davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-01-21
TENTH lNSTALLMENT
THE ROLLING TERROR
CHAPTER Xiv.
Across Country.

Early next morning out of that
painless mire, strobe back the Brute,
picking his perilous way with the in
stinct Of some cunning, cautious ami
NAL and guiding-in fact, bearing on
his shoulders half the time-the luck
less Ponto. That individual, his ugli-
ness enhanced by the clothed blood
that dressed his disheveled hair, and
decorated his countenance, was still
dazed. He had vague recollections as
to what had happened. He knew that
at the command of Hernandez. his
side partner in crime, he had plunged
once more into the deadly morass for
the purpose of finishing by violence
the deed that had commenced in cum
ming. He had followed the Brute-he
remembered that.
He dozed off into satisfaction.
He woke with jolt. 1t was heavy
Jolt. When his eyes opened he was
on the ground, supine. He started to
leap to his feet, then sank back again,
heavy with the pain of his wound.
A laugh behind him startled him
and brought him to his senses. He
turned swiftly, feeling for his knife
the knife that wasn't there.
There was another laugh-the laugh
of his side partner, Hernandez.
Fool" said Hernandez, addressing
Ponto.
Ponto changed his demeanor. He
drew himself up to his squatty height
and folded his arms.
did / not as you said?" replied
Ponto 81 went into that hell and
killed them BOTH did it single-hand-
ed, Ponto."
His answer was a sheer. Herman
DEE stretched forth hand and
clutched Ponto by the shoulder.
He dragged his lieutenant to the edge
of the clump of trees and underbrush,
where they were standing. He parted
the branches of tree. He handed
Ponto pair of binoculars.
Take one swift look, my Ponto." he
sneered, "only one"
Ponto took more than one-he held
his eyes glued to the glasses. Then
he fell back in amazement.
"They live!" he cried. Both of
them!"
He stared at Hernandez almost in
alright. What does it mean?" he re-
peated.
cit means" said Hernandez, grimly,
~that sent boy to do mans job.
You were quite right. l should have
gone myself"
Down on the wharf Annette Ilington
and her party were about to embark
in one of the launches of the cruiser
Albany that lay still anchored in the
harbor. In Annette's party were
Mademoiselle Irene Courtier, Mrs.
Hardin. Meals mother; Neal Hardin
himself. a warrant officer upon the
Albany. and the surgeon of the cruis-
er. There were one or two other men
in uniform, an assistant surgeon ros-
sibly. and an ensign. There were
bluejackets.
BUs sbeve all. there we're natives
sslore. Natives by the dozens, by the
hundreds. and all in rags. The whole
village had turned out to do homage.
"Tbe little white angel" murmured
grateful mothers, sinking down In An
nette's path and kissing her dress as
she went by.
Unseen by any of the party-save
by Joe welcher. Inez swerved aside
and slipped note into the hands OF
q native. and handed him coin.
Then she leaped lightly into the
,a,,non ord the launch steamed away,
followed by the cheers and the tears
of the Tortugans on the wharf.
Back in the jungle. three men wait
al for advice. They had not long TO
wait A treacherous looking native
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-01-21
CHAPTER XIV.
Inez Shows Her Hand.

Inez Shows Her Hand.
First and foremost, Miss Ilington, y
said the captain of the Albany after
Annette's party had boarded the
cruiser, now that you are once more
safe, permit ne to return to you the
ZAP % the Lest Isle, which have ex,
amined with interest. Following your
directions, l subjected it to heat, and
brought out the hidden latitude and
longitude-1S degrees 80 minutes north
and 1913 degrees and 40 minutes west.
He paused a moment. do you know,
he said, there's something about that
location that sticks in my mind-some
vague rumor."
THE isle contains quicksilver
mines," said Annette.
It's not that" returned the com.
mander, 1T was merly the locality
/ traced it on our map. 1t was about
there that the government" He
byoke off, checking himself quickly
"-Ah, yes, ! remember now" he said
well, never mind. But, here also is
your locket. Now you've got them
have you-all SAFE
Thanks for keeping them safe,
said Annette, secreting them in the
bosom of her dress.
$50 far, so good" went on the cap
tain. Il have to say further that the
officers quarters have been placed at
your disposal until we reach La Plaza.
There you can get train.
Its a short ride on that road to
Chantillo," went on the captain, land
at Chantillo you can catch the boat
for most of the Lower California and
California ports"
Across country Hernandez, Ponto
and the Brute were travelling hard
The indomitable will of Hernandez
kept them ever going on and on.
You understand" cried he, eve
must make La Plaza before the AL
bany gets there. We go cross-coun'
try-she goes by shore. I'll knife you
both if you fail me at this time
Finally, on a moonlight night, Her
nandez halted at forest opening that
looked down toward shore. He
glanced across the sea.
ct is she-the Albany" he cried ;
look, Ponto. She is at hand. 1t is a
matter of hours now, one would say
rather than days"
After a rest he reconnoitered. In
the valley he saw a light or two. fl
tering through the foliage. Again
they mounted and descended the hill
into civilization. They knocked on
the door of an adobe hut. A native
opened and shambled out, gun in hand
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-01-21

