Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-20

lie politely INDICATED the line OF tnngS pinned
to OLeary's jacket "Your health, Sefor!"
In kind O'Leary made reply, and quite
affected the General with his eloquence.
He was glad to remark it, because he was
warming up now to the George Washington
celebration which should be the means of
DELAYING the occupation of the town until
the arrival of the gunboat.
@May | first ask, General Rosa" he added
after an impressive pause, shat you will
withhold any attack upon Zorritos at least
until the termination of our conference herel
My wife and my three daughters, all very
dear to me- are at the Hotel del Jardin, and
| cannot contemplate that harm should be-
fall them"
3Such an order has already been issued"
General Rosa replied with gracious inclina-
ton. Il could not permit a second discour-
tesy to you."
Now it was O'Leary's turn to bow, and he
bent low over the table. His chief object
was to hide the grin he felt must be visible
through the skin about his mouth and eyes!
When O'Leary raised his head again his ex-
preston was one of the gravest Importance.
He went on:
would look upon it as serious matter if any
thing should befall any of the Americans
down here I do not know what course
should feel called upon to pursue; but it
would most likely be fraught with dire con-
sequences for anyone to blame for the out
rage. You, General Rosa, are entering Tor
ritos for the purpose of taking possession of
the ammunition stored in the barracks, but
l should like to tell you that you are mis-
taken in supposing that there are any mu-
nitionS of war there"
General Rosa evinced at this his first sur
prise. @Ah, SO there is no powder there,
| uo 81
zical eyes. "How do you know that?"
"My diplomatic mission and the commu-
nications / bring with me for the Consul
make it possible for me to learn anything
desire. have only to ask to be answered.
O'Leary inflated himself several inches and
tried to look little bored. u repeat, Gen
eral, that it would be a grave error on your
part to enter Zorritos and permit your men
to do anything calculated to arouse the dis
pleasure of my government. A word from
me to Washington might prove very costly
to you."
THE General pondered the matter with
evident concern, twisting the empty
wineglass about in his fingers. He looked
as if O'Leary had dismayed him. At last he
spoke:
3You must realize, Senior, that am sur
prised at the information you G i've me. The
absence of the ammunition we seek would
seem to render unnecessary our occupation
of Zorritos. We were going in for that and
for nothing else
II can assure you that such quest would
prove futile" O'Leary repeated. "All the
ammunition was used up the other day cele-
brating something. Just recall the fact that
not shot has been fired from the town at
your men today. The garrison, consisting
of eight or nine men, has no cartridges at
all. If you enter the town now, it is at your
mercy But l think should tell you some
thing further" the salesman added with
ponderous mien. "An American man-of-
war is coming into this port tomorrow morn
ing to safeguard the Americans who are here
Let that fact aid in lettering you from this
attack Remember the incident of the
Yorktown, if you will" This was hot shot,
and O'Leary thought he saw Rosa vince
"You have said enough, Senior" the Gen
eral announced. at shall be as you wish
| will not attack the town. l should be the
last to incur your displeasure by any belliger-
ent act, assure you. Zorritos is safe, Sefior
and only through your efforts"
Something buzzed very pleasantly within
O'Leary, and it was not the wine. 1t was
partly desire to laugh.
11OW that the thino had haan ,cco,,,