Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-22
THE GOLDEN HORSESHOE.
BY ROBERT ATKEN.
n JsAa ride
By ROBERT AITKEN.

the whining crone for her slow progress
as she hobbled past him.
step out. beldame" he ordered
brutaliy. Move those old bones Of thine
or shall have lance point prick thee
dios"' she groaned, but managed to meme
The prison Of La Boca was located al
the landward end Of the town. and stood
alone on a square. ill-kept ground, which
during the day: served as stance for tn.
to the market. BY night 1t was prac
tically deserted save for some such be-
lated vehicle.
Escort and prisoners drew up before
the frowning gates. There was some de.
lay while the officials were being called
from their beds, the guard within being
obviously suspicious Of the presence OF
an armed force there at such an hour.
The troopers had dismounted and were
making up for the enforced silence Of the
officer parleyed from horseback Will
those on the parapet above them.
The leading files had drawn to one side
leaving free passage gateward for the
prisoners. No one interfered when the
old kitchen woman went limping that
way. for no one noticed her.
The two men sitting in their saddles
talking. with uplifted chins. to the alnos,
invisible occupants of the loopholes over
head, heard nothing but the sound OF
their own voices.
The old dame stopped between the
launches Of their horses. drew deep
breath. and, sprfnging with an energy as
tonishing in one Of her years. grasped at
their collars. pulled them to the earth.
half choking them. Their heads met with
a crash which stunned them and they fell
with one wild cry.
The frightened horses started apart but
the crone held fast by the cantle of~one
saddle and Gonzalez had not let go his
reins.
She set foot on his chest ana his fingers
relaxed as she leaped. The flutter of her
skirts further alarmed the animal she
had bestrode. 1t bolted with the bit be-
tween its teeth. cleaving an easy passage
through the encircling throng.
monium. Gonzalez. who had risen to his
feet was screaming orders and impreca-
tons before his bewildered retainers could
understand what had happened. Two OF
three men mounted and made off after
the fugitive. He flew at those who re-
manned, striking at them with his bare
hands, kicking and cursing like one de-
mented.
The women prisoners were making
hysterical outcry. savage mems voices
Of the uproar the prison governor APP
peared on turret, while from another
suddenly shone q blazing cluster of lights.
Gonzalez turned on him with bitter
words, and, while they argued and re-
eliminated, those below were once more
free to draw breath
at wouldn't have been wise to attempt
escape" Allardyce whispered to Corbyn.
I'VE would have been sure to get sep
arated in the dark
1.-THE other fellow has gotten away all
right" his friend objected. but, of
course, he had his plans laid. ! wonder
who he was2'
81 tell you. senior governor" Gonzalez
cried, that this nights work will cost
you dearly. His excellency will not be
grateful to the man who sleeps 50 soundly
that our prisoners escape.
'And as to you, Senior Teniente," he
turned to the astonished ofhcer. who had
at length recovered his perpendicular and
was stumbling shamefacedly toward him.
''your swinish incapacity units you for q
uniform. Get to your post! Don't stand
there staring! 1t IL sufficient for one
day that you have let the blind man go
again. that the leader of the American
fiibuster is now at large In San Benito.
Yes. that was he. Don't stand there
staring. but march your remaining pris-
oners In
Go be continued tomorrow