The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1921-04-14
CHAPTER XVII.

as the Ruey followers relentlessly
hunted down the isolated detachment
or government troops which had es-
capped humiliation and capture in the
final rout and fallen back on the city.
where, concealing themselves accord
Ing to their nature and inclination.
they INDUCED in more or less shipping
from windows and the roofs OF build
ings. The practice Of taking no pris
loners was an old one In Sobrante, and
few presidents had done more than
SarrOs to keep that custom alive; err
go, 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 a 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 30
brante, and all of his advisers and sup.
porters agreed with him that q %.
called trial of the ex-dictator would be
a 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. priest en-
tered the room In the arsenal where
SarrOs was confined. and shrived him.
Throughout the night the priest re-
manned 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 slight wait until 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 &C.
casions was calmly smoking, and
bowed deprecatingly. Sarros actually
smiled upon him. "Adios. amigos" ne
and probably because he was sufficient
of an egoist to desire to appear mar
tyr, he added heroically: T die for
my country. May God have mercy on
my enemies"
"If you'd cared TO play gentleman's
game you Brighter. you might ave
lived for your bally country" Mother
jerks reminded him in English. won
der II the beggar'n wilt or will e go
through smilin' like my saInted Emery
on the syme spot"
She need not have worried. It re-
Quires strong man to be dictator of
a roman candle republic for Is years.
and whatever his sins of omission or
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 hack against II,
negligently, in the attitude of a devil
may-care fellow without worry in
life. The sergeant waited respectfully
until Sarros had finished his cigarette
when he tossed 1t 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 a mo
mentary halt another command; the
! squad was aiming when Ricardo Ruey
called sharply:
Sergeant, do not give the. order t.
fire"
The rifles were lowered and the mer
. gazed wonderingly at Ricardo. Hes
too brave" Ricardo complained
d him, can't Kill him as | woul,
mad dog. I've got to give him {
= chance"
The sergeant raised his brows ex
pressively All. the icy fuga. that pop
: ular form of execution whore the pris
oner Is given a running chance and tn,
: firing squad practices wing shooting
If the prisoner manages. miraculously
m escape he Is not pursued
( A doubt however. crossed the ser
/ geant's mind. but my general" h
= exposiulated, "Senor Sarros cannot ac
: cept the ley fuga He IS very lame
: That is not giving him the chance you
Excellencv desires he should have"
. ~ wasn't thinking Of that Ricard
, replied II was thinking I'M killin
him without a fair trial for the rea
. son that hes so Internally ripe 70
: the gallnwS that "a trial would hav
: been n Joke Nevertheless. ! am real
p lv killing him because he killed IN
father-and HAT is scarcely fair. NJ
father was a gentleman. Sergeant,
I your pistol lcaded?'
YES. General
n Give II O-Senor Sarros"
I As the sergeant started forward I
. ctxuply Ricardo drew his own servic
: revolver and then motioned Mothe
!, jerks and the firing Sauad to- stan