The Port Gibson reveille., 1916-07-27
CHAPTER V-cOntInued.

80 upton, laying ablue HIS IlHoS
went down the hill to meet the pseudo
officer, who, with an orderly behind
him. was signaling for an interview.
We'll, what is it you pirates
want?" he asked truculently. Are
you tryin' to make a livin' by your
own unaided efforts?"
I'VE have come to collect from the
holders of Mexican property a part
of their ill-gotten gains in order, senor,
that the brave and patriotic defenders
of the republic shall not be hungry"
well, you've undertaken grown
mans job. then," snarled Upton.
I'VE demand the payment by the
Santa Cruz mine of five thousand dol
lars in cash and the surrender of all
the arms, ammunition and powder, in
cluding dynamite, that you have, as
well as the permanent loan of all your
shle-bedied horses"
@H.m! And what do I get out Of
it,
"You will have our protection and
our assurances that you will not be
bothered or annoyed by any further
compulsory loans made to the proVi-
sional republic"
Upton fumbled for a moment in his
pocket, from which he finally produced
two papers. These he handed to his
interviewer.
There are two other projections
given me last month" he said tersely.
You will see that one is for two thou
sand and the other for fifteen hun
dred."
We will guarantee you against
any further contributions" said the
other ingratiatingly.
"9f your own force isn't strong
enough to take my place it certainly
sn't strong enough to protect me
against anything. No, senor, 1 won't
pay you a single cent-not a sou
narkee. I've stood all I'm going to
tand from you fellows. Now I'll ap-
5eal to the American consul"
The other spat derisively.
Better trust to mel" he said vain
Ioriously. But if you do not sur
ender Immediately, but compel me to
AXE the place, tell you frankly,
enor, l shall show no quarter"
well, can't help that, can 1?
yill give you, sir, exactly what you
an take-an' it won't strain your back
carry it, either" snapped Upton.
Very well, senor," said the Mexi-
In. Il give you half an hour to con-
alt with your companions. If at the
ad of that time you decide to accept
terms you have only to wave a
hite flag from your front door.
all know what it means.
'If there is no fag-then all that
lows is your own fault. Adios,
nor. May the saints teach you wis
my The Mexican strobe of to
men while Upton picked the best
by up the slope to the house.
The long haK-hour came to an end
last. Suddenly down by the cor
8 a rife cracked. A bullet wheeped
.ough the window where Kynaston
od. Lodged in the heavy window
It. At the smack of the impact the
lngster sprang back.
Raising his rife. he fired at a head
t showed above a stone. The aat.
ackihg report and the heavy recoil
the piece steadied him.
Did you hit him?" asked a soft
steady voice behing him. He
ned to see Dorothy standing near
Don't think 80. Please get back.
8 Upton You might be hit, you
W, and then"
lis eyes told the rest of it. Doro-
laughed little.
ut she covered her face with her
dis for a moment, then turned away
a little shudder. It was war, she
", but 1t was hard to accustom her
to the idea of death and suffering
cted under her very eyes.
oath from Upton made Kynas-
turn. He saw John Wilkes. the
engineer, step to the table and.
ing up the dipper. help himself
drink of water.
ae dipper was still immersed in
water when there came another
smacking report, followed by a
as of stone on board The
ct broke into fragments and fell
the table. the water dripping
upon the floor.
wilkes stood gazing upon the