The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-03-13

MEXICO what was called the midday gun
was fred in this ingenious fashion during
the dry season. For six months in tho
wear there was never o cloud in the sky,
and the action of the lens was as sure as
fate itself.
The guard paced up and down his beat,
and Pierre was left to his meditations.
He struggled until his strength was
gone. trying to loosen his bonds, but 1t was
useless.
His head fell upon his breast, and he
closed his eyes. But he could not calm
himself, and he again looked around the
square. All of the soldiers were march
ing of with the exception of one company.
Il was evident that the French were not
supposed to be In the neighborhood.
Stranger things have happened
thought Pierre, Il may yet be rescued"
His eyes turned upward and he saw that
the sun was almost directly overheard.
He glanced down the gun to the prim-
ing, and 1t seemed to him that he could
hear the fixing noise of the powder
The sun was intensely hot, and this in
spired terror.
Saints abovep groaned the poor
wretch. "On such day as this the gun
will go off ahead of timer
What did it matter2 A few minutes
would not save him. The glass shone with
an internal brilliancy, and not speck of
cloud was to be seen.
If ever do get out of this" grunted
Pierre.
He did not say what he would do.
There was no use in making any promises.
Higher and higher in the heavens
moved the flaming orb. Surely it was
noonl
The half-fainting prisoner held his
breath. The muscles of his face twitched
nervously, and his eyes were fixed with
an intense stare upon the other end of the
gun.
Like the echo of an echo came ia
miliar sound, waited upon the mountain
breeze.
"God" gasped the miserable man
through his pallid lips.
Was it bugle Even if it was It was
too late. If relief came il would have to
be at once.
Louder, clearer, sounded the triumphant
note, giving forth the sweetest ring that
the listener had ever heard. He threw his
head back, and the light of hope and cour-
age danced in his eyes.
The devil" he shouted. whether Il am
saved or not, these yellow dogs will soon
bite the dustp
The Mexicans heard the French bugles,
and in another moment Quinquambo was
in tumult of disorder.
But the defenders of the town, weak
ened by the departure of their comrades
in the morning, were unable to cope with
anything like a strong force, and no
sooner did the French dash through the
outposts than the Mexicans fed to the
woods, fully half of them being shot down
before they reached shelter
P.erre's bonds were cut BY trooper,
who with three whacks of his saber, set
the prisoner free.
To Pierre's Unreasonable gratifca ion,
Col. Campos and his command had been
captured on the way and brought to town
by the raiders.
Il must see him." said the spy. 81
have little settlement to make with
him.
Boom!
''Sacre!" yelled Pierre, Il had forgotten
all about the gum"
The smoke slowly lifted, and on the
open side of the plaza was seen group of
dead and dying Mexicans. The discharge
had occurred just as the prisoners were
marching by.
One of the unfortunates was lying on
his face, but his uniform showed him to
be an officer of high rank.
Pierre turned this man over. gave one
look at his face, and then fell upon his
knees in prayer of thanksgiving.
In the dead man he had recognized Col.
CamDosI