CHAPTER IV
THE HIDDEN GUNMAN
"Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mountedvisitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.
"Now, boys, take it easy--take it easy! I've got good reason's forwantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance. Ifyou don't mind I think I'll park here for the time bein'." And hedismounted and came closer.
By the light of the fire the ranchers saw a tall, rangy cowboy of aboutforty. Two deep-set eyes above a hooked nose gave him a hardened,desert look which his manner emphasized. He was, evidently, one towhom life had proved anything but a pink tea party. Yet, withal, hehad something about him which seemed to inspire trust.
"Well, stranger, you're welcome, but we haven't much to offer," Budsaid. "We weren't expecting to camp to-night, and we're somewhat shyon provisions. But I guess we can rustle up something for you."
"No need of that--no need of that at all," the stranger heartilyassured them. "All I want is a little information. Guess I'd betterintroduce myself first. I'm Joe Hawkins, special deputy over atRoaring River."
The others exchanged glances in the dim light of the fire as thevisitor continued:
"Here's my badge. Don't know whether you heard about the trouble wehad, but if you didn't, I'll tell you. Roaring River is right on theMexican border, you know, and there's been a lot of Chink smugglin'goin' on, with Roaring River as the key to the whole smugglin'situation, so to speak. We don't know who's the boss of thesesmugglers, but we'd give a lot to find out. Two thousand dollars, tobe exact.
"Well, anyway, two days ago we had a tip that a car-load of Chinese wasabout to be rushed over the border just outside of town limits. So wegot all set. Sheriff Townley and me and three other deputies hid inthe bushes where we thought the car was goin' to pass. But we lost out.
"The car came by all right--and we hopped into the roadway to stopthem. They never stopped a-tall. Goin' like a crazy steer they flewby on two wheels, lettin' ride with every gun they had. Got poorTownley good. We buried him yesterday. So--now you know what it's allabout."
"And the car--did you see it again?" Dick; asked excitedly.
"No--but last night a Chink came to town and got oiled-up on pulque,and said a few things more than he meant to. When I jumped him he litout for the open spaces. This morning I thought I'd take a lookaround, and see if I could spot him. Sure enough I did, but the oldyellow-skin got away before I could reach him. I don't suppose youboys saw anything of him?"
"Well now, that's mighty strange," drawled the Kid. "It so happensthat I _did_ see your man--at least I'll take odds that he was the oneyou're after. This afternoon I was trapin' around for that water holeover yonder about three miles--you know the one," and the Kid told ofhis adventure with the "crazy Chink."
"That's him, for all the money in the world!" the deputy exclaimed."Lookin' for a 'chock gee' was he? I'll chock gee him if I catch him."
"Say, what's all this about a 'chock gee'?" Nort wanted to know.
"Well, it's a government immigration office paper every Chink in thiscountry is supposed to have, showin' they're here legitimately. Thosethat haven't got 'em try to get one from another Chink, and there'sunlawful trading goin' on all the time."
"Like a passport, eh?" Billee Dobb suggested.
"Something like that. Where you men bound for--if you don't mind measkin'?"
"To a ranch just outside of Roaring River," spoke up Bud. "My father,over at Diamond X, bought it, and we're going to take charge."
"Your father Mr. Merkel?" Joe Hawkins asked suddenly, with new interest.
"Yes--do you know him?"
"Not exactly. But I know of him. When I heard that the Shootin' Starwas changin' hands I wrote to Mack Caffery, the boy on the job over atCandelaria, askin' him to get in touch with the new owner. That's howI got the name Merkel. Did your dad hear from him, do you know?"
"Yes, he did. So that's what Dad meant when he said there might betrouble, eh? Well--we're ready for whatever comes. What do you say,boys?"
"Right!" the others chorused.
"Say, mister, what was that there you said about two thousand dollars?"Billee Dobb broke in.
"There's two thousand dollars' reward, offered by the government, forthe capture, dead or alive, of the head of the Chink smugglers," thedeputy said impressively.
"Two thousand bucks! Say, boys, with that you could buy yourself a newherd of cattle, to make up somewhat for the bunch you lost!" criedYellin' Kid.
"We sure could--and then some," Bud agreed. "But I guess there's notmuch chance of us collecting the reward. We'll be busy enough at theranch without trying to round up any smugglers. Say, Mr.--what did yousay your name was?"
