Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 2 — page 145: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

~ CROSSROADS. © before her, and she started at a walk down the square. Almost at the same instant, at an oppo- - site point on the square, some one rec- ognized El] Tigre. wrapped to the eyes in a large blanket. He strove to escape from the throng, but they stopped him, cheering. It was the first time, perhaps, in the history of the south- west that a Yaqui had been cheered by Mexicans; but to them he was the captor of Dix Van Dyck first and a Yaqui only in the second place. They slipped flasks of whisky and mescal into his hands. They bid him to supper. He replied with grunts, and continued to work his way among them with the The Indian walked sagility of a snake wriggling through tall grass. He also came to the open space around the jail and went directly toward it. The door was open, and deep in the hall paced the jailer, nervous and pale of face. He had been drinking to support his cour- age, and at sight of El Tigre he shrank back against the wall and raised his lantern for a surer view of the visitor. The Indian held back the end of his blanket long enough to show his face, whereat the jailer lowered his lantern with a sigh of relief. “| have come to see Senor Van Dyck,” he said. “From Onate?’’ asked the jailer softly. wash eo pea “ Then it’s not to be the crowd? You're going to do the work and they’re going to - take the credit, eh?” The Indian, who only vaguely under- stood. this, shrugged his shoulders and erunted. ‘Go ahead,” said the jailer, and handed over both key and lantern, “‘ and remem- ber that I haven’t seen you come in. That’s all. Down those steps—open the door at the end, and at the foot of the second flight you find the bars of Van Dyck. Adios.” ~ And he raised his flask to his lips with a shudder. The» Indian had already veiled his face with his blanket and started down the first flight of steps to the basement. After he had opened the last door, he paused, as Dolores had done before him, and stared into the dark, scenting the light, ~ > vo - disagreeable odor. His eyes brightened ominously as he descended that flight of steps. He raised his lantern at the foot of the stairs, and looking past the bars saw the grim face of Van Dyck. He uncovered his face again. : “It is time,” said El Tigre. ‘; Ah,” said the captive, rearing his great height behind the bars,” they’ve sent the bloodhound again, eh?” ‘The heart of El Tigre has been sick,” said the Yaqui, “‘ and he has thought of his white father. Senor Onate is a dog and the son of a dog. To him, also, El Tigre _owes his life, but shall a dog receive a price? No, El Tigre has come to his white father. Outside the jail the Mexicans are gathered. They are swine, and they are hungry for Senor Van Dyck. Therefore I have come.” And he unlocked the door of the cell and opened it wide. Dix Van Dyck stepped out and stretched his arms above his head. ‘“ A square shooter,” he said. ‘“ E) Tigre, your skin is yellow, but your heart’s white. D’you know the way to get out of this hell-hole?”’ The Indian raised his hand for silence; from the distance above them came a low mutter like the grow] of a watch-dog, but even a moment’s perception showed that the sound came from many human throats. “That is bad,” said El Tigre simply. “Tt is,” nodded Dix Van Dyck. ‘ I’ve heard it before. The greasers have been drinking, E] Tigre?” ‘““Tt is true.” “* And now they’re going to rush the jail and get me?” “It is true. And they would lead you from the town and build a fire of mesquite in the hills and burn you—slowly.” Van Dyck shuddered violently and then a fire burned up in his eye. His captivity had increased his gauntness but had hardly weakened him, and now with his unshaven face and his hollow, lighted eye, he might have stood for the picture of a gigantic madman, a Titan ready to wage war against Jove. ‘‘ They’re waitin’ for us, El Tigre,” he said. ‘‘ Let’s go to meet ’em. I’m hungry, E] Tigre. I haven’t eaten for a month.” Ss Gomichoo G (EC)