The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1914-03-13
CHAPTER x.
Getting Into santIano.


The night was black, the skies had
clouded over, and it was raining Half.
way down the slope of the hill Holton
stumbled over something. He stopped
and looked down and saw a group OF
four regulars contorted in death.
Holton bowed his head in silent sa-
lutte and passed on. The glory Of war,
he felt, must come after the war Is
over. He had felt none of it all through
the battle. The least offensive word
he could apply to this days business
was that it had been sordid-a glut of
blood.
The wound in his head was hurting,
and for the first time thoughts of blood
poisoning assaulted him. He had not
had 1t dressed in two days. Still it
was slight, and it might as we'll be poi
soning as something else. For he had
abandoned any hope OF escaping his
present venture with his life.
All he asked, all he prayed was that
he might be spared until he had &C
complished something.
Over his arm he carried a uniform
and hat which he had taken from
dead Spanish soldier, and now sitting
on the ground he Invested himself of
his clothing and put on that of the
Spaniard.
The fit was fairly good, and Holton
decided that with his unkempt black
hair, his beard which had not seen a
razor for several days, and his sun
Drowned face he might very readily
pass for a Spanish regular, at night at
least. Retaining his carbine and his
web bullet-belt, he proceeded on his
way finally turning at right angles
and making straight toward the hills
that f1anked the city on the left.
He was now at the first line of en-
trenchments. They we're well made
and filled with men, most of them, ap-
parently, sleeping. He saw some SOL
diers at work with spades, and walk
ing up to one man who did not appear
to be manifesting any great enthusi-
asm in his task, Holton seized the
spade and throwing it over his Shout
der, handed the man his carbne in ex-
change
He had decided it was time to rid
himself of his gun. He did not expect
to miss 1t, as he still had his revolver,
and was very expert in its use.
A number of soldiers armed with
spade and pick-aXes were moving
about and for the first time Holton
began to see a clear way of getting
into the city. In fact, he joined a
gang returning in that direction and
walked along with them, initiating as
gait and their manner of carrying their
implements.
One of them finally addressed him.
well, brother" he said, "the Amer
leans will receive tomorrow as much
as they expect"
They have fought WELL" muttered
Holton. assuming sort of huskiness
to hide any defects in accent.
Like DEVILS" was the reply
Eyes, like devils" added another.
where are you golng?" Holton
asked.
"To the barracks" said some one.
"And l." rejoined Holton with a
trace of pride, "am going into the city
to present a letter from my colonel to
Senior La Tossa, who has, have
heard, a very handsome estate, near
Cuabitas."
"Ah, La Tossa!" said his companion.
Eyes. do you know where he lives?"
cover that way" replied the man
with a sweep of his arm to the left.
You must take the Santa Ines road,
gSing northeast. Inquire then OF 9th
ers you may meet"
"Well, l shall first go to the city for
drop of aguardiente, and then"
Holton shrugged, pleasure first and
duty afterward."
The soldiers turned off into the out
skirts of the town.
The rain was pattering dismally. 1t
beat into Holton's face and ran in
rivulets down the road. The lights
ahead showed with watery blur; 1t
was in all a night that man or beast
might wish himself indoors
CTO BE CONTINUED)