The Argosy, August 1905 — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

“ 7 et * < ° - : - 7 * ~ 30 wd -- —_— 5 “iG REET IDE, between the window guards. On the outskirts of this crowd the Mexican halted. * Wait,” said he, “ I will first find my brother, after which I will return and hold your horses—for a few extra cop- pers.” He pushed his way through the crowd, but after the lapse of five minutes re- turned, accompanied by a small man who was even dirtier than he. The new- comer regarded the lorsemen critically. “ These are the sefors who are willing to pay. something,” explained the first Mexican. “Tt is a difficult matter, but 4 The other hesitated. Haddon produced a silver piece. “ Perhaps this will make it easier, my friend,” he said. The Mexican clutched the money, bit it, and dropped it into his sash. Then, by a gesture, he denoted that the horse- men should dismount and follow him. Haddon and his companion reached the ground at the same moment. The former turned to the first Mexican, who had laid hold of the bridles. “We will go one at a time,” said he eruffly, and followed the man who had taken the silver piece, leaving the Texan to guard the horses. Had he not done so, every inch of the saddles and what was concealed beneath one of them would have been examined as soon as his back was turned. That part of the street which ran past the side of the old stone building was somewhat brilliantly illuminated by a number of torches. Following his guide through the crowd, Haddon finally arrived opposite the house and within a dozen feet of it. Then he saw that a large box had been placed directly beneath one of the windows. An opening was eut through the thick stone wall about eight feet from the ground, across which were stretched numerous rusty bars, the ends firmly embedded in the masonry. The Mexican whom he had followed darted forward and seized by the coat aman who, from the top of the box, was me,” said he sharply, “you have exceeded the limit, and others THE ARGOSY. his perch and motioned to Haddon to climb upon the box. The Virginian mounted and peeped between the bars. What he saw was a,room of consider- able size, the four sides ot which were of stone. Against the wall opposite the window a bench had been placed, and upon this bench was seated a solitary figure—the prisoner who was to die at sunrise. : Why the wretched man faced the opening, through which so many curious and mocking ones were constantly gazing, was explained at a single glance. An iron ring, which passed around his neck, was riveted into the wall behind, and so tight was this metal band that the wearer must face constantly in one direction. That the guards were concerned in the public exhibition of their prisoner was evinced by a pair of candles set in sockets in the wall so the light would fall directly upon the face of the con- demned. A spasm of rage flashed through the body of the Virginian, and his hand which grasped one of the iron bars tightened until particles of rust were ground into the palm. Though he did not recognize the pris- oner, it was plain to see he was. an Americari—a mere youth, it appeared, who had trusted himself among a pack of bloodthirsty wolves. For sever.l moments Haddon gazed silently upon the white face and closed eyes of the man before him. Behind, the tumult made by the impatient crowd drowned all other noise. The Virginian pressed his face closer against the bars. “Count to yourself five thousand. At the end of that time tell the guard that you desire to see a native priest.” _ The words, uttered in a hoarse whis- per, and in English, drifted across the cell and reached the ears of the prisoner. He opened his eyes slowly and a slight convulsion crossed his face. It was evident he imagined himself to be dreaming, though he knew he had not been asleep. ell Haddon made a slight : oA Bid. Borg the s ars, and repeated | ss : 4 J ee a % 3 e ts - comicbooks.com —