Williston graphic., 1917-04-05
CHAPTER v.
A Journey, and 4 Dark Man.


Alaire's preparations for the journey
10 La Feria were made with little de-
stay. Owing to the condition Of affairs
across the border, Ellsworth had
thought It well to provide her with let
.ters from the most influential Mexi.
cans In the neighborhood what is
more, In order to pave her way toward
4 settlement of her claim he succeeded
In getting q telegram through to Mex
leo City-Ellsworth' Influence was not
bounded by the Rio Grande.
Alairc took Dolores with her, and for
~nale escort she selected. after some
elaboration, Jose Sanchez. her horse
1Roaker. Benito could not well be
1pored. Sanchez had some force and
:lDltjative. at least and Alaire had no
tOason to doubt his loyalty. The party
went to Pueblo by motor. On the fol.
lowing day. Alalre secured her pass:
ports from the federal headquarters
Across the Rio Grande, while Jose at.
stonded to the railroad tickets. On the
.aecond morning after leaving home the
marty was borne southwark into Mex.
ico.
The revolution had ravaged most OF
northern Mexico long rows Of rustine
trucks and twisted car skeletons beside
the track showed how the railways
rolling stock had suffered In this par
ticular vicinity; and as the traiR pene.
trated farther south temporary trestles
and the charred ruins of station houses
spoke even more eloquently of the
struggle. Now and then steel water
tank, pierced with loopholes and ripped
by cannon balls, showed where some
detachment had made stand. There
was military guard on the train
too-a dozen unkempt soldiers loaded
down with rifles and bandoliers of car
tridges, and several officers, neatly
dressed in khaki, who rode in the first.
class coach and occupied themselves
by making eyes at the women.
At It's frequent stops the train wat
besicged by the customary, crowd OF
curious poems: the same noisy huck.
sters dealt out enchiladas, tortillas
goat cheeses and coffee from the same
dirty baskets and pals; even their out
stretched hands seemed to bear the fa.
miliar CRIME of ante.bellum days. The
coaches were crowded; women famed
themselves increasingly; their men
snored, open-mouthed, over the backs
of the seats. and the aisles were full
of squalling, squabbling children.
AS for the country itself, 1t was dy-
ing. The ranches we're stripped OF
stock, no carts creaked along the high
ways, and the roads, like the little
farms, were growing up to weeds.
Stores were empty, the people were
idle. Over all was an atmosphere of
decay, and, what was far more signifl-
cant, the people seemed content.
All morning the monotonous journey
>eontinued-a trial to Alaire and Dolo-
res, but to Jose Sanchez a red-letter
experience. He covered the train from
end to end. making himself acquaint.
ed with everyone and bringing to
Alaire the gossip that he picked up.
It was not until midday that the first
interruption occurred; then the train
ipullcU la UpOu SlulIlS, duu ullcI 0u
interminable delay it transpired that
,northbound troop-train was expected.
Jose brought this intelligence: "Soon
you will behold the flower of the Mex.
lean army" he told Alaire. You will
see thousands of Longorio's veterans
every man of them very devil for
blood. They are returning to Nuevo
Pueblo after destroying a band Of
those eooels. They had great vic
tory at ean Pedro-thirty kilometert
from La teria. Not prisoner waa
spared. sonora
- General Longorio with them3"
Xlalfo inquired quickly.
THAT Is what l came to tell you
Il q believed that he is. for he takee
his army with him wherever he goes.
He . q great fighter; he has nose
for q, that man. and he strikes like the
lightning = here, there, anywhere
Jose, It seemed, was rabid Potosista
"When the train arrives" she told
her horse.breaker. II want you to find
General Longorio and ask him to come
here"
But senora!" Jose was dun