The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-07-07
CHAPTER V-continued.

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
Well, what is it you pirates
want?" he asked truculently. Are
you tryin' to make Twin 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 a grown
mans Job. then" snarled Upton.
We demand the payment by the
Santa Cruz mine Of five thousand dol
lars in cash and the surrender of all
lhe arms, ammunition and powder in
cluding dynamite, that you have, as
weli as the permanent loan Of all your
abie-bodied horses"
Him! And what do l 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.
IF your own force isn't strong
enough to take my place it certainly
isn't strong enough to protect me
against anything. No. senior, l won't
nay you a single cent-not a sou
markee. I've stood all I'm going to |
stand from you fellows. Now I'll ap-
peal to the American consul"
The other spat derisiyely
Better trust to mel" he said vain
gloriously. But if you do not sur
render Immediately, but compel me to /
take the place, l tell you frankly,
senor, l shall show no quarter"
We'll, l can't help that, can |?
will give you, sir, exactly what you
can take-an 1t won't strain your back
to carry it, either" snapped Upton.
Very well, senor," said the Mexi-
can. Il give you half an hour to con-
suit with your companions If at the
end of that time you decide to accept
my terms you have only to wave
white flag from your front door. l
shall know what it means.
IF there is no fag-then all that
follows is your own fault. Adios,
senor. May the saints teach you wis
dom!" The Mexican strode off to
his men while Upton picked the best
way up the slope to the house.
The long half-hour came to an end
at last. Suddenly down by the cor
rails rifle cracked. A bullet wheeped
through the window where Kynaston
stood. Lodged in the heavy window
post At the smack of the impact the
youngster sprang back.
Raising his rifle, he fired at a head
that showed above 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 it. Doro-
thy laughed little.
But she covered her face with her :
hands for moment, then turned away
with little shudder. 1t was war, she
knew, but it was hard to accustom her
self to the idea Of death and suffering
inflicted under her very eyes. t.
An oath from Upton made Kynas- r
ton turn. He saw John Wilkes, the a
old engineer step to the table and, a
picking up the dipper. help himself IL
to drink of water. "
The dipper was still immersed in
he water when there came another @
lat, smacking report, followed by a b
crash as OF a stone on board. The ii
Sucket broke into fragments and fell W
rom the table, the water dripping I,
iowu Upon the floor. ID
Mr. W'Ess stood gazing upon the o.
'uin tC