The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1916-06-22
CHAPTER III-contInued.

Il believe I'll send a detail over
there to see what Is going on. sir. Ser.
geant, go and tell the old priest that
the major and | are leaving camp and
shall not return till morning. Report
20 me at my tent when you have told
him. Now, major. II you care 70 60
along | can give you a change OF cloth.
ing and a fairly good horse to ride"
The major nodded assent.
"of course I'll go. That's what |
came down here for-to see for my.
self-and tell the general Just how
things are going. Here come the
horses now"
Ten minutes later they trotted lei.
surely out OF the camp. headed south.
east.
A horned moon was swinging clear
OF the cloud-capped Buffalo mountains.
Southwark they could see in the
moonlight the dim mountains in old
Mexico. standing like silent sentinels,
locking with grim d%isapproval 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 bis scouting hat.
What is II, sergeant" asked Kynas.
ton.
There's a little fire over yonder.
sir"
The gauntleted hand Stabbed the
dark. It's finger in the direction OF the
fire. and Kynaston's gaze followed. A
b~lade-shaped flame stood out In the
blackness OF the night.
What's owe there? Any houses?
Any Americans live over there2" Ma.
for Updyke's query was as quick as a
shot.
kynaston paused a moment.
NO, sir. That are's on the Mexl.
a side Of the line. What can II be,
sergeant"
The sergeant puzzled a moment or
two. Then:
Sir, ! know It's the Santa Cruz
mi1e, where the Uptons 1.-Two. As sure
ga ! live, str, the rebels are attackin'
the mine! Don't you remember, sir.
Mr. Upton zane through with the two
ladies today? Sure as anything. them
rebels have attacked the place: heav.
On telp the Uptons!" he calculated.
Any orders. SIR"
KynaEtou turned 10 Updyke.
"I know, sir. what the orders arc.
! Know tho orders ara very strict that
no American shall cross tho line un.
less he has a residence there. wish
you were deaf, dumb and blind for O
few hours"
In the darkness Major Updyke
grinned behind his hand.
Why" he asked.
IT you we're" said Kynaston SLOWLY.
I'D 20 back TO my camp and There
are two American women over there"
he concluded lAmely.
II am deaf and blind" said Major
Updyke impressively. Il can neither
q nor hear at night. am quite sure
that"
"Twos left about! Gallop!"
The orders shot out like the shots
from a machine gun; almost before he
knew II the major found himself gal.
looping back to the little camp.
Have twenty men saddle I'D al
once, sergeant" crisd Rynastou.
Take nothing but ~canteens, rifles. and
a hundred rounds OF ammunition per
nan Get the men ready at once"
The sergeant hesltated and finally
ventured on a liberty that was rare In.
deed for him.
"Sir, is the lieutenant goin' TO cross
the line?" he asked. DO you remem.
Der, sir, what the orders are1 tn
cost the lieutenant his commission"
III it'll cost my commission 10 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"