Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-25

several can speak it well enough to get
about. and-I can't spare you. We may
surmise that Ybarra has taken all pre-
cautions against solitary strangers; he's
heard already that I'm on his track, but
don't think he knows I've got an army
with me-. He smiled with kindly eyes
on the handful of adventures about him.
mo. on the whole, he said, Il think
you'd better not.
Once again before midday the horses
were watered and fed and rubbed down,
and the men had a leisurely lunch. There
after they went on gladly. for they antici-
pated trouble. Corbyn had told them that.
il President Ybarra were in Alta Cruz.
there might presently be excitement to
burn.
Allardyce. feeling more like himself in
his new uniform. which. greatly to his
satisfaction fitted him almost without a
crease, was sent on as advance guard
with two men to add dignity TO his posi-
ton. His duty was to pave the way. give
warning of any obstacle which might
prove insurmountable. and act as the
eyes of the main body, which followed
at short interval.
Years had passed by since he had rid
den on such an errand, but his blood
warmed: the old familiar zest that rises
only where life faces death by choice and
not by chance set his veins tingling. and
tickled his interest in existence.
Il wouldn't have missed TINS little jaunt
for a million. he said. softly, to him.
self. and laughed aloud even as he refined
back before a leveled rifle. A cossack
post concealed in a dry ditch at a safe
distance from the city had halted him,
and there was little time to parley.
urgent dispatches for his excellency.
Stand back and don't delay us he cried.
authoritativey. and. shaking his horse
into a hand gallop again. went on his
way, but laughing no longer. As he
topped the wide depression i'm which the
ditch ran he could see ahead Of him the
city gate of Alta Cruz and squarely in
its center. looming large against the light
beyond. a heavy siege gun stood. its evil
eye looking directly down the road that
he must travel. The gun crew was at
seemed that they had seen the advancing
force and meant to take no chances with
it.
He could not hesitate. and kept the pace
up till he reached the outer picket. strung
across his path. A pompous officer of in
fantry behind the firing line bade him
explain his reckless haste. and he told
the same story which had passed the
post beyond.
Corbyn held his hand and came up
slowly. halting his men in two long ranks
with the width of the road between. 10
find his subaltern engaged in argument.
1T is his excellency's order" snapped
the fat foot soldier. and Yes, he
forenoon. Haste or no haste. l must
have all your names and personal de-
scriptions before you pass. 1t is his ex-
cellency's order
II have the troop roll" said Corbyn,
patiently IF you have paper handy il
will save time to copy IL entire.
The fussy guardian of the gates wad-
died away to fetch that. and Allardyce.
dismounting. passed through the screen
of rifiemen behind him. They did not
Ia N a officer
had given order either way. That
busy bee came busting back. carrying
sheets of foOlscap and fountain pen. but
by that time the Englishman. bride in
hand. had sauntered. staring, as far as
the group behind the gun. These had re-
Taxed a little their attentive attitude. The
officer in charge
luted him respectfully. The men drew
back little as he strolled about their
piece, and, when he took squirting peep
along the sights. grinned furtively as
gunners will when an amateur plays the
professional.
1t was no more than mere, slip which
caused the accident. His spur caught
and he stumbled. catching at him who
held the lanyard as he fell.
A terrible explosion shook the gate
house to it's brick and plaster parapet. A
charge OF canister went screaming down
the road between two ranks of plunging
horses and demented men.
For thirty SECONDS there was pande.
monium, inside and out.
Corbyn and his command had half d.
vined the purpose which had taken Altar
dyce among the enemy. They watched
with bated breaths while he made sure
that ii was safe to fire between their
ranks. and no man lost his seat when
the crash came.
They drove their frantic horses through
the smoke before the terror-stricken
linesmen had recovered sight and hear
ing. Allardyce had chung to his bride
and been dragged clear. He got the reins
right and was already in his saddle when
Corbyn reached his side.
Meggs came next and then their troop
ers streamed in. And while the steeples
of the city rocked and rang to the wild
tocsin of alarm the twenty-three rode
HI for leather into the heart of the
hornets nest they had stirred up so eff
caciously.
Ito be continued tomorrow