Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 March 1915 — The Land of Broken Promises [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Land of Broken Promises

A Stirring Story of the Mexican

By DANS COOLIDGE

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CHAPTER XXll—Continued. -Let the Mexicans fight It out” he •eld. -They might resect it if you took eldee, and that would make It bad for os. Just wait a while—you never can tall what will happen. Perhaps the rankles and federate will stand them “What, thdt Uttls benchr* demanded Bad. H" H "1 scornfully at the handful of defenders who were cowering behind their rock piles. “Why half of them palonee don’t know what a gun was made for, and the rerales —” -Well, the rebels an the same,” suggested the superintendent pacifically. -Let them fight It out—we need every American we oan get, so Just forget about being a Mexican." -AH right,- agreed Bud, as he yielded reluctantly to reason. “It ain't because rm s Mexican citizen —I just want to atpp that rush." Hs walked back to the house, Juggttßg his useless gun and keeping his eye on the distant ridges. And then. Me a chorus of defiant yells, the men In the federal trenches began to shoot. In an airline the distance was something over a mile, but at the first scattering volley the rebels halted and fired a volley in return. With a vicious apang a few stray bullets smashed -if-*"-* the reverberating steel tank, but no ono was hurt, and the defenders, drank with valor, began to shoot and yell like mad. Hie bullets of the rebels, fired at random, struck up dust-jets In every direction, and from the lower part of the town came the shouting of the noncombatant Mexicans as they ran here and there for shelter. But by the trenches, and In the rear of the black tank, the great crowd of onlookers gysrrtfted, ducking as each successive bullet hit the t—fc and shouting encouragement as the defenders emptied their rifles end reloaded with* clip after dip. i The rifles rattled a continuous volley; spent bullets leaped like locusts Across the flat; men ran to and fro, now crouching behind the tank, now stepping boldly Into the open; and the defiant shouts of the defenders, almost drowned the walls of the women.* Except tor cue «M»g It was a battle — there was nobody hurt For the first half-hour the Americans stayed prudently under oover. busying themselves at the suggestion of a few AmoHnen women In providing a first-aid hospital on the sheltered jbHi Then, as no wounded cams to fill it end the rebels delayed their charge, one mas after another climbed up to the trenches, ostensibly to bring deem the Injured. As soldiers end bystanders reported no oo* hit. and the bullets flew harm--1 Italy past, their solicitude turned rapidly to disgust and then to scorn. Strange us it may seem, they were disappointed at the results, and their remarks war* derogatory as they commented on the bravery of pelones and Mexicans In general. From a dread of Imminent attack, of charging rebels and retreating defenders, end a fight to the death by the •house, they came suddenly to a desire iter Mood and battle, for dead men and •the cries of the wounded; end all fear •of the tnsurrsetos left them. -Gome away, boys,- grunted the •tally roedmaster, who up to then bed led In tee work; -we wasted our time «n hospital—there'll be no wounded. Latte take oursslvss back to the bonne end have e quiet smoke." -Bight yon era M," agreed tee master mechanic, as he turned upon his jheel In d*«g«* "This ain’t war— Khans Mexicans think they’re working Iter a moving-picture chow!" -I bet you I can go up on that nidge,- announced Hooker, -and dean cot the whole bunch with my six■hooter before yon could bet yoer But the superintendent was not so -Never mind, baya," he said. "We're •worth a lot of ransom money to those iiuhete and they won’t give up so quick: a«w< look at this now—my miners coming beck! Those are the boys that will fight! Wait tHI Chtoo end Ramon tefsndnts get alter them!" He pointed as he spoke to a straggling band of Sonorans, ted by the msch-vauntsd Mendooa toothers, as they hurried to save the town, and a cheer went up from the trenches as the federate beheld reinforcements. But a change had aoane over tee fire--1 sating miners, and they brought other -metals In their wake. As -they trudged wearily Into town and sought teettar among tee houses a great body of man appeared on the opposite ridge, firing down at them as tear retreated. The battle rapidly tensed Into a loagdJetenoe shooting ft&ftlfr, i, th, fia.j oft ud , than-

