Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-08-09
FIFTEENTH EPISODE,
The Flag of Truce.

Realizing that the game was up with
them, and feeling that there was
chance of saving their major, the
American troopers. who had fought so
bravely against the terrible onslaught
of Lopez and his band, hastily scooped
out hole in the sand and thrust the
courageous commander into it. The
old fighter protested, informing them
he would rather die with his men. But
he was too severely wounded to resist,
After seeing that their major was
made as comfortable as possible, the
soldiers rushed back TO their comrades
and plunged into the battle again.
Lopez was delighted with this days
work, and, as he stood back of his
-Mexicans and watched their ferocious
attacks on the little band of Ameri-
cans, who fought madly against such
tremendous odds, he could not refrain
from sneering. 1t was the most impor-
tant conflict he had participated in since
he became the leader of the insurrec-
toS.
Not until every American trooper
had been sent to the dust with q bull
let in him did Lopez give the order to
cease firing. Then he gave one glance
around the battlefield, and, with COM
plete satisfaction over the results he
had achieved, he walked proudly to his
horse and leaped into the saddle. Then
he ordered his men to mount their
horses. and when all was ready the
band rode slowly out of the valley
The sun was just pushing its nose
above the eastern line of the desert.
just beyond the valley, as the last
smoke from the guns was ascending
towards the high peaks. which rose on
either side of Diablo pass. 1t was not
day for the sun to shine upon, and
as it gradually rose higher and higher
1T seemed to be smiling an approval of
the sorrowful scene in the valley. The
miserable Lopez and his evil band had
left behind them scene which would
have stirred the American government
to immediate action, had its leaders at
Washington been privileged to view
the picture of slaughter and carnage.
The entire camp had been blown
into millions of little pieces. The Amer
lean flag had been snatched by the BAN
dts and riddled with bullets until not
one star was visible. The brave troop
ers had been moved down as grass be-
fore scythe and they lay in heaps on
Mexican soil, where they had been shot
two governments We're supposed to be
enjoying friendly relationship. In the
meantime the United States govern
ment officials were carrying on neyo-
uadons, and the man who was respon-
sible for the blood that had been shed
during time of peace was permitted
to go on his way, robbing and killing.
Meanwhile Liberty and Pedro had
chpd ot
building was one of the oldest in dex-
leo, and was built in the days proceed
ing the invasion by the Spaniards un-
der fernando Cortez. The Aztecs had
used it as a fortress. and it was said
that the last emperor of Mexico, Mon
tezuma, was imprisoned and slain
within its walls. 1t had been used dur
ing the uprisings which occurred in the
Diaz and Madero regimes, but previ-
Gus to that had been deserted for fifty
years or more
AT the prison doors the two prison
efs We're separated. Liberty being
taken to one of the underground dun
eeons while Pedro was thrust into one
OF the big cells on the main floor. with
TWO guards to keep close watch over
him.
feuro, who was tired and footsore
from his long tramp. threw himself on
the moor ana was soon sound asleep.
How long he slept he did not know.
He was awakened by voices, and, as he
slowly opened his eyes, he saw the
two guards seated at table In the
middle of the room. They were drink
ing heavily from two bottles of cheap
Mexican wine and muttering to each
other, at the same time casting threat
ening gIances at their prisoner.
The old slave was somewhat re-
freshed. and he jumped to his feet and
walked to the heavily barred window
which looked out on the big courtyard.
and gazed out at the sun, which was
just sinking below the western horizon
like ball of fire. For it was now the
end of the day. A Mexican sunset is