The Huttig news., 1917-03-17
CHAPTER V.
A Journey, and a Dark Man.

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 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 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 Il settlement of her claim he succeeded in getting a telegram through to Mex leo City-Ellsworth' 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 we'll 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 southward 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 ha ho nf cfo spoke even more eloquently of the struggle. Now and then a steel water tank, pierced with loopholes and ripped by cannon balls, showed where some detachment had made stand. Thefe was military guard on the train, too-a dozen unkempt soldiers loaded down with rifles and bandoliers of car trldges, and several officers, neatly dressed In khaki, who rode in the first class coach and occupied themselves by making eyes at the women.
 At its frequent stops the train was curious peons; the same noisy huck- sters dealt out enehiladas, tortillas, goat cheeses and coffee from the same dirty baskets and pails; even their out stretched hands seemed to bear the fla miliar grime of ante-bellum days. The coaches were crowded; women famed themselves unceasingly; 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 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 signifi- cant, the people seemed content.
 All morning the monotonous journey continued-a trial to Alaire and Dolo- res, but to Jose Sanchez 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 pulled In upon a siding, and after an interminable delay 1t transpired that n northbound troop-train was expected.
 Jose brought this intelligence: "Soon you will behold the flower of the Mex iean army" he told Alaire. You will see thousands of Longorio's veterans, every man of them a very devil for blood. They are returning to Nuevo Pueblo after destroying band of those rebels. They had great vic tory at San Pedro-thirty kilometers from La Feria. Not prisoner was spared, senora."
 "Is General Longorlo with them?" Alaire inquired quickly.
 "That is what I cane to tell you, It is believed that he is, for he takes his army with him wherever he goes. He is great fighter; he has q nose ; for 1t, that man, and he strikes like the lightning here, there, anywhere Jose 1t seemed, was rabid Potosista.
 "When the train arrives" she told her horse-breaker. 'I want you to find General Longorio and ask him to come here."
 But, senorat' Jose was dunn.