The Mena weekly star., 1919-02-13

mucous cnsis pea1eu form. some familiar, others strange and mn accustomed. Sitting there in the dark peueyiled by pest of insects. moclxed .t Dy these mysterious voices and looking forward to hazardous enter prise, O'Reiliy began to curse his vivid imagination and to envy the impas- nVeness of his companions. Even Jacket he noted, endured the strain better; the boy was cheerful. pbilo. sophieal, quite unimpressed by his surroundings. When the mosouitoes 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 to dimIv oh- scure the moon. Watching the cIouds oheilly hoped that they might prove 10 De the heralds of a storm. None came. When the moon had finally crept down into the treetops old H. lario stepped upon his cigarette. then began silently to saddle up. The oth- CTS followed with alacrity, and fell in behind him as he led the way Into the forest.
 When they had covered a couple of miles Hnario refined in and the others crowded close. Ahead, dimly discern lhle against the night sky, there an- peared to be thinning of the woods After listening for a moment or two. hilario dlsmounted and slipped away :: the three riders sat their saddles with ears strained.
 Hiiario returned with word that all was well, and each man dlsmcunted to mufiie 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.
 ORellly felt pair of reIns thrust into his hand and found Hilario exam ming large pair of timers shears.
 Do you wish me to go with your' he inquired of the guide.
 The latter shook his head. "Antonio will go he will keep watch while I clear path. If anything goes wrong, wait here. Don't ride away until we have time"
 Never fear. won't desert you" the American reassured him.
 The two white-clad figures slipped away, became indistinct, and then dis appeared. The night was hot, 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 fig ures materialized once more.
 "Diosw grumbled Hilario. "There are many strings to this Spanish gui- tar. What row when they discover that I have played Cuban danzon upon it." The old man seemed less surly than before.
 "Is the way clear?" O'RelIly in- quired.
 "As far as the railroad, yes. We heard voices there, and came back. We will have to cut our way forward after we cross the track. Now, then, follow me without sound"
 Leading his horse by the bit ring. Hilario moved out into the clearing, followed once more by his three com panIons. In spite of all precautions the animals made tremendous racket, or so it seemed, and, despite Hilario's twisting and turnings, it was impos- sible to avoid an occasional loop of barbed wire, therefore flesh and cloth ing suffered grievously. But at length the party brought up under the railroad emhankment and paused. As carefully as might be the four men ascended the slope, crossed the rails and descended into the ditch on the other side. An other moment and they encountered a taut strand of barbed wire. The metal lie snip of Hilario's shears sounded like pistol shot to O'ReilIy. Into the maze of strands they penetrated, yard by yard, clipping and carefully laying back the wire as 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 intimation of discovery came with a startling "Quien vivef" hurled at them from somewhere at their backs.
 An instant and the challenge was followed by a Mauser shot. Other re ports rang out as the sentry emptied his rifle in their direction.
 "Sol They are shooting batsi" Hi- lario grunted.
 Antonio swung about and cooked his Remington, but the other spoke sharp. ly. Fool If you shoot they will see the fire and riddle us. A curse on the spider that spun this web !"
 It was a test of courage to crouch among the charred stumps. enmeshed in that cruel tangle of wire, while the night was stabbed by daggers of fire and while the trocha awoke to the wild alarm. From somewhere in the distance came a shouted command and the sound of running feet, suddenly putting an end to further inaction. An tonio began to hack vIciously with his machete, In an effort to aid Hilario's labors. The sound of his sturdy blows betrayed the party's whereabouts so clearly that finally the older man could restrain himself no longer.
 "Giye it to them, compadres; 1t is a game that we can playi"
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