Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-25
holding responsible rank. cool. alert and

holding responsible rank cool. alert and
ready.
They found their horses awaiting them
and the men drawn up in line. Corbyn
counted OF seventeen and there were
three on picket. Not one Of them would
avail himself of the New York steamer.
He called Mcclure out and told him OF
his promotion. which seemed to meet with
his comrades entire approval and In a
few seconds more the force moved on
complete.
canter took them to the mountain
road, where they turned upward at a
walk. Corbyn leading the way. Meggs
and Allardyce in the midst OF the men.
hatless. in muddy cloaks 1t was long
climb to the summit. but the horses were
fresh and had a breathing spell each
time they stopped to cut the telegraph
wire. which was done in several places.
In time they reached the first of the
enemy's outposts. on the seward side OF
the pass. A harsh cry rang out from the
rocks above. and Corbyn halted his force
for an anxious moment.
Friends" he cried back. and the coun-
tersign was demanded. Meggs had OBJ
tanned that from Chailoner. and had al
ready made use of 1t in approaching the
prison. Corbyn gave 1t without hesta-
ton and Pass, friends" said the sentry,
his duty done.
Word of their coming had reached the
camp ere they did. and they were halted
charge. a sulky boy. who had but lately
realized that it takes more than brass
buttons to make a soldier.
Escort with prisoners for Alta Cruz,
also dispatches for his exceliency' Cor
You're one of Won Rudolfs imported
swashbucklers. suppose. said the youth.
with quite unconscious insolence, and
scanning closely the cloaked figure look
ing down upon him.
hA ma n
man on horseback answered briefly. ION
my way back I'll perhaps find time to
teach you how to address your supe-
riors."
STAND to one side there. men. and you
sir.''-turning again to the bewildered
scion of San Benito-''see that you keep
a sharp lookout toward the town. If
any troop Of horse attempts to reach you
from that side you will do well to hold
them. Be much more courteous when
come again.
1T give you the good night. Detach-
ment. Walk-march. Trot."
He rode on. smiling grimly to himself
and the dark chain of rifemen gave way
period stood gaping after the departing
company in a most grievous state OF in
decision. 1t was too late. however. to in
terfere. He cursed his, own subordinates
with great fervor and ffuency for the
especial reason that they had not stood
to his tent. muttering: !
Half way down hill Corbyn stopped
again. and two OF his men swarmed MINI
bly, up the tall poles planted along their
great length of wire went whistling into
space. Again. at the foot. he left a gap
in the communication between La Boca
and the capital. and then they set out
across the plain beyond which lay Alta
.:That isoIates the summit completely."
he told Meggs who was once more riding
at his right hand. They aren't likely to
have a heliosraph handy. and it's long
ride either way
Each time they stopped he found work
for the wire-cutters. and. when day broke
they all drew of the road to rest and
feed the horses within a clump of trees
upon a knoll commanding all APP
proaches.
Corbyn and Allardyce dismounted stiff
ly. but. although the former was still en-
during pain and inconvenience from his
two days old wound. neither would sleep.
as Meggs suggested after they had break
tasted on cold meat and biscuits. washed
down with a somewhat scanty supply of
bracxish water. They were too busy
all twenty thoroughly to their liking.
Minus their military cloaks. in the smart
uniform Won Rudolf had designed for his
crack cavalry. they were as dashing in
0CtIOu anu appearance dS any COuuOioscuT
could wish. Corbyn had found a college
friend In one, and while he laughed and
chatted with him Allardyce and Meggs
got out their maps to study the lie of the
country.
well, what's the program now?' de-
manded Meggs. az he came back to where
they lay stretched on the grass with the
sheets spread before them. We're close
to Alta Cruz now"
Alta Cruz is only a league ahead"
Corbyn answered. "WeIl lie here until
noon-the city's sound asleep then.-and
trust to luck to md out whether Ybarra's
at the palace. II he's gone on to the
Golden Horseshoe. as half fear he may.
we follow. We must strike quickly"
How would 1t do II rode in alone
and found out what's doing?" asked AL
lardyce. eagerly. and his commander
cogitated.
ut would do well enough-if you got
back" replied that strategist. but I'm
afraid the risk is too great None OF the
others know colloquial Spanish, although