"Look-See!" Exclaimed the Brute.
tough on you-think of me. l feel like
chucking up my job
A tin horn blew outside. 'W-what's
that?" cried Annette.
Mrs. Hardin and Joe Welcher rushed
into the station. "The train-the
train" they cried.
They were quite right. The engi-
neer was already pulling his rusty lev
er. The train actually was starting
up, stationary though it had seemed.
go ahead little one," said Neal,
good luck"
Half a mile farther down the track,
out of the jungle crept two figures
each with gun in HAND, each with a
black mask upon his face. Across the
track they piled tree or two-these
trees had been plucked up by the roots
by one of these masked men.
After completing this self-appointed
task, they crept back into the jungle
and waited patiently.
Finally one of the men prodded the
other Now" he commanded, here
she comes"
A faint tin horn whistle was heard
around the curve. The fast mail of
the Chantillo line approached. She
approached, but seeing the obstruc-
ton on the track, she hesitated, halted,
came to full stop. The two masked
men leaped upon the engine and held
up the crew with their ever-ready
guns.
Hernandez stepped into the car be-
hind He fired three shots. He aimed
at no one. The shots had their ef
fect-on two persons at least. Joe
Welcher ducked at once. Mrs. Har-
din followed suit. No one was hit.
Annette alone retained her nerve.
49," she said fearlessl.s, its you
again. And where is your charming
friend, Miss Irene Courtier?"
Brute" cried Hernandez, throwing
off his mask, bring those two men
here"
The Brute brought them. Take the
bell cord" said Hernandez to the
train crew. and tie this young girl
cp.
Hernandez, still with his gun on
guard, bent over the girl. He plunged
his hand into her breast, and with a
jerk tore the chamois bag from her
neck.
''I'll tie this man myself" said Her
nandez, approaching Joe Welcher. He
leaned over Joe, and wound some cord
loosely about his hands
'T'1l need you" he whispered, 'but
make no mistake. Mistakes are fatal
when I'm around"
He left the Brute on guard and
marched the crew back to the engine
How near are we to the nearest sta
tion?" he queried. tell me truth"
Not for miles, senor," they gasped,
only q little farther on In deserted
station, Montrada. No trains stop
there. It is discontinued"
ANY occupants?" queried Herman
dez.
Monet is deserted. It ia even
haunted. senior"
"How-haunted"
Something there goes click-click
ck-click-always when we pass"
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-01-21
Hernandez chuckled to himself.

Hernandez chuckled to himself. "A
telegraph instrument" he said to him.
self. Il thought so-that's the shack
we passed this morning. Now" he
commanded, come out here and clear
the track of these obstructions-no
you do it." he commanded the Brute.
The Brute ran from his position in the
car. leaped to the ground. and with a
twist or two of one hand tossed the
felled trees from the track.
Now" said Hernandez, run us
down to that shed. don't know what
I'm going to do just yet, but I'll find
out there"
He whistled softly. A third figure
emerged from the forest. tripped
across the rails and entered the bag
gage car. This was Inez Castro. She
passed on into the passenger end of
the coach. She smiled gently at An
nette.
so, my charming friend" she said,
lat last you have seen fit to intrust
your treasures to Senorita lneZ Cas-
tro. Good, my little one"
They reached the ancient shed. Over
its closed doorway was an old sign,
'Montrada."
Hernandez broke open the door by
means Of his usual agency-the Brute.
Hernandez darted to the keys-he
was soldier of fortune and this learn
ing was one of his equipments. Bound
as she was in the car, Annette could
hear what the instrument said, for,
singularly enough, Hernandez, when
he first called, used the Spanish
tongue; later he clicked in English
words. 1t was clear that Ponto was
at the other end of the wire, and some
where near La Plaza.
What news, good Ponto?" he in
quired over the keys. ANY danger of
pursuit."
And Ponto answered: THAT" he
said, Il cannot tell. But much activ-
ity. There is talk of war. There is
talk of a detachment coming over
land"
by train?"
"By train," said Ponto, telegraph
ically speaking.
And the next train?"
days off," said Ponto.
Good"
Wait" said Ponto, there Is more
news. | shall call you up again"
What news?"
81 do not know. There is something
going on. | shall find out in an hour"
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-01-21
CHAPTER xLVIi.
The Troop Train.

