The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-05-09
. SERIAL STORY
 POPnEP ANVENTllPE BY OREN ARNOLD mse

There's quite Q bit of brush, larger rocks, and such stuff on New Channel Island proper" one man remarked then. "Barro's men would be protected there in event of fighting. On our side of the river the land has been cleared and left clean for quite a ways"
 "Exactlyl" Sheridan answered. That's why I say we have to work a little trickery of our own. Now here's the point"
 The night had been favorable for smugglers at 8 p. m., and Luis Barro had observed that with satisfaction. Most of the sky was clouded, and when the earth did catch a glimpse of 1t the moon shone only as negligible curved line.
 But my 10 o'clock nature had diabolically joined the American forces, Barro noted, cursing Clouds had settled down beyond the mountains as if to sleep the night through. Stars had become veritable lanterns. Murky haze at the ground level had disappeared.
 "Is no matter" he snapped at Gonzales, his assistant and inter- preter. "No matter if was full moon, even. We have strength to- night. We send the estranjeros over as planned. like the chance to see gringo officers shot down before we leave anyway, eh Jose?"
 'Si, Don Luis. But I am anxious to be gone"
 We shall hurry. We have a fast car all ready. We have steamship tickets even. We have plenty money. To night we start, and in two days we shall be on the ocean for grand trip, hah!"
 "It is good" agreed Jose Con- zales.
 "Now you and I - we do not cross the river tonight, we stay always on the Mexican side. Los federals cannot cross the inter- national boundary. It Is strict law. The boundary line is down the center of the stream, as they well know. If something has slipped and they should be waiting for us, they would have to be on the other side, and would be only six or eight, maybe 10, anyway. I have never known more than 12 Border Patrol officers to be in one group. And we have big number tonight"
 50, senor. It will be easy"
 Barro halted his cavalcade about mile from the river. Sev- eral of the riders, especially some women who had never ridden horse before and who had been in dire straits at this night ad- venture, had begun muttering in complaint. Barro's interpreters and assistants were forced to give them few final words of en- couragement.
 Ut is few minutes now until you are in the United States" Barro promised them. Then your troubles will be over, for there IS the land where everybody get rich and have no worry"
 He had led them to believe, ever since his spoilers first contacted the aliens, that through his in- f1uence entrance to America was safe and easy, and residence there was almost utopian once they were actually in. He did not, of course mention that an alien can be arrested in America and promptly deported, no matter how he has slipped in. Deportation can follow days, months, or even years after entry.
 "The river where we cross is no deeper than a horses knees," Bar TO went on. "You could even wade across on foot, easy. Just be quiet | and ride right on eastward. Noth- ing will bother you. And anyway | you have guns"
 A very definite but silent ten sion crept over the entire person. nel of the cavalcade as they ap- preached the water, Barro and Gonzales leading. Only the sound | of the animals - hoofs on stones, reins rattling, an occasional snort or a champing of bits - marked the progress of the column.
 Here is the old river channel, dry" Barro pointed out to Con- zales. whispering, as they rode on across it. "The river now is east ward a short distance"
 Barro was keenly alert. His eyes had scanned points beyond the Rio Grande in America for any light signal of warning that his spies might give, but he had seen none. He approached the