The Argosy, August 1905 — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

* Gales > a~* “ If we be keeps to assist the man impris- odin over yonder, the first essential is to in access to him. He must under- stand that friends are at work in Chaleo.” “ You propose to send the priest in to him with a message But the fellow is a Mexiean.” “The priest over there will not enter Chaleo to-night, yet he may be the means of furthering our purpose. We are going to borrow that brown cassock for a few hours, Bradley.” A look of comprehension filled the Texan’s face. He understood what his companion proposed doing: to enter the stone house in Chalco in the guise of a priest and thus obtain an interview with the condemned prisoner. It was indeed an old trick, and a risky one. Haddon continued quietly: “Tt will be necessary to bind the man and leave him hidden among the hills; there is no time to be lost, for he may awake at any moment.” Sergeant Bradley nodded silently and turned toward the cross. As, he re- erossed the road he removed from about his neck the big Mexican handkerchief which formed a part of his costume. “Watch the horses,sir; they may take fright easily,” he said briefly. Haddon, standing at the steeds’ heads, saw him approach the cross cau- tiously. He had folded the handker- chief into the form of a bandage, the ends of which he held in either hand. For a moment he stood above the form of the sleeping man, then his: slight figure, silhouetted against the leaden sky, disappeared. Perhaps ten seconds passed. Then the voice of the Texan came from the ground at the foot of the cross. “Tve closed his mouth, sir, and he’s waking up.” Haddon crossed quickly over to the spot where firadley, kneeling on the _~ 2 ground, was holding down the robed figure which was struggling desperately to rise. Over the man’s mouth was drawn tightly the handkerchief, effectively gagging him, but it was only too evident ~ he still ee the free use of his arms ¢ Texan, with: al hands. ag a Ng ty = it al RS ae Wher). tones is AD Bib 7 —_—- * m ey tightly against the captive’s chest, looked up. “ Thrashing like a windmill, sir, but he can’t makea noise worth speaking of. Shall I strip him?” He spoke in Spanish, and the priest understood. His struggles increased. Bradley muttered a short oath and pressed him harder against the ground. “T might choke him into ” he jerked out. “No,” said Haddon; “a little argu- ment may do as well.” He addressed the priest in Spanish. “Keep quiet and no harm will hap- pen to you. In any case, you see it is useless to struggle.” The captive made a final effort, then astring of incoherent words forced themselves from under the tightly bound handkerchief. “We will let you up, but don’t at- tempt to run away, you understand,” said Haddon sternly. The Texan released his hold of the priest, and the latter clambered slowly to his feet. He was a small man, with a lean, hungry face and piercing eyes. For a moment, standing with his back to the cross, he looked from one to the other of his captors, but except for their general appearance he could discern little. The darkness had increased, and the Americans had taken the precaution to pull their wide-brimmed hats well over their eyes. It was plain, howeyer, the man was trying to examine their fea- tures. “You would ask who we are, and why we have shown you, a priest, vio- lence,” said Haddon gruffily. “To the first | might answer that we are quer- rilleros, as you doubtless surmise. Sec- ondly, we desire to borrow something from you.” The man made an expressive gesture denoting that he carried nothing of value upon his person. “You will remove your cassock,” or- dered Haddon sternly. The priest stood motionless. The Virginian plunged his hands into the folds of his sash and drew out a short-bladed knife. at the keen weapon and s by ashes ay cle motion he aix pe d = Se soe a i.” — eae e2 Ss . Pace se 3 ¢ eh comicbooks.com The priest looked