The Troop Train.
Ponto's information was quite cor
rect. 1t had to be, or he could never
have qualified as the partner of Her.
nandeZ.
On Meals return from the railroad
station at La Plaza he found an under
current of excitement present upon the
cruiser Albany. Half an hour after his
return the captain of the cruiser had
received a wireless from Washington.
1t was significant in its tenor. The
wireless operator handed it to him as
it was received.
The captain glanced at 1t. ut looks
important" he said; "decode it at
once"
1t was decided. This is what it
said:
GENERAL ORDERS FROM NAVY
DEPARTMENT.
Deciphered From Code &C."
War imminent with AIIemania. Keep
all ships prepared for action. Trans
fer all possible men to Pacific squad
ron. Recommend meritorious warrant
officers for promotion to commission.
HUTCHINSON,
Chief of staff.
An order from Washington is an
order. An order when war is imminent
is a double quick order. The captain
of the cruiser Albany had been wait
ing for double quick orders-he had
smeued them in the air. He had felt
them in his bones. In one hour he had
picked his men. The first man he
summoned was Neal.
Neal" he said, calling him by
name, 1--WE recommended you for
commission"
Neal jumped out of his shoes al
most. ia commission" he gasped;
WHY thought can't understand
="
Don't think" said the captain
sharply; we've got to act"
He handed Neal typewriter instruc-
lions. You'll get your commission
in due form. My recommendation go
particularly at time like this. Take
fifty men at once-and proceed to join
the battleship Missouri at Chantilio.
That's ALL"
Neal saluted and swung about.
Wait" said the captain. Neal waited.
II just want to shake hands, old man."
said the captain. "You deserve your
luck If ever man did. Good-by."
An hour afterwards Neal and his
squad were at La Plaza once more,
consulting the railroad master.
eve want train, and right away"
said Neal. 1.-The road will make its
fortune. It will declare dividend.
When does she go?"
Not for, two days or so. The en-
gine-the good one-she is be repair"
What can we do?" said Neal.
The station master frightened. He
desired at all costs to get this squad
of Americanos out of town. They were
rioters-a. least so Ponto had in
formed him. Yes, they must go.
"Ah, senor." ne said, Il have idea.
There are dirt train cars--no engine
but what you call, almost gravity road
from here to Chantillo-all downhill
almost all the way"
SHOW me-" said Neal.
He was shown. WELL" he said TO
his men, what do you say, boys.
They'll rock us some, but they're the
best we can do. Is the road clear?"
Clear all the way, senior. The last
train-the little train-shs have ar
rived at Chantillo now"
We're game" said his men; come
on"
They came on--that Is they got on
the whole squad. A crowd Of natives
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-01-21
saw them off. One Of these natives. AlA.

