The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-05-19

you and don't let them come within
ten yards OF you. III cover you from
the house.
So Upton, laying aside his rifle,
went down the hill to meet the pseudo
officer, who, with an orderly behind
him, was signaling for an interview.
When they met, Upton left no doubt
in the officers mind that the miner
was angry.
Well. what is it you pirates
want?" he asked truculently. Are
you tryin' TO make 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, seno-,
that the brave and patriotic defenders
of the republic shall not be hungry"
Well, you've undertaken a grown
mans job, them" snarled Upton.
I've never yet seen a Mexican who
wasn't hungry all the time. What
specifically do you ask?"
We demand the payment ny the
Santa Cruz mine of five thor sand dol
lars in cash and the surrenJ er If all
the arms, ammunition and powder, in
cluding dynamite, that you have. as
well as the permanent loan of all your
abie-bodied horses"
HIM. And what do l get out OF
~"
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.
IF your own force isn't strong
enough TO take my place i. certainly
isI't strong enough to protect me
against anything. No, senior, | won't
pay you a single cent-not sou
markee I've stooG all I'm going to
stand from you fellows. Now I'll ap-
peal to the American consul"
The other spat derisively.
Better trust to mel" he said vain.
gloriously. But If you do not sur.
render Immediately, but compel me to
take the place, | tell you frankly,
seror, l shall show no quarter"
Well, l can't help that, can 1? Il
Nrin OF Cir hot
can tske-an' IL won't strain your back
to carry 1t. either" snapped Upton
Very well. senor," said the Mexi-
can. Il give you half an hour to con-
suit with your companions. II at tho
end OF that time you decide to accept
my terms you have only to wave q
white flag from your front door. Il
shall know what it means.
IF there is no fag-then all that
follows is your own fault. Adios,
senior. May the saints teach you wis
dom!" The Mexican strobe off to
his maH while Upton picked the best
way ~ the slope to the house.
The long half.hour came to an end
at last. Suddenly down by the cor.
rails a rifle cracked bullet wheeped
through the window where Kynaston
stood. Lodged in the heavy window
post At the smack of the impact the
sprang back.
Raising his rife, he fired at q head
that showed above a stone. The fiat,
report and the heavy recoil
of the piece steadied him.
Did you hit him?" asked a soft
cua steady voice behing him. He
turned to see Dorothy standing near
him
Don't think so. Please get back,
Miss Upton. You might be hit, you
know, and then"
His eyes told the rest Of 1t. Doro-
thy laughed little.
What do you think the upshot of
this matter will be-" she asked. 'If
you're in this fix on my account
blushfrg, she added hastily-"and-I
or Mrs. Fane's, I'm more than scr
ry% -.--
I'm not" he answered curtly.
stop that Excuse me. please"
That" was the sneaking ap-
proach. belly-down in the dust. OF two
OF the attackers who, in attempting
to gain the shelter of a huge cotton.
wood tree, ,recklessly exposed them.
selves. The two army rifles instantly
took toll. One man rolled over and
lay still, while the other was sent limp.
ing to cover.
Dorothy covered her face with her
hands for moment. then turned away
with little shudder II was war. she
anew, but Il was hard TO accustom her