Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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The Land of > Broken Promises By BAN. COOLIDGE. Author of . ?Tho Fighting Fool," -Hidden Watera," "The Tcxlcon," etc. Illustration by BON J. LAVIX B "But walt!'1 she ran on, her eyes flashing. "Perhaps we are not so eager .to deland _pu_r .rrovernment .X.Jfln. wo have a new ono every year. ?But if tho men who are gathering lu Chihuahua Invade our country, you v/itl find that oe Sonorans those men will fight tc the death. "You laugii because you do not nv deratand. But wby should we So norans fight aide by side with the f?derale and rvraies? Aro they not the soldiers of Di a e, who have simply changed to another master? That Manuel del Boy waa last year hunting down M ad eris tao in the nilla; now be ia fighting for Madero! And tomor row? Who can Bay?" . She shrugged her shoulders scorn fully, and Hooker perceived that she was in earnest in her dislike of the dashing captain, but prudence warned him to Bay nothing if he would escape being drawn into the quarrel. "No!" she went on, after an expec tant pause, "let. the rurales pursue thoao bandits-they are hired for that purpose! But if Orozco and Salazar Join thia ladr?n, Bernardo Bravo, and seek to captur? our towns, then, Senor Americano, you- will Bee real war and men fighting to the death! Ah, you laugh again-you are a Texan and judge ?B Sonorans by the cowardly Chihuahuans-but it Is tho truth. And I, for one," she added naively, "would be almost glad to have war. Do yon know why? To soo If you would really defend me!". . ' . She smiled, looking frankly into his eyes, and Bud blushed to the roots ot his hair, but once aga ia he held his peace. "What, senor!" Bhe bantered; "you do not speak? Surely, theo, your friend De Lancey was wrong when ho said you would save me! For look. Mr. Hooker, I am premised to marry dear Phil; but how can I manage that When Manuel del Rey ls watching me? It- la impossible, is it not?" "Seems so," muttered Bud, and la tho back of hid head he negoa to think quickly. Here was tho fountainhead of his misfortunes, and if alie had her way she would lay all his plans in ruins-and even then not marr**. Phil. In.fact, from the light way shs spoke, he sensed J&at Bbo did not Intend to marry him. .Her grudge WBB against Manuel del Rey. who drove away. aU her lovers. "Well," he ventured, "there's no ruBb, I reckcm-PbR'serutsted for Up? years." "Ha!" Bhe cried contemptuously; "and do you think he will serve? No! At a word from me he will flee to the border and . I shall join him in the United States!" "What?" demanded Bud; "PhU de sert?" In a moment he saw what such a move would mean to him-to Kruger and the Seigle Tall-and he woke sud denly from his calm. .' * "Here now," he said, scowling ne to keep from, being executed,, andT | that's about all!" "And not a word about me?" "Yes," admitted Bud; "he said he'd I try to .put up.with it-on account b?| you-and-" "What?" she entreated, taking bim j beseechingly by tho coat. ''WoH." -stammered Hooker,- shifting hie feet and looking away, "be told mo to kinder lake t are of you-while he was gone." f j*. "Ah!" she breathed, still Btandtng cloae to him, "and w'.il you do it?" ? "I ree.-on co," said Bud, "if we httSrW | any trouolc." "But I'm in trouble now!" ahe cried, I "I'm*watched-I can't get away-andi I'm afraid!" "Afraid of what?" he demanded. "Of bim!" Bhe answered, her voice] breaking; "of MnnueLJel Rey!" "Well," replied Hoofer bluntly, "Pye I got nothing to do with that- I canxj "But I'm In Trouble Nowl* She Cried. Interfere in your lo ve affnirs-but lt they's war and they , try to take the town, you can count on. mo.". .. "Oh, thai k you " aho said, bowing j j satirically. "And do you expect-, .wary". "Not with thai bunch of hombres!' returned' Bud, waving a disparaging hand toward the' noise ot the shouting. At this she broko down and laughed* Evidently she -was not BO. fearful of discovery after all. .'