The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1916-03-17

ION the morning of the 18th we be
gan our march toward the sea follow
ing range of mountains, over the sixty
mile trail TO the capital. Our small
arms and provisions We're laden on
pack mules. Twenty men harnessed to
each Calling gun rolled them smoothly
along the fiat, alluvial lowlands. Our
troops, well shod and well fed, moved
with alacrity and heartiness. | and
my three lieutenants were mounted or
the tough mountain ponies of the coun-
try.
"a mile out of camp one of the pack
mules, becoming stubborn, broke away
from the train and plunged from the
path into the thicket The alert Kear-
ny spurred quickly after it and inter-
copied its fight. Rising in his stirrups,
he released one foot and bestowed upon
the mutinous animal hearty kick.
"The mule tottered and fell with a
crash broadside upon the ground. AS
we gathered around it it walled its
great eyes almost humanity toward
Kearny and expired. That was bad,
comitant disaster Part of the mules
burden had been 100 pounds of the
finest coffee to be had III the tropics.
The bag burst and spilled the priceless
brown mass Of the ground berries
among the dense vines and weeds of
the swampy land. Mala suerte. When
you take away from an Esperandon
his coffee you abstract his patriotism
and so per cent Of his value as Il sol
der. The men began to rake up the
precious stuff. but | beckoned Kearny
back along the trail where they would
not hear. The limit had been reached.
Il took from my pocket wallet OF
money and drew out some bills.
"'Mr. Kearny,' said l, here are some
funds belonging to Don Rafael Valde-
via, which l am expanding in his
cause. / know of no better service 1t
can buy for him than this. Here Is
$780, Luck or no luck, we part COM
pany here Star or no star, calamity
seems to travel by your side. You will
return to the steamer She touches at
Amotapa to discharge her lumber and
iron and then puts back to New Or
leans. Hand this note to the sailing
master, who will give you passage l
wrote on leaf torn from my book
and placed it and the money In Kear-
ny's hand.
"'Goodby,' said, extending my own
1T is not that / am displeased with
you, but there is no place in this ex-
petition for-let us say, the Senorita
Phoebe | said this with smile.
trying to smooth the thing for him.
May you have better luck, compa-
nero
'Kearny took the money and the pa
per-
eft was just little touch said he.
Just little lift with the toe of my
boot. But what's the odds? That
planned mule would have died If had
,nly busted his ribs with Il powder !
,uff. 1t was my luck. Well. captain.
would have liked to be in that little |
light with you over in Aguas Frias.
success to the cause. Adios!
s'He turned around and set off down |
he trail without looking back. The
mules pack saddle was
transferred to Kearny's pony. and we
gain took up the march.
-Four days we jOurneyed over the
oothills and mountains, fording Icy
orrents, winding around the crumbling
rows Of ragged peaks, creeping along |
ocky fIanges that overlooked awful
recipices, crawling breathlessly over
bridges that crossed bottom
ass chasms
ION the evening Of the 18th we camp
by a little stream on the bare hills
We miles from Aguas Frias. At day
reak we were to take up march again.
cat midnight l was standing outside
~ tent inhaling the fresh cold air.
he stars were shining bright in the
loudless sky, giving the heavens their
roper aspect Of illimitable depth and
istance when viewed from the vague
arkness Of the blotted earth. Almost
t its zenith was the planet Saturn,
nd with half smile I observed the
mister red sparkle Of his malignant
demon star OF Kearny's
luck. And then MY thoughts stray
! across the hills to the scene Of our
)ming triumph, where the heroic and
Oble Don Rafael awaited our coming
, set new and shining star In the
of nations. :
II heard slight rustl:ng in the deep
rass to my right I turned and saw
earny coming toward me. He was
lgged and dew drenched and limping.
is hat and one boot were gone. About
ne foot he had tied some makeshift
cloth and grass. But his manner as
: approached was that of man who
1ows his own virtues well enough to
, superior to rebuffs.
" Well, SIR / said, staring at him
Idly, If there is anything In persist
ice see no reason why you should
It succeed in wrecking and running
yet