Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-07-26
hrs ! ne r shrieked Liberty. 4 :.

being held a prisoner here by Lopez
and his men,
I'VE will take you Chihuahua pris-
on" said the Mexican as he started for
the door. Bring her." he commanded
| his men
/ Three or four of them at once start
ed to carry out his orders and grabbed
the girl by the arms. Liberty pulled
herself free and picking up her hat and
coat remarked II will go without your
| help
| Realizing it would be useless to try
| to resist the band, she left the hut
| under the escort of the soldiers, who
| placed her on one of their horses and
| then began the ride to Chihuahua The
| town was situated only a few miles
away and its prison was one of the
worst in Mexico. AS Liberty thought
of the place they were taking her to
she grew respondent. She had seen
the prison many times and knew of
the filth and disease within its wallis
Many of the insurrectos had been i'm
prisoned there, and scores of them had
been shot inside its walls
Meanwhile, the chief of the insur-
rectos and his band of followers were
on their way to attack Major Winston
and his troops in Diablo Pass. Lopez
had started away before the tragedy
in the hut. and believed his prisoner
was safe, where he intended to leave
her until his return. He was still feel
ing the effects of his drunken orgy and
he swayed from side to side as he sat
IL his saddle. Beside him rode Alvira.
whose eye searched the road ahead of
him, as he headed the troops.
They had started shortly after mid
night, and. as Winston and his column
We're not more than three hours ride
from the place where the inSurrectos
had broken camp. Alvira saw no need
of rushing the horses, and only occa-
sionally did they break into a trot.
Both Lopez and Alvira were conf
dent The insurrectos were going to
meet with success in the forthcoming
attack. They had frustrated the at
tempt of Liberty and Pedro to warn
the major. The girl, they believed.
was still imprisoned in the hut. Pedro
had escaped, but they felt certain he
had not ridden to the Pass. They could
only wait and see. If he had reached
the major then their ride would have
been in vain. But. if Pedro had gone
in another direction, then they knew
they stood an excellent chance of WHIP
ing out the American troops; for they
far outnumbered Winstons column.
Where's that yellow-skin. Manuel? ?"
asked Lopez of Alvira once as he re-
turned to the head of the band after
a ride down his line of men.
Hes back there" replied Alvira.
THE dog has slipped u.s." said Lo-
PEI.
IF he's not here, by God we'll -
but his words died away as he swung
his horse around and dashed to the
rear of his band.
He rode back and forth two or three
times. scrutinizing every man as best
he could in the dark for the moon had
disappeared under the clouds and ev-
erything was black.
"Ee's a traitor" said Alvira as he
took his place again beside Lopez.
Then he turned to one of the men who
was riding directly behind him and
shouted: Go back and look for Leon.
See if he's in the hut with that girl.
If he is, take him outside and shoot
him -
The man turned his horse around
and dashed away to carry out the or
ders of his chief.
About an hour later he returned. He
was riding hard and brushed past the
band up to the head of the column
where he drew up his horse beside Al
vira.
He dead :" reported the messenger.
His body on the floor of hut with
Mexican girl The gringo girl she
gonel''
Whats that" exclaimed the lead
err.
The Mexican repeated his words
again as Alvira and Lopez halted their
horses and listened
Serves him right the dog" said Al
vira when the fellow had finished.
THE gringo girl did that added
Lopez. 'She's tiger cat. With that
ranger gone she may marry me-" Then
he turned to the messenger. Take
two men and go back and find the
girl" he ordered. Bring her to me-
The Mexican swung his horse about
and motioned two of the inSurrectoS
to follow him. moment later their
horses were heard galloping down the
road.
Just before daybreak the moon came
as the insurrectoS turned sharp bend
in the road. they saw a league ahead
of them the camp of Major Winston
1t stood at the foot of the hills on the
edge of the desert.
AS soon as it came into view. Lopez
pulled up his horse and calling one of