. "You forget, slr," sho said, "that ana a Mexican!" N. i j . Then, ns he failed to show any signal of contrition, she changed bar mood | again, / . * AIR! The CHEAPEST and most NECESSARY thing on EARTH: But how to get it into automobile - tires-*-Labor, sweat and cass? No-just drive down to ; >' ' Petroleum Oil Company* ? and'use their apparatus. FREE to every one-you don't have to bc a customer--don't be bashful), just drive up and USE it. Nice shelter and plenty of ice water-no free music yet-that will come from your motor after usin? our put ? PENNSYLVANIA oils and our high grad? Gasoline. . ; "IVy Ohce--Use Ahvays" :-: F REE AIR :-: if you want at: fiting in ioal es irate you AviliI benefit yotit self if you V-U see us. We have ?orrie beautiful bornes in the city for sale at reasonable prices. ; We also have some nice farms in high state of cultivation at attractive pnces close to thc ( ity. . : ! 1 Evans'Building < . Anderson, B. C. ll Dav,- that Rim waa laughing at him, "you've mado me and Phil enough trouble. You let ?hat boy alone, savvy?" y He stooped toward her as ho spoke, Axing her with masterful oyca that bad'thmed many a bad horte and man, and 'ehe' Shrank away Instinctively. Then abo glanced at him shyly and cd?pd tiv't?r toward the open door. ' \Xv^i)d,'db what I please, Mr. Hook er," Julie, returned, balancing on tl?. verge ox flight. "A]l right," Bud came back; "but don't, you call me in on it. You've made a Cool of Phil-I supposo you'd like to' get'me, too. Then your father would grab our mioe." "What do you moan?" she chal lenged, turning back upon him. "I mean this," responded Hooker warmly. "Phil holds the title to our mino. If ho deserts he loses his Mexi can citizenship and his claim ls no good. But you don't need to think that your fa thor will get the mine then, be cause he'll have to whip me first!" "O-bo!" she sneered; "so that is what you are thinking of? You are a true gringo, Mr. Hooker-always thinking abont the money!" "Yes," returned Bud; "and even at that I believe your old man will best me!" She laughed again, with sudden capriciousness, and stood tapping th? floor with her foot. "Ah, I see," she said at longth, gaz ing at him reproachfully; "you think I am working for my father. You think I got poor Phil into all this troublo In order to cheat bim of his mine. But let me tell you, Senor Gringo," she cried with sudden fire, "that I did not! I have nothing to do with my father and htB schemes. But if you do not trust me-" She turned dramatically to go, but when Hooker made no effort to stay her sho returned once more to the at tack. "No," she said, "lt was because he was an American--because he waa brave-that. I put my faith hu Phil. Theao Mexican men are cowards-they are afraid to stand, up and fight! But Philip dared to J make love to me-tie dared to sing to me pt night-and when Manuel del Rey tried to stop bim he stood up and made a fight I "Ah, that ls what I admire-a man who ls brave! And let me tell you, Senor Hooker, I shall always love your friend I If I could run away I would marry him tomorrow; but this cur. Manuel del Rey, stands In the way. Even my own father 1B against mo. But I don't care-I ? don't care what happens-only do nqt think that I am not your f fiend I" > She paused now and glanced at him shyly, and as her eloquent eyes met bis own Bud felt suddenly that she was sincere. The gnawing and corro sive doubts that had eaten at his neart fell away, and he saw her now in her truo beauty, with no uneasy.thoughts of treachery to poison his honest lov?>. "I believe yon, lady," he ?aid, "And I'm glad to know you," he added, tak ing off his hat and bowing awkwardly. "Anything I can do for you, don', hesi tate to ask for lt-only I . can't..gc against my pardoora on thlB mine." Ho bowed again and retreated toward the door, but she followed hit impulsively.. f. "Shake nands," she said, holding ont both her own, "and will yon help mo?' "Sure!" answered Bud, and as hei soft fingers closed on his he-took thea gently,' for'fear that ha might crust: them and never know. CHAPTER XVIII. " A month of weary waiting followed that day of days In Fortuna, and sttl there waa no Word from Phil. Bern arde Bravo and His rebel raiders,' pass?e through the mountains to the east, ant news came of heavy fighting in Chi huahua. Don Cipriano Aragon mo Vet hts family hack to his hacienda ant Gracht became only a dream.' > ' " Then,. ono day, as., Hooker and th< Yaqui were industriously- pounding ou gold, a messenger came out from to wi with a' telegram in his hand. Am in Gili Jon... Ko, chance to .hoi mine Kruger saya QUU.-I'. " "No PU be 'earned if I do!