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Show SOUTH CACHE COURIER his rifle and his ammunition was row and high that he could see only something to disturb him. He tossed the face itself. Bowie, sitting on all night and could console himself the bunk, studied keenly the eyes only by . thinking that in the morn- that studied him. For a long mote ment there came a calm voice from ing he would easily satisfy the that his arrest was owing the barred window. to the drunken stupidity of the My son: I am a padre. May I guard. speak a moment with you? After much palaver the next Bowie was annoyed but prudent. morning he was brought before an Certainly, Padre. He stepped to the cell door. What underling of the governor and subjected to a grilling that astonished can I do for you? he asked in a him. His own simple tale of who courteous manner, though inwardly he was and what he was doing in resentful. San Diego was brushed aside as of The guard will be here presentno value, and he was questioned ly, continued the He will padre. closely as to what his relations were open the door. with the faction that Governor Pico Padre. That is not of the department feared was plan- We can talk here necessary, face to face quite ning an attack on him personally. as well. After hours of examination which Not quite so well, my son. I naturally developed nothing Bowie would rather sit down with you a was remanded to the guardhouse. few moments that we may speak There he fretted and fumed day undisturbed. ' after day until his resentment wore Bowie said Padre firmly, mio, itself dumb. He was summoned at I at my devotions; please leave last before the governor himself. meam in peace. I have but a few hours would This, the prisoner felt sure, to live. be the end of it. wish to speak I That is why Such was not the case. Pico bore with you, my son. You were at a name that inspired all who sought devotions. That is welL Are justice at his hands with forebod- your Catholic? a you of ing. But the Texan knew nothing I well, Bowie was stumped; the mentality that characterized this not exactly, Padre. You see , . . leader of the mission spoilers. Footsteps were heard outside. Again Bowie, told his story; it fell Here comes the guard, said the on deaf ears. The strange revolver to look. Let him taken from him was not merely evi- padre,theturning door a moment, my open just dence but proof conclusive in Picos son. I I will not annoy promise a Bowie was that spy. judgment you. After locking the cell door, the guard had gone, leaving the two men in Bowies narrow quarters. My leg is not very good. Yoq notice my limp, said the padre. May I sit down? Motioning his unbidden guest to stool and seatthe one three-legge- d ing himself on his bunk, Bowie hoped the padres searching eyes would detect nothing of the loose earth piled underneath it. Yet to the uneasy prisoner it seemed almost too much to hope. His indus- f HOUSEHOLD QUESTIONS com-andan- , rH By FRANK H. SPEARMAN CHAPTER XI Continued (c Frank H. Spearman WNU Service These men were tractable and were expert with the I knowed that scout when he was bow and the gun. Even Bowie, who a little shaver everybody in Texas was placed in sole charge of these knows the Bowies, said Carson. hunters, was often amazed at their My brother Mose and this boy grew skill. No less a source of amazeup together. Hates Injuns and greas- ment to him, although he had ers like pizen. If you can get him thought himself familiar with the to trail South with us, he's worth a country, was its limitless wealth in animals. Elk troop o cavalry knows the coun- game and try, the folks, well liked and fights supplied tallow worth more comlike a wildcat. mercially than that of cattle. Deer Hold him, growled Fremont. were a pest, and bears were hunted for their heavy pelage. Til get him. The rivers and the tule beds Outside, when Carson rejoined Bowie, the talk went on. Carson swarmed with beavers and land ottalked eloquently of the importance ter. The quantities of skins brought in by the Indians astonished Sutter of Fremonts campaign to California and its people and of the deter- himself, and with every shipment mination of every man in his ranks down the river he deposited with to fight to the death against any Nathan Spear, his factor at Yerba Buena, a sum of money for Bowies attempt of England to take posses- credit. For to Bowie, Sutter ascribed sion of this prize of the Pacific coast. unlooked-fo- r the increase in the refat He promised pay. from his Indian contingent. Bowie smiled. Kit, do you mean turns The lively frontier atmosphere at the kind of promises to pay he gives fort the daily excitement owing the he steals time Californians every to the constant succession of strantheir horses and cattle? gers, wanderers and travelers arechoed Carson indigSteals? riving, singly and in groups, in large What do you mean? nantly. and small companies with amazing Thats what honest men call it. stories of hardship, adventure, conHe took three hundred head of flict, starvadiscovery, treachery, horses a few weeks ago from the tion, stark and even cannitragedy Guadalupe Rancho. Nat Spear says balism served to keep Bowies the paper he gave Don Ramon aint mind busy with interest in the worth the ink on it. I heard all strange frontier characters he enabout it at Yerba Buena last week. countered and in their strange tales To the devil with Nat Spear. I of mountains, valleys, rivknow he pays us boys and pays us ers,deserts, snow and ice. well. And no soldiering, no camp All their stories had a common work, Henry. Were scouts, and sol- feature their deserts were vast, dier boys wait on us. their mountains towering, their valBowie