Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1909-04-08
BY MARY HELEN FEE.

out OF the boy. HIS home was In the
pueblo down on the coast, but, when
the Americans entered II, his father
had taken him to the barrio In the
mountains. He and the woman had
been sent out as spies TO watch the
trail-which the Americans had
missed. The woman was servant,
and could speak no Spanish, but the
boy had been at school In Manila and
spoke Spanish fluently. The barrio
was not far from the trail. There
would not be guard. for there was
mucha fiesta.
The expression of the men bright
ened, as they partially comprehended
this conversation; and Byrnton
actually smiled cheerfully
We're fine lot scoundrels to at
tack anything" he said; but / guess
we1l 90 down to the barrio take the
insurrectos, and have a square meal.
'Mucha fiesta eh?-mucho pollo?"
The youngster grinned. Even his
inexperienced eye told him that the
Americans were furnishing, and why
the lieutenant thought Of chicken.
Ready, boys?" said Byrnton. as
Clark able to Gomez" 81
The man who had tainted, reani-
mated by hope, scrambled to his feet,
and stealthily they picked their way
after the boy. 1t was not far.
Were too weak to beat that bush
much,' said Byrnton. We'll take a
look under the houses in a minute.
Sentries, Milford, to patrol, while
some of these men get food"
Truly It was mucha fiesta; and to
the starving men the food was am
brosia-cooked rice, chicken, camates
or sweet potatoes, and fried bananas.
I'VE must do the best we can with
them" said Byrnton. impatiently.
Lord! My hands itch for presi-
dente or teniente who can talk Span
ish." He stood. with hand con his
sword hilt, peering out across the
open palay fields, where the valley
broadened like fan.
"Um-m.m," he continued, reflective
ly. Lets walk out bit"
They followed dixie, swaying In
the narrow path as when walking
a railway steel at home. Mitford's
quick eye caught fash of movement
in a wallow to the right.
Got him!" he yelled, jumping of
the dixie and laboring, waist-deep,
through the palay field. Big game!
Get out o. there, you Kakhiak, or I'll
lift you out on my bayonet!" He
prodded in the mud.
There was stir in the wallow. and
a figure heaved up, Shiny and reek-
ing. Its once spotless uniform was
a slatey blue, its coffee.colored visage |
was smeared and pathetic; but above
was a wiry pompadour and a pair OF
bright, intelligent eyes.
"Senor," gasped the refugee, regain
ing a pompous dignity, with his legs;
"this treatment to one who has shown
himself the friend of your racer"
Eyes, we met a few other friends
this morning" said Byrnton. 'They
called on us unusually early!"
The insurrecto's face grew puzzled.
Amigo, eh?" queried the lieutenant.
"Why, then, did you hide?"
The man gabbled Spanish. There
was fiesta, and some one had said
there was an attack. Not knowing II
It were Americans or insurrectos-"
Il see. Are there insurrectos in the
barrio?"
"Of a surety, no! All are loyal
Americans"
ANY arms?"
mo, senor."
You yourself are not an officer of
insurrectos?"
The man denied, vehemently. While
not openly avowing his sentiments
for who dared be honest In these
days?"-he had always secretly
favored the American cause.
Il dare say!" commented Byrnton.
"Just dig into that wallow bit, Nit
ford."
Mitfords punching anu proddlngI
finally unearthed a Krag. The pris-
oner's face was a study.
How do you account for this?"
asked Byrnton. "Oh, you needn't lie
any more" he added, YEARLY. You'd
account for 1t all right know that!
And / know your name and 0ficial
rank, Senior Captain. You are my
prisoner"
Not at all Disconnected, the Captain
swelled with ofiicial importance.
4 want guides to the coast. Do
you kT ow the trail?"
The uau shrugged . refusal to re
ply