The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-14
CHAPTER vIII-(Continued.)
An Intractable Prisoner.


An Intractable Prisoner.
Reaching my lodgings, I sought my
own room. l had received some wounds,
which. though insignificant, yet needed
attention. That night slept well, was
up early the next morning. but had
had not finished dressing when there
was tramp Of feet outside my door.
lis this the room?" 1 heard some one
ask
Yes. but I do not think he has yet
risen" some one answered, and knew
the voice TO be that Of my landlord
I'VE Will wake him." said the first
speaker.
There was a rafting of my door, &C
companied by noise enough to wake
deaf man. / let him pound, sitting on
my bed meanwhile trying to determine
what ii was all about. I confess that
! had some fears that il meant trouble
for ne
What is wanted?" I finally demand
ed. when there was a lull in the pound
in
open the door and you win soon
find out" was the gruff reply.
4 will not open the door until you
first tell me what is wanted" I retOrted-
81 demand that you open the door,"
came the same authoritative voice.
Not until you inform me of your
business"
.'dadre de Dios!" he exclaimed. 81
will break down the door then-I will
force il. 1 have an order for your ar
rest" And again there was an on
slaught on the panels.
And I choose not TO be arrested I
replied, as soon as l could make myself
heard Il VIII shoot the first man who
attempts to execute the order
l had drawn my revolver, and as II
TO emphasize my threat 1 fired, and the
bullet crashed through the upper part
of the door. There was a precipitous
retreat OF the enemy. and negotiations
were carried on after that with less
active demonstrations from those on
the outside.
With a grim determination to resist
if force was attempted, I refused to
admit them. and they, doubtless believ-
ing that they had either a desperate or
q mailman 10 deal with. dared not break
down the door. The controversy finally
ended by their stationing a guard there,
thus making me a prisoner in my own
room.
/ smiled to myself and was somewhat
elated over my victory when 1 found
what they had done. They had certain
" proceeded about their task in a
clumsy way. Had they in the first place
waited until 1 came out IL would have
been a very easy matter TO have ar
rested me. for 1 would have had no op-
portunity for effective resistance As il
was, seeing that 1 had stood them of
thus far. / determined 70 hold out
against them az long as possible
AT least 1 would try TO learn their
what they were going to do with me.
did not relish the idea Of a Mexican
prison, or Mexican justice. Both were
bad enough at best, and had no favors
10 expect.
/ finished dressing, then sat down on
my bed 70 try 20 think OF some way
TO secure my release OF devise a plan
Of escape
knew that 1 could expect no as
sistance from the American consul He
was not in a position at that time TO
enforce his demands, and his requests
were likely 10 go UNDECIDED. Besides
my conduct would not bear invesuga-
ton. My own acts would place me in
a bad light My escape must be effected
by my own shrewdness.
The more 1 thought over my situa-
tion. the more I was convinced that it
was a very serious one. My chances for
escape We're very small / could not
let myself out OF the window without
falling into tie hands OF the soldiers.
] had discovered that there was a COM
pauy OF them stationed at the house.
There was a chance for escape II /
threw open my door. and with drawn
revolvers. after the manner Of desper-
ADDE'S, make a dash for liberty But
even then, II succeeded IN gaining my
freedom ] would be a fugitive and could
not expect 20 escape the police.
could but blame myself for the
bfawl at the pulqueria. The affair
would become known all over the city;
and the description obtained Of me
would make it impossible for ne TO
venture on the street without being
recognized. This was likely 10 en-
barrass me seriously, II not defeat my
plans 20 rescue Senorita Teresa
] determined 10 await developments.
which was about al I could do. The
situa ton appeared Iudicrous to me. de-
spite its seriousness. I was sitting on
my bed with drawn revolvers guarding
the door on the inside, while a couple
OF sentinels were standing without, e
see that / remained a prisoner.
i had discovered, on attempting q
LhAh win TIE EAdfAt lldL the men Wbull
hold no conversation with me. Even
had they been willing 20 talk it was
probable that I could have learned moth
ing from them as 10 the cause OF my
arrest. But i was not 10 be kept long
in suspense An hour or two later
heard some one come along the walk
speak 70 the guard, and then knock al
my door.
WHO comes?" ! demanded.
zone who has something OF import
ance 10 say 10 YOU" was the reply.