Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-05-16
BOOK TWO
The Modern AFgonauts.
CHAPTER XIII.
Dearly Won.

| CHAPTER XIII.
| Dearly Won.
Evidences that the general had
spoken the truth multiplied quickly.
for presently they heard signals. and
even caught glimpse OF dark figures
fitting from tree to tree.
Perhaps 1t was the first time on
record where white men made rude
breastworks of gold. but lying behind
the heap Of gold images and vases
tnat Barrajo had deposited upon the
ground they awaited an opportunity To
cut loose among the persistent
shadows that had followed from San
Juan.
II was Barrajo who found the first
chance. and right well the old soldier
improved II.
At least one thing was settled-the
imprecations in Spanish that followed
the report OF his gun announced be-
yond any possibility OF mistake that
these dusky. fitting shadows were not
the spirits Of ancient Aztec priests.
but genuine, bonhfide adventures of
to-day.
1
had II when spitefui flashes OF hre
puncturcd the dark spaces under the
trees. and the rattle Of firearms fol-
| lowed.
Some OF the bullets whistlcd over
their heads. while others nattcned
against the novel defense behind which
they crouchcd.
'fiye" muttercd the old soldier
when the seattrrin. yoiicy had come
to nm end without doing any damage.
They had quite a little circus for
some time. firin. back and forth. guild
ed more by the fash OF each others
guns than anything else.
When the enemy began to flank their
position Jack knew the case was grow
In. desperate. and would require he
role treatment u they hoped TO come
out at the large end of the horn.
We must move on their works.
general" he declared. when n icadcn
messenger had sun. pas; his car. com
ins from the rear.
They cfawicd away. kccpin. aimos,
fat upon the ground and without In
tcrruption reached the spot for which
they aimed. where at the proper time
they could pour a ho, and deadly frc
into tho ranks o: the San Jose aa-
vcnturcrs as they rushed forward In
ciosin. upon their siicnerd enemies.
All this happened Just as narTaio.
who knew the habits and irmpera-
mcn,s of his fellows full well. expect
cd. and the fusiiaae which they opened
on the advancing figures sent at i-as,
a couple OF them to grass before they
realized tho clever nature Of the STRAIT
axcm played upon them.
Tho fEht. being again open. ragged
along the whole line.
II was evidently destined 10 be a
little war Of observation-disclosures side
or the other must be wiped out.
After further dcsui,ory arinE Jack
heard the awful ,hua which a bullet
makes when II strikes a human being.
and caught the husky maisdictions
that burned his comrades tongue.
you are hit" he exclaimed In dis
may.
'yes. and badly. too. I fear. Try to
s,anch the blood. hombrc. as bcs, you
can. Your hand rcmbics-comc. bear
up: 1, IL bu, the luck of a soldier. after
all. Many years have Knocked the
Grim Reaper and laughed In his face
perhaps he has me now. Al least.
hombrc. I shall he avenged. See. our
three remaining enemies have come to-
scthcr yondcr. by the snAried oak
you can count the flashes when they
frc. II is a glorious opportunity to
try the virtues of these experimental
bombs. one that may never come
again. The secret must die with
them"
Jack had Just turned his head mood.
lily aside. ostensibiy to look for enc
mics In their rear. but In reality to
hide his emotion. when a sudden shout
electrified him.
As he faced abou, he was Mortified
to see his soreiy wounded companion
upon his feet and hurrying with uncer-
tain steps toward the spot from
whence the las, volley had come.
II was too late TO stay him. for al
ready the mad general was a quarter
of the way over the intervening
/ ground.
His cry had drawn out shots from
those in ambush-1ack could see the
/ FIRE run the gamut OF three guns. and
at that distance he tremblsd for his de-
/ voted comrade.
As he turned tn look for Barrajo he
discovered that his worst fears were
realized-the old hero had gone down.
struck again by merciless ball.
Then a sudden fury seemed TO pos
sess Overton-suSa a feeling as may
make a giant Of stripling-it was the
desire for revenge burning in his soul
and tingiins to the very tips of his
fingers. under the impulse of which
a man may do the most astounding
feats. such as might be worthy of old
time heroes.
In that second of time he had
sworn an oath to slay those three
desperate adventurers or die himself
in the attempt
He had even scrambled to his feet
with this stern resolution on his mind,
and was in the act of rushing forward
to hurl himself upon the ambushed
foe. when he discovered that Barrajo
was once more rising.
Jack had a pretty good idea as to
what was upon Barrajo's mind. so that
a