took In the real catastrophe of the battle. Seventeen thousand rounds of the precious thirty-thirties had been delivered to the excited miners end now, exoept for what few the Americans had saved, there was not a cartridge in camp. Very soberly the superintendent assured the leaders that he had no more; they pointed at the full belts of the American guard and demanded them as their right; and when, the Americans refused to yield they flew Into s rage and threatened. All In all, It was s pitiful exhibition of hot-headedness and imbecility, and only the firmness of the superintendent prevented a real spilling of blood. The Mexicans retired In a huff and broke Into the cantina, and as the night camo on the valley re-echoed to their drunken shoutings. Such was war as the Sonorans conceived It When Hooker, standing his guard In the corredor, encountered Oracle Aragon on her evening walk, be oould scarcely conceal a grin. "What are you laughing at, Senor Hooker?” she demanded with asperity. "Is it so pleasant, with a houseful of frightened women and screaming children, that you should make fun of our plight?” “No, Indeed,” apologised Bud; “nothing like that. Sure must be bad In there —I stay outside myself. But I reckon It'll soon be over with. The Mexicans here In town have shot off all their ammunition and I reckon the rebels have done the same. Like as not they'll all be gone tomorrow, and then you can go back home.” “Oh, thank you for thinking about me!” she returned with a scornful curl of the lip. “But If all men were as open as you, Mr. Hooker, we women would never need to ask a question. This morning you told me I did not know what I was talking about —now 1 presume you are thinking what cowards the Mexicans are! “Oh, I know! Ton need not deny it! You are nothing but a great big—TeJano! Yes, I was going to say 'brute,’ but you are a friend of dear Phil’s, and ao I will bold my tongue. If It wasn’t for that, I’d —- She paused, leaving him to guess. “Oh, I do wish hs were here,” she breathed, leaning wearily against the white pillar of an arch and gazing down through tee long arcade. -It was ao close in there,” she continued. "I could not stand It a minute longer. These Indian women, you know —they weep and moan all the time. And tee children—l am so sorry for them. I cannot go now, because they heed me; hut tomorrow—ls Phil were here—l Would leave and ride for the line.

-Have you seen Del Rey today? No? Then all the better —he must be policing the town. It Is only of him lam afraid. These rebels are nothing—l agree with you! No! lam not angry with you at all now! But tomorrow, just at dusk, when all to still as It to at this time, then. If Phil were here I would mount my brave horse and ride out by the western pees.” She ended rather Inconclusively, letting her voice trail off wistfully aa ahe waited for him to apeak, but something within moved Hooker to hold his peace, end he looked out over the town without commenting on her plana. It was evident to him that tee was determined to enliet Ms sympathy and involve Mn» in her wild plot, and each time the conversation veered In that direction he took refuge In a stubborn sllenceu -What are you thinking of, Mr. Hooker?" she asked at last, hs gassd Into the dusk. -Sometimes I scold you end sometimes I try to ptonae you. but I never know what you think! I did not mean that when I said I oould read your thoughts—you are ao different tram poor, dear Phil!” "M-m-m,” mumbled Bud, shifting his test, and his face turned a little grim. “Aha!” she cried with iH-eonoealed satisfaction, "you do not like me to oeU him like that, do you? 'Poor, dear Phil,’ —like that! But do you know why I do it? It Is to punish you for never coming near me —when I signed to you—when I waited for you—long ago! Ah, you were so cruel! I wanted to know you—you were a cowboy, and I thought you were brave enough to defend me—but you always rode right by. Yes, that was it—but Phil wsa different! He came when I sent for him; he sang songs to me at night; hs took my part against Manuel del Rey; and npw-r* "Yes!” commented Bud bruskly, with hia mind on "dear Phil’s” finish, and she turned to peer into bid face. “So that la it!” she said. “You do not toast me. Yon think thaf your friend —that I will serve yon ss he wee served. Is that what you are thinking?” “Something Uke that,” admitted Hooker, leaning lazily against the mud walL "Only I reckon I don’t think Just the way you do.” -Why? How do 1 think?" tee demanded eagerly. “Well, you think awful fast.” answered Hooker slowly. “And you don’t always think the samA eeeme like. I’m kind of quiet myself, and I don’t like—well, I wouldn’t eay that, but yen

-Oh!** breathed Gracia, and then, after a pause, tee came nearer and leaned against the low wall beside hint"lf I would speak from my heart,** tee asked, "If I would talk plain, aa you Americans do, would you like me better then? Would you talk to me Instead of standing silent? Listen, Bud —for that is your name—-I want you to be my friend the way you were a friend to Phil. 1 know what you did for him, and how you bore with hia love-madness—and that was my fault, too. But partly It was also your fault, for you made me angry by not coming. -Yes. I will be honest now—lt was you that I wanted to know at first, but you would not come, and now I am promised to PhiL He was brave when you were careful, and my heart went out to him. You know how It la with us Mexicans—we do not love by rear son. We love like ohlldren —suddenly —from the heart! And now all I wish in life Is to run away to Phil. But every time I speak of It you shut your jaws or tell me I am a fool.” “Ump-um," protested Bud, turning stubborn again. ”1 tell yon you don’t know what yon’re talking about. These rebels don't amount to nothing around the town, but on a trail they’re awfnl. They shoot from behind rocks and all that, and a woman ain’t noways safe. You must know what they’re like — theee old women don’t think about nothing else—so what’s the use of talking! And besides,” he added grimly, "I’ve had some trouble with your old mnn and don’t want to have any more.*’ “What trouble have you had?” she demanded promptly, but Hooker would not answer in words. He only shrugged his shoulders and turned

