The Raymer enterprise., 1919-05-01

S~~~SSSsvv~SvSvSv
bedeyfled BY 4 pest Of insects, Knocked
at By these mysterious voices, and
looking forward to . hazardous enter
prise. O'ReIlly began to curse his vivid
Imagination and to envy the impas-
siveness Of his companions. Even
Jacket be 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 4 moist, warm
breeze and = few formless clouds
which served 1t times to dimly OBJ
scure the moon. Watching the clouds,
O'Reilly hoped that they might prove
to BE- the heralds Of 4 storm. None
came. When the moon had finally
rspt down Into the treetops old HI
larfo stepped upon his cigarette, then
began aiently to saddle up. The 9TH
srs followed with alacrity. and fell In
behiad him - hs led the way into the
foreut.
When they had covered . couple Of
miles Hflario reined In and the others
crowded close. Ahead, dimly discern.
tble against the night SKY. there ap-
peared to b. . thinning Of the woods.
After listening for . moment or two,
Hilario dismounted and sllpped away ;
the thres riders sat their saddles With
ears strained.
Hilario returned with word that all
was well. and each man dismoantsd 70
mume the feet Of his horse with rags
and strips Of sunnysack provided for
tho purpose. Then. one BY ons, they
moved forward to the edge Of the
clearing. Tho trocha lay before them.
0Reilly felt Z pair Of reins thrust
into his hand and found Hilario exam.
lining a large pair Of timers shears.
do you wish mo to 90 with your'
he inquired Of the guide.
The latter shook his head. sAntonio
win 60: be will keep watch while /
clear . path. II anything goes wrong,
walt here. Don't ride away until we
have time
Never fear. I won't desert you,"
the American reassured him.
The two white-clad figures slipped
away. became indistinct, and then dis
appeared. The night was bot, the mos
Quitoes hummed dismally and settled
In clouds upon the waiting pair. mad
dening them with their poison. A half
hour passed. then the two ghostly ng-
ures materialized once more.
'Diosi" grumbled Hilario. 'Thess
are many strings to this Spanish gui-
tar. What row when they discover
that ! have played = Cuban danson
upon Il" Tho old man seemed less
surly than before.
rs the way clearr oRellly In
CURED.
"As far a. the railroad, yea We
esard voices there, and came back.
We viii have to cut our way forward
after ws cross tho track. Now, then,
follow me without q sound
Leading his horse BY tho Bit ring,
Hilarao moved out Into the clearing,
followed once mors b. his three com
paniona In spite a I'll precautions
the animals made . tremendous racket
or 70 Il seemed. and. despite Hilario's
twisting and turnings. II was impos-
sible 70 avoid IN occasional loop Of
barbed wire therefore 0esh and cloth
ing suffered ezisvossly. But 1t length
tho party brought up under ths railroad
embankment and paused. A carefully
a. might b the four men ascended the
slope. crossed the rails and descended
Into the ditch on the other side. An
other moment and they encountered q
taut strand Of barbed wire. The metal
lie snip Of Hilario's shears sounded
like pistol shot to O'Reilly. Into the
maze Of strands they penetrated, yard
By yard. clipping and carefully laying
back the wire Al they went Progress
was slow; they had to feel their way:
the sharp barbs brought blood and
muttered profanity at every step.
None Of the four ever knew what
gave the alarm. Their first indmation
Of discovery came with q startling
"ouien viver' hurled at them from
somewhere at their backs
An instant and the challenge was
followed By q Nauser shot Other re-
ports rang ont a. ths sentry empded
his rife In their direction.
"Sol They are shooting basl" n
iario grunted.
Antonio swung about and cooked his
Remington, but the other spoke sharp
u. ~Tooli II you shoot they Will ses
the nre and riddle m 4 curse on the
spider that spun this web |"
It was . test Of courage to crouch
among the charrsd stumps, enmeshed
In that cruel tansis of wira, while the
night was stabbed BY daggsrs of nrs
and willis the trocha awoks b the
Wild alarm. From somewhere In the
distance came & shouted command and
the sound Of running feet, suddenly
putting an end to further inaction. An