The Desert Fiddler

  CHAPTER VIII

  The next morning at breakfast Noah Ezekiel remarked:

  "I wonder where that skunk got the money."

  "What skunk and what money?" Bob was pouring sirup on a pancake, aproduct of much patience both on his part and the Chinese cook's.

  "Jenkins." Noah answered both questions in one word. "Not long ago hehad to borrow a dime for a doughnut. Last night he was at the Red Owlgambling with both fists. And I heard he's bought altogether tenthousand acres in leases. 'Verily,' as dad used to say, 'the sinnerflourisheth like a thorn tree.'"

  "Do you know if he has bought Chandler's?" Bob asked, casually, notmeeting Noah's eye.

  "No, but I reckon he will. He seems out for a clean-up."

  "If you see the Chandlers," suggested Rogeen, "advise them not to sell."

  Noah Ezekiel reached for the towel to wipe his mouth, and shook hishead.

  "I ain't strong on giving advice. I believe in doin' as you'd be doneby, and most all the advice I ever got was as hard to take as castoroil. Advice is like givin' a dog ipecac--it may break him of suckin'eggs, but it sure is hard on the dog."

  Bob laughed and got up and started to work.

  The first Saturday in June Rogeen and Noah quit at noon, for the rushwas over.

  "I reckon," Noah insinuated, suavely, "if you are feelin' right good Imight strike you for another five to-night."

  "Certainly," said Bob. "But look here, Noah, you ought not to gambleaway your wages."

  Noah Ezekiel pulled a long face.

  "You sound like my dad. And I ain't fully persuaded you are enough ofa saint to preach."

  "You are incorrigible, Zeke," Bob laughed. "And I think I'll go withyou to-night to the Red Owl."

  Noah shook his head. "I wouldn't advise it. Gamblin' ain't to berecommended to employers. It's liable to put wages in japordy."

  "I am not going to gamble," said Bob. "I am looking for a man--acouple of them, in fact."

  Reedy Jenkins had returned to his office about two o'clock after makinga complete circuit of his leases. The crop looked fine--so everybodytold him. He knew little about cotton, but Ah Sing was a wonderfulfarmer--he knew how to handle the Chinese labourer.

  Then he looked at his watch and frowned. He wished that blankety-blankMexican would be more prompt in keeping his appointments. He wanted toget away. He was to drive to El Centro for a visit with Mrs. Barnettand then to-night he would return for a little recreation across theline.

  It was nearly four when Madrigal finally appeared, wearing an expensivewhite summer suit and a jaunty straw hat. "He is a handsome devil,"thought Reedy, eying him with disfavour because of his lateness. TheMexican took off his straw hat attached to a buttonhole by a silk cord,and pushed up his black pompadoured hair.

  "Have you got the Chandler ranch yet?" Jenkins came directly to thepoint.

  "Not yet, senor." Madrigal's bold, dark eyes smiled with supremeconfidence. "Not yet--but soon."

  The Mexican stood up and returned his hat to his head. He put up hishands as though strumming a guitar, turned up his eyes languishingly,and hummed a flirting air.

  "If this, senor," he said, breaking off, "does not win the senorita, wewill try--what you call hem--direct action. You shall have your ranch,never fear."

  "And that damned Rogeen--what of him?"

  The Mexican smiled sinisterly. "He get news tonight that make heemlose much sleep.

  "Now may I trouble Senor Jenkins for fifty dollar?"

  Reedy grumbled, but paid. The Mexican lifted his hand, pressed it tohis heart, and bowed with mocking gallantry.

  "Until to-night, senor."

  Lolita tries her wiles on Percy.]