Evening star., 1936-03-24
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ETMW WPETER B. KYNE
MPETER B.NNE

ed-Where, nobody knew ana nopOuy
cared There was some grumbling at
this order of Punishment, many con-
tending that during warfare, in Mexl-
co, commanding generals always per-
mitted their women TO accompany the
soldiers However, there was no dis
position to argue the matter. They
had had one evidence of the miSfOr-
tune attendant upon disputing the ALL
thority of that dark, silent young man
who had assumed the leadership.
Although his men did not realize it,
that morning Joaquin Murletta really
began his career as the tiercest, most
adroit, bloody handed bandit the world
was ever to know. He was mOrose,
irritable. silent. Down through Tuo-
lumne, Mariposa and MADEIRA COun-
ties he raided no claim was too small
or too poor to avoid the ravages Of its
shice boxes. He killed and encour-
aged his men to kill. He spared no.
body. Saloons, gambling houses and
brothelS. general stores, pack-trains
and ranches knew his cory advance:
the law was wholly incapable of CO.
ping with him and he was aware OF
this and his sudacity knew no bounds.
As he rode he recruited-Chilenos, a
couple of Yaqui Indians, a Negro or
two, but mostly Mexicans and His
pano- -Californians Of mixed blood.
Once a week he divided the loot,
retaining one-third for himself, one
fifth for Three Fingered Jack and the
| remainder share and share alike.
Once week they managed debauch.
They had fights with hardy individ-
uals. with little groups who refused to
surrender their hard-earned gains.
with small detachments OF peace Of
! fiCers and posses. They had many
saddles emptied they recruited a doc
tor by kidnapping him; for drugs and
| equipment they robbed a drug store
I in Stockton, as they doubled back
along the low foothills to raid camps
and claims in AmadOr Calaveras and
| FL Dorado Counties.
| The country rose in horror; fully
hundred murders had been laid to the
gang The posses became too nu-
merOlls, the bandits horses were being
wasted, there was imperative need for
a rest, to permit the hue and cry to lie
down. Beyond the Sierra lay little
known and sparsely settled country
SO sparsely settled, indeed, as to be
practically uninhabited. Accompanied
by long paCktrain the company rode
over Sonora Pass and down over the
Sierra to the Mono Lake country.
they skirted the desert along the east
| ern base Of the Sierra, where there was
no lack Of feed. water and game, faring
south, then upward over Walker Pass
Three Fingered Jack was the guide; he
knew the state as no other man knew
| it, Down into the San Joaquin VAL
ley they came, past the first few houses
Of what was to be subsequently the
city Of Bakersfield, down to the Tnlare
Lake County, and into the foothills OF
the Coast Range Here Three Fingered
Jack led them into a lovely little hid
den valley, through pass so narrow
men might ride by 1t for years and
never suspect the lush greet retreat
that lay few miles beyond.
This, chief" said Three Fingered
Jack. lis the Arroyo Cantova. and
| doubt If any other men have seen it,
! We have here timber for fuel; here the
| horses may be turned loose to Craze
| and get back their strength. There is
water; there is deer, bear, elk and an
| telope Here, in the old days. I built
cabins and cached liquor and ammuni-
| tions tt is Paradise
Joaquin nodded. He was weary and
had lost much flesh: his big black
| thoroughbred was gaunt and leg weary.
1t was the middle Of April and the
rains were over until November Out
in the vast expanse Of the San Joa-
| qlun in the Summer heat would be ter
rife, but here, at an altitude Of 1000
feet, among the scrubby pines, it would
be cool and comfortable
"Juanito," he declared. "you are q
great comfort to me- We will remain
here for three months. We have SO
head of excellent horses stolen in the
San Joaquin. We will break them.
That will be something to keep our
fellows busy"
But. t.1Jack protested. "they do not
wish to be busy. They desire, as soon
as their horses are rested, to disperse
for a season. to enjoy themselves"
Let them depart when they will,
then. I remain here"