* mut tared Bud. Then ho eat down to thins "Amigo," ho eald to the Yaqui, "ar. ?wi a Mexican citizen? Can you ge title to mlne?* " ,lMe a Mexleanf" repeated Amigc tappinghimself on the chest. "Nc senor* Seguro quo no I" "All right then," Observed Bud hit terly, "beru ?oes nothing-nowhere PU. j turn Mexican > myself I " Ho passed tho m caa en ger on the wa to town, took out hie first papers as i citizen, picked-up the mineral agent' expert on tho way back, and locate the,Eagle Tall in his own nome. B< foro riding back to camp bo Wired t Kruger: Rave turned MUK and relocated data HOOKER. It waa his last card, and ho did he expect to win by lt, Fato had bee against hlnf-frorn tho flret, and h could see his. finish, but his. natur drovW'hlm ?to-fight on. Ali that Ari gon had to do now WUB to ?ave hit snmmd&w.: tor military service, an m*?Y."wnHilcf d? the Test rattf '^^W'itolt?' over the' min A mose,formality-or so lt seemed but bo t ween X Aragon and his mic stood. tbp .'?Texas blood. Hooker hs been crowded.to th? wall, and .ha wi mad oncugh tn flsbt The news .of <De Lan coy'a dcsertlo followedquickly after his flight came over the federal wires id a r port to Manuel del Rey-&ut.hy tl time it got to Aragon tpat go nt lom n irita t?o/; latee. ; Thai^-rodo ; tato catt the na^dV~A?mebn and the 'cahtiii of the rurales-and at the Drat gllmpi of that hated twJJoW^dgo WM C . . ,.>. .. " - . - ., . ;.; :)-.i..'.t?i .: -/V-f .'~V ' ' "1.; "' {U:)????\ 11 KO a DUCK, mu"- wont out sullenly to i joel thom, his black mood showing in hin lowering eyes, and ho hnltcd them by the savagery of hiB cursing. TVItou; cockeyed old reprobate," ho snarled,- advancing threateningly upon the paling Aragon, "this makes three times 'you've' como into my camp and brought your gun with you! Now take lt off!" ho yelled, dropping suddenly Into Spanish. "Take that gun off-do you understand?" So violent and unexpected waa hie assault that |t threw Aranon into a panic, and/even Manuel del Key soft ened hie manner .as he inquired into the cause.. "Never mind," answered Bud, smiling crustily-ex Aragon laid aside .Take That Gun Off, Do You Under his arms; "I know chat hombre weill Now what cen I do for you, capitan?" "Be so kind aa to take your hand from your belt," replied Del Rey with a smile that was intended to placate. "Ah, thank'you-excuse my nerves now I cnn tell you tho newe. I regret to inform you, senor, that your friend, Do Lnncey, bna deserted from my com mand; taking bis ?arms and equipment with him. In case he la captured he w^ll be shot aa a deserter." "Your ' news'??ls-?,"oid,* capitan," re joined Hooker.. "I knew it two days ago. . And you can tell Mr. Aragon that.lt ls no uso forbin to try to get this m.ln?-r-1 became 'a, ,Mexican citizen yesterday, and located lt myself." "So we learned," responded the cap tain -auhvely.? .''ItMnfaaepart of my errand today-to adk'If you would not enlist in my company bf rurales." "Muchas gracias."' capitan," an swered ; Hooker With'heavy ironyr "I do not care tot* "<;V:' "But.your,friend--^-" proteBted Man uel, del Hoy with.an insinuating smile. { "My friend was in jail," put in Bud; "he was;to1 be-sbot at,(sunrise. But! mira,'amigo, I ein not In jail, and, fur Ihermore, I do not intend to be." ' "That ls very creditable, to you," laughed Del Rey; "but even then you are entitled to enlist. The country is full of turbulent fellows who have to be caught or killed. Chino now, you understand my errand--why make it hard for me?" "No. senor," returned Bud grimly, *T snow nothing, or your errand. But this I do know. I have done nothing for which I can be arrested, and if any man tries to mako me join the army-" he hooked his thumb Into his belt and regarded the captain fixedly. "Ah, very well," said Dal Rey, Jerk ing his waxed mustachios, '"I will not press the matter. But I understand from one of my men, senor, that you are harboring a dangerous criminal here-the same man,- perhaps, whom I, Baw running up tho. canyon?" . | He smiled meaningly at this, hut Bud'was swift to defend his Yaqui. "No, senor," he rei died, "I bare no such criminal. I have a Mexican work ing for me who la ono of tho best miners in. Sonora, and that ll all I know about him." '.'.?. .'