The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-08-29

prise, ORellly began 10 curse MS vivlu
imagination and to envy the impas-
siveness of his companions. Even
jacket, he noted, endured the strain |
better; the boy was cheerful, philo-
sophical, quite unimpressed by his
surroundings. When the mosquitoes |
became unbearable he put on his trou-
sers, with some reluctance and much |
| ceremony.
Midnight brought a moist, warm
breeze and a few formless clouds
which served at times 70 dimly OBJ
scure the moon. Watching the clouds,
| O'Reilly hoped that they might prove
to be the heralds Of storm. None
came. When the moon had finally
crept down into the treetops old Hi
lariO stepped upon his cigarette, then
began silently to saddle up. The 9TH
ers followed with alacrity. aud fell in
behind him as he led the way into the
forest.
When they had covered couple of
miles Hilario refined in and the others
crowded close. Ahead. dimly discern
ible against the night sky, there ap-
peared to be thin7ing of the woods.
After listening for q moment or two,
Hilario dismounted and slipped away;
the three riders sat their saddles with
ears strained.
Hilario returned with word that all
was well, and each man dismounted to
muffle the feet of his horse with rags
and strips Of gunnysack provided for
; the purpose. Then, one by one, they
moved forward to the edge Of the
clearing. The trocha lay before them.
O'Reilly felt pair Of reins thrust
| into his hand and found Hilario exam
lining large pair Of timers shears.
"Do you wish me to 60 with your
3 he inquired of the guide.
: The latter shook his head. "Antonio
!. will 60; he will keep watch while
clear a path. II anything goes wrong,
q wait here. Don't ride away until we
! have time"
n "Never fear. I won't desert you,"
!. the American reassured him.
@ The two whlte-clad figures slipped
r away, became indlstinct, and then dis
!. appeared. The night was hot, the mos
a quitoes hummed dismally and settled
h in clouds upon the waiting pair, mad
a dening them with their poison. A half
: hour passed. then the two ghostly ng-
!. ures materlalized once more.
q 'DiosT' grumbled Hilario. "There
are many strings to this Spanish gui'
:. tar. What a row when they discover
= that have played a Cuban damon
y upon IT," The old man seemed less
surly than before.
"Is the way clearr O'Reilly in
u quired.
II "As far as the railroad, yes. W.
" heard voices there. and came back
p We will have to cut our way forward
le after we cross the t,ack. Now. then
T. follow me without h sound"
!" Leading his horse by The bit ring
'e Hilario moved out into tie clearing
II followed once more by his three com
~ panions. In spite Of all precaution
" the animals made tremendous racket
or SO It seemed, and. despite HilariO'
twisting and turnings. 1t was impos
sible to avoid an occasional loop o
barbed wire, therefore flesh and cloth
4 ing suffered grievously. But at lengtl
! the party brought up under the railroad
embankment and paused. As carefull'
] rs might be the four men ascended tn
4 slope, crossed the rails and descende,
| into the ditch on the other side. An
1 other moment and they encountered
Il taut strand of barbed wire. The metal
\ lie snip of Hllario's shears sounde
| like pistol shot to O'Reilly. Into tn
! maze of strands they penetrated, var
| by yard, clipping and carefully layin
| back the wire as they went. Progress
h was slow; they had to feel their way
] the sharp barbs brought blood an
muttered profanity at every step.
| None Of the four ever knew wha
gave the alarm. Their first intimatio
Of discovery came with a startlin
"Quien viveT hurled at them frOI
somewhere at their backs.
An instant and the challenge wa
followed by Mauser shot. Other r.
ports rang out as the sentry emptie
his rifle In their direction.
"Sol They are shooting batsl" II
lario grunted.
Antonio swung about and cooked HI
Remington, but the other spoke sharl
ly. "Fool! II you shoot they will sc
the fire and riddle US. A curse on tn
spider that spun this web"
1t was test Of courage to crouc
among, the charred stumps, enmeshe
20 in that cruel tangle Of wire, while tf
night was stabbed by daggers Of fiji
and while the trocha awoke to II
S. wild alarm. From somewhere In IL
he distance came a shouted command an
Be- the sound Of running feet, suddenl
tn putting an end to further inaction. Al
tonic began to hack viciously with HI
KY machete. In an effort to cid Hilarlo
ng. labors. The sound Of his sturdy blow
'on betrayed the party's whereabouts /
les clearly that finally the older man coul
led restrain himself no longer.