The Washington times., 1904-09-04
CHAPTER XVII.
A Matter Of Courage.


been left to serve as a chimney. I took
the bench. placed the stool on it, and
then. cautiously, climbing upon my i'm
provlsed scanolding, examined carefully
the stones about the opening.
Most OF them were loose, as I had
thought they might be- for the mud In
which they had been laid had been
washed from the joints ] found Il was
possible 70 move some of them. and so
began at the top. reaching I'D and TAX
ing them down one at a time, or push
ing them out upon the roof
l worked swiftly and silently. but
with each Gtone I took down into the
room 1t vas necessary for me TO climb
from tho stool and bench. and this took
time. 1 bruised by hands. bus did not
mind that. I succeeded in charging
the opening so that I could put my head
through il. but Il was not large enough
to admit my body. The other stones
seemed 10 be firm. and tug and pull
as / would I could not start them.
BY examination l found that one of
them extended well down into the room,
and taking my knife dug the dirt from
between il and the adjoining stones and
lat last succeeded in getting It loose.
II was heavy, but I managed to lower
It 20 the floo-. 1 now thought Il would
be possible for me to draw myself UP
on TO tho roof
II was tight squeeze. and at one time
thought 1 was stuck fast in the hole.
Il gave sigh Of relief when l was
through, and sat down to regain my
breath. As I had accomplished so
much successfully, I seemed to gain
courage to proceed.
After first examining my pistols to
see that they were al right. I crept to
the edge Of the roof Of the house and
looked over. Two horses stood at the
door, but there was no one in sight
BY placing my foot on the window
ledge of the room below I was able TO
reach the ground without making much
noise.
| had almost expected 10 find some
one on the watch outside, but no doubt
! the bandits felt themselves secure. and
| deemed such precautions unnecessary.
! crept along and listened at the door.
II yielded little, and, realizing that
must act promptly If 1 expect to
| succeed I gave the door a sudden push
and in an instant more had the ban
dts covered with my revolvers.
it was a complete surprise. Not only
were the men taken of their guard. but
40 unlocked for was such n thing that
| there had been no time TO think Of re-
sistance. and they obeyed me without a
word
The first man who moves dies" I
cried savagely. you are my prison
! ers."
1 did not think of it at the time but
my face and clothes were covered with
| SCOT. and I must have presented a very
fierce aspect-especially so in the dim
light of the room. The men covered
before me without a show Of resistance.
There were FIVE Of them, all rough look
ing fellows, well armed. their belts filed
/ with pistols and knives.
| a sixth man sat apart from them; and
I saw at once by his appearance that
! he was not one of the gang. but evil
| IDENTIFY was the prisoner whose ransom
had been under discussion He stared
at me with wide-open eyes, and I fan
cied that a smile seemed to play for the
! moment about his lips
! looked for Mr.. AIelrose, but he was
not there. I had even counted some
| what on his assistance. I could hold the
men at bay. but it would be another
matter to secure them alone, and unas-
sisted.
There seemed to be only one thing
for me TO do: must press the unarmed
man into service. If my surmises con-
I
a prisoner-this might not be hard 70
do. But I did not trust him without
first feeling pretty sure Of my man.
Keeping my station at the door, and
acting deliberately, my eyes fixed on
the scOundrels before me, 1 ordered him
10 disarm and secure the prisoners tax
ing them in turn, first relieving them Of
their weapons and then binding their
arms behind them. He appeared not to
J object to doing this-In truth he went
at the work with a spirit Of willingness
had not expected.
The chagrin and discontinue Of the
bandits can be better imagined than
described when 1t began TO dawn slow
~ upon their minds that I had taken
them single handed. MOntalveo especi-
ally was furious, as / could see. Stnl.
not one Of them dared TO move
!, I had told them that the first one who
offered resistance would be shot and
they had every reason to believe that
would carry out my threat. They had
cast nervous gianCes about them. and
now and then one would mutter some
thing under his breath; but a glance or
a word from me was sufficient to quiet
them. after they were bound there was
nothing for them TO do but 70 submit
10 my terms.
| Ny confederate had been equal 10 the
task imposed upon him. When he
stepped before the light in front Of me.
l knew from his dress and appearance.
as we'll as from his bearing. that he was
a Mexican or Spaniard Of the better
class. He certainly was a gentleman.
and a man Of courage.
He carried out his part Of the pro-
gram with a readiness which was very
gratifying 10 me. As 1 caught his eye l
was conscious Of a look of triumph in
il. IL not of vindictiveness; for his face
showed a sternness which plainly told
that the bandits had nothing TO hope
for from him.
Now, senOr," l said. addressing him.
when l saw that all were secured, 4
have a little matter of business with
these fellows which have TO settle; but
first may l ask to whom it is that 1 am
, indebted for this assistance. and how
came you here?"
My name is Antonio COrtinia," he
replied, first casting a glance TO see that
the bandits were secure. i was taken
, by these outlaws near Cholula,, while
on the road from the capital to La
Puebla. l am held for a ransom, which