"Hawkins--Joe Hawkins."
"Well, how about bunking with us to-night? We can all start out in themorning together, and perhaps we'll come across your Chinese friend.It's pretty late now, and you can't make Roaring River 'til long afterdaylight."
"Well, now, men, that's right kind of you to suggest that--but I don'twant to butt in. I can just----"
"You're not butting in at all!" insisted Bud. "We'll be glad to haveyou. Got a blanket?"
"Oh, I got a blanket, thanks. Thought I might need it on this Chinkhunt of mine. Well, since you boys don't mind, I'll put up my pony andflop down here by the fire. Feels good at a time like this.Good-night, all!"
The remainder of the night was uneventful. The six slept soundly,tired out as they were, and with the morning they all awoke refreshedand eager to be on the way. After a meager breakfast they set out forthe water hole the Kid knew of, as they wanted to let their steedsdrink before starting for the Shooting Star, which was the name oftheir new ranch. Joe Hawkins went with them.
"What time do you calculate we'll hit the ranch, Kid?" Bud asked.
"Be there in about three hours, Bud. It isn't so far from the waterhole. Why? You anxious to begin sheep herdin'?"
"Not exactly," Bud laughed. "But I do want to see what the place lookslike. Hope we don't have to do much repairing."
"No, the Shooting Star is in pretty fair shape," Joe Hawkins said."Your father got a good buy--if you can get hold of it all right."
"What do you mean, get hold of it all right?" asked Bud curiously.
"Well, the feller that's got it now isn't exactly a pleasant customer.There's something queer about him--we've been watchin' the ShootingStar for over a month now. I couldn't say for sure that there'sanything wrong--but it looks suspicious. That's the reason I wanted tohave the government official find out who the new owner was going tobe. I'm right glad I met up with you boys. You may be able to help meout some time."
"And collect that reward," Billee Dobb put in. His mind seemed set onthe two thousand dollars the deputy had spoken of.
"You might," admitted Hawkins. "It's waiting for the person who bringsin the head of the smuggling system."
"Well, we'll do our best," the Kid said, with a side glance at Bud.
"Say, Kid, we're not down here to capture smugglers!" cried Bud."We've got to take charge of the Shooting Star. Of course, if we _do_happen to run across----"
"I knew that would get a rise out of you!" laughed the Kid. "Catch Budduckin' any excitement! Why, even Billee here wants to trail thesmugglers--don't you, Billee?"
"Never you mind!" came back the old rancher. "Want another race?"
"'At-ta-boy, Billee!" Nort yelled. "Guess that'll hold him! Youdidn't know Billee Dobb was a champion racer, did you?" Nort said toHawkins.
"I didn't, no," responded the deputy with a smile. "But I believe it.Takes old birds like us to show these youngsters up, eh, Billee?"
"Sure does!"
"Well, here we are," declared the Kid, as they came in sight of thewater hole. "Right down there is where I saw the Chink on his handsand knees. Hey, take it easy there!" This to his pony, who strainedtoward the water. "I know you're thirsty, but so are the others.Easy--easy!" The Kid
dismounted and led the panting horse toward thewater. Leaning over he filled his hat, and held it to the mouth of hispony. "Start in on that. Slow! Or you don't get any. 'At-ta-boy.Here's another hatful for you. Feel as though you can control yourselfnow? All right--go to it!" By this time the intelligent animal gotthe idea, and drank in small mouthfuls. The other ponies, restrainedby their masters from drinking too fast, did the same.
"So it was here that you saw the Chink, eh!" asked Joe Hawkins.
"Yep--right in this spot. He was leanin' over here by this littlebush, lookin' for--" the Kid stopped suddenly and picked up somethingfrom the ground. It was a folded paper. The Kid looked it overswiftly.
"Lookin' for--_this_!" he exclaimed, holding it out.
"What is it?"
"Let's have a look!"
The deputy walked over to the Kid.
"Mind if I see it?" he said quietly.
Without a word the Kid handed it over. He recognized the fact that itwas the deputy's right to demand it.
"That's what the Chink was looking for," Hawkins declared after amoment. "See here! This paper----"
"Bang! Bang!"
"Duck!" cried the Kid. His hand reached for his gun as he hit theground.
"Bang!"
Billee's hat went sailing from his head.
"He means business!" Dick yelled. "Down, everybody!"