Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-18

SucC6eUeQ Ill some ores, WHICH tAey
smelted by home methods. The small pieces
of bullion gained in this way acted as a means
of coin, and these pieces always found their
way to our store on the company'S property,
where they were accepted for goods.
You remember that Anacleto Favela?" Don
Cruz asked me.
assured him that certainly did remember
Anacleto, for he had had bad record with
the company. Some years before he was
caught stealing and the manager, Mr. L. ".
Elder. discharged him. l was informed that
Anacleto had become presidente Of the city
of Santiago and that he was prepared to use
all Of his powers against me.
THIS information made our peril imminent.
We had expected Jose Valdez, our friend
and trusted man, to be In Santiago. But he
had been sent to the capital as congressman,
and circumstances were thus changed, so we
must keep hidden.
Don Cruz told us to remain in his house,
threatened the life of Ezequel If he left the
patio, and left for the street. saying he would
find out if We had been seen.
In Santiago then and now, Don Cruz is the
leading citizen. He earns the largest salary
has the best wife and family, house, cows and
horses. Besides, he controls the mule-pack
transportation business and the larger per-
centage of the citizens looked to him for their
employment.
When he returned he told us that we must
leave as soon as possible and under cover. He
insisted on taking us out of the country. We
argued with him on account of the personal
danger it would place him in, but he would
not listen. Finally stated that even under
present conditions I was his boss and ordered
him not to leave his state. It hurt him deeply
but he has never refused an order from his
employers and did not in this instance.
The day was used by my wife in resting and
by me in planning means Of flight Don Cruz
and finally agreed to plan that was as safe
as any that could be thought of, and followed
1t through to a finish.
FOR chubby little man, Don Cruz was one
of the most active have ever seen. In
short time he had gathered 20 men whom we
knew and trusted These men were mounted
and heavily armed when they rode to the front
of the house we were in. Don Cruz had them
dismount and come into the patio, where he
made them a talk with words and gestures
that will never forget. He said:
"Senores, am going to place in your pro-
lection two people These people are my
friends, even you are. 1 have fought side
by side with every one of you during the great
revolution Two Of you saved my life by your
daring when was standing naked before a
firing squad have riSked my life for you
in turn. Now am asking the help of you all;
if you fail me and these people are lost from
you. never return, for you have broken my
trust. Promise me that you yourself will die
before giving them up. Promise you will fight
to the end. Comrades of mine promise!"
Don Cruz raised his arms and waited. There
were tears in his eyes. He did not wait long,
for these men ran true to the old school. All
of them were old men, older than Don Cruz,
and griZZled from time, weather and hard
ships. Each came to Don Cruz shook his
hand looked him in the eye and said, "Bueno."
While looked on through a crack in the
door 1 thought what real friends mean to a
man. knew these men for what they were
and knew each would kill member of his
own family, If necessary, to carry out that
promise.