The Wilmington morning star., 1947-01-21

start Bogard on his way that Cliff
laE smiled. Il get the connection.
But it might be helpful if I knew
Just who these Blacklanders are.
Depends on who you ask. Up
III New Dixie folks would tell you
they're a gang Of outlaws and no
count r~iff-raff. Once they was all
New Dixie people, but they didn't
like the way things was goin' SO
they pulled out in a body. We call
enl Blacklanders because they sci
tied down and went to farmin'
in the Blacklands. They got along
fine with the natives-some of 'em
intermarried, and started farms
and small cattle outfits along the
upper river
That's where the rubber plan.
tations are" Janet added.
Wade peered out the window.
There amt been no love lost be-
tween the New Dixie people and
the Blacklanders." he went on.
"but they never bothered each
other much Until the New Dixie
cattlemen- the vaqueros- began
expandin' their ranges out toward
the Blacklands. BY that time the
Black1anders had fenced off all
the fertile pockets and pastures
for their farms. but the vaqueros
said they was squatters and start
ed to drive 'em out. They had it
all their way until two years ago,
when the Blacklanders got them
selves a leader ana served notice
or the vaqueros they was tired Of
gettin' pushed around. The vague
ros didn't pay much attention un-
til n by one they began disap-
pearin' - just sorta evaporated.
Their horses come back with emp
lty saddles, and the reins tied
nice and neat to the horn"
"You meal they were killed.
Nobody knows. They just never
showed up again, and by the time
they'd lost a dozen vaqueros, the
people of New Dixie decided some
thin had to be done, SO they went
out to get the Blackland leader
"Vicente?" Cliff asked.
mo, not Vicente. Nobody knows
Nobody knows who the leader is
or where he stays. That's the
thing bothers the vaqueros. But
wherever he is, he's got plenty
brains and drivin' force to organ
ize the Blacklanders like he has.
It takes a real leader to turn a
bunch of river farmers into fight
in men, and it amt Vicente,
that's sure. Lilli here knew
Vicente all her life-they was
brought up together. His fathers a
Blacklander, mothers a Spanish
woman"
Wade stopped. well, this amt
gettin' you all headed for New
Dixie. I better gather up some
horses" He glanced toward Janet.
you got any ridin' things, Miss
Janet?"
She rose. "Tn go down to the
plane and change" She followed
Wade into the clearing.
Through the dusky gloom of the
cabin Cliff looked across the room
al Lilli sitting in the corner, with
bare feet curled up beneath her,
like a dark-haired shadow. Wholly
unconscious Of the frightening 81
lence, she seemed content to sit
there watching him with frank ap-
proval apparently waiting for him
to speak.
Cliff had caught sight of Wade's
books, and with sudden interest he
read the titles: How to Behave
On All Occasions" 'tThes Southern
Gentelwoman's Book o. Ell
quette," "How to Build a Two
Cycle Engine" college Require
ments for Women" He remem-
bered Pablo's story of Wade's am
bition to send this girl away tc
school and picked up the book on
the table.
Why are you studying Latino"
he asked.
Because he" she raised q
brown hand toward the door-''he
wants me to-"
Like it?"
mot much. I'd rather hunt or
swim" Then with a swift, mex
lpected smile, "But I'd like it if
you read me some"
obviously Cliff opened the book.
"Ex quovis ligno-" He laughed,
and shook his head. 1--WE forgot
ten how, Lilli."
He had not heard her move, but
she was standing beside him now,
so close he could catch the soft
rhythm of her breathing. There