The Argosy, August 1905 — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

leave this selection to you, though I Ee should recommend a Texan, When you haye reached a decision send the man to me.” It When the flap of the tent dropped be- hind hin, Haddon walked slowly to his | own quarters, his mind busy with the first details of the task before him. On two occasions he had entered the Mexican lines, but only a short distance, and the last attempt bad resulted in his capture and subsequent rescue by Senor Perote. He did not try to disguise from him- seli the desperate nature of the under- taking which now lay before him; not only was he called upon to enter the enemy's lines, but to go, if necessary, into the very capital of Mexico itself. And to carry ont the identification of the guerrillero, Mazatlan, he must min- gle on familiar terms with the Mexicans themselves. } His safeguards lay in three things: his personal appearance, which resem- bled that of eertain mouniain inhabi- tants of the southern republic; his fa- miliarity with the Spanish language; and his utter freedom from nerves when placed in a difficult position. For several minutes after entering his tent he stood still, running over in his mind the men from whom he must choose one to act as his companion. This companion must share with him ‘ the requisites he himself possessed for the task in hand, and there were several such among the American forces. He would have preferred to go alone, bat the commander’s expressed desire that he take a companion was tanta- mount to a command. Doubtless the task of cornering Ma- zatlan would become easier with two de- termined men working together. - Suddenly his meditations were inter- % ‘ rupted by the appearance of an orderly la in the tent opening. The soldier bore 2 vas message from General Taylor that Sefior Perote’s presence was required at headquarters, ; Haddon crossed over io the cot and touched the Mexican lightly on the ' his hand went to his belt, sat upright and got upon his =, . . ll ~~ rr wy ¥ ‘ _ . The ex-innkeeper started. THE ARGOSY. “The sefior lieutenant has awakened me?” said he quietly. Haddon explained a smoothed down his matted hair and tightened the sash about his waist. “JT am ready, but it is a sorrow that another beside the senor is to follow me through the mountains. Perhaps it is because I know the senor to he a brave man,” said he. Haddon shrugged his shoulders. “YT remember when the cavalrymen rode up to the inn on the Chaleo road, a detail af ten men, and another—the eleventh rider—weal: from lack of food and with his hands bound behind his back. It was then [ saw an opportunity to strike the first blow against those who have injured me.” “And this is to be the seeond—the journey to Ei] Vidio? ” replied Haddon, feeling he should say something. “ Not the second, for the opportunity the general’s ‘came to me to settle the account with the worst of my enemies, and—I did net fail.” replied Perote grimly. The thought flashed through the lien- tenant's mind that he should not like to have this man, with his terrible faee and piercing eyes, for a bitter enemy. Senor Perote looked capable of drinking the cup of revenge to the very dregs. ‘he Mexican joined the orderly, wait- ing outside the tent. “ Adios, sefor,” said he quietly, and disappeared. Five minutes later Haddon called to a soldier who was passing. “You belong to the Third Texas?” he asked. The soldier replied in the affirmative. “ Ask Sergeant Bradley to come here at once; official business,’ said Haddon shortly. CHAPTER VI. THE SUADOW OF A CHANGE. ON the summit of a hill whieh over- looked the Acapulco road one of a pair af dust-begrimed horsemen straight- ened in his saddle and peered throngh the ploom which enshrouded the valley at his feet. ‘The faint glimmer of a thousax 3 Pe, ea LTCT 1ttl , oy . - -- comicbooks.com a! La