Vernon Parish Democrat., 1921-05-26

denness the uproar died away fuHy 50
per. cent
'They're going in with the bayonet
and machetes,p somebody who knew
remWked Iaeonically. "Wait and you'il
hear the cheering"
They waited fully ten minutes, but
presently, as the firing gradually died
away, they heard IT, faint and lndis-
tinguishable at first, but gradually
coming nearer. And presently the
trapped men In the palace heard it,
too. "Viva Rueyl Vival Viva Ruey r.
"AlI over but the shouting" Don
Juan remarked disgustedly "The lads
in the palace will surrindher now. Sure
Gineral Ruey was right afther all. For
why should he shoot holes in the house
he's goin' to live in, an where, be the
same token, he gives a dinner party
this night?"
'Tm glad the end is in sight," Web
ster replied. "We have no interest in
this revolution, John, and it isn't up to
us to horn in on the play; yet IL 1t
went against the Ruey faction, fear
we'd be forced into active service In
spite of ourselves. There is such a
thing as fighting to save ones skin, you
know"
Don Juan laughed pleasurably.
"What shame we missed the row out
beyant at the railroad embankmint,"
he declared.
"I wish you'd kept out of it, Don
Juan. What business had you in the
fight at the cuartel7 Suppose you'd
been killed."
"Small loss !" Don Juan retorted.
II should have mourned YOU never
theless. John"
would you that same?" Don Juan's-
buttermilk eyes lighted with affection
and pleasure. "Would it put pang in
the heart of you, sor, to see me
stretched?"
Yes it would, John. You're wild,
impulsive, lunatic, worthless Irishman,
but there's broad vein of pay ore in
you, and want you to live until can
develop it. When Mr.. Geary returns
to operate the mine, he'll need fore
man he can trust"
"And do you trust me, sor2"
81 do indeed, John. By the way, you
never gave me your word Of honor to
cut out red liquor for keeps. Up till
today I've had to watch yOu-and l
don't want to do that. It isn't digni-
fed for either of us, and from today
on you must be a man or a mouse. If
you prove yourself man, want you
in my. business; If you prove yourself
a mouse, somebody else may have you.
How about you John2 The cantinas
will be open tonight, and fire water
will be free to the soldiers Of the new
republic. Must watch you tonightT'
Don Juan shook his reckless red
head, "Pll never let a drop Of liquor
cross my lips without your permission,
sor," he promised simply. 81 am the
man and you are the master"
"We'l shake hands on thatI" After
the western habit Of validating all YER
bal agreements with a hand shake,
Webster thrust his hard hand out to
his man, who took 1t in both Of his
and held it for half a minute. He want
ed to speak, but couldn't; he could
only bow his head as his eyes clouded
with the tears of his appreciation. "Ah
sor," he blurted presently, 'Pd die for
We an welcome the chanst."
A wild yell of alarm broke out in the
next block, at the north gate of the
palace; there was a sudden furry OF
rifle fire and cries of "Here they come
Stop them Stop theml They're
breaking out! !"
Without awaiting orders the hired
fighters alcng the waIl-some Is OF
them-leaped out into the street, form.
ing a skirmish line, just as troop OF
cavalry, with drawn sabers, swept
around the corner and charged upon
the devoted little line. "Sarros must
be thryin' to make his getaway" Don
Juan Cafetero remarked cOolly, and
emptied saddle. "They threw open
the big palace gate, AN the guards are
clearin' a way for him to the bay
He emptied another saddle.
In the meantime Ricardo's fire eat
ers had not been idle. The instant the
guards turned into the street deadly
magazine fire had been opened or
them They had already suffered heay
lily winning through the gate and past
the besiegers in front of it, but once
they turned the corner into the mex
street they had the fire of but hand
full of men to contend with, Never
theless it was sufficiently deadly Many
of the horses in the front rank wen
down with their riders, forcing thC
maddened animals behind to clear theil
carcasses by leaping over them, which
some did. Many, however, tripped am
stumbled in their wild gallop, spillir