The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1921-07-29
CHAPTER XVII.

Throughout the night there was spo-
radio firing here and there in the city,
as the Ruey followers relentlessly
hunted down the isolated detachment
of government troops which had es-
capped humiliation and capture in the
dnal rout and fallen back .On the city,
where, concealing themselves accord
ing to their nature and inclination,
they INDUCED in more or less snipFng
from windows and the roofs of build
ings. The practice Of taking no pris-
oners was an old one in Sobrante, and
few presidents had done more than
Sarros to keep that custom alive; er-
20, firm in the conviction that to sur
render was tantamount to facing a fir
Ing squad at daylight, the majority Of
these stragglers, with consummate
courage, fought to the death.
The capture of Buenaventura was
alone sufficient to insure brief revo-
luton, but the capture Of Sarros was
ample guarantee that the resistance to
the new order Of things was already
at an end. However, Ricardo Ruey
felt that the prompt execution Of Sar-
rOs would be an added guarantee of
peace by effectually discouraging any
opposition to the rebel cause in the
outlying districts, where few isolated
garrisons still remained in ignorance Of
the momentous events being enacted in
the capital. For the time being, Ricar-
do was master of life and death in So
brante. and all of his advisers and sup
porters agreed with him that a So
called trial Of the ex-dictator would be
rather useless affair. His life was
forfeit hundred times for murder and
treason, and to be ponderous over his
elimination would SAVIOR Of mockery.
Accordingly, at midnight, a priest en-
tered the room in the arsenal where
Sarros was confined, and shrived him.
Throughout the night the priest re-
NAMED with him, and when that ear
ly morning march to the cemetery
commenced. he walked beside Sarros,
repeating the prayers for the dying.
Upon reaching the cemetery there
was a slight wait until a carriage
drove up and discharged Ricardo Ruey
and Mother jerks. The sergeant in
command Of the squad saluted and was
briefly ordered to proceed with the
matter in hand; whereupon he turned
to SarrOs, who with the customary
sang froid of his kind upon such oc-
casions was calmly smoking. and
bowed deprecatingly. Sarros actually
smiled upon him. "Adios, amigos" he
murmured. Then, as an afterthought
and probably because he was sufficient
Of an egoist to desire to appear a mar
tyr, he added heroically: 81 die for
my country. May God have mercy on
my enemies"
"If you'd cared to play gentleman's
game, you blighter, you might ave
lived for your bally country" Mother
jerks reminded him in English. "Won
der If the beggar'll wilt or will e &C
through smilin' like my sainted Emery
on the syme spot"
She need not have worried. It re
quires a strong man to be dictator OF
a roman candle republic for Is years
and whatever his sins of omission OF
commission, Sarros did not lack ami
NAL courage. Alone and unattended he
limped away among the graves to the
wall on the other side Of the GENE
terry and placed his back against IT
negligently, in the attitude of devil
may-care fellow without a worry ir
life. The sergeant waited respectfully
until Sarros had finished his cigarette
when he tossed it away and straight
ened to attention. the sergeant knew
he was ready to die. At his command
there was a sudden rattle Of bolts as
the cartridges slid from the magazines
into the breeches there followed mo
mentary halt, another command; the
squad was aiming when Ricardo Ruey
called sharply:
Sergeant, do not give the order tt
fire."
The rifles were lowered and the mer
gazed wonderingly at Ricardo. "He':
too brave" Ricardo complained
ID him, l can't kill him as would
mad dog. I've got to give him {
chance"
The sergeant raised his brows ex
pressively. All, the ley fuga, that pop
ular form Of execution where the pris
oner is given running chance, and thu
firing squad practices wing shooting
If the prisoner manages, miraculously
to escape. he is not pursued!
A doubt, however, crossed the ser
geant's mind. "But my general" HI
expostulated, "Senor Sarros cannot &C
cept the ley fuga. He is very lame
That is not giving him the chance you
Eycellency desires he should have"
81 wasn't thinking of that" RICARDO
replied. 81 was thinking I'm KILN.
him without q fair trial for the rea
son that he's so Internally ripe TO
the gallows that trial would have
been a joke Nevertheless, I am real
ly killing him because he killed N,