The Argosy, August 1905 — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

Li | Be, ~~? * li oy ‘As Perote he betrayed the cause of Mexico; as Mazatlan he waged relent- less war against the enemies of Mexico. This mystery was still unsolved. Try as he might, Haddon could arrive at no satisfactory conclusion. One thing only was certain: he had met this strange man face to face, and the Mexican had not betrayed by word or look his recog- nition. While the Virginian was puzzling his brain over the affair, the Texan was hugging the bottom of the shallow de- pression not five hundred paces away. He had heard the conversation be- tween Haddon and the Mexican, and understood that the former had been permitted to walk out of the trap. In his own case, however, there was much to be desired. Lying upon his back in the uncertain hiding-place, no more than a dozen feet separated him from the two men standing in the street. The least movement might betray his pres- ence. He could shoot one of the Mexicans, but the other and the half-dozen men on horseback would be upon him before the echo of the shot had died away. His only hope of safety was to lie perfectly still, trusting that the enemy would de- part without having discovered him. A minute passed after Haddon had left, then Mazatlan opened the conver- sation abruptly. ** We are wasting time. Why have you ridden so hurriedly from headquarters to find me?” *T was so ordered by Santa Anna. There is business for you in the north,” replied his companion. * And the order I received not an hour ago—to look for these American spies?” * Oh, you know Santa Anna is fond of changing orders. We have seen that before. But in this case it is really something better than digging around Chaleo, hunting for one or two mis- erable spies. You may take a dozen or even twenty of the Americans.” “Ts it so? But I fancied being the means of having these spies meet death : ok ~ on the public plaza. Still, there is, as you say, something in killing twenty Instead of ee It is a raid toward the THE ARGOSY. a ’ ro “ Perhaps not so far, but it may lead you there,” answered Mazatlan’s com- panion. “ You remember that there is an inn on the Acapulco road?” A protracted silence followed. When Mazatlan answered it was in a hard voice. «There are several inns such as you mention. But what of that?” “You know this particular one well enough.” There was another pause, broken only by the rattle of a saber. Then Mazat- lan asked in an impatient voice: “Tell me what you have to say. I am to take my men northward. What has that inn to do with it? * “1 was coming to that. A messen- ger has just reached headquarters and reported that certain of the Americans may be found in the vicinity of this inn, A detachment “But our lines extend much farther northward, and you would tell me the Americans have ventured within a few hours’ ride of Chaleo? Those are dar- ing fellows, but they cannot do every- thing.” Mazatlan spoke in a sneering tone. His companion uttered a low oath. “Tt would seem,” he answered, “ that it is possible for these northern devils to ride where and when they will. It is true many of our men are between this inn and the American outposts, but to avoid them seems not over difficult. ‘That, however, is the business of Santa Anna. He has sent me to com- mand you to return at once to head- quarters, when he will himself tell you what is to be done. I shall accompany you northward.” Mazatlan laughed harshly. “In that case J may be able to show you something, for not one of those Americans will return, It has been a week since my men tasted blood, and you will see how they conduct them- selves when we have the enemy sur- rounded. “TI can tell you one thing: Santa Anna is afraid; his temper ea ae worse Eucnmne pnd his whims are without number, You heard what happen ti him on the Acapuleo road?” we “Who in Chaleo has not? A tell the truth, Tam not s * - comicbooks.com