Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1916-08-17
The Boy
Bushwhacker
By DONALD CHAMBERLIN

Two American boys, whose fathers
were engaged in business in northern
Mexico, were out hunting. What they
were after was not rabbits or squirrels
or birds. They wanted bigger game.
They were bushwhackers. From be-
hind tree, stone or a bush they
would pick off the bandits. Their
homes had been plundered and the
brother of one of them, George Dor
rance, had been killed by the men they
were now taking revenge upon.
George had lain in wait for strag-
gler from the band Of one Alvarez and
shot him from behind tree. Imme-
diately after the deed was done a
Mexican woman, who knew George,
saw him emerge from the timber.
Passing along the road she saw the
dead bandit lying on his back, his
CLASSY eye looking up at the peaceful
blue sky. Alvarez had heard the shot
behind him and. desiring to know what
it was about, turned and rode back.
Seeing the dead man, he asked the
woman who shot him. She told him
that George Dorrance had done the
deed, and pointed in the direction
George had gone.
Warren Edwards, Georges compan-
ion, was waiting for him not far dis
tant, and they moved on together to-
ward Georges home Presently look.
ing back, they saw Alvarez coming
He was on an elevation in the ground,
and they We're on another. The Dor
rance house was a short distance be-
low, and, boylille, instead of going into
hiding anywhere else they made for it.
They We're met at the door by Mrs.
Dogralce,
'Mother,' said George II shot n
bandit. and think one of 'em is COM
ing for me.
A moments thought decided her. and
she led them to garrett unceiled and
the joists above uncovered. On these
joists We're piled some old beds.
"Get up there" said the woman.
The boys climbed up and hid them
selves in the bedding. Unfortunately,
Alvarez had seen them go into the
house and knew they We're there. He
was full of wrath at the loss of his
man and determined to wreak it on
the slayer. Riding up to the house
he threw himself from his horse and
stalked in with knitted brow and a
merciless look in his eye.
81 want boy named George Dor
rance" he said to Georges mother.
There's no such boy here"
HE is here; saw him come in with
another boy few minutes ago You
might as we'll produce him and save
me the trouble of looking for him.
"What do you want to do with him?'
'Never mind that; tell him to come
out of hiding"
The woman stuck to 1t that George
was not in the house.
"Are you his mother" asked the
bandit.
Eyes"
As soon as he received this reply
Alvarez gave up trying to persuade o.
frighten the woman into giving up he
son and went through the house
searching for him. AS soon as he saw
the beds stored on the joists above tn,
Sd1ICl, 4SSOSu1A4uS IL us d uuOnL AhS1N
hiding place, he examined it and yank
ed the boys out Hustling them down
stairs, he took them out in front o
the house.
(Which Of you boys is George Dor
rance?" he asked.
Neither replied. Alvarez asked tn
question Of Mrs. Dorrance, who hat
followed them out of the house. Sh
would not reply.
II want to know" said Alvarez an
grily, (which one Of you boys
George Dorrance, who just now sho
one of my men. If can't find out II
kill you both, for I'm determined t
kill the one who did the bushwhack
ing
George declined to give the require
information, and Warren was deter