( "A Mexican?" repeated Del Rey. arching his eyebrows. ' Excuso me, sir, but it ia my business to know; every man la this dletrtct, and ha hi no Mexican, but a Yaqui. Moreover, he ls a fugitive and an outlaw,'and if be had not.?been enlisted with the fed* orals r should have arrested him'when bo passed through Fortuna. So, I warn, you, Blr. not, to hide bim, or yon will bo liable to Ute law." W?LhMti <Mdi0g. himT* protested" Hooke* scornfully. "I'm Just hiring him as a minor, and any timo you want him you-con como and get him. He'a ntl tn Oie "' rocks th ero aorao whero abw."'"-*'-' ?..". ; "Sol"' exclaimed tho captain, glanc ing uneasily at tho hillside, V"I did nob think-but ruany ' thanks, senor; an other ,t Imo wW dp as well.*? 'He reined hts boree away aa he spoke and, with a Jerk of the hi md to Aragon, rode, rapidly down Old can y on? ?* AWgdn 'ftnV?r? d ' to rot rio- e hie fallen gun-belt bud then, seem! ig to thlpk better of his di.airo to spa itt, he ma'do rf Bingle" vindictive gestor ) and Bot apura to hts champing hp rao. ^/^..mrely a Olag of .the hst id, as spontaneous as a sigh or a fro wt i, but talfc*R?it^re>^ aiton of tho .Spaniard; sad his d?clarai JU ot war to 'the knife. He baredI his t fong U$yi to'?reply ;and hissed?put a I :ight inf- catari, and than Aragon, waa. gone. '- That evening, ea the. d?faites?"' -'uune m^^o^on^^hn^ and i ,u .AUi.?'WHv*V^*/e .' ~' ? '.. .'".-, ??3 etUI lind built a big fir? and stood be fore it, hie rugged form fdlhouetted against thu Harm's. And soon, as quiet as a fox, tho Yaqui appeared from the gloom. "Did ho como for me?" ho asked, advancing warily into the firelight, "that capitan?" "Yes," answered Dud, "and for mo, too. Dut you must have known him j before, Amigo-ho seems to be afraid I of you." I A emile of satisfaction passed over the swarthy face of the Indian al this, and then tho livra became grlin again. Hi? eyes glowed with the light of como great purpose, and for the ll ret time since he had been with Bud bo drew aside the veil from his past. "Yes," he Bald, nodding significantly, "the rural le afraid. He knowe I have come to kill bim." He squatted hy the fire and poured ont a cup of coffee, still brooding over his thoughts-then, with a swift ges ture, he laid open his shirt and pointed to a scar along tbe riba. "He Bhot mo there," ho said. "And ao you have como to, kill bim?" "Yes," answered Amigo; "but not now. Tomorrow I go to my people I must take (Jjem my money first." "Have you got a wife?" aBkod Hook er, forgetting for once bia accustomed reeerve. "No," ; grumbled Amiga, shaking bis head sadly, "no .wife."* / "Oh, you take your money to your father and mother." "No. No father-no mother-nadle!" Ile threw up hla open hands to sig nify that all were gone, and Hooker said no more. For three months and more ho bed worked nlongBido thia giant, silent Yaqui and only once had he aonscd hla p-iet. That wns when Amigo hud torn his ehirt in lifting, and ocroso tho rippling muBclea of his back there li.id been shown the long white walo of a whip. . It waa the mark of his - former slave.-y when, with the rest of bia peo ple, ho had been deported td the hene qu?n fields of Yucatan and flogged by the ovoreeer'a lash-and Amigo was ashamed of lt. But now that bo woe about to go, Bud mode bold to ask hint cao more question, to set bis mind ol teat.. "Perhaps this captain killed youl people?" v ? "No, senor," answered Amigo quiet ly; "they died." Ho spoke the words simply, but thcro waa something in his voice thal brought up images of the past-ol peacefnl Yaquis, seized at every rand in Sonora on a certain night; of loni marches overland, prodded on b: rurales and guards; of thu crowder prison-ships from which the moat an guiahed hurled themselves lato tin sea; and then the awful years o slavery in the poisoned' tropics, unti only the hardiest were left. - Amigo had seen it all, as the, scar on his broad back proved-hilt h withdrew now into silence and left bl thoughts unsaid. Aa he eat there b the Ure, ono long, black band hold ou to keep the gleam from hla eyes, h made a noblo figure, but the Yaque, acngs which he had crooned on otbe rights were forgotten, and he bel himself tense and still. Then at lae be rose and. gazed at Bud. "You pay mo my money," he salt "I go now." '"' "Sure,*' answered Bud, and after h had weighed out the equivalent i gold on hie scales he