The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1915-06-26

they hurried 10 save the town, and a
cheer went up from the trenches as
the federals beheld reinforcements
But a change had come over the fire
eating miners. and they brought other
rebels in their wake.
AS they trudged YEARLY into town
and sought shelter among the houses
great body of men appeared on the
opposite ridge, firing down at them az
they retreated. The battle rapidly
turned into a long-distance shooting
contest, with the rebels ON the ridges
and the defenders In the valley, and
finally. as the day wore on and thun-
derstorm came up, it died out alto
gether and the rebels turned back TO
their camp.
Except for one lone federal who had
shot himself by accident there was not
a single defender hurt, and II the
enemy had suffered losses 1t was only
by some such chance. But when the
Sonoran patriots, holding up their
empty belts, came clamoring for am
munition, the men by the big house
took in the real catastrophe of the
battle.
Seventeen thousand rounds OF the
precious thirty-thirties had been de-
livered to the excited miners and now.
except for what few the Americans had
saved, there was not a cartridge in
camp. Very soberly the superintendent
assured the leaders that he had no
more; they pointed at the full belts Of
the American guard and demanded
them as their right; and when the
Americans refused to yield they few
into rage and threatened.
All In all. 1t was a pitiful exhibition
only the firmness Of the superintend-
ent prevented a real splitting Of blood.
The Mexicans retired in huff and
broke into the cantina, and as the
night came on the valley re-echoed to
,l,air drunken shoutings.
Such was war as the Sonorans con-
ceived it. When Hooker, standing his
guard in the corredor, encountered
Gracia Aragon on her evening walk,
he could scarcely conceal grin.
What are you laughing at, Senior
Hooker?" she demanded with asperity.
"Is 1t SO pleasant, with houseful of
frightened women and screaming chill
dren. that you should make fun of our
plight7"
mo, indeed" apologized Bud; moth
ing like that. Sure must be bad In
there-I stay outside myself. But I
reckon It'll soon be over with. The
Mexicans here in town have shot off
all their ammunition and l reckon the
rebels have done the same. Like as
not they'll all be gone tomorrow. and
then you can go back home"
"Oh. thank you for thinking about
mel" she returned with a scornful curl
Of the lip. But II all men were as
open as you, Mr.. Hooker. we women
would never need to ask a question.
This morning you told me did not
know what was talking about-now
presume you are thinking what cow
ards the Mexicans arel
On, 1 huOWs XOu uOcu I'LL uc1ly III
You are nothing but great big-Te-
jano! Yes. was going to say BRUTE
but you are a friend Of dear Pills, and
so will hold my tongue. II it wasn't
for that, I'd" She paused, leaving
him to guess.
"Oh, l do wish he were here" she
breathed, leaning YEARLY against the
white pillar Of an arch and gazing
down through the long arcade.
1T was 80 close in there" she con.
tinued. Il could not stand 1t minute
longer These Indian women, you
know-they weep and moan all the
time And the children-I am 30 sorry
for them. / cannot go now, because
they need me; but tomorrow-if Phil
were hereI would leave and ride for
the line.
Have you seen Del Rey today? No?
Then all the better-he must be polio
ing the town. 1t is only Of him am
afraid. These rebels are nothing|l
agree with you! No! am not angry
with you at all now! But tomorrow,
just at dusk, when all Is still as 1t is
at this time. then, II Phil were here
would mount my brave horse and
ride out by the western pass"
She ended rather inconclusively, let
ting her voice trail of wistfully as she
waited for him to speak, but something
within moved Hooker to hold his
peace, and he looked out over the town
without commenting on her plans. It
was evident to him that she was deter
mined to enlist his sympathy and in
volve him in her wild plot. and each
time the conversation veered in that
direction he took refuge In stubborn
silence.
What are you thinking OF, Mr..
~