Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-04-25
CHAPTER v.
A Journey, and a Dark Man.

A Journey, and a Dark Man.
Alaire's preparations for the journey
to La Feria were made with little de
lay. Owing to the condition of affairs
across the border, Ellsworth had
thought 1t we'll to provide her with let
tiers from the most influential Mexi
cans in the neighborhoOd; what is
more, in order to pave her way toward
a settlement of her claim he succeeded
in getting telegram through to Mex.
leo City-Ellsworth's influence was not
bounded by the Rio Grande.
Alaire took Dolores with her, and for
male escort she selected, after some
deliberation, Jose Sanchez, her horse
| breaker. BenitO could not well be
spared. Sanchez had some force and
initiative, at least and Alaire had no
reason to doubt his loyalty. The party
went to Pueblo by motor. On the fol-
lowing day, Alaire secured her pass
ports from the federal headquarters
across the Rio Grande, while Jose at
tended to the railroad tickets. On the
second morning after leaving home the
party was borne southwark into Mex
leo.
The revolution had ravaged most Of
northern Mexico; long rows of rusting
trucks and twisted car skeletons beside
the track showed how the railways
rolling stock had suffered in this par
ticular vicinity; and as the train 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 a 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 was
besieged 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 ia
milar 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, squabbllng children.
AS for the country itself, it was dy-
ing. The ranches were 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 signih-
cant, the people seemed content.
All morning the monotonOus journey
continued-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.
1t was not until midday that the first
occurred; then the train
pulled in upon a siding, and after an
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 rebels. They had great vic
tory at San PedrO-thirty kilometers
from La Feria. Not prisoner was
spared, sonora"
is General Longorio with them?
Alaire inquired quickly.
'That is what l came to tell you.
It Is bs:iWed that he is, for he takes
mrs army with him wherever he goes.
He is a great fighter; he has a nose