flipped in abm mffre for luck and gave him a sack t hold it. "What you buy with all that?" h inquired with a friendly grin; "grub" "No, senor,' answered Amigo, kno ting the precious gold in a handke chief; "cartridges!" ? "What for?" quorled Bud, and thc lt was Amigo who smiled. "To kill Mexicans with!" he replie and in those worda Hooker read tt . secret ot hi* thrift' While hts wild brethren fought I the hills or prepared for the battles 1 come, it waa his part to earn tl money that should keep them in ai munition. It waa for that, in fact, tin Pprfirlo Diai bad seized all the peac ful Yaquis in a night and shipped the: to Yucatan-for he saw that whi they wera working the wild Yaqu would never lack. All the time that Amigo had bet doing' two men's work and saving < the price of a shirt ho had held th; cheerful dream in his mind-to k more Mexicans! Yet, despite the savagery in hil Hooker hod come to Uko the Y mp and he HIM him still. With tl rurales on Lui trail it was better th he should go, but Bud wanted him return. So, knowing the simple ho esty of Indians, he brought oat li own spare pistol and placed lt in An go's banda Often he bad seen hi gating at lt longingly, for it waa Ilgi er than his heavy Mauser and bett for the journey. . Hero," he said, "1 will lend you i pistol-and you cap give lt to me wb you come back.** ''Suret'" answered the Indian, har lng it on his hip; "adios!" They shook hands then, and t Yaqui disappeared' la the darknoae.'' the morning, whoa a squad of rural closed in on the camp, they fou nothing but his groat tracks la t dust ' - CHAPTER XIX. It waa Jane and tho wi nd eton Which had swept In from the sou east .died away. Np more, ns in t months that had pasae'd, did tho'du pillar risc from tho dump of the F tuna mill and gb swirling up the ?1 Jpn.' . i A great calm and heat settled ot trie harassed land, and an\??e tho. ) . u, ; |jgyg ii ?.j.; sh* ?'? .. -.'? . Vf ?' ' .' ?"' '"'. ' '.' se?' blue wall of tho Sierras the first thun der caps of tho rainy BOHBOII rose up till they obscured tho sky. Thou, with a rush of conflicting winds, a leaden Silence, and a crash of flickering light, the ?sturia burst lp tropic fury und was gone as quickly as lt hud como. So, while the rich landowners of tho hot country sat idle and watched it grow, another storm gathered behind tho distant Sierras; and. us empty rumors lulled them to a falso security, suddenly from the north came tho news of duslring raids, of railroads cut, troops routed, and the whole bor der occupied by swarming rebels. In a day the southern country was isolated and cut off from escape and, while the hordes of Chlhuuhua insur rectos laid siego to Agua Negra, tho belated Spanish haclendados carno scuttling once more to Fortuna? There, at least, was an American town whero the courago of the Anglo-Saxon would protect their women in extremity. And, If worst carno to worst, it was better tp pay ransom to red-flag generals than to fall victims to bandits and loot ers. AB tho bass roar of tho great whist lo reverberated over tho hills Hud Hook er left hlB lonely camp almost gladly, and with his hard-won gold-dust safe beneath his belt, went galloping into town. Not for three weaks-not slnco ho received tho wire from Phil and lo cated tbr Eagle Tall mine-bad he dared to leave hie claim. It?ralos, out laws and Mexican patriots had anipped In from day to day and eaten up most of his food, but none of them had caught bim napping, and he had no in tention that they should. A conspiracy had sprung up to get rid of bim, to harry him out of the country, and bohfnd lt was Aragon. Dut now, with the big whistle blowing, Aragon would have other concerns. He had his wife and daughter, the beautiful Gracia, to hurry to the town, and perhaps the thought of being caught and held for ransom would do ter him from stealing mines. So rea soned Hud, and, dragging a reluctant pack-animal behind him, he came rid -lng In for supplica. At tho s toro he bought flour and cof fee and tho other things which he needed most. As he was passing by the hotel Hon Juan do DIOB halted him foy a moment, rushing out and thrust lng a bundle of letters into his hand; and hurrying back into' the' bouse, ai lt fearrul of being detected in such ar act of friendship. Long before he had lost his pardnei Bud had