listened with simulated paleys like paradises, their rivers tience; yet his tempter seemed to swift, treacherous and mad to defeel he was holding something back. stroy. Some told of trees so great That all of girth and so tall that no listener Finally Bowie spoke. sounds fine, Kit. But Id like to ask could believe his ears; others of you just one thing before I say more. mysterious valleys where boiling Why did you shoot the unarmed water gushed hundreds of feet into De Haro boys when they were crossthe air and ice froze on the edges of their pools. ing the river to visit your camp? ; The blunt question took Carson But even marvels lose their thrill. aback. He seemed to color even Even the adventure of the chase beMaybe you did, Kit, but Id never think it of you. under the bronze of his fine fea- comes commonplace when at last tures. The two men were sitting routine. For nearly two years Bowie frontier-fashio- n astride a fallen log. made an active part of the enter- His protestations availed him nothBowie was looking straight into Carprise of Captain Sutter. Still, some- ing. At three oclock he was notified sons eyes. thing suppressed but gnawing at that he would be shot as a spy next that about did hear new his him to seek you Henry, feelings urged too? Darned sorry it happened, but scenes, new excitement, to deaden morning. Bowie took the message, we was in a box. The old mans a vague sense of loneliness. When silent and hard featured, from the But with his orders was to take no prisoners. he told Captain Sutter he was leav- guard who brought it. the wits high by amazing keyed and I When seen the boys Berreyesa ing him there was an explosion. But he studied closely through the one, and the news, acoming I asked him flat out, Hen- it was a in the cell door bars of the ry, what I should do. He come two parted friends. Bowie promised the features peephole of the soldier who Indian no to come back sometime if he could prisstraight back with, Take bore the message. It flashed sudoners. We got no room for pris- make it. on Bowie that he had seen oners. Hed been crowded pretty Leaving the valley with one pony, denly before. man. he that Sanchez, two months. Everything Bowie worked South along the Shard for I 'thank you for tellhad gone wrong. I had to obey ierras, sleeping under the stars and said calmly, me this. orders, Henry, didnt I? killing such small game as he need- ingThe Indian started at the utterto obey orders, ed for food until, passing the Maybe you had I thank you, ance of his name. Kit. But Id never think it of you. range, he stopped at the continued Bowie, unYour brother Mose never would have Mission San Gabriel, only to learn Sanchez, the moved stolid amazeby as well as know guards done that you that that a state of war existed between I do. Mexican factions and that the south- ment, because you and I are old You do not recognize me; Well, its done, snapped Kit, ern end of the department was, for friends. I covered with half a beard and am much put out at the rebuke, so, one side or the other, under arms. unwashed and eaten by vermin. anyway, theres no use talking about Look closer, Sanchez Bowie lowit. Where you goin, Henry? CHAPTER XII his voice look I am ered closer. rihis Bowie had risen, picked up whom you knew at Guadafle and was shaking his legs. Im Bowie had no intention of mixing Bowie, We fought together in the cangoing, just as I told you, up the in a squabble between Mexican Cal- lupe. of the Santa Maria did we yon ifornia grafters, and to avoid the river to Sutters. not? But, bears n Injuns, hold your sham battle lines he kept well inSanchez stared hard at him. Bowland in order to reach San Diego. horses till you talk to the old man. ies very quiet pierced the sluggishHe He meant to outfit there and strike Im not talking to him, Kit. nature. cant hire me to murder decent across the desert for Texas, which ness of his Indian he Senor, stammered, De speaking Haros. not seen like for the he had years. peaceable boys He reached San Diego late at low and with the utmost caution. Sh! dont talk so loud, you old I remember all. I did not know bullfrog. Stay overnight and think night. He had intended to sleep outHow can I help you? If I let toyou. on But town the side the Youve it over. only overnight. picked mean job he ever put on me, Hen- ward night fall rain had begun to you out they will shoot me. Do nothing of that kind. Only, fall and when he reached the prery. soon as you can, bring me someas No a was sidio effort there on heavy downpour. my way." Kit, Im at persuasion availed. Bowie shook He rode up to the presidio gate, thing to eat and pass me a good hands with Kit and his friends and where he was challenged by a sen- knife. Thats all go. Tell them I exchanged raillery with them but try, whom he answered in good will be ready. Sanchez proved not ungrateful. went his way. Spanish and asked for shelter. The sentry called the captain of Bowies contempt for everything at Sutters Fort the guard out into the rain from a and everyone concerned in his imEverything Sutter had game of seven-up- . him. prisonment was not lessened by the Captain pleased was for Whether threat of immediate death. But he this with whole the unpleasant atmosphere charged his own magnetic personality. When the captain, whether the call spoiled set to work, within a minute after he persuaded Bowie to remain for a winning streak, or whether the the knife was in his hand, to dig a time with him it was to be on captain had had too much pulque, himself out of his crude surroundBowies own terms, if Bowie would Bowie never could figure out. But ings. Working feverishly for an hour in nam any. In the end Sutter