The Argosy, August 1905 — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

- Haddon fully comprehended the se- riousness of the task he was asked to undertake. That the danger was in a degree lessened by his perfect familiar- ity with the language ,of the enemy only increased the chance of a sale re- turn to the American lines. At the best, this chance was one which few men would care to undertake, for the territory into which he must go was alive with keen-eyed Mexicans, rendered desperate and doubly blood- thirsty by the reverses of the past weeks. Between the general’s question and the answer, however, scarcely a second elapsed. The reply brought a nod of approval from the commander of the American forces of the Rio Grande. He pointed to a stool on the opposite side of the table, and smoothed out the surface of the map before him. For a number of minutes Lieutenant Haddon followed the faint tracings which marked the territory he was expected to explore; the blanks it was desired he should fill in with detailed in- formation ;theexact lay of the land, each valley and hill, the roads, bridges, old- fashioned stone forts and more modern earth-works, behind which the Mexicans might hope to oppose the advance upon their capital. So much he had expected to aecom- plish, but General Taylor, folding the map, turned suddenly to him with an unexpected question. “That will be your first duty, but there is a second, and one no less im- perative. You have heard of the guerrilla, Mazatlan, lieutenant? ” Who in the American lines, or in all Mexico for that matter, had*not? The most cold-blooded of the Mexican free lances, a human fiend, renowned for his cruelty, recklessness, and diabolical eun- ning. General Taylor leaned forward across the table. “We have reason to believe, lieuten- ant,” said he gravely, “that this man does not confine himself to leading his followers against our forees. It has been reported that time and time again he has penetrated our lines, gathered information, and returned unmolested. + * - iS ¢ . . * - + nee! 5 some it is believed that he is an thy te, ub - . . “ey pi i em i we j be a a American in the service of Mexico, and has thus been enabled to move freely among us; I, however, believe him to be a native Mexican. “The name Mazatlan tells us noth- ing, for it is that of a town lying be- tween us and the capital, and has doubt- less been assumed for campaign pur- poses. What this man is like, whether American or Mexiean, is what we desire to know. If his identity can be estab- lished, the chance of detection when in our lines is highly favorable. “At present such detection is prac- tically impossible, because no one among us has knowingly met the man face to face, Those of our countrymen who have had this opportunity, through falling into- his hands, have been hanged or shot within the hour. Ma- zatlan takes no prisoners!” The general paused, and the lines upon his homely face grew stern. “TI want you.to discover the identity of this man, Lieutenant Haddon. If possible, lure him away from his own lines, or follow him into ours. The method he employs is not warfare, but murder, pure and simple. I desire his capture,not only as a dangerous spy, but as the assassin of those of our country- men who have been unfortunate enough to fall into his hands,” Haddon remained Taylor continned. “The task which I would impose upon you is no easy one, possibly far more dangerous than the other: bring- silent. General ing in information of the enemy’s forces. I want you to understand clearly that it will not appear as a de- sire to shirk danger if you do not volun- teer to undertake the discovery of Ma- zatlan. But, above all, 1 want you to understand that if you do attempt to unearth this man, you will walk witha noose about your neck.” He paused. Haddon’s face was grave, and his steel-blue eyes fixed upon the map spread out on the table. Suddenly he raised his head. “IT understand clearly, sir, and ac- cept the service,” said he quietly. ‘Very good!” answered the general dark to-night, and I desire that you select one ‘man to accompany you: I) —&-§ - vTe ~~ = * ee af, ee ey ee eee. Fs “2 - il * te et S Te >? a t comicbooks.com