo-
toned to Roberta to dismount and sit
beside him. Drop your reins. Your
horse will tie to the breeze" he sug-
gested. "Let's have a smoke. Sooth-
ing to the nerves"
at probably would be--if you had
any," she retorted, and climbed down
beside him. 81 cannot imagine any man
enjoying roughhouse more than you"
you're poor judge of human ma
ture." His tones were dry. Nobody
likes a roughhouse where lethal wea-
!! pons are used. I'm always very much
afraid I'll get killed. and don't want
to die-now. In fact, ] never did care
very much about dying. Lies fairly
sweet and, as you remarked recently,
have lot Of unfinished business to
clean up. Mind where you throw your
butt, my dear. This range Is dry
and don't want fire. Yes, l could
do with a whole lot of letting alone,
Bobby"
swell, I've suggested the sheriff. It's
his business to apprehend horse
thieves"
He did not answer this. He was
thoughtful, blowing smoke rings. "I'n
have to teach that belOw-the- Border
gang a lesson" he resumed casually.
"They must learn to stay at home. I'm
four men shy on a fifty-fifty break In
my ruckuses with those animals
four good men. One of them was
Julio's father-and Julio shall have
his chance at reprisal this day. This
matter is personal, Bobby, and Pm 60
| ing to get every mothers son of those
renegades If have to follow them to
Mexico CITY,"
"You have no right to risk the lives
of your poor, ignorant men to save
| your property" she fiared at him.
II haven't? Why haven't L? They're
my men, aren't they? Didn't l inherit
them? do not employ them and house
them and feed them and make them
happy? Doesn't the doctor come out
twice a week from Los Algodones to
look over the ailing ones? Didn't my
father and grandfather and great
grandfather accept them and their
troubles? I'm loyal to them, am
not? They know I'd fight to the death
for them, and lose every dollar l have
in the world before turning them off
| to face that world-the gringo world
they do not understand! Why shouldn't
they be loyal to me? In fighting to
defend my rights they fight for their
own-and besides, we've all been raised
together that way and there are some
habits we do not care to break. Whose
salt eat. his song sing A good
slogan, and a very ancient one in
this country"
The girl was sensible of vague un-
easiness as he looked her over sternly
She had not pleased him and he did
not disdain to make her aware of the
fact.
"Tm not lawyer" he shot out at
her suddenly. what would your
friend, Mr.. Hackett. do If he were the
owner of these sheep"
81 imagine he'd have some sort Of
theft insurance on them, so he wouldn't
worry If Dingle stole them. He'd
leave the worry and the salvage and
the prosecution to the insurance com
! pany."
Everything for defense but not a
cent for tribute, Bobby. It's all In the
point of view. Well, suppose, now
that you're out of the sheep business.
Bobby, you'll be going back to Dobbs
Ferry in a day or two"
"Well, of course, l would stay over
for your funeral, Jimmy" She tried
to appear jocular, but her quavering
voice betrayed her real feelings.
His brown hand caressed her Shout
der. That's the girl Act spunky,
even If you're not. Nine times out of
ten one can fool the enemy with a
| good bluff"
"You are going to wait here until