The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-11-14
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There's n thing" he grumbled,
that l deeply regret about those fights
with the Lipans. I killed too many
OF EN-, and scared the rest away. II
l had gone a little slow about 1t, and
not played hog, they might have last
ed till the present time, and 1 might
go right out this morning and chase
them over the river. Well, Conroy,
what do you want?"
The old trooper saluted. Couple
OF young fellows to see you, colonel.
They've been here two days waiting
for you. sir. Blamed good ball play
ers. too. both Of 'em."
What the blazes do l care about
their ball playing? Tell 'em to como
In. and show their excuse for living!"
Brockett and Solano, two handsome,
athletic youngsters, somewhat frayed
as to dress, saluted the old warhorse
with becoming gravity. Brockett drew
from his clothing a fiat package, and
handed it to the colonel, who received
1t with a quizzical smile.
Never mind any explanations"
said the old soldier. II have been
given a little advance explanations
concerning you. You are the secret
service messengers who were to
bring me certain orders and instruc-
lions In a cipher that no foreign SOY
could translate without the aid of a
chisel. II you got through and
brought me the papers safely. l was
to learn the COMPOUNDED cipher. and
adopt 1t for future correspondence. II
you didn't get through I was to re-
port the fact with deep regrets. Cor
rect, isn't it,"
Eyes. colonel"
Have much trouble getting here?"
"A trifle, colonel"
The old fellow chuckled. "A tribe,
eh? I'll bet It was more than a trifle.
Good game boys, both of you. This
package contains orders that may mean
a lot to u general foreign policy, and
at least two governments that 1 could
mention would give a good deal to get
the key. Tell me about your trip. and
what they tried to do to you"
The boys, thus encouraged. told the
veteran the full details of their jour-
neys, while the old man alternately
laughed and stormed. When the re.
cital was finished, Colonel Lewis shook
hands with them heartily, and the
youngsters knew that the grim old
hero a their friend for life.
I'll have to devote my attention to
this cipher code Of yours for the next
two hours" said the colonel. You
boys will mess with me today, L hope?"
I'VE must be on our way as quickly
as possible" Brockett negatived.
There is still some margin in our
but we would like to round
up everything as rapidly as possible.
delivering these papers to you,
our orders take US to Rancho Nogal,
on the other side Of the Rio Grande."
Rancho Nogal. chr" And the col
onel's eyebrows were raised In sur
prise and Interrogation. Message to
Gomez Esteral. I supposef".
Yes, colonel"
You know who Comes Esteral may
be. Of course7"
mo, sir. We didn't find out any
thing about him. All we know 10 that
are to deliver him a message. and
that was all We cared to know"
The colonel beamed with apprecia.
ion.
You boys will make good soldiers
yet. The 1rst essential Of a good sol.
Tier IL to obey orders without asking
questions. and that, I. see, you have
learned to do. Under the cir
,umstances I think I will give you
title information concerning Gomez
Esteral-it may help you to realize
he importance Of your nnal mission
The boys sat down and hitched
heir chairs near to the colonel, who
'poke In . low. impressive tone. while
,is young hearers fairly gasped 1t
he revelations that were now unfold.
ID TO their attentive ears.
Gomez Esteral," said Colonial Law.
'1s probably The bralniost and most