Williams news., 1916-08-03
The major. noddeds assent

uOTS6S uUW. .--.-..... Ten minutes later they trotted 1ei- surely out of the camp, headed south seastsI ia saGE TEH '.l ..ss zsss: : A horned moon was swinging clear of the c1oud-capped Buffalo mountains. The shadows of the mesquit looked large across the plains as they trptted down the trail, headed for. the level lands of the mesa across which the old priest had so painfully made his way the day before. 1a st,s": $ Southward they could see in the moonlight the dim mountains in old Mexico, standing like silent sentinels, looking with grim disapproval on the scenes of riot and disorder, of murder and of pillage that were making the unhappy land a veritable wilderness. As they reached the level ground, the old sergeant rode back to his young superior, his hand raised to the brim of his scouting hat. ',7E-: i5
 What is it, sergeant?" asked Kynas- ton.
 There's little fire over; +yonder, sir'
 .s The gauntleted hand stabbed the dark, it's finger in. the: direction of the fire, and Kynaston's gaze followed. A blade-shaped flame stood out in the blackness of the night. =
 Whats over there? Any houses Any Americans live oyer there" Ma jor Updyke's query was as quick as a shot.
 Kynaston paused a moment
 "No,. sir. That fires on the Mexi- can side of the line. What can it be, sergeant?"
 The sergeant puzzled a moment or two. Then: -...-f.,.-js
 "Sir, I know. It's the Santa Cruz mine, where the Uptons live As sure as live, sir, the rebels are attackin' the mine! Don't you remember, sir MT. Upton came through with the two ladies today? Sure as anything, them rebels have attacked the place; sheav- en help the Uptons!" he. ejaculated. Any orders, sir?" ..,
 Kynaston turned to Updyke.
 q know, sir, what the orders are. know the orders are very strict that no American shall cross the line un- less he has a residence there. I wish you were deaf, dumb and blind for; few hours" y5lSs
 In the darkness Major, Epdyke grinned behind his hand. 2: "Why?" he asked. WESTON Dise ' ""If you were" said Kynaston.s1owfy, 7".'I'd go back to my camp and-r-;, There are two American women over there," he concluded lamely.j f " i.3Di2E5e
 'I am deaf and blind," said; Major Updyke impressively. .,.tI can neither see nor hear at night. 1 am quite sure that t-"Sz- .H t9Llt j15E -j
 AG"Twos left about! ,sGalloplp
 The orders shot out like the shots from a machine gun; almost before he knew -it7 the major found himself gal 1opfng back to- the little camp: z, y"Have twenty men saddle up at once, sergeant" cried Kynaston. Take nothing but canteens, rifles, and a hundred rounds of ammunition per man. Get the men ready at once"
 The sergeant hesitated and finally venturedf on liberty that was rare in- deed for him. - -
 asSir, Is the lieutenant gofns to- cross the line?" he asked. Do you remem- Der, sir, what the orders are? It'll cost the lieutenant his commission"
 "If it'll cost my commission to help a couple of American ladies who are in trouble-then I'll have to pay the price, sergeant. Hurry up! Tell that old priest to come over to my tent at once"
 JoyfulIy the grizzled soldier depart ed. Soon his men were scurrying about among the tents While stuffing his belt full of cartridges Kynaston was interrupted by an eager orderly.
 sir, the major presents his compli- ments and says that the lieutenant had that he has in camp, if he is going to leave for any length of time."
 kynaston gasped. In the thought of seeing Mrs. Fane again he had forgot ten the saddlebags and the jewel. He dashed across the tent, seized the sad dlebags, and hurried to the tent that had been pitched for the major
 Here it is, sir. I'm glad you thought of it. I'd have gone and left it on the floor of my tent if it had not been for you. Here it is"
 He unbuckled the bags and turned out upon the little camp table the un- savory mass of dirty oiled rags that he had so curiously unwrapped a few hours before. " 7Q'--:
 ''I'd have been in a nice mess," he said frankly, 'if I'd left this here and someone had walked off with it. Good thing, for me that you're here, sir. I can leave it here with you till I return. What is it, trumpeter?" ,
 For a disheveled and excited trum- peter had thrust his way into the tent.
 "Sir, Sergeant Black has directed me to inform the troop commander that the old padre has left the camp. The sentry on the picket line says he seen I him pull his freight cut on the trail that leads up on the mesa just after