Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-11-19
A SLIGHT
MISUNDERSTANDING
BY HENRY HUMIsToN.

MANUEL, the fat bartender in
/ lVI the Cafe Pasaje. looked sharp
\ ~ at the two Americans leaning
/ against the bar, and when he was
sure that he was unobseryed he called
his patron saint TO witness. and then
spit yiciously in the direction Of the
I hated Gringoes Outside the white
tropical sunlight danced in the de-
serted streets of La Sinceridad. A
soldier was sleeping In doorway.
and a small child very airily atured.
peered ouriously in at the door OF the
cafe at the two strangers One OF the
Americans was tall and straight and
well groomed The other mans
clothes bore mute evidence to having
been slept in many times. The man
[ himself looked badly in need Of a
shave, he was pale and nervous, and
smoked necessarily lighting one
cigaret from the butt Of the other.
Bob" said the tall American, Il
have heard all sorts Of rumors. Did
you sell me OUT AS man to man, as
fellow countrymen. | beg Of you 70 be
square with me now II you haven'u
before Let me know where / stand.
what am 70 expect Have you sold
me out2"
The man IN the much worn Broad
way suit shrugged his shoulders.
Didn't you get the rides you bought
Of met"
why, yes: my men have 300
Mausers now. thanks to you.
But"
Didn't yourgang get the cartridges
put ashore from the fishing boat
last Tuesday,"
Eyes, We got the cartridges and the
two rapid fire guns that you brought
to us, too. although where you got
them can't imagine"
you gave me an order for 300
rifles and 100000 rounds Of cartridges.
delivered the goods. You say you
got 'em. What's the hck?"
simply this" went on the other
man. you delivered the goods you
promised. But you are a flibuster.
A hlibuster understand generally
plays fast and loose. He takes money
from all sides don't say you have
done this. but I've been told so. You
sold me guns. I'm told you've sold
guns and cartridges to Col. Gonzales.
too. Consequently he's ready to
strike a blow and I've got 10 fight.
when I thought that by getting a well
equipped little army together Con
zales would be afraid TO start any
trouble. engaged you first You
we're my agent. You had no right to
60 into the employment Of Gonzales
But what could | expect a fili-"
zone mans gold is as good as
another's. isn't it?" asked the hi-
buster.
yes" answered the tall Ameri-
can, sulkily. TO a man who doesn't
know what honor IS"
"In other words, flibuster," said
the short man.
Exactly"
The disreputable man smiled sadly
and lit fresh eigaret
There comes your other master"
went on the tall American. There's
Gonzales. He doesn't know. perhaps,
that you have been playing fast and
loose with us both. Why don't you
tell him? II will make no difference.
though II he is ready to fight, he'll
fight. I know what II means in the
end. II means ruin 10 me. that's all.
II 1 could have won out by that little
trick | was planning TO turn on him
il would have settled everything. But
anyhow. played the man; wasn't
sneak and a coward that"
Just cut that out for the time be-
ing" said the flibuster. here's Con-
zales."
The colonel entered the cafe blink
ing his eyes like an owl as he stepped
from the brilliantly lighted street into
the cool darkness of the cafe He
stopped in establishment when he saw
the flibuster and Bob Nelson to-
gether. The flibuster called him
over.
Colonel" said the flibuster. my
friend. Mr.. Martin. thought ought to
acauaint you with the fact that have
sold him 1900 stands of arms and
cartridges to match.
The colonel shrugged his shoulders.
81 know It," he said briefly. For that
I am glad. He has what you call
bluffed. | shall call that bluff. There
will be a pretty fight am the
stronger. | shall win. Is it not so?"
Colonel" said the tall American.
Il am not a coward. You know that
I'm willing to fight you TO the last
ditch. But what's the use Of killing
OF a lot Of people? What's all the
trouble about, anyhow? You are go
ing to crush me because your daugh-
ter loves me and love her. You want
to force her into a marriage with a