Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-07-26

was deAerted II wao evident -
Americans had not been warned Of
the intended attack.
As silently as he came, the scout
crept back to where he had left his
horse. and leaping into the saddle rode
back to the rest of the band. where he
reported to Lopez
Immediately the chief instructed his
men to rid, in single file until they
reached the end of the camp. Then
they left their horses, and, with Lopez
at the head of the column. they formed
an encircling movement, which hemmed
in the American troops. While they
were doing this, the machine guns
were brought up and placed in the
front After making certain that ev-
cry one Of his men had his cartridge
belt filled, Lopez gave the order to fire,
and the attack began.
The first volley brought the Major
from his tent and woke up the rest of
the camp. and, before the insurrectos
hred again they found everyone of the
troopers with his gun to his shoulder.
An instant later the battle was on.
The Mexicans fought madly, as they
poured their bullets into the American
camp. They had the advantage. for
they completely surrounded Winston's
men, who seemed to be thrown into
disorder by the terrific onslaught. As
the Major saw several of his men fall,
he grabbed up gun and took his place
among his troops. 1t was almost use
less to attempt to withstand the fire of
the inSurrectoS, for the shot fell into
the camp from all directions and with
every charge several of his men drop
ped to the ground.
The Major knew he was outnumber-
ed almost so to 1, but he was pre-
pared to make it a fight to the finish.
and he called to his men to charge at
the MexicanS. This they attempted to
do. but they Were driven back by the
machine guns which tore through their
lines and left the dead and dying in
their trail.
Lopez smiled with satisfaction as he
watched the havoc wrought by his
band, and he knew that only the inevi-
table hand of fate could prevent him
from defeating the Americans this
time. The attack had been well plan
ned, and the Major had not been
warned. He gave orders to his men to
move the machine gun up closer, and
each time they fired, the insurrectos
closed in ON the little band of troop
erS.
AS the Major was in the thickest of
the fight, with men falling on either
side of him, a bullet pierced him in
the side and sent him to the dust
Some of his men, seeing him topple
over, rushed to his side. They picked
him up, and hastily carried him to the
rear, where they dug a pit and placed
him in it, afterwards covering it over.
but leaving 4 small opening large
enough for him to breathe through He
instructed them to return to the fight
ing, and, reluctantly, they picked up
their guns anu rushed back among
their comrades.
The insurrectoS succeeded in gain
ing ground every time they fired, and
in Il. short time there were only a hand
full of Americans left. But, they fought
with determination that was admir-
able and becoming their race, even
though they knew it was a losing fight
Even Lopez could not help but adj
mire them, and once he turned and
shouted to Alvira: Damn them !;
they've got nerve. them gringos!''
Finally. there were but eight of Ma
jor Winston's column left. and they
stood back to back, as the insurrectos
closed in on them.
(TO BE CONTINUED)