The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-10-17
CHAPTER xxII-continued.


CHAPTER XXII-continued
Let the Mexicans fight 1t out" he
said They might resent it if you
took sides, and that would make it bad
for US. Just wait a while-you never
can tell what will happen. Perhaps the
rufales and federals will stand them
of"
What, that little bunch?" demanded
Bad. pointing scornfully at the land
Eai OF defenders who were covering
behind their rock piles. why half OF
them pelones don't know what gun
vas made for, and the rurales-"
We'll. the rebels are the same sug-
gested the superintendent Practically.
Let them fight it out-we need every
American we can get, so just forget
about being Mexican"
All right" agreed Bud, as he yield
ed reluctantly to reason. ct amt be-
cause I'm a Mexican citizen-I just
want to stop that rush"
He walked back to the house, Jug
Cling his useless gun and keeping his
eye on the distant ridges. And then,
In a chorus of defiant yells, the men
In the federal trenches began to shoot
In an airline the distance was some
thing over mile, but at the first scat
tering volley the rebels halted and
fired a volley in return. With vicious
spang few stray bullets smashed
against the reverberating steel tank,
hut no on was hurt, and the defend
ers, drunk with vaIor, began to shoot
and yell like mad.
The bullets of the rebels, fired at
random, struck up dust-jets in every
direction, and from the lower part Of
the town came the shouting of the non
coznbatant Mexicans as they ran here
and there for shelter But by the
trenches, and in the rear of the black
tank, the great crowd of onlookers
persisted, ducking as each successive
auuei hit the tank and shouting en-
.couragement as the defenders emptied
their rifles and reloaded with clip after
clip,
The rifles ratified a continuous vol
ley; spent bullets leaped like 1ocusts
across the fat; men ran to and fro,
nov crouching behind the tank, now
stepping boldly into the open; and the
GeAz2f shouts of the defenders almost
-cept for one thing it was battle
there was nobody hurt.
LFcr the first haIf-hour the Ameri-
cans stayed prudently under cover
bEssSing themselves at the suggestion
OF = few American women in providing
first-aid hospital on the sheltered
porch. Then. as no wounded came to
M it and the rebels delayed their
charge, one man after another climbed
up 10 the trenches, ostensibly to bring
down the injured.
AS soldiers and bystanders reported
no one hit, and the bullets flew harm
1essiy past, their solicitude turned rap
idly to disgust and then to scorn
Strange as it may seem. they were dis
appointed at the results, and their re
marks were derogatory as they com
mented on the bravery of pelones anC
R6exicans in general
From a dread of imminent attack, o.
charging rebels and retreating defend
ers, and a fight to the death by the
house, they came suddenly to a desire
Tor blood and battle, for dead men anC
the cries of the wounded; and all feal
OF the insurrectos left them.
Come away, boys" grunted the
burly roadmaster. who up to then hat
led in the work; I'VE wasted our time
on that hospital-thereu be no wound
ed Let's take ourselves back to tn,
house and have a quiet smoke"
Right you are, Ed" agreed the mas
ter mechanic, as he turned upon hi
heel in disgust This amt war
them Mexicans think they're working
for q mOving-Dicture shOWiH
ct bet you I can go up on tina
ridge" announced Hooker, "and clear
out the whole bunch with my six
shooter before you could bat you
eye"
But the superintendent was not 8,
sure
Never mind, boys he said. "We'r
worth a lot of ransom money to thos,
rebels and they won't give up so quick
And look at this now-my miners com
ding back! Those are the boys that vii
Hght! Wait till Chico and Ramon
Mendoza get after theml''
He pointed as he spoke to strag
cling band of Sonorans, led by tn,
much-vaunted Mendoza brothers, a
they hurried TO save the town, and
cheer went up from the trenches a
the federals beheld achievements
But a change had come over the fire
eating miners. and they brought othe
rebels in their wake.
As they trudged YEARLY into tow
and sought shelter among the house
u great body of men appeared on tn
opposite ridge firing down at them a