The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-11


four having been killed.
And Don Cortinia-he Is safer" I
asked, not seeing him anywhere
Safe" cried the captain, with a wink
at his men. Not a scratch to boast of.
Blackened little with powder, Ills
clothes somewhat dusty, but he is as
sound as ever he was. All, but he has
had his sport. for he has just assisted
in the hanging Of the two fellows we
caught"
Hung them?' 1 asked in surprise
Yes, what else would we have done
with them? They were not worth the
powder and lead to shoot them. Be
sides. the e1Sample-it is a warning for
those OF tier class"
Unfortunate wretchesi" ] groaned,
half in sympathy with them, and half
In horror at the summary way of deal
ing with prisoners.
The men only laughed.
shut my eyes and shuddered.
could imagine how ferocious the Don
could be, had he but the opportunity for
showing his spleen. But 1 felt too mis-
cradle myself to care very much.
After resting a while 1 felt better. and
found that was able to walk without
assistance. I had received a wound in
my side which hurt me some. The scalp
wound though ugly. and having bled
profusely, was not serious
1t had probably been inflicted with a
carbine barrel; but, had the blow been
a little more direct. IT might have frac-
tured my skull. 1 was somewhat an
noyed because 1 had seemed to make so
much OF my hurts.
Mr. Melrose had received several small
injuries. but nothing that gave him
much trouble. Being weak, and con-
yalescent from his pervious sickness, the
nervous strain had been great
1 apprehended more danger from this
than anything else. had felt alarmed
for him during the morning, and now
1 was afraid he would not be able TO
| go on. But he kept up with a wonder
full show Of endurance.
Don Cortlnia soon Joined US, his face
stern and rigid as II he had performed
valiant service-a little disagreeable,
but a matter of necessity. There was,
however. a look OF satisfaction in his
eyes. and 1 thought his sternness was
for effect.
Il see you are able to be up" he said.
speaking to me. You should have been
at the execution. The work was quickly
and neatly done"
L have been told that the bandits
taken prisoners were hung" I replied.
They were. and by my ORDER" he
answered with dignity; though why It
was b. his order 1 am not able to ex-
! plain.
! Wen, IL you are satisfied. have
nothing to say" replied.
You are a noble fellow, though in
/ 70 ha ffrTfa too farfo~,re a., Ia.T-
ing with outlaws he said. Offering me
his hand. Il blamed you for letting
those fellows go when you had them IN
your power. 1t was the only honorable
thing you could do. but 1 was right;
they should have been shot. Some day
I hope to be able to show you my appre-
citation OF your integrity"
1 thanked him as best I could l was
glad enough for his friendship. for in
I this strange country had none too
many friends, and certainly enemies
enough without making more.
We rested for a couple OF hours. and
then resumed our journey Mr.. Melrose
was not in a condition to travel, but
he kept up wonderfully well. had not
felt myself as If I was equal to the ex-
ertion required for n long ride.
As we went by the door of the house
where we had the fight. I saw the bodies
Of the dead bandits lying near where
| they had fallen They had been strip
4 ped Of their weapons, and everything
else Of value.
They presented a CHASTITY appearance.
and I did not like 10 look at them. but
turned away. for a sickness seemed to
come over me had seen men killed
before. out never before or since have
Il experienced the queer sensation OF
faintness which then came over me.
We kept with the soldiers, and stayed
that night in Tlaxcala. We could not
very well have gone further. In fact
we did not arrive at Tlaxcala until long
after shutdown.
Don Cortinia proved 20 be n most con-
genial travelling companion. He showed
Mr.. Melrose much kindness, even taking
II upon himself 10 procure him comfort
able quarters and a good bed He also
stayed with him that night. ] lay in
a bunk in large room occupied by
the captain and some Of the other Off
GERS. They smoked cigarettes and played
cards. but L was too tired to join with
them; yet I dtd not go TO sleep.
IF this expedition Is not successful,
Juarez will be president Of Mexico" 1
heard the captain say, as he was deal
ing out the cards
! 1t sounded almost like treason, COM
ing, as it did. from an officer of the
conservative forces; but the other Off
GERS appeared TO accept It as a plain
statement Of facts. 1 thought them in
different regarding the success Of their
party.
I did not then understand the cool
way Mexican soldiers had of weighing
the probability Of success, and calcu-
lating the personal advantages to be
! gained. one way or another. After
ward 1 saw whole companies. when
they found they were on the losing side,
go over to the opposition.
| The conversation was principally upon
the war and camp gossip. They dis
| cussed the merits of different officers,
and told Of their peculiarities. They
! discussed these things with a freedom
and confidence in each other; and espe-
cially so, since they were In a country
where men were often shot for their
! utterances or opinions.
How will IT be with Don Carlos de
! UUoa?" asked one OF the oflcers-a
| lieutenant
He has thrown everything with the
! Conservatives. Fool! If they lose, every