Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-05-23

something which came up in his
throat.
The news of the battle quickly
spread TO Fl Paso, and when the news
papers heard that Major Winston had
been severely wounded men were
rushed to the little town in order to
get the full reports of the fighting.
When the Major finally recovered
from the injury, and was well on the
way to health again, Rutledge came
to him one day as he was sitting
in a big easy chair on the veranda of
the hospital, with a plan for saving
Liberty and put an end TO Lopez and
his murderous band of insurrectos-
TIN going to Washington" he said
as he threw himself on the steps.
"As PRESIDENT" inquired the Major,
whose old spirit had now returned.
mo, to the president" answered
Rutledge. until we get the govern
ment interested in just what is being
done by the Mexicans along the bOr-
der, we cannot expect it to help u.s.
81 don't want to discourage you,
Bob, but I think you will find it
harder task than you imagine" re-
piled the Major. you know what it
means, once we send troops across
the Rio Grande?"
81 realize what it means, but how
long are we ding to permit our homes
to be destroyed; our relatives killed
and our women assaulted, by these
vicious devils, who are masquerading
under the name of insurrectos, when
in reality they are nothing more than
a band of thieves and murderersT ex-
claimed Rutledge, his face flushing
with anger.
The Major passed Rutledge paper.
1t was letter from the war depart
ment at Washington notifying Major
Richard Winston that, owing to his
'disobediance of orders in connection
with the recent border disturbances"
he was dismissed from the service.
Rutledge read ii twice, for he could
hardly believe the words 1t contained.
Then he turned to the Major. "This
is the reward you receive for all those
years of active service" he remarked
thoughtfully.
at came yesterday" said the Major
calmly. II wasn't going TO show it to
you. It's one of the most embarrass-
ing papers a man can receive during
his lifetime" His voice trembled as
he spoke. "You know what caused 1t,
don't your" he continued.
81 can't imagine anything you did
inspired it," replied Bob.
That's what they did to me for
crossing the border, after i received
instructions from Washington to post
pOne the invasion pending diplomatic
negotiations" answered the Major.
I'm going to Washington and lay
the entire matter before the presi-
dent" said Rutledge. with emphasis,
land TIL bet before 1 get through you
will receive another letter from the
war department"
Somebody should 60" agreed the
Major. 81 think you're right; if the
president understood the conditions
down here he would probably act a
little sooner. You have my best wishes
for the success of your mission, and IL
any great good results therefrom the
border people will be grateful to you"
While sRutledge was preparing to
leave Chicos for Washington, the ban
dit leader and his band had entered
and Pedro had escaped. The leader
of the insurrectos had now given him
self the rank of general, and was in
of all the troops who were
banded together to overthrow the Ca
brero government. When he discOv-
cred that his two prisoners had es-
capped, his wrath knew no bounds, and
he at once sent some of his men to
search for them.
Now Pedro had returned TO ChihuH-
hua in order to get some water for
Liberty. who had tainted from ex-
haustiOn in the woods which skirted
the town. He was seen by one of the
bandits as he was returning, and,
while trying to cover Liberty's escape,
was captured.
He was then taken before Lopez.
who had established his headquarters
near the outskirts of the town. and
thrown into one of the
rooms of vacant building. But Lib
erty, who had witnessed his capture.
stealthily followed.
Late that afternoon Pedro was talk
en- TO the edge of the town by Lopez
and two of his men. The party. on ar