Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-08-18
GET angry SPIES
IN NIGHT CHASE
Weird Cleans of Light on the
Mesa a Puzzle to the
Guardsmen.
SCOUTS SOLVE THE MYSTERY
Expedition Nets Two Indignant Gen.
tlemen, Who Explain Their Busi-
ness and Express Their. Opin-
ion of military FeIIers."

Ell Paso, Tex.-Lights on the mesa
Mysterious CLEANS that shot through
the smothering dark high over the
camps of the state Guardsmen, Fort
Bliss and the sleeping city of Ell Paso.
Two bobbing, flashing shafts of light
that showed now here. now there-but
always where field glasses on the Mex
lean side could observe their peculiar
movements.
Small wonder that the militiamen.
newly dumped into a zone Of martial
atmosphere, were thrilled. Strange,
indeed, If the weird lights did not
bring to mind at once the thought of
spies lurking in the hills over Ell Paso
and signaling military positions and
troop movements to the Mexican side
of the Rio Grande.
For two nights the officers at bril-
gade headquarters camp watched the
lights through their glasses.
Puzzles Army Veteran.
IF it's signal work, it's the strang;
est ever saw" said a regular army
veteran. II can't make II out. There
don't seem to be any sense to it."
| That's because it's Mexican" COM
mented another. Besides, it may be
CODE"
On the third night a little band of
scouts was selected, and as taps"
| was sounded they started into the hills
| to take the trail of the mystery.
| Scarcely had the scouts left camp
when the mysterious lights appeared
again over the mesa. Little stabs of
| light cleaned through the night and
were gone, to flash after a bit some
| where else.
IF the boys hurry they'll get EN-"
said the officer with the field glasses.
observing the play of lights.
There followed a tense period Of
| waiting. Then came
Bang! Bang!
Carrying far through the clear air
came the staccato of two quick shots.
One of the lights wavered "A moment
and then streaked downward like a
falling star.
They've got 'emw exclaimed one
of the watchers. "The one that
dropped went right down the face Of
the mesa!"
Half an hour later the sound of
shutting feet told of the return of the
scouting expedition. There were other
noises. Two other noises. to be exact.
Two voices raised in high complaint.
won't do you no good!". the SER
geant's voice responded. Tell all that
to the commanding officer"
They came into the circle of light
made by the lantern at headquarters
tent. ~ - 90 $3.50 -, ....,
The Mystery ls Solved.
1--WE found 'em right on the mesa,
sir" reported the sergeant. "They
had lanterns and electric flashlights.
When we came we scared 'em. One of
'em started to run. / fired my rifle
in the air and he fell over the mesa.
But he didn't fall far"
The commanding officer faced the
prisoners. Both of them began talk
ing at once. One of them used Span
ish curses with great vehemence and
might have been an Indian. a Mexican
or a lifelong resident of the desert.
The other did not need two languages
to curse but otherwise answered the
same description.
you military fellers think you're
alfred smart" he said "Goin'
around and arrestin' peaceable citi-
zens like me and Jake here. We've
lived in these parts man and boy for
nigh to forty years, and we amt safe
from a lot Of fresh young guys who
think they own the world because they
wear silver dewdads on their collars
I'm Cactus Charlie Peterson and my
pardner is Poisonous Schultz" -s..-'
"But what were you doing on the
mesa?" asked the commanding officer
"We're prospectOrs. dag-nab itv
cried Cactus Charles. And we've been
prospecting up In them hills at night
so we could stay ,outen the hot sum-
1t was very disappointing. But the
mystery was solved.
IF you find mine up there come
back" said the commanding officer
land I'll buy some stock in the thing.