I saw them off. One or these natives. HID
den from view by the others, urawled
under the foremost car and did some
thing. He crawled to the second and
did something-to the third and did
something What he did no one knew.
Down the line at the deserted shack
labeled "Montrada," Hernandez came
out from within, with complete salts
| faction written on his face.
Hernandez sauntered out and
glanced up the track. The track was
straight and downhill all the way. It
was like a canyon cut through mass
of underground and heavy trees. There
was nothing to distract the attention
lit was a clean cut avenue as far as
the eye could reach. He watched.
Up the track somewhere the troop
train was shooting curves with spright-
ly lurches. Getting a bit too lively"
said Neal; better apply the brakes"
The order was obeyed-so far as the
will wac concerned But the man at
won't work." he said.
mo matter" said Neal, I'VE reach
the bottom of this hill three miles
out of Chantillo. Then we go up.
We're bound to slacken up some
time
One of his men plucked him by the
sleeve. What's that?" he cried, point
ing down through the canyon, fianked
by trees. Look ahead"
"By George!" said Neal, "a train.
The brakes-every man jack of you
the brakes!"
The brakes wouldn't work. Funny"
said Neal; I'VE tried before we started.
Funny they won't work" 1t may or
may not have been funny-but 1t was
the fact. The brakes would not work
Were in for it," said Neal. Boys.
every man jack of you-you've got to
face this. That jungle is soft stuff Z
it's a velvet lining. We may get
scratched, but we can't get hurt. Every
man of you get ready and when 1 say.
the word slide off-as easy as you
can-but slide. Guns and equipment
first-then yourselves-when ! say
the word"
Squatted on the edge of the jungle
was the Brute He looked up the track.
idly following Hernandez gaze. Sud-
denly he rose-quivering with excite
ment.
"Look-see," he said. His glance
turned dumbly from the onrushing
troop train to the stationary one. An
other man might have rushed to the
latter and warned it's occupants or car
ried them out. But not the Brute. He
had a glimmering. He started OFF.
Come back" said Hernandez, ''you
beast"
The Brute never heard him. He,
only heard the onrushing train. He
seized loose rail lying by the track.
He thrust it under the stationary rail
the nearest him-he thrust it into
the roadbed. He jerked and strove
at it like demon.
Within Joe Welcher heard 1t COM
ing. He looked now. He gave one gasp.
made one dive, and plunged into the
safety of the jungle.
Hernandez dared not move. Safety
lay in his remaining up track-out OF
the danger zone below. He felt that
the Brute was doing fruitless work
that no man, no human agency within
a minutes time could raise that rail.
He didn't know-there was something
superhuman within the Brute. He was
more than a mamie was man.
driven beast-perhaps God-driven.
He piled his giant lever like giant
.
Neal realized at last what was meant
He knew now that that train was An
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-01-21
Copyright, IsA by William Hamilton Osbornel

slipped through the underground and
advanced swiftly toward Hernandez.
"The epistle, Senior Captain" he
said. II was the note from Inez Cas-
tro. Hernandez seized it eagerly and
read:
"We are bound for La Plaza. Meet
me there. Meantime | shall do my
best to secure Annette's precious
Iocket and the map. Your route lies
across the country. Ados. |. c."
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-01-21
CHAPTER xLVf.
A HoId-Up.

The captain of the cruiser Albany
had his men scour the country round
about, but-as had ever been the case
with Hernandez and his nimble-footed
crew-without result.
AT any rate" he said, 'the rascals
have run away-they've probably
shown us their heels for all time. You
go to Chantillo. Miss nington- You
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-01-21

nette's train. His men were off-all
of them. He alone remained, rooted
to the spot. He was powerless to do
anything. Suddenly-obeying the in
stinct of safety-for he could do moth
ing else-training had taught him
that foolish risk of life was suicide,
-obeying the instinct of self-preserva-
ton, he leaped, leaped safely.
At that instant with one final grunt
one final heave-the Brute bent his
mighty shoulders in one last desper-
ate thrust-and sent the rail spinning.
loose, detached, uprooted. to one side.
The next instant the troop train
empty as 1t was-reached the broken
track and left 1t. With the roar OF
thunder 1t plunged, plowed through
the soft earth and plunged pell NELL
through the deserted shed, missing
the train by mere hairsbreadth.'
An instant later Hernandez plunged
into the jungle. The Brute followed
him, as guilty dog follows its master
-whimpering with fear.
fTo BE CoNTINUED.)s
French Broad hustler and Western Carolina Democrat. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1915-1916, 1916-05-25
WOULD GUARANTEE
BORDER PROTECTION
MAJOR GENERAL FUNSTON Is
PLANNING REORGANIZATION
OF BORDER PATROL.
5000 MEN ALONG BORDER
Funston's Almost Compact Column
on Border Would Guarantee
Against Further Raids.

San Antonio, Texas.-Major General
Funston began the consideration of a
plan for the reorganization of the Dor
der patrol. Having under his direct
control almost so, 1000 men he outlined
to his staff a redistribution Of forces
that he believed would guarantee the
protection of American residents from
Mexican raiders.
Already forces at border stations
have been strengthened N it a
indicated hat before the end of the
week the greater part of the regular
troops and militia that have been sent
into the three border states would be
prepared and in position for quick
service along the international line.
It is improbable that more troops
will be sent to Colonel Sibley in
charge of the little expedition that
crossed into Mexico near Boquillas as
a result Of the raid at Glenn Springs
and BoQuillas q week ago. -Four de-
tachments are now operating close to
the lines, scouting through a limited
territory south of the border, but there
never has been any intention Of send
ing forward at that point a punitive
expedition that would compare in size
to that Of General Pershing In the
State of Chihouhua.
Army officers here are deeply inter.
ested in the efforts Of the Mexican
troops were reported to be making to
run down the bandits who raided the
Big Bend district and who yet hold
as q prisoner Jesse Deemer, an
American storekeeper. It is regarded
here as not impossible that the Mexi.
can troops may cut off the retreat to-
wards the interior of the bandits and
force them back within reach Of Col.
onel Sibley's cavalry.
French Broad hustler and Western Carolina Democrat. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1915-1916, 1916-05-25
sHIPMAN,s CANDIDACY.

