The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-05-13

tie, with the Mexicans about ready
to rush the fort and the return fire
from their foes getting noticeably
weaker. Dick was quick to act.
bad as Scarface is, he Is a white
man, as against Mexicans. Besides,
We want that other piece of flag. Are
you with mef'
Realizing that Dick meant an at
tack on the bandits, all In the car
shouted their approval. The machine
gun was quickly set up and with Teel
at the wheel the car was sent at
full speed out into the open in the d.
rection Of the battle.
Within the fort, Scarface and his
men were at the end of resistance.
The leader produced the pieces Of nag
and placed them on rock. Then
biting of cartridge, he covered them
with powder, saying to his men:
Last man alive to burn these. II
we can't have them, no one else shall"
At the same moment the Mexicans
leaped from behind cover and with,
shouts of exultation started to rush
the barricade, only to be caught In a
hail of machine gun bullets. Those
who did not fall turned in dazed sur
prise and then retreated in disorder
to their horses and made of through
the woods.
Scarface and his followers had wit
messed the retreat Of the bandits and
started out from behind their fort,
only to retreat as quickly, as Dick
swung the machine gun on them.
Realizing they were just as helpless
against Dick as they were against the
Mexicans. Scarface hastily put the
pieces of flag back in his shirt and
tying a handkerchief to a stick, waved
II above the 'barricade. Telling his
companions to keep the other outlaws
covered, Dick advanced, meeting Scar
face, who presented his side Of the
case. Returning to the car, Dick
said:
"He proposes a truce-suggests that
we seek the treasure together. We
are stronger, but he can destroy the
flag before capture. He asks one
fourth for himself and we can have
the rest"
Keeping Scarface and his party well
before the muzzle of their machine
gun, Dick and those who accompanied
him, drew together to discuss this
sudden change In the aspect Of af.
fairs. The idea Of making Scarface's
gang partners in the enterprise was
little to their liking after the cow
ardly attempts Of the others to as
sassinate them, yet there was plenty
OF treasure for all, and 1t might save
the lives Of several OF them could they
agree upon an armistice. Had 1t not
| Teen for Polly, Dick would have
spurned the offer with disdain, but
fear that the girl might meet with
some injury caused him to view the
matter with some slight degree Of
favor. So he put the proposition be-
fore them and asked that they express
their views In the matter.
Polly opposed any treaty, but Steb-
bins and Teel urged acceptance, the
latter declaring:
/ Hell try to double-cross u.s. but
we can play the game as well az he
Advancing again to the outlaw chief,
Dick accepted the terms. adding:
1--WE agree, providing you give u
one OF the pieces Of nag as evidence Of
good faith"
Scarface pulled out the pieces and
| asked Dick which one he chose, not
seeing any hidden purpose when Dick
replied:
"Oh, any one will do. Say, the last
piece you got from the Mexican"
The other outlaws then came out,
evincing an apparently friendly dispo.
sition, but Teel kept them always
under cover Of the machine gun. Az
Dick was giving instructions about
withdrawing to the woods to camp
for the night, Dick slyly showed Polly
the piece of flag Scarface had sur
rendered and told. her they thus had
] a complete chart Of the location Of
the hidden treasure.
Thus. under truce which every.
one considered farce, the two hostile
parties pitched camps that night with
In, few rods Of each other.
| Quiet reigned as Dick in his camr
busily sketched the pieces Of nag In q
notebook, while Scarface AZ busily
fashioned a bolo out Of rope ant
leather. His companions were fast
ssleep when he had finished, but HI
Weakened them and explained with .
grin Of satisfaction:
"A little trick I learned In Souti
America. You will soon see how 4