The Argosy, August 1905 — page 53: what you’re looking at

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

=~ “4 y aaeY pa _ wet 5 - — “That is because you hate him, and you are related.” The Mexican officer shrugged his shoulders so violently that his saber rattled. “You know what he is and what, in a moment of passion, he is lable to do. To-night he calls upon you to rid him of these troublesome Americans; to- morrow or the next day he may order that you be thrust into prison. You hate him as much: as I do, and for the same reason.” “That will be seen at the proper time,” answered Mazatlan; “but at present it is our business to fight these Americans. When I strike a blow I think of Mexico, not Santa Anna. Come, we must go to headquarters im- mediately, for I propose to be in the saddle by sunrise. It is three hours of hard riding to the place of which you speak.” “Then you will attack them if you find them there? ” asked his companion. “It may be possible, or I may permit them to walk into a trap. We shall see.” The voices ceased, and Sergeant Brad- ley heard receding footsteps. He raised his head cautiously above the edge of the shallow depression. One of the cavalrymen who had accompanied | the Mexiean officer was dismounting. Mazatlan vaulted into the empty saddle. In another moment the little detach- ment trotted slowly down the street, the: soldier who had given up his horse fol- lowing leisurely. Only the guard on the steps of the stone house remained. The Texan crawled cautiously out of the hole and looked up and down the deserted street. Then, keeping close to the wall. he followed the direction which Haddon had taken and which would bring him to the inn where he had left the horses. He had scarcely turned the nearest corner when he felt a pressure on his arm. It was the Virginian, who had stepped out from his hiding-place. “Well,” asked he, “what has hap- pened?” “T could have shot this Mazatlan and did not do so,” answered the Texan dryly. “ But T shall, to-morrow or the net ey ‘if Pee Haddon saw the man had something to tell him, but, knowing the Texan's peculiarities, waited. “The prisoner you liberated from the stone house will await us at the deserted inn on the Acapulco road—was not that the understanding? *” asked Sergeant Bradley. “For forty-eight hours,” Haddon an- swered. “Then,” said the Texan quietly, “no time is to be lost if we would save him and perhaps a scouting party from fall- ing Into the hands of this Mazatlan.” As briefly as possible he repeated the conversation which had taken place be- tween the two Mexicans. When he had finished, a look of de- termination was visible on THaddon’s face. “Come,” said he grimly; “ if we start at once we will reach the inn several hours in advance of these Mexicans.” Tie town of Chaleo had become quiet, for it was long past midnight and nearly every one had retired. In cer- tain streets might be found sleepy guards, but except near the headquar- ters of the dictator they manifested little vigilance. Haddon and the Texan reached the inn where they had quartered their horses without being molested. The shed in which the animals stood was on the opposite side of the street from the hostelry. Without troubling them- selves to arouse the landlord, the Americans unfastened the door of the shed and led out the horses. Even had the landlord been awake, he would prob- ably not have dared to question the actions of two members of Santa Anna’s army. Near the outskirts of the town a sol- dier stepped into the middle of the road, barring the way, and demanded in a sleepy voice who rode forth at such an hour. “And you ask such a question?” answered Haddon _ sternly. “ Senor Mazatlan is a little way behind. You know how he deals with those who bar his progress.” The Mexican sentinel growled some- thing under his breath and moved sul- lenly out of the path. Tt was plain he id not desire to ineur the anger of the Coe Dee a corn