The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-08-11

otNdSlOuGlly their Reconnaissance
carried these swift sentries of the air
lanes south of the border; but the re-
ports of their observers were invaria-
bly, destitute Of alarming information.
Apparently the Mexican population
was apathetic, resigned to the pursuits
Of peace. There was no more gun-run
ming that could be discovered. There
was no movement of troops percept-
ible. There were no raids. There was
not even a lonely case of sniping to
keep the patrols on the qui vive.
For all that, Patria's preparations
We're pushed forward with Undated
energy.
There came a day, several weeks
after Zalaya's futile raid, when this
young woman rode out to review her
modest but wonderfully efficient forces.
She returned to the hacienda in the
quiet of evening, weary but exhilar-
ated.
I'm not afrSid," she told Donald
with a nod of her head indicating the
Mexican mountains in the sOuth-their
ragged ramparts looming in purple
shades against the silvered skies Of
perfect moonlight night. "Let them
Gomez
He laughed sympathetically, but
shook a reproving head.
Let us not fall into the pit of over
confidence" he said. 81 know how you
feel. It's wonderful to know that we
have all these fine fellows to rally to
our defense in case of need. But after
all, they're only a handful; and what
I fear is that the next act of agrees
sion, when it comes, will be invasion
in overwhelming forces. We have
gone as far as we can in the matter of
making these men the toughest kind
of hard-hitting fighters; but there
aren't enough Of them to Withstand
an army's advance. From now ON we
must devote all our energies to the
planning Of means to equalize supe-
rior numbers with superior intelli-
gence. We must be prepared TO de-
liver a staggering blow before the en-
envy can find out how insignificant our
forces are"
They sat in silence for a little. both
gazing out over the Swallowed dis
tances beyond the border.
sit Is too quiet-too quiet alto
gether," Parr unused aloud. II can't
forget that Huroki is somewhere out
there-hiding, planning, restlessly
scheming to serve his country's pur-
poses and at the same timeto gain his
revenge for the setbacks he has re-
ceived at our hands,"
"Nor can I forget it." the girl re-
piled. "Of one thing we may feel as
sured: If Huroki has any voice in the
councils that are taking place down
there. the blow, when it comes, will
fall here first of ALL"
The shadow of premonition dark
ened her mood transiently. She shiv-
cred a little.
II wonder" she said, what iniqui-
ties he is Matching down yonder?"
There is a certain psychic sympathy
between the minds of those that hate
well, even as it is with those who love
there was less coincidence than might
be thought in the fact that, at approx.
imately the same time, Baron Huroki
; was uttering substantially similar OBJ.
: servatiOns concerning Patria, at dis
lance of something like q days ride
from the hacienda.
The scene was the main room of ar
adobe dwelling of somewhat more pre-
tentious proportions and appointments
than is commonly to be found in the
wilder sections Of inland Mexico.
There were a number Of other adobe
houses near it; but this was the larg
est of the lot; and 1t was further dis
: tinguished by a restless going ant
coming of orderlies and officers of su
perior rank in the field uniforms OF
the japanese army-though there wa:
not lacking a sprinkling of others at
tired in the livery of the troops loya
to the de facto government of Mexico
The dwelling was, in Short tn,
headquarters of General Nogi, com
mander In chief of the allied Japanes,
and Mexican forces which had beer
secretly gathered together in this re
mote retreat and were now marking
time. under arms. against receipt OF
; word from Tokyo to proceed with tn,
long-planned invasion of the south
western United States.
From the slight eminence on which
the headquarters building stood th'
valley sloped away in dimly moonli
perspective; and as far as one coult
see it was a city of dust-colored tents
populated by regiment upon regiment
of highly trained and efficient troops
Within the headquarters building. in
a large room, brightly lighted and fur
nished with soldierly severity, an in
formal council of war was in prog
ress, General Nogi himself presiding.
He was a man of nearly sixty. YET
carried his compact and athletic body
with the ease Of twenty-five. His
heavy-lidded eyes were as bright as
any youths; the network of wrinkles
that inclosed them, with the whiteness
of his hair. alone betrayed his age
And the habit of incontestable author
ity was distinctively his. A man who
measured his words before utterins
them, who spoke seldom. having once
spoken, was to be Obeyed TO the let
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