The Holly chieftain., 1914-10-23

men all about he became possessed Of
| greater confidence in his ability to
meet this situation. the most Danger
ous that had ever confronted him.
Fearing. NO doubt, the proximity Of
Garcia'S mon. the soldiers did not
move until late afternoon. and then
with great stealth. al talking in the
ranks being rigidly silenced. Holton
had had opportunity for several hours
sleep. He was thereby greatly re-
freshed. and, under reaction. his fears
for himself we're considerably lessened.
Dusk fell, and still the march con-
tinued. On through the night went the
men. and without . stop until dawn.
when camp was made in . clearing
which had been cut where two Of the
mountain trails met and crossed. Here.
as the heavens grew bright. fires were
lighted, and . meal prepared. after
which sentries were posted. Then the
camp settled down for sleep.
Holton had no idea how many miles
had been covered since his capture,
but felt 1t must be great many. Stand
ing up he could now see far away over
the hills the twinkling lights Of santi-
ago, and these he could not help view
ing with dread.
At nightfall the march was again
taken up. and at dawn the force was
within few miles OF the city. A
squad was sent on ahead to report to
General Linares, but came flying back
in few hours with messages to the
effect that the soldiers were leaving
for Ell Paso. and that the troops of the
United States would shortly advance
from siboney.
There were other matters. too, In the
papers brought by the messenger. and
one Of them seemed to concern Holton,
for the ofacer. while reading 1t, glanced
at him with troubled face. At length
he came up to Holton and drew him to
one side.
Il am sorry to inform you," he said,
that have orders here to hang you
at once"
Holton stepped back as though he
had been struck in the face.
Hang me at once!" he cried.
Those are my orders, signed by the
commander-in-chief of this province.
But there must be some mistake"
Holton went on. II am not SPY; but
even II were certainly have done
nothing to justify an act so unfair, in
human and outrageous"
Il do not see how any mistake could
have been made." came back the an
swer. Here you see the warrant
signed by Muller. the generals aide"
Then General Linares did not sign
that warrant?"
mo. 1t reads General Linares or
ders.' and is then signed by Muller"
But surely" Holton began.
There is no time for argument, my
brother. We are ordered to Guaismas
| and have no time to waste with you.
am sorry, but" the fellow shrugged
his shoulders and pointed to the order.
Holton's mind worked like lightning.
The men were engaged in breaking
camp and the one who had been guard
ing Holton had turned aside at the of.
ficer's approach, and now. with his
back toward the two, was extracting a
clip Of bullets from his Mauser. Be-
mind Holton was an apparently impen-
etrable jungle Of manigua.
The muscles Of his body grew tense
and then with all the skill and all the
sureness of direction Of the champion
middleweight boxer at Annapolis. he
sent his fist swiftly and silently into
the officers jaw. Without a sound the
man crumpled to the ground. Holton
stepped back into the thicket, was
blocked a few feet from the trail, but
exerting all his power. forced his way
into the depths OF the Jungle.
During full minute silence reigned
In the camp. It was all of that period
before the prostrate officer, hidden by
the long grass, was discovered by Hol.
tons guard. Then his outcry sounded
through the clearing, and in another
instant loud commands were being
uttered and bullets were cutting
branches of manigua on all sides of the
fugitive American. Then followed the
crashing of bodies through the maze
of underbrush.
AS he worked his way along a little
lane. apparently formed by nature or
by the deer that used to inhabit that
section, opened before him, continuing
for q clear quarter OF mile. This he
took with the speed of one of the for
mer denizens Of the jungle, never let
ting up until he had traversed its
length and had broken once more into
the bushes.
tro BE CONTINUED,
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