The Washington times., 1911-11-21
CHAPTER X.
The Ministry of a Buzzard.

The Ministry of a Buzzard.
THE city of Valo lies in one of the
most active earthquake districts
i In South America, and, owing 70
this fact, most of it's buildings
are nothing more than mere succeed
wicker baskets. A mild shock has no
more effect on it's inhabitants than an
ordinary flash of lightning would pro-
duce on the y esidents of American
cities.
More pronounced tremors, waking u
native of Valo from his slumbers, may
cause him to sit up and take notice for
a few minutes; then he will lie down
again and resign himself to his dreams.
1t Is not to be expected, therefore, that
persons who are Injured to the shocks OF
earthquakes are going to suffer their
slumbers to be disturbed by the "cnug,
chug, chug" of an automobile, and So,
when the Skate, the first automobile Ia
alo, set forth on its run to the monas-
terry about half-past 3 o'clock in the
morning its progress through the streets
was unobserved
dnrston In the car ns we're spsrhaTk; Handls,
lack of knowledge Of Valo and its en-
vironments, Sparhawk at first had been
tempted to take Mayta along as guide,
but the direction to be taken had been
so clearly indicated by the Indian that
his presence was deemed unnecessary.
The automobile proceeded at mod
crate pace, and in less than ten minutes
the Americans were at their destination.
The wall of the monastery was about
ten feet In height and was constructed
OF adobes. .n
Part of this was covered with creep
ing vines. The Americans had been in
formed that the section of the east wall
before which the death sentences were
executed was bare and that near II
was soon found and 1t was under the
tree that the Skate finally came to
standstill.
Young remained in the car, in accord
nnce with Sparhawk's instructions. The
AS the Americans looked around them
they found that they were the first on
the ground. OF Don Antonio, Heredia
or the executioners there was no trace.
An oppressive silence brooded over the
spot, and the few words that were eX-
changed by Sparhawk and his friends
were spoken in low voices
AS the minutes went by the Ameri.
cans, moving to and fro, at length got
some distance away from the automo-
bile.
Look exclaimed Connerton sudden
ly, in low voice.
merton had indicated. his two compan-
Ions saw something swinging slowly
now like a pendulum, and then with an
easy, rotary motion.
been hanged!
The hearts of sparhawk and Handley
stood still.
Was this swaying, gruesome thing all
that remained of the brave. smiling
Heredia. with whom thev had been con-
versing only few hours before? With
q muttered oath, Sparhawk strode to.
ward it. AS he drew near he saw tina,
the body was that of L gray-haired man
"Its all right, BILL he said quietly
as he turned to Handley. ITS some
other poor devil who has crossed Don
Antonio's trail. suppose
Handley was about to speak when ne
was interrupted by Connerton, who, lay
ing a hand on his arm, said, In voice
that was scarcely louder than whisper
"Hark!'
In another moment Sparhawk and
Handley heard it. too--the faint sound
OF an approaching drum
"There're coming Handley mNttered
"We'd better get back To- the me-
ley, you and l will stick to cur revol-
vers for The present. But. Connerton
you had better get out your rifle.
that's coming, keep your eye on him.
II he gets foolish and takes 1t neces-
sary for us to use our guns. drop him
first. o.,ouu o..o.
ward don't think it " Ill come to that
but If it does-well, Valo will have ia
get new governor;
The three men hurried back to, where
car and drew out repeating, rife: then
hind Sparhawk and .Handley.
The Americans had net long to wait
and, as thev glanced toward the top OF
the mountains behind ValO they saw
that the sky was growing lighter The
approaching procession was or time
Dark shadows were now seen swing.
ting around the corner OF the monastery
wall and the sound of the drum
oNddenly grew louder. A score of sol
Mers bearing rides and marching two
NV two ware advancing along a broad
path under the trees.
Suddenly a sharp command rang out
The drum grew still and the marchers
wheeled into single hie. Then four
men advanced; OF the four, Heredia
was one. BY his side walked a priest
crucidx in hand The others. wearing
The uniforms Of officers were men of
middle age.
The two officers glanced at the little
group of Americans under the tree
then, turning. ons of them spoke to
Heredia. who still, accompanied by the
In obedience 20 a second command, the
line of soldiers took a position facing
the wall. which was about 100 yards
distant. The two officers were now be-
tween the line of soldiers and the spot
where Heradia stood beside the priest
"Come on. boys" said Sparhawk in a
low voice. "If those chaps get out OF
the line of fire, it's all over with The
man we came here to save"
The Americans stepped quickly for
ward. The officers, surveying them
coolly, made no move 10 meet them.
AS Sparhawk drew near the officers
he looked critically at each Both were
OF medium height, and both wore epau.
let's and swords, but Sparhawk was un.
able to tell from their uniforms which
was superior in rank to the other
one, rather more thickly set than his
companion, had broad, stolid face and
n heavy gray moustacne. The head OF
the other was smaller, and the face was
longer and covered with a rull, pointed
black beard. 1t was the man with the
black beard that SparnawK first ad-
dressed.
Have 1 the honor of addressing his
excellency Don Antonio?" Sparhawk
asked.
'No, senior. am Colonel Torico. This
is his eXcellency."
And as he spoke the colonel bowed
tnward his cOmDaniOn