The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1916-06-01
CHAPTER ".
The Emerald Bell.

49, ~ 80 NAA y AAA'A AVN' III
To their old camp. As he came down
the hill Kynaston could see the gray
blur down In the valley that told him
that the man had not Yet returned
with the new gear that should repair
the motor and allow his visitors to
leave.
Not wishing 10 wake his guests. Ky.
nastou stood by the fire. where break.
fast vas cooking. rolling a cigarette,
waiting TIL the stirring notes OF the
mess call should tell the camp that
their meal was ready.
The hrst note brought Dorothy from
the tent. Smiling her welcome. she
came forward with outstretched hand
For answer Kynaston motioned to
the little group of prisoners. who were
i~ntently watching the cooks. eager for
the first really square meal in days.
oh Dorothy walked d~aintily for.
ward, drawing her skirts more closely
about her as she edged into the III.
tie group and addressed one OF the
men In the ~vernacular.
"Cual distancia de su casa" C'How
far are you from hune9"l she asked.
Instantly the man sprang to his feet
and swept on his ,.o.nbrero In an ex.
%aggerated bow.
"Muchas g%racias. sonora II Is not
often that Il is given TO prisoners TO
have a beautiful woman express sym.
pathy for them. We are FIVE hundred
miles from home indeed, we loyal
MeXicans have no homes. When we
cross the border, driven across the
line after fighting ~yaliantly. our prop
erty is contiscated."
a rumble OF mutterings from the
others attested the truth OF this.
Good morning. everybody" cried
Mrs. Fame, Joining the party. What's
up. Mr.. Kynaston? %"
Good morning, Mrs. Fame" said
the lieutenant. Nothing in particu.
lar up; Just showing OF my prisoners,
that's all"
He told how the little group OF fed,
erals had surrendered to him. and &C.
Guainted her with their complaint OF
persecution.
ITS a shame" cried Mrs. Fame.
IT'S a wicked shame that when these
people wage a legitimate war 20 sup.
press rebellion the revolutionist party
should contscate their little property
while they escape across the line 20
save their lives. What is It, Mr. Ky,
naston?"
For kynaston vas openly %grinning.
III tell you. ! used TO sympathize
with them myself before | got to know
them. You see, what they tell you Is
only half the truth. Mrs. Fame. Ask
him'-Kynaston pointed TO the or.
Ger" II his property is not going 10
be contiscated by the rebels after due
process OF law because the law pro-
vides that the property OF any person
in tho state who shall seek refuge In
another country is confscated."
The Cficer nodded and spat vigor.
ously.
"Por vida These rebels are dogs
who live on the ofal that their chiefs
throw them. Loot, pillage, and plum.
der They know no laws, sonora
POGO q POGO said Kynaston. st!.l
g%rinning. The truth OF the matter
is that when Huerta was in power and
the revolution was young. the federa,s
passed a law which they called the
lay OF the absent ones'-to translate
frecly-which was aimed especially
against the rebels. BY the terms q
that law II any person should take
refuge on the American side OF the
line. refusing 10 submit TO Mexican
law, his property should be confs.
Gated"
Exactly what he says" began Mrs
Fame scorntully.
Precisely. But when Carranza and
Villa broke and Carranza took over the
government, tho federals began %
como across the line. and the revolu.
tionists began to put in force the law
that Huerta had passed"
"Ah, | see" Dorothy Joined Ky.
naston in a smile at the good lady's
look Of enlightenment.
Il suppose we may as we'll have
breakfast. sergeant, II II is ready.
Keep the prisoners away from those
pack mules. I'll examine the packs
after We have eaten. Who Is that
coming down the slope"
Dorothy and Mrs, Fame both eager.
~ looked out across the desert in the
direction OF Kynaston's pointed finger.
Far away against the dead brown OF
the mesa slope, where the powders
gave way 70 red earth and pinyon
pine, they saw the figure OF a man
toiling HIS way painfully down the
hillside, seeking by the aid OF Il long
stick to learn the devious turns OF the
t%ortuous trail.
why, he's blind"
kynaston started forward.
Look! See how he pokes forward
for each step before he moves his
feet; may be sand blindness.
Send a man over there, sergeant,
TO help him down into the camp. Up
On my word. Miss Upton. ! am seeing
more excitement In the past twenty.
four hours than | hcve ever seen be.
fore along this part OF the line. Let's