Heart of the Sunset

letters from the most influential Mexicans in the neighborhood; what is more, in order to pave her way toward a settlement of her claim he succeeded in getting a telegram through to

local military authorities before making formal representation to

d from some mysterious Northern source. The very presence of American troops along the border was construed by Mexicans as a threat against President Potosi, and an encouragement to revolt, while the talk of intervention, invasion, and war had intensified the natu

horse-breaker. José was not an ideal choice, but since Benito could not well be spared, no better man was

cubical houses crouching on the river-bank as if crowded over from Mexican soil. This road remained much as the first ox-carts had laid it out; the hills were gashed by arroyos, some of which were difficult to negotiate, and

o the common pelador, and, having dressed himself elaborately for this journey, he made the most of his opportunities for showing off. Nothing would do him but a baile, and a baile he had. Once the arrangements were made, other Mexi

ral headquarters across the Rio Grande, while José attended to the railroad tickets

's rolling-stock had suffered in this particular vicinity; and as the train penetrated farther south temporary trestles and the charred ruins of station-houses spoke even more eloquently of the struggle. Now and then a steel water-tank, pierced with loop-holes and ripped by cannon balls, showed

and coffee from the same dirty baskets and pails; even their outstretched hands seemed to bear the familiar grime of ante-bellum days. The coaches were crowde

ghways, and the roads, like the little farms, were growing up to weeds. Stores were empty, the people were

osé Sanchez a red-letter experience. He covered the train from end to end, making hi

en the train pulled in upon a siding, and after an interminable

s of Longorio's veterans, every man of them a very devil for blood. They are returning to Nuevo Pueblo after destroying a ban

o with them?" Alair

him wherever he goes. He is a great fighter; he has a nose for it, that man, and he st

te sympathies. She utte

kes his army with

ld kill him. Wait until

s. Ha! You will s

ard Chihuahua; then he took possession of the telegraph wires and pretended to be the Federal commander. He sent a lying message back to Espinal that the railway tracks were torn up and he could not reach Chihuahua, and so, of course, he was ordered to return. That was bad enough, but he loaded his bandits upon other trains-he locked them into freight-cars like c

y say he went to his

w going into Espinal.

t the last man who arr

a foo

frowning sternly, "for some day they will meet Luis Longorio, an

was shrill. "God will need to lend them speed to catch this a

gue with a woman

milingly, now intervened t

horse-breaker, "I want you to find Gene

dumfounded, shocked. "

r note-book, she gave him the scrap of paper, which he carefully pl

res took the first occasio

took them with him, and for no good purpose, either, as you can imagine. Naturally the poor creatures were nearly dead with fright, but as they rode along the elder one began talking with Longorio's soldiers. She made friends with them. She pretended to care nothing about her fate; she behaved like a lost person, and the soldiers laughed. They liked her spirit, God pity them! Finally she declared sh

like that, from both side

ny stock cars crowded with cavalry horses. Each animal bore its equipment of saddle and bridle, and penned in with them were the women and the children. The soldie

, and meanwhile the hot sun glared balefully upon the huddled figures on the car top

head and shoulders above his companions and bore himself with an air of authority. He was unusually tall, at least six feet three, and very slim, very lithe; he was alert, keen; he was like the blade of

bold, and brilliant; his nostrils thin and sensitive, like those of a blooded horse. He seemed almost immature until he spoke, then one realized with a curious shock that

untenance as he pushed briskly through the crowd, turning his he

then he halted; his eyes fixed themselves u

and form, and as he did so his expression remained unaltered. For what seemed a full minute Longorio stood rooted; then the sti

amba! I did not dream-I did not understand your message."

ed to note that her voice quavered uncertainly

edient s

nts of the seat ahead, and, reversing the back, took a position facing Alaire. Another order, and the men who had accompanied him withdrew up the aisle. His luminous eyes returned once more to t