Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-04-18

Then he turned to one of the men who
was riding directly behind him and
shouted: go back and look for Leon.
See If he's in the hut with that girl.
If he is, take him outside and shoot
him %
The man turned his horse around
and dashed away to carry out the or
ders of his chief.
About an hour later he returned. He
was riding hard and brushed past the
band up to the head of the column,
where he drew up his horse beside Al
vira.
''He deadl' reported the messenger.
His body on the floor of hut with
Mexican girl. The gringo girl she
gonel'
whats that" exclaimed the lead
er.
The Mexican repeated his words
again as Alvira and Lopez halted their
horses and listened.
Serves him right: the dog" said AL
vira, when the fellow had finished.
1.-THE gringo girl did that" added
Lopez. 'She's tiger cat. With that
miserable cur out of the way and that
ranger gone she may marry me-" Then
he turned to the messenger. take
two men and go back and find the
girl" he ordered. Bring her to me-"
The Mexican swung his horse about
and motioned two of the insurrectOs
to follow him. moment later their
horses were heard gallOping down the
road.
Just before daybreak the moon came
out from under the clouds again, and.
as the insurrectOs turned a sharp bend
in the road, they saw league ahead
OF them the camp of Major Winston.
1t stood at the foot of the hills, on the
edge of the desert
AS soon as it came into view, Lopez
pulled up his horse and calling one of
his men he instructed him to ride
ahead; dismount some distance from
the camp and see if all was quiet. In
the meantime, Lopez and his men
would wait for his return.
The man did as directed. He rode
ahead for some distance and then
jumped from his horse and crept
Stealthily through the thicket which
skirted the road. Except for the SEN
tries pacing back and forth, the camp
was deserted. 1t was evident the
Americans had not been warned OF
the intended attack.
AS silently as he came, the scout
crept back to where he had left his
horse, and leaping into the saddle rode
back 10 the rest of'the band, where he
reported to Lopez
Immediately the chief instructed his
men to ride in single file until they
reached the end of the camp. Then
they left their horses, and, with Lopez
at the head of the column, they formed
an encircling movement, which hemmed
liz the American troops. While they
were doing this, the machine guns
were brought up and placed in the
front. After making certain that ev-
cry one of his men had his cartridge
belt filed, Lopez gave the order to FIRE.
and the attack began.
The first volley brought the Major
from his tent and woke up the rest of
the camp, and, before the insurrectos
fired again they found everyone Of the
troopers with his gun 10 his shoulder.
An instant later the battle was on.
The Mexicans fought madly, as they
poured their bullets into the American
camp. They had the advantage. for
they completely surrounded Winston 5
men, who seemed to be thrown into
disorder by the terrific onslaught. AS
the Major saw several of his men fall,
he grabbed up gun and took his place
among his troops. Ii was almost use
less to attempt to withstand the fire of
the insurrectos, for the shot fell into
the camp from all directions and with
every charge several of his men drop
ped TO the ground.
The Major knew he was outEumber-
ed almost SO to 1, but he was rre-
pared to make it a fight to the finish,
and he called to his Tacn to charge at
the Mexicaas. This they attempted to
do. but they were driven back by the
| machine guns which tore through their
lines and left the dead and dying in
their trail.
Lopez smiled with satisfaction as he
watched the havoc wrought by his
band, and he knew that only the inevi-
from defeating the Americans this
time. The attack had been well plan
ned, and the Major had not been
warned. He gave orders TO his men Ia
move the machine gun up closer. and
each time they fired, the insurrectOs
closed in on the little band Of troop
eTS.
As the Major was in the thickest OF
the fight, with men falling on either
side of him, bullet pierced him in
the side and sent him TO the dust.
Some of his men, seeing him topple
over, rushed to his side. They picked
him up, and hastily carried him 10 the
rear, where they dug pit and placed
him in it, afterwards covering it over,
but leaving small opening large
enough for him to breathe through. He
instructed them to return to the fight
ing. and. reluctantly. they PICKED up
their guns and rushed back among
their comrades.
The insurrectos succeeded in gain
ing ground every time they fired, and
in short time there were only a hand
fui of Americans left. But, they fought
with a determination that was admir-