Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1921-05-27


the dead, for Sarros' clever ruse had
worked well and had had the effect Of
arOusng the curiosity Of his enemies
as to the cause Of the uprOar at the
north gate, in consequence Of which
they had all scurried around the block
to see what they could see, thus ac-
cordlng SarrOs the thing he desired
mOst-a fighting chance and a half
minute to get through the gate and
headed for the steamship landing with.
out Interference.
Webster and Don Juan came abreast
the high, barred gate in the thick, 20
foot masonry wall as the barrier swung
back and man, in civilian clothes.
Numbered through on magnificent
bay thoroughbred.
That's him. Shtop the divilw
screamed Don Juan, "Theyll do the
decent thing be me If take him
alive"
To Webster, who had acquired the
art Of snap shooting while killing time
in many lonely camp, the bay charg-
er offered an easy mark "Hate to
down that beautiful animal" he re-
marked-and pulled away.
The horse leaped into the air and
came down stiff-legged; Sarros spurred
1t cruelty, and the gallant beast strove
to gather itself into its stride, stag
gered and sank to it's knees, as with a
wild Irish yell Don Juan Cafetero
reached the dictator's side,
Sarros drew q revolver, but before
he could use it Don Juan tapped him
smartly over the head with his rifle
barrel, and the man toppled inertly to
the ground beside his dying horse.
"MOre power to We sOr," Don Juan
called cheerily and turned to receive
Webster's approval.
What he saw paralyzed him for an
instant Webster was standing beside
the gate, firing into a dozen of Sarros'
sOldiery who were pouring out of a
llOuoC just dNlONN lllC Sll tClt WIFI Z lOl
an hour they had crouched unseen and
unheard by the Ruey men at the gate.
They were practically out Of ammuni-
ton and had merely been awaiting a
favorable opportunity to escape before
the rebels should enter the city in
force and the hOuse-to-hOuse search
for snipers should begin. They had
been about to emerge and beat a hasty
retreat, when SarrOs rode out at the
gate, and with q rush they followed,
gaining the sidewalk in time to be wit
nesses to the dictatOr's downfall
For a moment they had paused, hud-
died on the sidewalk behind their off,
Ger, who, turning to scout the street
up and down, beheld John Stuart Web
ster standing by the gate with an au-
tomato ip his hand. At the same in
slant Websters attention had been at
tracted to the little band on the side
v walk; ~ their leader he recognized 70
less q pefS6ndg6 than his late aCquain-
lance, the fire eating Capt. Jose Ben
avides. Concidentally Benavides rec
ognized Webster.
1t was dn awkward situation. Web
ster realized the Issue was about
I'd be decided, thai II he would
have 1t In his favor, he should waste
not one split-SeC0nd before killing the
mercurial Benavides as the latter
stood staring at him. 1t was not a
question, now, Of who should beat the
other to the draw, for each mad al
ready filed his hand. 1t was a Ques-
tiOn rather, as to who should recover
first from his establishment. If Bena-
videS decided to let bygOnes be by
cones and retreat without firing
shot, then Webster was quite willing
to permit him to pass unmOlested; in
deed such was his aversion to shoot
ing any man, so earnestly did he hope
the SOtIrantean would consider that
discretion was the better part of valOr,
that he resolved to inculcate that idea
in the HOtspur.
captain Benavldes," he said suave-
ly, "yOur cause is lost. If you care to
escape aboard the steamer, | will see
to it that you are not removed from
her before she sails; If you care to
to me now, give you my
word of honor you will not be exc
cuted"
Benavdes might have had, and
doubtless did have, his faults, but
cOwardlce was not one of them. And he
did have the ghost Of a sense Of hui
NOR. An evil smile fitted over his
olive features.
without taking into consideration
the bayonets at my back" he replied,
ut strikes me the odds are even now.
And yet you patrOnize me-"
Webster was nettled I'D rather
DO that than kill you, Benavides," he
Don't be a fool. Run
along and sell your papers, and take
your pitiful little sandal-fOoted bril-
yands with you. Scat"
Benavides' hand, holding his pistol,
mad been hanging loosely at his side.
With his furious glance meeting Web
Ster's unfalteringly, with the merest