Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-16
kado,' Calvert? You see where the humor
comes in? We've. had that coin spun for
nothing. You and I must change posi-

kado,' Calvert? You see where the humor
comes in? We've. had that coin spun for
nothing. You and must change posi-
TONS" .,--
Not at all. I take what I've earned"
But I say yes. 1t works this way: I
took 1t that the man who was hanging
stood a delicate chance anyway, and I
didn't feel generous enough to risk it. But
now that the senior here has put in the
extra clause, the situation is changed alto
gether. You aren't a brilliant shot old
man, but you may be able to cut me down
with a bullet if you remember what you're
certain thing that I couldn't do it If l
blazed away till doomsday. The utmost 1
could manage would be to fiuke a pellet in
to your worthy self. So you see 1 must
shoulder to the rifle butt-laugh," he added,
in English. Grin, and say something
funny, or these brutes will think we cared
for them"
could have gibed at the prospect of being
hanged myself, but the horror of this other
ordeal turned me sick and dumb And at
what followed 1 looked on mutely.
There was q well on one side OF the plaza
and the earless man went and robbed the
Windlass OF its rope. With clumsy lands
mans fingers he formed moose, took it to
the great magnolia tree and threw the moose
over the projecting branch. The bell Of the
little white chapel opposite went on tolling
graVeiy, and they marched my friend up to
ms tate over the sun-baked dust. They
passed thong around his ankles; the ear
less man lifted The moose TO mis- throat; a
dozen of the guerrillas, with shouts Of laugh
ter, laid hold of the hauling part of the line,
and then voice from behind fell upon my
ear. Garcia was speaking to me. With a
strain dragged my eyes away from the
glare of the plaza and listened. He was
smiling wickedIy
80 your pluck has oozed away?' he was
saying, as the cigarette smoke wel'ed I'M
bptWpan ha " itl lie Of hi h
We'll, OF course if you do not care for the
game, you can throw up your hand at once.
you've only to say the word. and you can
be dangling on that bough inside of a couple
OF Minutes. It's quite strong enough to
carry more fruit than il bears already. But
II $ rather hard on your friend not to try
My wits came to me again. You fool"
l cried, chow can I shoot with my arms
trussed up like this? If the whole Thing is
not mock, cut me adrift and give me a
rifle"
He beckonad to one of his men, and the
fellow came up and cut off the lashings
from my Wrists and elbows AMI then, with a
sour smile he motioned some of the others
who drew near and held their weapons at
the ready. Il dare wager, Senior Calvert"
he said, that if you'd use me for a mark
You would not score a miss So / wish to in
sure that you do not shoot In this direc-
uoh- he raised his voice and shouted
across the baking sunlight: Quite ready
mere, amigos. So up with the target"
PART Ill
Now up to this point am free to own that
since our capture 1 had cut a pretty moor
figure. 1 had not whined, but at the same
time l had not seen my way to put on Me-
thuen's outward show of careless brazen
courage. But when l watched the guerrilla
tighten on the rope and sway him up till his
stretched-out feet swung a couple of hand
spans above the ground, then my GOODNESS
returned to me, and my nerves set like