The accompanying photograph shows
Hon. NAL. Shipman, better known
.hereabouts as MITCH" the State Com
missioner of Labor and Printing, in
whom Transatlantic takes great pride,
for it was Mitch" who was born at
Bowman's Bluff near the county line
and who when a country lad with a
cash capital of only sixteen dollars
and the more valuable assets of enthu-
siasm, sincerity and honesty, came to
the mountain village of Brevard and
established the French Broad Hustler
which he later moved to Henderson
vile.
Mr., Shipman's admirable qualities
were soon recognized here and he was
ppointtd county school superintendent,
which position he filled for some time.
moving his paper to Hendersonville in
1896. On July II of this year he a
ried Miss Lula Osborne, daughter of
w K. Osborne of Brevard.
Pluck and enterprise took Mr.. Ship
to Raleigh in 1899. In 1905 he
was appointed Assistant Commissioner
of Labor and Printing, being elected
to the office in 1908. He is now COM
French Broad hustler and Western Carolina Democrat. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1915-1916, 1916-05-25
DECIDE UPON ARMY OF
100000 MEN FOR u. s.

Backed BY a FederaIized National
Guard Of 425,ooo Men as Reserve.
Washington.-A standing army Of
206,0 900 fighting men capable of being
expanded in emergency to $4,000 and
backed by a f~ederalized National
Guard of 425, 900 as a reserve, finally
was agreed on by House and Senate
conferees on the army bill. The agree.
ment will be reported to Congress at
onse and the measure, the first of the
Administration preparedness bills, is
expected to be before President Will
son for his signature o afterward
Advocates of adequate National de.
Tense regard the conference agree
ment as a triumph. The compromise
between the House and Senate meas.
ures was effected after weeks Of
struggle against an insistant demand
from House conferees for a standing
army of only 140, 900 men.
The minimum enlisted strength
would be attained under the confer
ence agreement within the next five
years and it is stipulated that at no
time shall the total be less than
100000.
French Broad hustler and Western Carolina Democrat. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1915-1916, 1916-05-25

plotting his second term and is seeking
the nomination again at the polls in
the June primary.
Mr.. Shipman'S tenure has marked
his Office with growth and efficiency.
The 1915 General Assembly placed his
salary on an equality with that of the
other State officers. His annual report
is a wonderful exposition of North Car
olina's industrial growth and its circu-
lation. is practically worldwide.
The last legislature recognized the
Importance of his Office and enacted
into law measures advocated by Mr..
Shipman that give him wider authority
and a more complete supervision of the
printing at a saving of between ten
and twelve thousand dollars between
last and the coming session of the
General Assembly. He has made of
his office one of the most important of
State offices.
Mr.. Shipman has taken for many
years a very active part in political
affairs, having held county, senatorial
and congressional district chairman
ships with marked ability. He has
taken a high place in fraternal circles,
having been grand master and grand
representative of North Carolina Odd
Fellows.
When the editor of the News first
visited Hendersonville eight years ago
he BECAME associated with Mr.. Shipman
in a business way; these relations were
continued for ome time and were la
ter renewed. The writer then learned
of him more or less in a political way
and in this relation learned to know
him more intimately in his official ca
pacity and to live with him and his
family at his Raleigh home for a few
months and during these years we
have found him n of our most worthy
friends; a man always loyal to his
friends an despecially to the mountain
people. We learned him as a gentle
man in every sense of the word: a
Christian who knows What it means
and where to go when he hears the
church bells on Sunday morning.
In the light of these things and the
irst-hand knowledge of Mr.. Shipman's
integrity and the marked ability with
which he has discharged his duties to
the State and out of consideration for
his loyal friendship we would feel it
most u%ngrateful and disloyal not to
help him in our feeble way toward re-
election to the high and honored posi-
ton which he has filled with distinct
credit.-Sylvan Valley News, Brevard
n. G.