The Lamar register., 1917-10-03

J Il am innocent of any crime; there
fore l am brave. But you-the blood
Of innocent men means nothing to you
-Panfilo's murder proves that-sO
complete your work Make an end of
me-"
| BE still !" Dave commanded, thickly.
But the fellows hatred was out of
bounds now, and by the bitterness of
his vituperntion he seemed to invite
death. Dave interrupted his vitriolic
curses to ask harshly:
''Will you tell me, or will you force
me TO wiring the truth out Of your
Jose answered by splitting at his cap
tor; then he gritted an unspeakable
epithet from between his teeth.
Dave addressed him with an air of
finality. You killed that man and
your life is forfeit, go 1t doesn't make
much difference E.--ther l take it or
whether the state takes it. You are
brave enough to die-mOst of you Mexi-
cans are-but the state can't force you
TO speak, and | can" Jose sneered.
"Oh yes, / can! l intend to know all
that you know. and it will be better
for you to tell me voluntarily. l must
learn where Sonora Austin is, and l
must learn quickly, If have to kill you
by inches to get the truth"
$50, Torture, eh? Good. I can be
lieve it of you. Well, slow fire will
not make me speak,
mo. A fire would be too easy, Jose"
"Eh?"
Without answer Dave strobe out of
the room. He was back before his
prisoner could do more than wrench
at his bonds, and with him he brought
his lariat and his canteen.
"What are you going to do?" Jose in
quired, backing away until he was once
more at bay.
"Tm going to give you drink"
"Whiskyl You think you can make
me drunk?" The horse-breaker laughed
loudly but uneasily.
Not WHISKY; water I'm going to
give you drink of water"
"What capers -
when you've drunk enough you'll
tell me why you killed your employer
and where General Longorio has taken
his wife. Yes, and everything else
want to know" Seizing the amazed
Mexican, Dave flung him upon Mo-
rales' hard board bench, and in spite of
the fellows struggles deftly made him
fast. When he had finished-and II
was no easy job-Jose lay spread
eagled" upon his back, his wrists and
ankles firmly bound to the corners and
foot posts, his body secured by a tight
loop over his waist. The rope cut
painfully and brought curse from the
prisoner when he strained at 1t. Law
surveyed him with face of stone
81 don't want to do this" he de-
clared, "but know your kind. | give
you one more chance. VIII you tell
meT"
Jose drew his lips back in a snarl of
rage and pain, and Dave realized that
further words were useless. He felt a
certain pity for his victim and no little
admiration for his courage. but such
feelings were " small consequence
as against his agonizing fears for
Alaire's safety. Had he in the least
doubted Jose's guilty knowledge of
Longorio's Intentions. Dave would have
hesitated before employing the bar
barous measures he had in mind, but
there was nothing else for it. He pulled
the canteen cork and jammed the
mouthpiece firmly to Jose's lips. Clos
ing the fellows nostrlls with his free
hand, he forced him to drink.
Jose clcnched his teeth. he tried to
roll his head he held his breath until
his face grew purple and his eyes
bulged. He strained like man upon
tie rack. The bench creaked to his
muscular contortions: the rope tight
ened. 1t was terribly cruel. this crush
Ing Of strong will bent on resistance
TO the uttermost; but never was an
eNecutioner more pitiless, never did
prisoners agony receive less consid-
GRAFTON. The warm water spilled over
JuSe's face, It drenched his neck and
chest; his Joints creaked as he strove
for freedom and tried to twist his head
out or Laws iron grasp. The seconds
dragged, until finally nature asserted
h' I-Self. The Imprisoned breath burst
forth; there sounded a loud gurgling
cry ana a choking inhalation. Jose's
body writhed with the convulsiOns of
drowning rs the water and air were
sucked into his lungs. Law was kneel- |
ing over his victim now. his weight and
strength so applied that Jose had no
liberty of action and could only drink,
HHFuHW Il Loo