derided that Hon Juan wus ( trimmer, a man who tried to bo al things to all poop!c%-as a good hotel keeper should-but now he altered bli opinion a' llttlo. for the letters wen from Plill. Ho read them over in th* crowded plaza, into which tho -firs refugees were just beginning to poui and frowned as he skimmed Itaf?ug the last. . . Of Gracia and vain protestations c devotion thero was j enough and t epare, but nothing about the minc Only in the flrBt ono, written on th very day. he bad deserted, did ho s much as attempt au excuse for so prc clpitately abandoning their Claim un his Mexican citizenship. Phil wrote: My malt Was being sent through lieut quartern and locl.nl over .by Del Hey. a 1 knew I would nu vcr rccvlvo the paper; even If they came. I hope you don't.foi hurd about lt, pardnor. Kruger says 1 come out right away. I would hov stnyed with it, but it wasn't any UH ".Acid now, Hud, I want to ack you somi thing. When.you como-out, brins Gruel with you. Don't Ieavo her at thc mere of Del Hey. I would como myself if wasn't euro death. Ce quick about i Bud; I count on you. Tho other letters wera all Uko tba but nothing about tho mine. And ye it.was the mine that Bud was flghtiu for-that they had fought for from tl first. The railroad was torn up nov and a flight with Gracia was kopi .es but it was Just as well, for he nev? would abandon the Eagle Tail. In two months, or three, when tl rebels wcro whipped off, his pape might esme. Then be could pay h taxes and transfer his title and co sider tho stealing of Gracia. But Bin? he had seor?, her and touched her hat something held him back-a grudgti reluctance-and ho was glad that h duty lay elsewhere. ' If sho was h girl now he would c?mo dawn and g hen anyway. But sho was not lila girl and, gosh back grimly at tho seething plaza ai the hotel that hld her from sight, 1 rode somberly down tho road. Aft all, there was nothing to get exclt about-every revoltoso in tho count waa lined up arouud Agua Negra px with four hundred toldlers. to oppo them and. artillery to sholl their t vance, lt would be many a long day 1 fore they took that town. Twice already Agua Negra' h fallen before such attucks, but now was protected by rifle-pits and n chine'guns set high* on mud roofs. A then there were tho Yaquis, atilt fal ful to Madero. They alone could bc the town, if they made up their mitt to fight. Sd reasoned Hooker,'multi over tho news that he had heard. I he watched the ridges warily, for t : .weather was good,for raiders. .' A day passed, and then another, a the big f wt'?tie blow only for ( ehlfts; tho loneliness of tho hills ? \ pressed him as ho gazed out at I t quivering heat. And then. Uko a te after a shower. Amigo came pad dh into camp on, tho, heels of a tbupd storm, hts sandals hung on hi a hf p i bis big feet squelching^ through t mud. . .>. w?...' Across hts shoulders he wore a f serape, woven by some patient won of,hm trine; and, lp tho belt be? Bud'c p?ato? ho carried a heavy kn btacksmltbed from a ton-Inch file some Yaqui hillman. AU In nit V ' . : . V" J? '.. . 'IO, I '.rt . >> .' Vf rt> . '- ?: V I?. - '!. .'.M-'-V ?/.:'. . '. . '.'I v/?s n fino barbarian, but he looked good to the lonely Hud". " "Oin, Amigo!" he-hailed, stepping out from the adobe house where hoi hud moved to avoid tho rains; and. Amigo answered wiuvhie honest smllej which carried no hint'ot savagery or? deceit. Try as ho would', Bud" could not? bring himself to think of'his Yaqui au' dangerous; and even when be bal*' nncod the Indian's murderous bowie knife lu hie hands he regarded lt with, a grin, lt was a heavy weapon, broad across the back, /toan on cae edge, and drawn to a flo I nt llbuf waa both! shari) and strong. Tue haft was: wrapped with rawuldn to hold tho; clutch of the hand. j "What do you do with thia-?" queried! Hooker. "Chop wood?' Sk'h deer?" : "Yea, chop wood!" answered Amigo, but ho replaced lt carefully In hla belt. He looked tho adobe house ovor thoughtfully, listened . Tiing to the news of tho border and of th? rurales' raid on their camp, and retired to the rocks for tho night.? Kv au iliad never knew where he slept Somewhere up on tho hillside-in caves or clefts In tho rock?