The state herald., 1909-05-21

pied Capt. Dickson, when
recalled his mention, in a
former "reminiscences. of the ugly scar
on the back of his neck.
ut happened when l was young in
the service, and 1t was due to my am
bition and foolhardiness, a combina-
tion that is dangerous in any ones
system. The adventure came near
costing me my life. l have always
connected that affair with Panama
hat. Panama hat got me into trouble
and got me out again, in the end
saving my life."
The Chinese exclusion act has CIV
en- lot of trouble to the government
in one way and another, but the con-
sequence l am most familiar with is
the smuggling Of coolies into this
country through Mexico and Canada.
Coolie labor is cheap. and 1t is profit
able job to slip a bevy Of them across
the frontier
Things began to take lively turn
as soon as l reached Preside. my
headquarters, village of mud huts
and rambling shanties on the Rio
Grande. left the Southern Pacific at
Nopal and rode many weary miles
across country. Over the river. in
Mexico, was the dirty village Of Presi-
dio del Norte. 1t is impossible to
imagine more forsaken looking place.
The Rio Conchos. river of uncertain
habits, flowed into the Rio Grande
here. 1t was by means Of this river
that coolies were brought TO Preside
del Norte.
II had arrived in Preside wearing
a heavy Scotch hat. 1t had been cool
when ! left Washington and this was
my first trip to the Texas border. ]
saw at once that my hat was a back
number. Jarrall. the customs officer.
suggested that get a Panama, telling
me that could secure smuggled one
at reasonable price from dealer in
the village.
''He said he knew they were SNUG
gled. but that there was no remedy
for It as the government didn't think
II OF sufficient Importance to put its
agents on the case. and he was pow
erless without them. / took his ad-
vice and bought Panama. the largest
and whitest and most conspicuous one.
THE next morning after my arrival
crossed over to the Mexican village.
TO look around bit and see II
couldn't pick up some valuable infor-
nation. I was wandering about, star
ing at the crude hats and the naked
babies, when ! encountered an Ameri.
can wearing hat that was dupli-
cate Of my own. only his showed
marks Of hard usage
'Hello!' he said, when did you get
In?
Il was on the point OF telling him
that he had made mistake. but
something prompted me to play him
along and see what he was up to. I
merely replied:
Yesterday
where Is Munson?' he queried.
looking me over carefully.
He will be here later ! replied at
a venture.
Now let's get down to business
he began.
All right replied.
I'VE have 800 coming down to-
night he said. and 200 more In three
days. The boats are ready and Man.
uel is In charge at Huataz so there
isn't n chance for anything to 20
wrong at that end OF the line
He paused moment to mix an.
other highball which he swallowed at
a gulp.
"'You know where to meet us to-
nighty he qucried.
1.-The instructions haven't been too
plain ! replied.
"'Blame that on.headed Indian
he sworc. I might have known that
he couldn't get anything straight.
Well. will have to tell you all over
again. You and Munson be at the cot.
tonwood towhcad two miles above
town Mt 1880 tonight to check up the
cattle and pay over the money. Take
the north trail from Preside and turn
TO the left at the giant cactus. You
can't miss the way. II is about two
miles. The cattlc-path at the cactus
will lend you out TO the landing Mt the
towhcad. Andrews and ! will come
over with the FIRST boat and We can
check up ns they land. | suppose you
have the papers, he concluded.
"'No. Munson has them venturod.
feeling sure that II Munson didn't
have them ! did not know where they
were.
"'Wcii, be sure than Munaon brings
them along he ndmoniahcd.
This concluded the Interview and
lost no time In getting back across
tho river TO toll Jnrrall Of my ndyon.
turc. Ilc was delighted at my luck.
AT nvc minutes after ten heard
horses hoofs pounding the sand 10
the south. could almost have shout
ed. for ! was sure that II was Davis
and his rangers, II was only the mes.
scngcr whom We had dispatched In
the morning. lie was covered with
l.ta