Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-04-25

and the occasional whistle OF bulle
over his head that just suited Over
toms present mood.
He was even rash on several occa'
sions. and had narrow escapes. but the
little cherub that sat up nloft watch
Ing over his fortunes seemed to exer
else those wouid.be fatal bullets sc
that they always Just fell little short
aAd in matetrs OF this sort miss il
considered AZ good as mile.
The day was near It's end. and plain
ly the laurels OF victory rested with
the followers OF the dynasty already
entrenched In authority-their shouts
had been more vociferous than the
others. and In all probability they had
fired two shots against one from the
revolutionists. This inspired them
| with new confidence. and the red cock.
ade began TO grow bolder. even ad-
yaneing. as though determined to
chase their enemies out OF town ere the
sun dropped into the western sea. over
whose bosom he hung like n globe OF
hre.
II was about this time when Montejo
and his sympathizers were making
their last stand while awaiting the
friendly shades OF night to cover their
hasty retreat. that overton found him.
self. somewhat Unexpectedly to be sure.
drawn into the affair at issue.
II chanced that in their ea.erness to
chase the invaders out beyond the
town limits ere dusk set in-by mu.
tuai consent this feature seemed to be
the manner OF deciding which side had
won-the section OF government forces
led by General BarraJo rather oycrdid
the matter.
At any rate the hrs,. last and only
handto.hand conflict of the day oe.
CURED under Jacks own eyes. when n
detachment OF the green eockndss sud,
denly appearing. surrounded the yaior.
Gus general and demanded his sur.
render.
Although BaFralo was most fierce
looking type OF n Central American
general. with his mustaehc curlcd up
like two slmi,sr,. and his lef; breas,
covered with Gorgeous medals and dec.
oEationn. Jack had been wont to look
upon him pretty much In the ii.h; Of
modern Bombas,cs furioso. and could
hardly believe there was anything Of
a game spirit back OF this assumed
fcroeity.
To his Hurpris. and delight tho gen.
cTai proved quite equal to the occasion.
lie faced his enemies. waving hin
sword like a knight Of old. ana. launch
ins forth a ,oii.y of Spanish rspic-
tiscs that should have paraiyfed their
craven hearts. hut failed to do 10.
Then came the crash Of battle.
The generals loae companion was
spittrd upon a sword after bringing
down couple OF the rnsiiy. and Bar.
ralo himself was sor-iy pressed by
those who. recognizing In him the real
head and brains Of the prcs-n, dynas.
~. were grimly determined TO get rid
Of him, so 'ha, -: ncs; revolution
might prove a suees.G
., vas cut and thrust. slash and
parry. and niaeh.,a against sword.
As they stood thIc- TO one. with 1t.
tie hope OF the generals followers
reaching the sescc In hmc to take
hand in the trasic afrsir. II began to
look as though ilarrajo. had reached
the end OF his rope. like all men do
sooner or later. with weapons In their
hands. in Central America.
Jacks love OF fair play. no, to speak
Of his friendship for the general. urged
him TO shy his castor into the ring.
lie little dreamed how fortune was
dealing ou, tho cards TO him just then.
and what a marvellous Jack pot he
would eventually sweep In with the re-
suits Of this days good work.
Having resolved to lend Barrajo a
helping hand. he dashed forward with
hiH revolver. aiming to wound rather
than slay.
Thus bcset in the rear. and threat.
rued with the vhirlinE blade Of the
soldier in front. the three wcarcrs OF
the green cockade became utterly dc
moraiiscd. and in panic fled. two
of them bearing wounds TO remind
them of the days doinEs.
When Jack rushed up to conEratu.
late tho general on his victor. the no.
bic Gautarican. who had counted him.
self as good as dead man. threw
both arms around his dclivcrcr and
fell upon his breast. swearing In pur.
est Eastman Ilat HlS llhf hfh'tA'iAh
belonged to the valiant American. and
that he would lie awake nights seek.
ing to repay the great debt he owed
him.
The revolution having ended at sun
sc,, and the defeated invaders of Gau.
tarican territory being on the run for
friendly hiding places upon neighbor-
ing soil. the capital was given over to
a spasm Of mad rejoicing. and every
one. man. woman and child. seemed to
believe it depended wholly upon their
individual efforts to make the affair a
success.
This aspect Of the Central American
character struck Overton even more
forcibly than the peculiar tactics OF
the days battle. As an artist he could
appreciate anything that bordered upon
the bizarre and remarkable. and hence
quickly determined to accept the warm
invitation Of his friend. General Barra.
10. to visit the public hall. in order to
see stiIl more Of the singular habits
and customs of this hot.blooded peo-
pie. with whom he had. at least for the
time being. cast his fortunes.
There are times in the lives of all
men when they appear to be mere crea
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