-and not even tho mont pressing Invitation could make bim aliara tho house for n night. To Amigo, aa to un animal, a house wus n;trap; and ho know that tho times wero treacherous. ^ So ludet d they wnro, aa Hooker was to'fe?ru to bin sorrow, and but for tho Yaqui and his murd.MOUS knife he might easily huvo learned lt too Into. It waa evening, alter a rainless dny, and Hud vfua cooking by the open nra, when suddenly Audgo vante>*wj| and four men rodo in from abc They wore armed with rlilos, aa beiitt.cd tho times, but gave no ul gus--of ruffianly bravado, und after a few words' Bud in vited them to get duwh'iin? env. "Muchas gracias, senor," said tho leader,-dismounting and laying his rifle against a leg, "wo aro nut hungry." "Then ' have some coffee," invited * Hooker, who mado lt ?I point to feed every one who stopnedr regardless of their merit; and cut . i ioro tho Meal? can declined. At thia Bud looked at him sharply, for hla refusal did not augur well, and lt struck him the man's face waa familiar. He was tall for a Mexican and heavily built, but with a rather sinister cast of'counte nance. "' 1 "Where, have 'I Been you before!" asked Hud, ofter trying in vain to placo him. "In Fortuna?" \ "No, senor," answered the Mexican politely. "I have never been in that city. Is it far?" "Ten miles by tho trail," responded Hooker, by no meanfr'reassured, and under pretext of Inviting them to eat, he took a look at tho other mon. it they had not-stopped to eat, what * ? then waa their errand while the sun was sinking so low?-And why this sullen refusal of the coffeo which every Mnxtcan t?rmks?-'-.-- \ Bud stepped into the lnucc, as if on some errand, and witched* them un seen from the interior. Seeing them exchange glances then, bo leaned his - rifle just inside the door and went nbout bis cooking. ir; - t i * It was one of the ch au pp* he took, living out in the brush) buf he had come to know ibis low-brow'ed type of semi-bandit all too weil and had small respect for their courage. In caso ot. trouble Amigo was close by In the rocks somewhere, probably, with his gun In his hand-but with fi little pa ti once and circumspection the unwel come visitors would doubtless move on, -v.'?ii W . I .'. So he thought, but instead they lin gered, and when ?upper was cooked he decided to go to a show-down-and lt th?y* again refused to eat" ne would send theres on.their way.""* . " Ven anilgos," he sahl _ spread lng out the tin plates for them. '-Come and eat?'' j?-v : \ The three low-bpowa glared at their leader, who bad done what little talk ing there was BO far, and, seized with a sudden animation, he Immediately rose to hin feet. . .',.';'.' \ . '. "Many Jhanks, senor," ,h,p said with . a crin-lng and specious politeness. "Wo have como far and the trail ls long, so we will eat The times ara hard for poor men now-this traitor, Madero, has made ua all hungry, lt Is by him that wo poor working mon are driven to Insurrection -hut we know that the Americana aro our friends. Yes, senor, I will tn ito come ot your beans, and thank you." , He filled a plato as he spoke and lifted a biscuit from the oven, con tinuing with hie false putter willie the others fell to In Bllunco. "Perhaps you have heard, senor," he went on, "the saying which la In the land: Mucho trabajo, paco dinero; no hay frijoles' viva Madero! i fMuch . work, little money; no beans, long . ?>. live Modern!] /. '. - / "That, <n truth,la.no. jest to the Mexican people. Thia man1 has be trayed us all; ho has r^ip.o^?ho coun- A try and set brother against "brother. And now, while we utarvo because the mines' aro shut down, he gathers bia family about, him in the -etty-and Uvea fat on tho money he hos at olen." He ran on in this style, after the fashion of the revoltosos, and by tba very commonplace of his-fulminations Bud: we* thrown completely off hla guard. That was the, .w^.'they jdl talked, these worthless bn'qdit-bcggnru. 1 -thst and telling how ((?fcy loved tho Americanos-and then, if they gat a Chance, they would H tie?, la knife tn your Lack. . He listened to the big man -with a polite toleration, being careful not to turn his back, and ato a1 few bltea aa he waited, but though lt wis coming dusk the Mexicans were in do hurry to depart ' Perhaps they hi ?ed to stop for tho night and got him1 In his sleep. Still tjioy lingered on, tho leader ?U> ; ?P?$ bo cont^ed;y;;z^ ?:.;.; k ? -.- -' . . : r... .; ' - "? '.. ?lt ' - . > .