The Argosy, August 1905 — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

A dark look settled over the face of the Texan. - “Tf IT am not mistaken, yonder is Mazatlan and the fellow he called Valeno. Those Greasers will not re- main for long staring stupidly at a dead man,” said he. The surmise was correct. Upon the approach of the two horsemen the Mexicans standing in the road drew back. One of the riders rode close to the dead guerrillero, appeared to put a ques- tion, then turned with a sharp gesture. At the same moment the horsemen who had dismounted climbed hastily into their saddles. “Mazatlan is giving orders,” mut- tered the Texan; “now we shall see what will happen.” “They are going to attack the inn,” answered Haddon. The Texan uttered a sharp oath. “If they go about it in the right way, it is all up with that daring fellow in- side; he can’t hold out five minutes,” muttered he. “ Wait,” said the Virginian; “ they will not rush the house, as we might do. It is not the Mexican guwerrwllero’s method of fighting. They know the man inside is an American and that an American can shoot straight when necessary. ‘They do not propose to risk losing a man or two when they can ac- complish their purpose in another way.” The Texan gave vent to a fiery oath, which seemed to partially relieve his feelings. “Tf it were possible to get down there, who knows what would happen? With three of us behind the walls, this Mazat- lan might receive a lesson he would not ‘forget in a hurry.” Haddon shook his head. “Tt would be useless, and we should only walk intoa trap. Even if we could hold the house for a few hours, it would end the same way, for our ammunition would soon be exhausted and we should be overpowered or roasted alive,” said he soberly. Sergeant Bradley made an impatient gesture. “That is excellent reasoning, sir, but I will agree to kill half a dozen of those gojows befpre 2 bey take me. Mazatlan will be the first to get a bullet through the head. That is something.” Haddon smiled faintly. The little man at his side was terribly in earnest, and the contempt which he felt for the Mexicans was visible in every word and action. Left alone, he would have dashed down the hill into the inn and died fighting like ademon. The paramount desire of a Texan ranger was to kill as many Mexicans as possible. The Vir- ginian remained silent for several mo- ments, then-nodded in the direction of the western hills. “Daylight is passing, and the moon does not rise till close on midnight,” said he. ‘“‘ What these Mexicans intend to do will be done after nightfall, but of one thing we may be assured. They will not attack the inn directly, for by doing so a certain number of firearms will be discharged, and that is just what Mazatlan wishes to avoid. He did not come here to capture a single prisoner, but to ambush the detachment of cay- alry which he believes may pass through this neighborhood. “If he attacks the inn and shots are exchanged, the noise would warn who- ever was in the vicinity that an enemy was near. I do not doubt the Mexicans will try to capture the man who has taken possession of the house yonder, but it will not be by a direct attack. “What we must do is to wait until darkness, and it may then be possible to take some action. In the mean time, all that we can do is to remain under cover and warn our cavalry of the pres- ence of the guerrilleros under Mazatlan, provided any of our cavalry are in this neighborhood.” Sergeant Bradley glanced at the horsemen on the highway. *“ Tt is as you say, sir; Mazatlan will be careful about making too much noise, and—see there: they are up to some- thing.” Haddon looked through the bushes. Several of the Mexicans had again dis- mounted and were dragging the fallen horses from the highway. A couple lifted their dead comrade and laid him across one of the saddles. Mazatlan appeared to be giving directions. The _ horsemen spapad. out iho. the dete and ae SOTRIeDOCICE. com