The Cairo bulletin., 1911-01-02
Ransoned
By JANE PlNCkNEY BENNETT
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association.


latter country. Sonora Watriss was
n very patriotic Mexican and upon the
breaking out of the war went home
to do what she could to serve her
country. Captain Watriss sailed with
his regiment for Vera Cruz and was
with that army that made its way,
fighting battles as 1t proceeded, from
the gulf coast to the City Of Mexico.
Sonora Watriss, being very rich, or
ganized company of rangers at her
own expense. Several commanders
of this force were tried and failed.
At last the troop called upon the lady
to take command herself. She con
scented, went into the field, and under
her leadership the men who followed
her made quite Il reputation as par
tisan rangers. They were not en-
rolled in the Mexican army, and since
they were very troublesome to the
United States forces the general COM
manding gave orders that when cap
tured they should be shot, Several OF
them were taken from time to time,
every one Of whom was executed. In
retaliation Sonora Watriss gave orders
that from the next lot Of prisoners
taken by her men FIVE should be Sc
Iected by lot for execution.
Not long after this order the rangers
made night attack on an outpost of
the American army and captured a
captain, lieutenant and thirty men.
The sonora was not present on this oc-
casion. having intrusted the attack to
a junior officer. The first she knew of
the capture was the announcement to
her while In her tent that FIVE men Sc
lected to be shot were outside, tho Of
ficer In charge of them awaiting Il spe
cial order to shoot them. The lady
threw back her tent flap for look at
the doomed men.
Among them was her husband,
What to do she did not know To
claim immunity for the man she loved
would be TO destroy her influence with
her troops They were all very bitter
against the Americans for the execu-
ton Of their comrades and were re-
joieed that an officer was to be shot In
retaliation. The only thing that oc-
Cured to her was delay. BY STAYING
off the execution she might find some
means of saving her husband.
Take them back to the guard tent"
she said Il am too busy now to at
tend to the matter"
But, sonora protested the offer
in charge, call we wish is the order
Take them away" interrupted the
sonora impatiently. Il am not atcus-
toned to receive suggestions from my
interiors"
The prisoners were marched off with
out Captain Watriss knowing that his
wife had for the time being saved his
life. Sonora Watriss shut herself up
In her tent, cndeavoring to think Out
some plan to prevent the eye"ution
No one suspected the relationship be-
tween her and Captain Wotriss and
she did not wish IL to be known. 1t
might throw distrust upon her without
saving her husband.
During the evening she gave M or
der--she dared not refuse one that the
prisoners should be shot at = o'cloclt
the next morning. At 10 O'Clock that
night she went the rounds to SEE, that
the guards were on post and the others
asleep. Then, instead of returning to
her tent she mounted her horse. that
she had pieketed without the Inc of
sentries, and unseen rode away An
hour later she was taken in Ivy IN Of
fcer of an American picket post to the
tent of the commanding general After
an interview OF half an hour she de-
parted, returned to her camp and stole
into her tent without any ono Of her
command knowing that she had been
away.
Between dawn and sunrise an or
derry came to her to say that IN Of
ficer commanding hag Of truce from
the American camp desired to see her.
She G,cccted that he be admitted, and
he said. n
Sonora, our general, understanding
that Il captain and four privntes be-
longing to his army are to be shot this
morning has sent me to say that IL
this is done he would make II his bust.
ness TO capture this command and
hang every member Of 1t. including
yourself. If. however, these prisoners
are surrendered to him n ransom Of
81 eco for each private and $1,000 for
the officer will be distributed to your
command"
Sonora Watriss called her men to-
gether and stated the proposition. The
threat at first produced contrary
effect from what was intended. but
when the ransom was considered with
1t change Of opinion was effected
Sonora Watriss watched for an oppor,
tune moment when to put the ques-
tion to vote. 1t was almost unani-
mously decided to accept the ransom.
A Mexican officer and ten men were
sent back with the flag of truce and
all the prisoners. but it required sew
eral days to secure the ransom. during
which all overt acts were suspended
Finally it arrived and was paid over,
the prisoners We're delivered to their
commander, and the Mexicans return
ed to camp
Not a man In the command knew
that the sonora had ransomed the prls-
oners