The Washington times., 1935-01-01

Stubs face fell. you've got to
go in it," he persisted. They're
counting on YOU"
Who are counting on me?"
THE boys from Barnes ranch
and every other ranch on both
sides of the border have laid
their last dollar on you against
Bull Pablo. Why, that dirty out.
tit over at the dam has had the
crust to offer odds on their chief
gunman. So just to show them
that this country still belongs to
the ranchers, all of us have bet
our shirts on you"
A Test
Dick laid his hand on Stubs
shoulder. ''Is that why you
didn't buy that new suit you
talked about?"
Stub grinned sheepishIy. "You
trim Pablo today and I'll be able
to buy a couple suits s-and a
ten gallon sombrero."
Something in the utter trust
Of the man found its way to
Dicks heart, driving away the
somber shadows that had borne
him unwe elcome company
throughout the morning. Walk
ing to the corral fence, Dick
deliberately drew from his
pocket a cigarette and stood it
upright in a crack on the top
most rail. Then he mounted,
rode a few yards distant, and
raising the automatic, quickly
fired. Stubs hands waved in
silent applause-the cigarette
had disappeared.
Smiling, Dick thrust the auto
matte into its holster. "I'll do
my best" he said, "but if you
have to smoke sage brush for
the next month, don't blame
me. Let's go!" And together they
set out toward Verde.
Picturesque
It was more than an hours
ride to the cavalry post, and al.
ready the crowds were gather
ing within the great enclosure
that marked off the Army res
ervation. Flanking the great iron
gates two brightly polished can
non threw back the desert SUM-
shine, and between them a wide
avenue, shaded with eucalyptus,
led beyond white painted bar
racks to the officers quarters.
Far down the avenue extended
the broad parade ground, its
close cropped turf standing out,
cool and green, against the sun
flooded desert. It stretched its
level length from barracks to
the stables, and at opposite
ends rose the white goal posts
of the polo field. Everything i'm.
maculate.
Each white bungalow Of the
officers quarters was freshly
painted, the lawns scrupulously
tended, and above the parade
ground itself, towering from the
top of a tall white flagpole, the
flag floated, furling and unfurl-
ing in the uncertain breeze, its
colors touched to glowing, vi
brant life by the afternoon sun.
Surface Gayety
Ranged along each side Of
the parade ground, throngs Of
spectators we're gathering, some
in cars, some afoot, but most of
them on horseback. Men Of
Verde, MexicanS from south Of
the line, desert ranchers, pranc.
ing vaqueroS, grizzled oldtimerS
from the hills, workmen in blue
overalls, and dotted among
them, wrapped in their crimson
blankets, a few Stolid-faced
Yaqui Indians from beyond the
highlands of Mexico.
On the surface an air of
fiesta, holiday spirit of gaiety,
pervaded all that various assem-
blage - laughter and shouted
greetings everywhere But
deeper and more difficult to
sense, another note intruded
that held neither gaiety nor
laughter note that carried
with it a feeling of impending
disaster, of unspoken but open
hostility between the two groups
that now faced each other on
opposite sides of the parade
ground.
ITO be COntinued)
Copyright. 1884, by Tom Gill. nistr,hrAa,