The Argosy, August 1905 — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

Ss @ — ~ —e . ‘ee ‘HE BELEV ENTH | bake Ot b hia fe s5Y eeatinadon re- ned his own mount he touched him a the arm. “The cassock which we have taken has not covered the body of a priest to- night, for—ihat man is not a pmnest, though he would pretend to be one. At some time or place I have seen his face before, though when or how I cannot recall. For the present it is enough to know that he lay beneath that eross for a purpose—feigning sleep,” said he soberly. “In speaking of the Alamo you told him what you are,” answered Haddon somewhat impatiently. The Texan shrugged his shoulders. “Is it not time we ride into Chalco, sir?” said he shortly. As they had reason to hope, no one interposed an objection to their prog- ress during the remainder of the jour- - ney to the environs of the town. Hay- ing passed the outlying buildings, the Americans found themselves — sur- rounded by a motley collection com- posed of foot soldiers and cavalry, non- combatants, women, children, and dogs. The latter snapped viciously at the hoofs of the horses, but by all others they were apparently unnoticed. Tay- ing taken possession of the town, the army of Santa Anna moved hither and thither without discipline. Certain cuards were posted, it is true, but these guards used their authority in brow- beating the citizens to obtain food and drink and even money. Any one who wore even the semblance of a uniform was free to go and come as he pleased. Having ridden half the length of one of the streets, Haddon pulled up his horse. A citizen, bareheaded and walcing slowly, was approaching. When he was abreast of the horses the Virgin- ian turned in the saddle. “My friend,” said he, “we have just ridden im from the north. Can you direet us to an inn where we may fodder our horses and obtain lodging? ” The Mexican raised his hands. “ Mother of God, and you ask that! Vive days ago I was the keeper of an inn, ene of the best in Chalco; now I am looking for a place to sleep. My rooms shave been seized, my goods taken, and ee a bullet ta’ ~ A) wit IT we ere Ap a ; ae, * be 7 a2 eT ae we - aa" worse, one they hanged me, and in that ease I should be*put out of misery,” said he dully. “Is it so bad as that? We would be willing to pay for what we received. Not mueh, it is true, bat something.” The Mexican brightened wonderfully and came closer to the horses. “While I have been robbed, my brother has been more fortunate. They have left him a corner of the cellar— doubtless because the rats refuse to give up possession.” ‘““And where may your brother be found? Is it far from here?” “‘ Searcely a thousand paces, and the place has its advantages. From it one can almost look into the window of the room in which is confined the prisoner who will die at sunrise. “For a commission, my brother has even been permitted to place a box against a wall of the prison, and for a few coppers any one who chooses to pay may mount the box and look at the con- demned spy.” * So the prisoner is on exhibition dur- ing the night at the end of which he is to die?” Waddon spoke bitterly. ~* “And why not?” retorted the Mex- ican. “Has he not, among other things, refused the holy offices of a priest? For such a one death is too easy a punishment.” “You are speaking wisely. I should like to look at such a fellow,” said Had- don heartily. “Oh, thatig easy enough. There are many around the stone house, each waiting a turn to mount the box. A word in my brother’s ear will, however, give you a preference, provided J am paid something.” The Virginian took a dozen coppers from his pocket and dropped them into the man’s eager palm. “Tead the way, said he. or a hundred rods, then down a nar- row, ill-smelling lane, and again into a breader thoroughfare the Americans followed their euide. looking some distance ahead, they perceived that the way was bloeked by a varied erowd whose faces were’ turned toward a low two-storied buil _tnassive sda mee 35 . Se = ‘a ss , = ‘ = ‘ ..” ma ‘danee S Ae Rn. paym "Phe invaders could do no a a) SS ae = = ’ ° x wes =! i a L. +>. 9 _ ez * - : - - » comicbooks.com