The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-08-11
TWELFTH EPISODE
Peace" Which Passeth All Un-
Outstanding!
BEFORE THE STORM.

0eFS VIII y ShW.
The punishment administered by the
Canning ranch hands to the raiding
party which, under the leadership of
that redoubtable scoundrel, Pancho
Zeaya, had escended-literally like
wolves upon a sheepfold-upon Pa
trfa's hacienda in the quiet of early
morning, seemed to work with salu-
tary effect upon the understanding of
Senior Zelaya and his japanese con-
frere, Baron Huroki.
Days Of complete peace followed
that abortive raid, frightening into
teeks-
Scouts sent out by Captain Donald
1irr, acting for Patria, reported that
llaya and Huroki had apparently
liver again ventured forth from the
k,untain Businesses to which they
Id been driven by the Claiming
people, after their rescue of Patria
and Donald.
Nor was there perceptible any indi-
cation of concentration of Mexican
soIdiery in the country south of the
border-whether troops Of the de facto
government or followers Of Zelaya's
outlaw fortunes.
In natural consequence that vigi-
lance which had been excited among
border landowners by the raid in
sensibly relaxed. The stronger guards
which they had established against
further attempts against their lives
and properties were weakened by
degrees. With a single exception, they
relapsed into that fatally false sense
Of security which had heretofore been
theirs, thanks to long immunity from
such outrages<as had been visited upon
other sections or the border country.
That solitary exception was note.
worthy Sone-Patria Claiming, who
had suffered too much at the hands
Of Baron Huroki and his associates 70
believe that anything short of COM
plete preparation to cope with further
attentions would discourage the en-
envy.
Such measures, then, as Patria and
her counselors reckoned she must take
to provide against possible disaster,
must necessarily be put into effect
with the greatest secrecy. A minimum
Of show. must mask a maximum of in
telligently directed protective efforts.
Patria spent days riding over her
lands in company with Donald. Rod
man Pillsbury and a small staff of
chosen lieutenants. The topography
Of the countryside was examined with
minute attention.
The tremendous acreage Of the
Channing ranch favored such secrecy.
Il would have been almost possible to
mobilize and maintain a great army
within Its boundaries undetected-it
you'd have. been altogether possible
nd the resources Of the land been suf-
hcient to clothe and equip and provi-
In such q force.
Az II was, very considerable num-
~ OF men was added to the normal
pspnlation of the ranch without at
uecung any attention whatsoever.
ncked employees rode forth from
ne hacienda well-nigh daily, for a
ume on long tours into the interior
~ east and west along the border.
! Aaa me results Of their adventurings
peared daily, by twos and threes
- anSiy-seasoned horsemen all,
ia VEN ciear-eyed, determined patriots.
4 rule they timed their arrivals to
during the hours Of darkness !;
. soon as they had reported to
Par, they were assigned to
unc duties at a distance from the
IN nnch houses, and disappeared
ms night as silently as they had
Inc hinterland Of the ranch
owed them up; In its remoter
.enes they lived and wrought sedu-
u their tasks, all ready for that
@oos which might come at
a0uf. Meantime they drilled quiet
49, asairy, as artillerymen, and as
sun crews. Within a period
:. ame surprisingly brief. Patria had
: ner ccmmand a secret legion of
s.0ed lighting men, ready for any
!. cy Injured to hardship. famil-
,.sm III me border country. resolute
IN. %F the drills of her flying corn.
MOI De kept under cover; but
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