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"It is a lie!" uttered Gato, leaping to his feet, his face distorted with rage. "It is a lie, I tell you. The man does not live who can beat me in a fight." "I was struck with amazement at the tale," admitted the Mexican who had brought about this outburst. "And well you might be," continued Gato, savagely. "But the Americanos procured my discharge. And that was humiliation enough."
He was trying to lead us on, that we might walk into their Gringo trap. Was he not?" "Truly I do not know," Nicolas repeated. "Then what are you doing here, if you bring us no news?" snarled Gato, whereat Nicolas began to tremble. "I I bring a letter from his excellency, el caballero, Reade," faltered the servant. "A letter?" cried Gato, hoarsely. "Why did you not say so before."
Tom's left fist drove into the fellow's unguarded face. His right followed, and Gato, big as he was, staggered back. Tom's right foot performed a trip that sent the big Mexican bully to earth again. "Now get up, Gato, like a man of intelligence, and behave yourself," advised Reade coolly. "Just because we have had a bad introduction is no reason why we should continue enemies.
Something had made him suspect that the prowler might be Gato, or one of the latter's companions. Instead of running away Tom made for the place of hiding in short leaps. "Hold on there a minute, my friend," Tom called in Spanish. "I think it may be worth my while to look you over." Just as Reade was ready to bound over the rocks a figure rose as though to meet him.
But believe me, Senor Reade, you may command me as far as my humble influence with our government goes!" The situation was certainly one to make Tom think hard. He was certain that Don Luis had engineered the whole situation, even to urging Gato on to a part in this grin drama. "Well, you've got us!" sighed Tom. "You will find me your best friend, always," protested Montez.
"I shall not let you go," smiled the Mexican, "unless you feel that you no longer wish to remain in the same country with Pedro Gato." "That thought has not entered my mind, sir," Reade responded, almost stiffly. "Then we will say no more about the matter, and you will remain," nodded the Mexican. "And now we will go down into the mine and give you your first chance to examine our problems there."
"They are fiends those of our Mexicans who have bad hearts." "Then you believe that Gato plans something diabolical, just because I walloped him in a fair fight or in a fight where the odds were against me?" "It matters not as to the merits of the fight," Nicolas went on. "Gato will never be satisfied until he has hurt you worse than you hurt him."
"Then I hope he'll do it frequently," grimaced Reade. "The need of frequent shooting indicates bad marksmanship." "Senor," begged Nicolas, "I would not joke about Gato. He means to kill you, or worse." "Worse?" queried Tom, raising his eyebrows. "How could that be?" The Mexican servant made a gesture of horror. "It is worse when our Mexican bandits torture a man," he replied, his voice shaking.
"Yet what difference does it make, Gato. As soon as Don Luis is through with the Americanos he will restore you to your old position." "It is because the Americanos treated me with such contempt," retorted Pedro. "No man sneers at me and lives." "You unhung bandit!" muttered Tom under his breath.
"If Pedro Gato " began the foreman, reluctantly. "Pedro Gato has nothing to do with this," Tom answered quickly. "Mr. Hazelton and I are privileged to give such orders as we deem best. Will you kindly tell the foreman so, Don Luis?" "It is quite true," replied the mine owner. "Gato is no longer with us, and these gentlemen are in charge."
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