away, crumpling hte hat In his hand. “But not” she cried as she sensed the meaning of hte concealment, “you must tell me! I want to know. Was It over your mine? Then you must not blame me, for he never has told me a word!” "No?” Inquired Bud, rousing suddenly at the memory of hte wrongs. “Then maybe you will tell me how he got this”—he fetched a worn pleee of ore from hte pocket—“when my pardner gave it to you! It was right there I lost my pardner—and he was a good kid, too—and all because of that rock. Here, take a look at It—l took that away from your father!” “Then he stole it from me!” flashed back Gracia as she gased at the specimen. .“Oh, have you thought all the time that I betrayed Phil? But didn’t I tell you—didn’t I tell you at the hotel, when you promised to he my friend? Ah, I see that you are a hard maw Mr. Hooker —quick to suspect, slow to forget—end yet I told you before! But listen, and I will tell you again. 1 remember well when dear Phil showed me this rock—he was so happy because he had found the gold! Ami just to make It lucky he let me hold tt while we were talking through a hole In the wall. Then my father saw me and started to come near—l oould not hand it back without betraying Phil —and In the night, when I was asleep, some one took it from under my pillow. That Is the truth; and I will ask you to believe me; and If you have other things against me you must say what they are and see if I cannot explain. “No!" tee tan on. her voice vibrant with the memory of peat quarrels, “I have nothing to do with my father! He does not love me, but tries to make me marry first one man and then another. But I am an American girt tkbw, at heart —I do not want to sell myself; I want to marry for love! Can you understand that? Yes? No? Then why do you lock away? Have you something that you hold against me? Ah you shake your head—but you will not apeak to me? When I was at school In Los Angeles I saw the cowboys in the west show, sad they were different— they were not afraid of any danger, hat they would talk. too. I have always wanted to know you. but you will not let me-rl thought you were brave —like those cowboys.” She paused to make him speak, but Hooker was tongue-tied. There was something about the way tee talked that pulled him over, that made him want to do what tee said, and yet some secret, hidden vodoe was always crying: “Beware!" Ha was convinced now that tefi had never been a party to treachery; no, nor even wished him in. She was very beaetttel. too, in the twilight, and when she draw nearer hs moved away, for he was afraid tea

would sway him from fits pnrpoMi But now she wan waiting (or some answer—some word from him, though the question had never been asked. And yet he knew what it was. She wanted .him to steal away with her in the evening and ride (or the border —and PhlL That was what she always wanted, no matter what she ueid, and now she was calling him a coward. - ','V.4 "Sure them bronco-riders are brave," he said In vague detense; "but there’s a difference between being brave and foolish. And a man might be brave tor hlmselt and yet be atr&ld (or other people." "How do you mean?" she asked. "Well," he said, "I might be willing to go out and fight a thousand ot them lnsurrectos with one hand, and at the same time be atrald to take you along. Or I might—" "Oh, then you will go, won’t you?" she cried, clasping him by the hand. "You will, won’t you? I’m not afraid!” “No,” answered Bud, drawing his hand away, "that’s just what I won’t do! And I’ll tell you why. That country up there is full of rebels —the lowest kind there are. It just takes one Bhot to lay me out or cripple one of our horses. Then I’d have to make a fight (or it—but what would happen to you?" "I’d fight, too!” spoke up Gracia resolutely. "I’m not afraid.” "No,” grumbled Bud, "yon don’t know them rebels. You’ve been shut up in a house all the time —if you’d been through what I have in the last six months you’d understand what I mean.” * "If Phil were here, he’d take me!" countered Gracia, and then Bud lost his head. “Yes," he buret out, "that’s jest what’s the matter with the crazy fool! That’s Jest why he’s up across the line now a hollering for me to eave his girl! He’s brave, is ho?. Well, why don’t he come down, then, and save you himßelf? Because he’s afraid to! He’s afraid of getting shot or going up against Manuel del Rey. By grab, it makes me tired the way you people talk! If he’d done what I told him to in the first place be wouldn’t have got into this Jack-pot!” "Oh my!” exclaimed Gracia, aghast "Why, what' is the matter with you? And what did you tell him to do?” "I told him to mind his own business,” answered Hooker bluntly. "And what did he say?” “He said he’d try anything—once!” Bud spat out the phrase vindictively, for his blood was up. and his heart was full of bitterness. * "Oh dear!” faltered Gracia. "And so you do not think that Phil is brave?" "He’s brave to start things,” sneered Bud. “but not to carry ’em through!" For a moment Gracia huddled up against a pillar, her hand against her face, as if to ward off a blow. Then she lowered it slowly and moved reluctantly away. "I must go now," she said, and Bud did not offer to stay her, for he saw what his unkindness had done. "I am sorry!" she added pitifully, but he did not answer. There was nothing that he could say now. (n a moment of resentment, driven to exasperation by her taunts, he had forgotten his pledge to his pardner and come between him and his girt. That which he thought wild horses could not draw from him had flashed out in a fit of anger—and the damage was beyond amendment, for what he had said was the truth.

I’d Fight, Too!" Spoke Up Gracia.