named he was very brusque. He ordered to him the ordered Bowie dismount, clay underlying the stone floor, a so liberal recruit new his perfor and disarmed. No answer he had made progress in his tunnel centage on his fur business that searched Texan could make to his when, although no sound reached his Bowie himself insisted on reducing that the would satisfy ear, the scant light through the insolent questioning it. Bowie a spy, peephole of his cell door lessened Captain Sutter had at his com- him. himHe pronounced under arrest and sent him just enough to make him realize mand the services of former mis- put someone was looking in. to the guardhouse. sion Indians who, on the despoiling The Texans surprise was equaled Expecting a bullet in the back of of the missions by the freebooting his head, he turned as unconcernedMexican politicos, had found them- by his annoyance and his contempt he reflectly as possible from the bunk near selves adrift and thrown on their for his captors. However, which he was working. Behind the own resources. Some fell back into ed that a night in the dry guardwould be better than a night bunk lay the loose earthi scooped house their and imitating pillage, savagery for from under the floor. He glanced Mexican despoilers. Others, of the in the rain. But to find himself life toward the peephole. A face was his California in first time the better stripe, sought service where em-- without his knife, his revolver, or there. But the, aperture was so nar in were the many could; ,they 12 ploy of Sutter. fur-beari- good-nature- d v . -- "",l - Plants breathe through their leaves. It is, therefore, necessary to keep house plants free from dust. . Cocoa should always be cooked in a small amount of water be- fore milk is added. Plan for an earlier and I longer season of bloom by planting doors or in flats,, ageratum, via and aster seeds. sal-- cord attached to The your electric iron is not a cord; it is two bundles of wires. Do not twist it or bend it or tie it in knots. . echoed the Franciscan, still searching Bowies face narrowly and speaking as if musing or as if placing in his mind a fact at a time to serve as tesserae for a When did you possible mosaic. first come to California? Some ten or twelve years ago, Padre. What, demanded Bowie impatiently, has that to do with this trumped-u- p charge against me? Nothing, nothing whatever, my son. But if you will be patient it may have something to do with what I have in mind. By what route did you come to California? Across the Rio Colorado and the desert of the South. The padres interest seemed to grow. He spoke on with slight but Then you increasing keenness. must have come in not very far from San" Diego, he persisted, still f I Pattern No. THE ever-popul- ar 2663 pineapple forms this lovely chair set. Though so effective a design it is an easy one to crochet. It is done in No. 30 cotton and can be used as scarf ends, too. Pattern 2663 contains directions for set; illustrations of it and stitches: photograph of set; materials required. Send order to; 82 Sewing Circle Needlecraft Dept. New York Eighth Ave. Enclose IS cents in coins for Pat- tern No Name Address DONT BE BOSSED BY YOUR LAXATIVE -- RELIEVE CONSTIPATION THIS MODERN WAY When you feel gassy, headachy, logy due to dogged-u-p bowel9, do as tzulhona at bedtime. Next do take'Feen-A-Mimorning thorough, comfortableof relief, your helping you start the day fall like a normal energy and pep, feeling million! Feen-A-Mi- nt doesnt disturb the your nights rest or interfere with work the chewing t, next day. IVy it s gum laxative, yourself. It tastes good, handy and economical ... a family supply FEEH-fl-MINTl- ol Saif Lakes NEWEST HOTEL I did so come. I presume, continued the padre gently insinuating, that you spoke Spanish when you came to California? When 1 came to California neither I nor my companions could speak a word of Spanish. You did not come alone, then? Two Texan scouts came with me. IP Three ot you. The white-haire- d man, his penetrating eyes bent closely on Bowie, hesitated an instant. He spoke then intently. My son, did you and your companions hear about that time of Indian mur- ders? (TO BE CONTINUED ) I In Pineapple Design musing. I have heard of many Indian murders since coming to California. I speak of a raid and a murder in which a Spanish ranchero and his two vaqueros were killed, his house burned and two of his little girls carried into captivity by the Indians." , f i Crocheted Chair Set So they tell me, returned Bowie, slightly acid in his tone. I ask, is it true? continued his A Tejano. A Tejano, I in-- ally. son? f i try had made noticeable progress. They tell me, my son, that you are a spy, began the padre casu- questioner. It is not, answered Bowie bluntly. I have had no trial ; not a shred of evidence lies against me. The truth is, Padre mio, your governor wants for himself a new and unusual firearm it is called a revolver that his men took from me. And he is putting me out of the way to get a clear title to it. Do not, my son, say your governor. I am not an officer of the Mexican government. I am a Spaniard. My sole earthly quest in California is the salvation of souls. You may be a spy though I do not believe it, for the whole story has been told me or you may be twenty times a spy; that matters nothing to me. But since you are condemned to death let me ask: what of your soul? what of eternity? You are an Americano? No, Padre. Not Americano what then, my I Hotel TEMPLE SQUARE Opposite Mormon Temple HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Rates $1.50 to $3.00 Its a mark of distinction to stop at this beautiful hostelry ERNEST C. BOSSITER, Mgr. |
