The Benson signal., 1916-07-22
CHAPTER II.
The Emerald Boil,

blur down in the valley that" told him
that the man had not yet returned
with the new gear that should repair
the motor and allow his visitors to
leave.
Not wishing to wake his guests, KY
naston stood by the fire, where break
fast was cooking, rolling a cigarette,
waiting till the stirring notes of the
mess call should tell the camp that
their meal was ready.
The first note brought Dorothy from
the tent. Smiling her welcome, she
came forward with outstretched hand.
For answer Kynaston motioned to
the little group of prisoners, who were
intently watching the cooks, eager for
the first really square meal in days.
"Oh!" Dorothy walked daintily for.
ward, drawing her skirts more closely
about her as she edged into the lit.
tie group and addressed one Of the
men in the vernacular.
"Cual distancia de su casa?" CHOW
far are you from hume?") she asked.
Instantly the man sprang to his feet
and swept off his 3o-nbrero in an ex.
aggerated bow.
"Muchas gracias, sonora! It is not
often that it is given to prisoners to
have beautiful woman express sym.
pathy for them. We are five hundred
miles from home indeed, we loyal
Mexicans have no homes. When we
cross the border, driven across the
line after fighting valiantly, our prop.
erty is confiscated.'
A rumble of mutterings from the
others attested the truth Of this.
Good morning, everybody" cried
Mrs. Fame, joining the party. What
up, Mr.. Kynaston?"
Good morning, Mrs. Fane!" said
the lieutenant. Nothing in particu.
lar up; just showing off my prisoners,
that's all"
He told how the little group of fed.
erals had surrendered to him, and &C.
quainted her with their complaint OF
persecution.
IL . d C1lCu du0.
Its a wicked shame that when these
people wage legitimate war to sup
press rebellion the revolutionist party
should confiscate their little property
while they escape across the line to
save their lives. What is it, Mr.. KY
naston?"
For Kynaston was openly grinning
"I'll tell you. l used to sympathize
with them myself before got to know
them. You see, what they tell you is
only half the truth, Mrs. Fame. ASK
him"-Kynaston pointed to the Off
Ger" if his property is not going to
be confiscated by the rebels after due
process of law because the law pro
vides that the property Of any person
in the state who shall seek refuge in
another country is confiscated."
The officer nodded and spat vigor.
ously.
"Por vida! These rebels are dogs
who live on the offal that their chiefs
throw them. Loot, pillage, and plum
der! They know no laws, sonora"
POGO a poco," said Kynaston, still
grinning. THE truth Of the matter
- that when Huerta was in power and
the revolution was young, the federals
passed law which they called the
law of the absent ones'-to translate
freely-which was aimed especially
against the rebels. By the terms Of
that law if any person should take
refuge on the American side of the
line, refusing to submit to Mexican
law, his property should be confis-
Gated"
Exactly what he says" began Mrs.
Fame scornfully.
Precisely. But when Carranza and
Villa broke and Carranza took over the
government, the federals began to
come across the line, and the revolu.
tionists began to put in force the law
that Huerta had passed"
"Ah, 1 see!" Dorothy joined KY.
naston in smile at the good lady's
look of enlightenment.
Il suppose we may as well have
breakfast, sergeant, II it is ready.
Keep the prisoners away from those
pack mules. I'll examine the packs
after we have eaten. Who is that
coming down the slope?"
Dorothy and Mrs. Fame both eager
ly looked out across the desert in the
direction of Kynaston's pointed finger
Far away against the dead brown of
the mesa slope, where the powders
gave way to red earth and pinyon
pine, they saw the figure of a man
toiling his way painfully down the
hillside, seeking by the aid of a long
stick to learn the devious turns of the
tortuous trail.
why, he's blind!"
Kynaston started forward.
Look! See how he pokes forward
for each step before he moves his
feet; may be sand blindness.
Send a man over there, sergeant,
to help him down into the camp. Up
on my word, Miss Upton, l am seeing
more excitement in the past twenty