The Argosy, November 1908 — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

BY BULLET PERSUASION. then you had better get inside. I'll shoot all, even your father, now. You are my wife.” I waited for two things. I hoped that Billy Barefoot would arrive with the horses before Bonilla found us. But I did not know where he was going to get horses unless he stole those belonging to Hernandez, and I didn’t know where they were. It was about ten o’clock when my anxious gaze down the ravine was grati- fied the wrong way. I saw Bonilla, Hernandez, and half a dozen men com- ing, all armed with rifles. I at once got inside the cave. There was little hope that they would pass the spot. The remains of the fire and the bear meat hanging in the trees gave proof enough that it was somebody’s camp. I was right. “Here! What have we _ here?” shouted Bonilla. Hernandez leaped to his side. “They have been here,” said. Hernan- dez, looking around. “ This fire has been out only a short time. Here, you fellows! Search ‘everywhere. Look ‘behind rocks and into holes. Be careful.” The cave was too light for all three to remain unseen. I crowded the women against the rear wall, and got my rifle ready for business. It was certain that some one would discover me. I had not long to wait. Some one was climbing up. A head showed in the entrance to the cave. “ Here! shouted. I shot him, and he fell across the cave door. ‘“What? The devils shoot my meni : came the voice of Hernandez. ‘And you, too, Hernandez!” I yelled back. “ By Heaven! can!” I watched the mouth of the cave close- ly. I saw a rifle slowly protruded across the entrance. I fired at the wrist of the the hand holding it, and there was a cry of pain. The rifle dropped. “Have you my daughter with you?” asked the voice of Bonilla. ‘“Come and see for yourself.” “Devil! You will shoot me.” That cursed Ameri- They are here!” the fellow 611 “Like a dog!” ‘ Fiend!” I knew there was no use parleying. I was too intent on the entrance of the cave. A stone, thrown by some one at the bottom, came in. And then a regular bombardment began. None of the stones had any effect. “Consuelo,” shouted Bonilla, ‘“ will you return with me if I do not kill the American?” “Don’t answer,” I said. Then I shouted myself: ‘‘ Bonilla, if any man gets in frdnt of this cave he dies. I am not afraid of you.” For a while there was silence. It was manifestly impossible to shoot inside the cave, and throwing stones seemed to have little effect. Then there came the sound of a rifle at a distance. ‘His devils have come!” I heard Bo- nilla cry. ‘“We are safe!” I cried exultingly to Consuelo. ‘It’s old Billy Barefoot.” There were other shots, and they were answered from near the cave. Curses rolled up to us, and the cries of the wounded. I knew it would be a bitter fight, for the old Moqui would never rest till all of one side were gone. “Help!” I heard Bonilla cry. ‘‘ Den- ny, save me. Your men are killing ours. I do not wish to die.” - “ We will not harm you,” said Hernan- dez. ‘‘ Give us the shelter of the cave.” “The argument of bullets is pretty strong, eh?” I yelled with glee. “ Get out of range and stop shooting. ‘They won't shoot you, and they will shoot your men.” ‘“‘T promise, oh, in Heaven’s name I promise, if you will stop this fighting I will give my consent,” yelled Bonilla. “You will let me have Consuelo?” “Yes, I swear it by the holy rosary.” ‘“‘And does Hernandez agree?” ‘“ Yes,” came the answer from Hernan- dez. ‘Shall I?” I asked my wife. ‘““T would-not like my father killed. And he will keep his word.” I crawled from the tent, taking my rifle. I could see the carnage that had been wrought. comicloooks.corn