Mexico Missouri message., 1914-09-03

town mas been put under martial law
and the captain is In full charge. They
quarreled over the favor of lady, and
now your friend is in Jail"
Il didn't see him when l come by"
| observed Hooker.
"Ah, no--not in the carcel--in the
Quartet, the guardhouse of the
rurales!"
Much obliged" nodded Bud, and
rode on through the town. The street
OF the Mexican quarter was filled
with strange people hurrying to and
fro; long packtrains loaded with
trunks and curious bundles came
swinging up from below; and pair Of
rurales. looking fierce under their
huge sombreros stood guard by the
Quartet door.
Where is the captain" demanded
Hooked. After requesting him to hang
his pistolbelt on his saddle-horn, a
sergeant showed him in to the chief.
Manuel del Rey was very busy with
papers and orders. but as the Ameri-
can appeared in the doorway he rose
and greeted him with a bow.
"Ah, good morning, senor." he said.
with one swift glance to read his mood.
You are In search Of your friend
| nor"
Isl. senor," answered Hooker, but
with none Of the animosity which the
captain had expected. Where is her"
Il regret very much" began the Of
ficer, speaking with military Formally.
but 1t is my duty to inform you that
the Senior De Lancey has left Fortuna
Last night he did me the honor to en-
list in my company Of rurales-he is
now on his way to the north to assist
In guarding the railroad"
"What?" shouted Bud, hardly able
to believe his ears. But when the cap
tain repeated It he no longer doubted
his Spanish.
But why" he cried; why did he
join the rurales?"
"Ah, senor." shrugged Del Rey, was
he not Mexican citizen? Very well,
then; he could be summoned for mill
tary service. But the circumstances
we're these. Your friend came yester-
day to this town, where am at pres
ent military commander, and made an
unprovoked assault upon my person.
For this, according to law, he should
have been shot at sunrise. But, not
wishing to occasion unpleasantness
with the Americans now residing here,
| offered him the alternative of mill
tary service. He is now enlisted az q
rural for a term OF five years."
Five yearsi" exclaimed Hooker;
and then, instead OF starting the ex-
pected rough-houee-upon which the
rural guards were prepared to jump on
his back-he simply threw down his
hat and cursed. Not anyone In par
ticular, but everything in general;
and at the end of II he turned once
more upon the watchfud captain.
''Dispenseme. senor." he said. this
is the truth, is it,"
"Si. senor." returned Captain del
Rey. But before leaving with his de-
tachment your friend wrote this letter,
which he requested me to deliver to
you"
He offered with flourish q sealed
envelope. from which Bud extracted q
short note.
Dear Bud:
When you get this shall be far away.
I must have been mad. but II Is too late
now. Rather than be executed have
enlisted as a rural. But shall try to be
brave for her sake. Take care of her.
Bud-for mel PHIL
Bud read It through again and medi-
tated ponderously. Then he folded II
up and thrust It in his pocket.
"Muchas gracias. senior captain" he
said. saluting and turning upon his
heel; and while all the Mexicans mar
veled at the inscrutable ways OF Amer
icanos, he mounted and rode away.