Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-01-26


cook, they found her cooking frijoles
ever q brszier of glowing Goals, and
when the highly seasoned meal was
concluded they discovered that Bonita
and Manuel. who happened to be her
husband, had shamelessly deserted
their service. and they were entirely
alone.
what shall we dor Taber asked
the question this time.
I'VE better ride over to FL Dora and
send a message to Linwood for i'm
mediate help. Let him understand
that this is IS 0 s. call. wireless
code, ana that help must come p. d. g..
plain American talk"
Good. Our going together will en-
able one Of Us to reach FL Dora even
II the other one stops q rebel bullet,
Ell? Good thing we shipped the last
accumulation Of ore in season"
Yes. We should have Linwood's
receipt for it when we reach FL Dora.
Better take plenty Of cartridges and
anything We especially value. Some
thing may break loose here before we
get back.
Just at nightfall the superintendent
and his assistant RODE slowly down the
mountain side and turned into the beat
en- path that followed the FL Dora riv-
er across the Sandy plain In the light
Of full moon the shadows Of horses
and riders made huge biots on the
white sand. They rode on In silence
mile after mile. now and then the
road plunging into dark forest where
unseen streams murmurcd secretly be-
fore they dropped into underground
channels. Night birds stirred sleepily
as they passed by. Once a cougar
dropped from branch directly In the
path Of Taber's horse. The animal
squealed as he reared back and Taber
flashed his electric torch in the cats
glowing eyes.
Frank Whites automatic cracked
sharply and the cougar bounded into
the air and then fell dead In the
bushes.
Nearly got you that time, Neal"
laughed Frank as they rode on.
I'D rather meet a dozen cougars
than one sneaking Mexican assassin"
retorted Neal. How many miles fur
ther have we got TO goy'
Twenty, IL know my country here
abouts.'' returned White. There Is q
shorter cut. When we are cot OF this
jungle we ran skirt 1t toward the north
and go through the little valley Of the
white hacienda
The valley Of the white hacienda"
interrupted Neal Taber curiously.
You sound like romance. Frank"
That's what the greasers call it
passed that way one night when was
In a hurry. There's some kind Of a
fruit farm there: regular little paradise
I've heard. but ! haven't had time to
investigate; our rascals have raised
too much Of the other thing ever since
I've been here"
er way" decided Taber.
Consequently when they reached the
end Of the jungle they turned their
horses sharply to the right and found
a well Travelled road that skirted the
jungle for several miles; then 1t turn
ed to the northwest and entered be-
tween high wooded hills n green valley
bathed In the moonlight
In the middle Of the valley was
white blot
"Yonder ID the white hacienda" re-
marked Frank White a. they rode
along.
Seems to be a light In the window
there. its gone. wonder II were
trespassing, Frank"
II believe there's q public right Of
way through here"
They passed a high stockade that
quite hid the white house and the
grounds from their view. They fol-
lowed the stockade for several hun
dred yards and finally emerged upon a
narrow trail that mounted up and dis
appeared among tall oak trees.
ION the other side OF this ridge lies
FL Dora explained Frank
They were climbing the trail. still III
the glare Of the white moon. when two
figures sprang into view from the
shadows
Two slim. graceful girls. daintily
clad In native costume. with dark
mantillas tossed around their beauti-
full olive skinned tinted faces. Iustrous
dark eyes. lips like cactus flowers and
misty tendrils of dark hair.
They were alike as two peas or two
roses or two cactus blossoms.
One Of them Neal called the pref
tier (but Frank contested the state
mentl stepped forward and spoke mu-
sically in Spanish:
"Ah. senOres. we are In great danger
Our father has left for Ell Dora on i'm
portant business. and tonight all our
men have deserted and Joined the rebel
army. The wife Of one Of the men
has risked her life to tell us that there