The Argosy, August 1905 — page 14: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

4 THE ARGOSY. *T was saying what might happen were those sent by Santa Anna taken en route to Chaleo.” * “But to-morrow; if they travel by daylight?” inquired Perote anxiously. “That is another matter. In open day those who lurk in the bushes will not venture upon the high road.” “They must remain until morning,’ muttered Perote; then, facing his com- panion: “ But it will be no great dif- ficulty for you to persuade them—you who are first among the secret agents of the government and close to Santa Anna himself.” Senor Urrea shook his head. “Tf they are soldiers, persuasion will not stay them, nor is it likely I shall an- nounce myself to those of whom I know nothing. As I have told you im confi- dence, I am accounted by Santa Anna as a man of some value to the republic; if I am known as such by every one, I lose that value. I .cannot move in this matter, but it is given you to do a great work to-night—perhaps to save Mexico.” “Tn God’s name, how?” demanded Perote excitedly. “By detaining the two cavalrymen here until morning.” “But you say they will not be per- suaded.” “There are two ways to everything.” Perote rubbed his nose in perplexity. “Tf vou will tell me,” he began. “Tf it should happen,” quoth Sefor Urrea, “that they fall into such sound slumber that they do not awaken for some hours, it would be morning before they wonld sit again in the saddle.” “Ah!” said Perote excitedly, “you were saying a “That you will provide for them a bottle of wine, and——_” “ A dish of beans and a loaf of black bread; it is all I have.” “What else you please, so long as you provide the wine, but first bring the latter to me,” said Sefior Urrea, and with great deliberation he began to roll a cigarette. Filled with the thought that to save Mexico from the invader the two cay- alrymen must be detained at any cost, Perote hastened to prepare the refresh- Cee PT ae ea SS The soldiers meantime were walking back and forth before the house, im- patient to be on their way—the more so because they knew they should not have stopped at the inn, but pushed on straight to Chalco. Having prepared the beans over a charcoal fire and set the dish with a leat of bread upon the table, Perote, not without some misgiving, carried the bottle of wine to Senor Urrea. The latter received it gravely, measured the quantity with his eye, and took a small glass vial from an inner pocket. With great deliberateness he wun- corked the vial and allowed a given number of drops to pass from it into the mouth of the wine bottle, after which he handed the latter to the troubled innkeeper. “It is neither too little nor too much. What are you staring at?” he demanded sharply. “It frequently happens that a man dies easily; if one or both of the cay- alrymen should have a weak heart,’ stammered Perote. “You are a fool!” ejaculated the other. “ Do you imagine, being what I am, I would do injury to the cause of the republic? ¥ “It is not that; but sometimes one may make a mistake.” Senor Urrea made an impatient ges- ture, and at that moment the voice of one of the cavalrymen was heard, asking why he was kept waiting. ‘i _Perote smelled at the mouth of the wine bottle, hesitated, and left the room muttering under his breath. Being, as he was, an agent of the Mexican government and in the confi- dence of Santa Anna himself, why should Sefior Urrea desire to harm sol- diers of the republie ? He had measured the drops very carefully, and there was in the wine only a sufficient quantity of the drug to throw the drinkers into a profound sleep for some hours, and being asleep in the inn there would be no danger of their fall- ing into the hands of a wandering band of the hated Americans. This mental arzument removed such petals ee Perote harbored in his mind, § the wine upon the table beside the bread and beans, he summoned the *% comicbooks.