The Washington times., 1914-05-17


a band OF brigands as may be imagined.
Apparently they suffer under the sting
Of comparison, and are humiliated at
the appearance they must present in
contrast with the we'll dressed and SOL
dierly appearing Americans who tower
over them. 1t is really pathetic to OBJ
serve men Of the opposing forces side
by side. The Mexican equipment is so
slender ard makeshift. while the COM
pact and complete equipment of our in
fantry is SO perfect and we'll appearing
that 1t must sting to the core. More
than one underfed federal was seen
gazing with his instilled hatred strug.
Cling with envy at the American packs
and the well-fitting khaki The Ameri-
cans look like kings-at-arms in full
panoply.
The sub-teniente appeared obdurate
when the desire was expressed to take
his picture, and that of his men. He
said he did not smoke, when offered
the best brand of imported cigarettes.
No, thank you; but he did not drink
beer. Beer was a drink for pigs. He
did not care for his picture. POSSIBLY
he was shy about his appearance. II
SO, he was justifiedO He was finally
engaged in conversation, and his family
history extracted by the roots. After a
little scratching of the surface, he ap-
peared TO become almost human, and
finally agreed that if a photograph Of
Negroto, he would gladly pose, smoke a
cigarette, and have a sup OF beer.
Soldier Had a Thirst.
! The picture was taken. and that of
his men. while the poor little federal
soldier guarding the mail sacks back
by the trainside was snapped. and re-
warded by cooling beverage. The little
rascal had been on guard there all
day long, in the broilinS sun, and he
had a thirst worth much fine gold.
From the outpost, it is impossible TO
see the other end OF the break. and
the train had TO wait indefinitely for
the arrival of the incoming refugees.
When finally they arrived, with the
sweat pouring from their tired faces
men staggering under burdens of saved
possessions, women toilinG along with
children in their arms and ha1f-grown
children tagging along, their faces
frightened, and their WEAKNESS seemed
to drop from them in great measure as
they came among the American troops
while here and there fervent thank
Gods" were mCttered. At last they
were safe
While waiting for the refugees to ar
rive, the country, with its rim of hills,
was carefully examined through the
glasses. About ZOO yards away q peak
reared itself, dun and bare, except for
a couple of stunted trees, a peak which
commands the situation at that point
A family moving line resolved itself,
under The reach OF the binoculars, into
a toilinS line of men, busily engaged
with pick and shovel in the construc-
ton of trenches. Groups Of men came
out on the skyline. They appeared to
scan the train. pointing here and there.
as though indicating points Of possible
advance.
All around the base Of the hill COL
uInns OF blue smoke told Of the burn
ing OF brush, to clear the approaches to
the trenches and leave a free field of
fire. Useless procaution. for the shells
and shrapnel Of the powerful Amcri-
can artillery would have the trenches
swept clean before an attacker vere
close enough TO be annoyed.
Smoke Told of Camp.
In the vicinity of the train. few
curling wreaths of smoke told of the
position OF the nearby federals. There
we're about three companies of them
hNouacked in the brush. about 30 yards
distant from the train. Here and there
hush would move, and as the country
is almost swept clean of animal life il
was certain that a deployed line was
keeping an eye on everything in sight.
About this time something occurred
which attracted all attentions. The
trainguard turned and looked, the
refugees turned and looked. the little
federal, the Sub-tonicnte, the guards
and the Mexican forces for awav Off
IN the distance humming and drum
ming high up sharpcned all eyes. and
soon there appeared out Of the skies a
f'ylnS boat, far inland, scouting along
high above the encmy's lines. bendinP
and sWooping and holding clear courses
human eagle Of war. Some ~ the
MeNicans crossed themselves in sinner
stItlous terror, while the aero rnancu-
vered. 1t marked an epoch for undnr
hraVely trying conditions. as the avia-
tor had not chance with his water
machine If he were compelled 10 do
scsnd on land. modern science wa
scouting and the dawn Of \ new era in
warfare was brealIin" Finally the in
oulsiuve plane turned. as though sat
iShed, and at seventy miles an hour
went back to the harDor, = fsdinp dis
appearing speCk
The refugees Were in and the mail Vas
out. 50 climbing aboard the Pullman
all hands and the cook. the wireless ,oId
Oh ihe contemplated return and the hack
trolI 10 Vera Cruz was taken.