The Washington times., 1904-08-21
CHAPTER XI-Continued.


Either the senorita was too much
frightened to answer, or she did not
like his manners, for she made no reply.
He was apparently satisfied that The
only occupants of the carriage were
two ladies, for he again turned to me.
IF you will be a little more civil I will
answer all inquiries you may wish to
make" 1 told him.
Il will see for myself when / can
without taking your word" he replied.
Il trust that you will satisfy yourself
as to the truth Of what tell you. and,
having done so. let us proceed
You can depend upon one thing" he
said ill-naturedly. "and that is. that
you will not proceed much further to-
night. Ho. there; see that these fellows
do not escape you" he called out to his
men.
Escape by force or fight would nave
been quite impossible. even had VIC con-
templated such a course, for we were
completely surrounded by horsemcn
But the officer was a young man, very
pompous. and evidently one who wished
10 show his authority.
so you were going TO La Puebla?'' he
inquired. do you know that this is
not the road to La Puebla?"
/ told him that I knew that it was
not the road usually taken by travellers,
but that we could reach the main road
by keeping on to San Antonio. and that
we had come that way because we con-
sidered It less dangerous than the Vera
Cruz Road-which was all true enough.
so far as it went
For further safety we shall detain
you until morning." he replied IS if
the whole matter was settled. 81 nave
received peremptory orders TO let no
one pass"
Il shall most certainly protest against
such treatment" I replied 1--WE are
pressed for time. and so travel by night
/ have passport. and If you refuse to
honor it. / shall see that you are made
TO account to your superior officer"
knew that everything depended upon
our getting away; for by morning. if
not before, couriers would be sent out
TO have us detained. felt somewhat
uneasy. but tried TO put on a bold front
know what my orders are. senior. -
the captain replied. but 1 will look at
your papers-where are they?"
handed them to him; and one Of his
men lit candle SO they could see to
examine them.
was still i'll at ease. L had been
conscious that Martin wished to say
1
age TO speak to him unobserved.
1T seems, Senior Martin" said the
officer. addressing me. that you are a
surgeon, an American, and have been
detailed for hospital service. This per
NIT to pass the lines appears to be regu-
lar. 1t bears cate Of today. 1t would
seem 10 give you permission to 90 on.
But'-he hesitated-"I see no mention
OF ladies, however,
] had not been informed that the
paper had been made out in Martins
name. Naturally enough the captain
thought he was addressing the bearer
OF the papers. l could not venture ex-
plantations. and let it pass.
You will find that the permit gives
me permission TO pass the lines. and
that should include my family and ser
wants as we'll" l said, acting partly on
The suggestion Martin had given me.
''As TO these fellows" 1 continued. in
dicating Pedro and Jose. they are in
my employ. You must admit that It
would be dangerous for me TO travel
without company"
saw him looking inquiringly at the
saddle horse Pedro was leading. Our
driver deserted US" 1 explained. we
expect 70 secure another at the village.
Had some quarrel did your he ask
ed. We'll, l don't believe you, though
Il may be So"
did not reply; and he sat there on
his horse for a few moments without
speaking; then he drew aside one of his
men. with whom he held a brief con-
sultation.
1T seems that you have authority TO
pass the lines" he said, returning, and
Ihanding back my papers with an Off
cious air. AS for the ladies accompany
ing you, 1 see no reason for OBTAINING
them: but it would have been more pru-
dent for them to have remained at the
capital"
u agree with you that it IS dangerous
travelling" 1 replied, but II seemed nee
essary that they should accompany me
Ny papers, so it seemed, thanks TO
Martins influence and tact, were all
right There was nothing, so far as I
could see, either suspicious or irregular
an a physician passing through the lines.
Everybody knew that an expedition
was about to start for Vera Cruz. and
that other forces would act in coniunc-
ton with those sent out from the capt.
tai. Moreover, 1t was not improbable
that an American physician should be
detailed for hospital service. and trans
ferred from one division 10 another.
The captain ordered his men to draw
aside, and we were permitted to proceed
How did you manage to get a pass
port permitting you to leave2" l in
quired Of Martin after we had gone on
some distance.
We'll. 1t wasn't very easy" he ex-
planned II had to invent an excuse.
and then left three weeks pay to keep
company with my promise TO come back.
The permit Is in my name. I was afraid
that you would not understand"
II UNDERSTOOD replied, caring little,
90 long as II could be made 10 serve our
purpose We would better be making
good time. / am afraid Of that fellow
we let CO."
Martin looked over his shoulder, as II
he half expected 10 see him through the
darkness, and then whipped I'D his
horses. We went along at a smart trot
until We reached San Antonio, and then
Jose went TO find driver. while took
the oportunity 20 explain matters 10
my fair captive
You will pardon me for forcibIy car
rylng you on" ] said. There was no
other way. ] assure you that / shall
offer you every comfort and protection
possible on the Journey"
i asked you 20 return 10 the city