Am in Gadsden. No chance to hold mine. Kruger says quit.--P. "No, I'll be 'sarned if I do!" muttered Bud. Then he sat down to think. "Amigo," he said to the Yaqui, "are you a Mexican citizen? Can you get title to mine?" "Me a Mexican?" repeated Amigo, tapping himself proudly on the chest. "No, _señor_! _Seguro que no!_" "All right then," observed Bud bitterly, "here goes nothing--nowhere! I'll turn Mexican myself!" He passed the messenger on the way to town, took out his first papers as a citizen, picked up the mineral agent's expert on the way back, and located the Eagle Tail in his own name. Before riding back to camp he wired to Kruger: Have turned Mex and relocated claim. HOOKER. It was his last card, and he did not expect to win by it. Fate had been against him from the first, and he could see his finish, but his nature drove him to fight on. All that Aragon had to do now was to have _him_ summoned for military service, and Del Rey would do the rest. Then he could take over the mine. A mere formality--or so it seemed--but between Aragon and his mine stood the Texas blood. Hooker had been crowded to the wall, and he was mad enough to fight. The news of De Lancey's desertion followed quickly after his flight--it came over the Federal wires in a report to Manuel del Rey--but by the time it got to Aragon that gentleman was too late. They rode into camp the next day--Aragon and the captain of the _rurales_--and at the first glimpse of that hated uniform Amigo was off like a buck. Bud went out sullenly to meet them, his black mood showing in his lowering eyes, and he halted them by the savagery of his cursing. "You cock-eyed old reprobate," he snarled, advancing threateningly upon the paling Aragon, "this makes three times you've come into my camp and brought your gun with you! Now take it off!" he yelled, dropping suddenly into Spanish. "Take that gun off--do you understand?" So violent and unexpected was his assault that it threw Aragon into a panic, and even Manuel del Rey softened his manner as he inquired into the cause. "Never mind," answered Bud, smiling crustily as Aragon laid aside his arms; "I know that _hombre_ well! Now what can I do for you, _capitan_?" "Be so kind as 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 can tell you the news. I regret to inform you _señor_, that your friend, De Lancey, has deserted from my command, taking his arms and equipment with him. In case he is captured he will be shot as a deserter." "Your news is old, _capitan_," rejoined Hooker. "I knew it two days ago. And you can tell Mr. Aragon that it is no use for him to try to get this mine--I became a Mexican citizen yesterday and located it myself." "So we learned," responded the captain suavely. "It was part of my errand to-day to ask if you would not enlist in my company of _rurales_."