Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-13
CHAPTER TX Continued

HJT SOUNDS like a regiment of soldiers,
/ said David taking another long draught
from the Fa!stattian pistol and returning
it to HerraG.
Perhaps" replied the General. indifferent
tn outside matters until he had finished his
part of the prescribed ceremony. And
her" are he added. with n sigh of con-
tentment. "salutifg Panama and an Ameri-
can company. with an army Of volunteers,
bent on licking the Yankees, coming down
upon us"
Are you sure?'
"Caramba. In Honda they said these
volunteers started from BOgota three days
ago. They are due here now.
I'VE must meet them" said David upon
whom the Generals pistol" had not failed
TO score.
Wait a moment. As Miranda would say,
these poems are canaille and--there is no
roOom for a meeting.
Both men laughed. Nevertheless in
spite of the humor Of the situation, 1t had
more than the usual peril incident TO travel
on the Bogota trail to he comfortable
1.-TWO men against a regiment chuckled
Herran.
But they are not after us" argued David
"They are after the Yankees--and you ar"
a Yankee. Well. Senior what shall we do?'
You are in command Senor General"
"Caramba Then, let Us march We
can't jump down those rocks, the swamp is
even yorse-and we won't retreat before a
least pistols II We need to ~
With which comforting assurance Herran
handed one of his case bottles to David.
this the latter retained, first joining his
comrade in final salute, declaring all the
while that this kind OF exercise had been
unknown TO him for years-a statement re-
ceived by General Herran with the skepticism
it deserved. The two horses were then
brought into line and, with touch OF whip
and spur, commenced scramble up the
trail at the top OF which the front ranks
Of the poems were just visible.
As Herran had predicted, the travellers
with whom they had to contest the right of
way belonged to one Of the volunteer regi-
ments Of Bogota poems bound for the 18th
mus. At their head rode Pedro, Eel Rey."
more di!apidated to costume but more
joyous of mood than on that memorable
morning when he led his forces down the
Gale de Las Montanas to be reviewed by the
President OF the Republic.
Immediately behind him, borne by two of
his trusted ieutenants. hoated the flag of
the republic. it's red and yellow folds some
what faded~and dusty frbm the three days
march. and Tapping now in anything but
defiant fashion
Having reached the top of the hill over
looking the sheltered ledge chosen by David
and Herran for heir mpromptu celebration.
the volunteers kept right on. Led by Pedro
and his two baDner-bearers, they plunged
down the steep winding trail, crowdir.c upon
each other, shouting and laughing, filling the
narrow space with most unmilitary disorder.
In the meantime the two horsemen lried
their best to reach point as near as possible
TO the top of the trail before the volunteers
began the descent, IN this they failed, and
The inevitable collision with the front ranks
u the poems took place half way up the hill
side, Here they met Pedro and his mmed ate
followers. behind whom pressed, with increas-
ing energy the whole rabbie OF poems.
Hug the side 81 the road" cautioned Her.
ran in low voice, I'm take the middle
and try to distract the attention of these
people from you.'
"saluts, senor ,' cried Pedro, attempting
az courteous . srsstIns as his burro would
allow, eWha, news from Panama.?
Not TO ~ outdonA, IN courtesy, Herran
psilst bseH ~ hssps fsp ths fsits Is ~