"We're looking for work," explained Bridge. "We want to
get jobs on one of the American ranches or mines."
"You better go back," warned the Mexican. "I, myself,
have nothing against the Americans, senor; but there are
many of my countrymen who do not like you. The Americans
are all leaving. Some already have been killed by bandits. It is
not safe to go farther. Pesita's men are all about here. Even
Mexicans are not safe from him. No one knows whether he is
for Villa or Carranza. If he finds a Villa ranchero, then Pesita
cries Viva Carranza! and his men kill and rob. If, on the
other hand, a neighbor of the last victim hears of it in time,
and later Pesita comes to him, he assures Pesita that he is for
Carranza, whereupon Pesita cries Viva Villa! and falls upon
the poor unfortunate, who is lucky if he escapes with his life.
But Americans! Ah, Pesita asks them no questions. He hates
them all, and kills them all, whenever he can lay his hands
upon them. He has sworn to rid Mexico of the gringos."
"Wot's the Dago talkin' about?" asked Billy.
Bridge gave his companion a brief synopsis of the Mexican's
conversation.
"Only the gentleman is not an Italian, Billy," he concluded.
"He's a Mexican."
"Who said he was an Eyetalian?" demanded Byrne.
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