ers to Mexican traders on the long trail because
of the presence of Texan raiding parties. The Texans had embittered the
feelings of the Mexicans against the Americans, whom they knew to be
universally in favor of the Lone Star Republic, and the Texan raids of
this summer were taken as a forecast of greater and more determined
raids for the following year.

When Adam and Joe Cooper joined the little group in the warehouse on
this night, they met two Missourians who had just returned from
Chihuahua with a train of eleven wagons. These traders, finding business
so good in the far southern market, and having made arrangements with
some Englishmen there, who were high in favor with the Federal
authorities, were anxious to make another trip if they could load their
wagons at a price that would make the journey worth while. They were
certain that the next year would find the Mexican ports closed against
the overland traffic, eager to clean up what they could before winter
set in and to sell their outfits and return by water. They further
declared that a tenseness was developing between the Federal government
and the United States, carefully hidden at the present, which would
make war between the two countries a matter of a short time. Texas was
full of people who were urging annexation to the United States, and
their numbers were rapidly growing; and when the Lone Star republic
became a state in the American federation, war would inevitably follow.
Some in the circle dissented wholly or in part, but all admitted that
daily Mexico was growing more hostile to Americans.

"Wall, we ain't forcin' our opinions on nobody," said one of the
Chihuahua traders. "We believe 'em ourselves, an' we want ter make
another trip south. Adam, we've heard ye ain't settled in yer mind about
stayin' through another winter hyar. We'll give ye a chanct ter clear
out; what ye got in goods, an' what ye want fer'em lock, stock an'
bar'l?"

"What they cost us here in Santa Fe," said Uncle Joe quickly, determined
to force the issue. "We just brought in more'n two wagon loads, an' what
we had on hand will go a long way toward helpin' you fill your wagons.
Come around tomorrow, look th' goods over, an' if they suit you, we'll
add twelve cents a pound for th' freight charge across th' prairies an'
close 'em out to you. Ain't that right, Adam?" he demanded so sharply
and truculently that his brother almost surrendered at once. Seeing that
they had an ally