Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-01-01

ground. chatting and smoking, and
Holton did likewise. He felt In its
fullness the relief of having his hands
free. and. in large measure. despite
the guard standing over him and the
men all about. he became possessed Of
greater confidence in his ability to
meet this situation. the most danger
GUS that had ever confronted him.
Fearing. no doubt, the proximity of
Garcias men, the soldiers did not
move until late afternoon, and then
with great stealth, all 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 were 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 a 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 tho
camp settled down for sleep.
Holton had no idea how many miles
had been covered since his capture
but felt It must be great many. Stand
ing up he could now SEQ far away over
the hills the twinklins lights of Sanu-
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 q few miles of the city.
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 FL 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 officer. while reading 1t, glanced
at him with troubled face. At length
he came up to Holton and drew him to
one side.
81 am sorry to inform you." he said.
that / have orders hero 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. Il am not a spy: but
even II we're / certainly have done
nothing to Justify an act SO unfair. In.
human and outrageous"
II 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?"
| NO. 1t reads General Linares or.
ders.' and is then signed by Muller"
But surely" Holton began.
There 10 no time for argument. my
brother. We are ordered to Guaismas
and have no time to waste with you.
an 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
fcer's approach. and now, with his
back toward the two. was extracting a
clip OF bullets from his Mauser. Be-
hind Holton was an apparently impen-
etrable Jungle Of maniEua-
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 sound the
man crumpled to the ground Holton
stepped back into the thicket. was
| blocked u few feet from the trail. but
| exerting all his power, forced his way
into the depths of the Jungle.
During q full minute silence reigned
in the camp. II was all of that period
before the PROSTATE officer. hidden by
| the long grass. was discovered by Hoi-
toms 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 a clear quarter OF a 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.
ITO BE CoNTISuED9