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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..84b622e --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #60941 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60941) diff --git a/old/60941-0.txt b/old/60941-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 98278c5..0000000 --- a/old/60941-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4727 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Jack Straw in Mexico, by Irving Crump, -Illustrated by Leslie Crump - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: Jack Straw in Mexico - How the Engineers Defended the Great Hydro-Electric Plant - - -Author: Irving Crump - - - -Release Date: December 16, 2019 [eBook #60941] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK STRAW IN MEXICO*** - - -E-text prepared by the Online Distributed Proofreading Team -(http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by -Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 60941-h.htm or 60941-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/60941/60941-h/60941-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/60941/60941-h.zip) - - - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/jackstrawinmexic00crum - - - - - -JACK STRAW IN MEXICO - - -[Illustration: “The door was pushed violently open”] - - -JACK STRAW IN MEXICO - -How the Engineers Defended -the Great Hydro-Electric Plant - -by - -IRVING CRUMP - -Illustrations by Leslie Crump - - - - - - -New York -McBride, Nast & Company -1914 - -Copyright, 1914, by -McBride, Nast & CO. - -Published September, 1914 - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I JACK STRAW’S MISSION TO MEXICO 1 - - II “IN SELF DEFENSE” 17 - - III SEASICK 26 - - IV AT ODDS WITH CUSTOMS INSPECTORS 40 - - V IN THE HANDS OF THE SECRET SERVICE 50 - - VI ON TRIAL AS A SPY 58 - - VII OFF FOR NECAXA 67 - - VIII THE CRIPPLED GENERATORS 79 - - IX JACK PROPOSES A TRAP 88 - - X FOOTPRINTS 100 - - XI SEARCHING FOR THE MAN WITH THE SCARRED HEEL 108 - - XII THE DRAWINGS ARE STOLEN 119 - - XIII A WEAKENED GARRISON 129 - - XIV THE NIGHT WATCH 139 - - XV IMPROVISED SEARCHLIGHTS 151 - - XVI A WARNING 162 - - XVII WHO WILL BE FOOD FOR THE VULTURES 174 - - XVIII THE WIRES ARE DOWN 184 - - XIX TO THE RESCUE 193 - - XX “SHOOT! SHOOT!” 205 - - XXI “YES, YES, I DID IT” 216 - - XXII GOOD-BY NECAXA 226 - - - - -THE ILLUSTRATIONS - - - The door was pushed violently open _Frontispiece_ - - FACING PAGE - - To Jack it all seemed like a horrible nightmare 58 - - They pressed against the barrier like cattle 178 - - The horsemen in green swept down the valley 198 - - - - -JACK STRAW IN MEXICO - - - - -CHAPTER I - -JACK STRAW’S MISSION TO MEXICO - - -Five members of the “D” club had gathered in Jack Straw’s room on the -top floor of Phillip’s Hall the last Saturday afternoon before the end -of the Spring term. They had not assembled in official conclave, indeed -they had not intended to assemble at all. They had merely gravitated -there one by one in search of something to take their minds off the -worst disappointment they had been compelled to face that year. The -Drueryville-Seaton baseball game, the one that was to have settled the -preparatory school championship of Vermont, had been scheduled for that -Saturday afternoon, and, lo and behold, in spite of the importance of the -day, Jupiter Pluvius or whoever it was that controlled the rain supply, -had made the game impossible by deluging everything in sight since early -morning. And there was no chance of postponing the contest either as -school closed the following Friday. The championship would have to remain -undecided. And this was just the year Drueryville stood a better chance -than ever of adding the “prep” cup to her trophy case. It was enough to -make anyone glum. - -“They should have named this place Drearyville instead of Drueryville,” -muttered Toad Fletcher, the stocky little catcher of the team, as he -looked across the deserted campus at the dripping eves of Bradley Hall. - -John Monroe Strawbridge, who was known to every boy in school as Jack -Straw, shifted his position on the window seat so that he could take -another look at the weather. - -“It is pretty gloomy on a day like this,” he answered after searching the -leaden sky for some signs of a break in the low hanging storm clouds. - -Jack and Toad were too dejected in spirit for conversation and since -Bunny Baily was deeply engrossed in a book of fiction and Dick Cory and -Harvey Maston were working out an absorbing game of checkers silence -reigned in the room for some time. In fact a stranger passing the door -would never have suspected that five perfectly normal, healthy boys -were within. But then the “D” club was composed of the honor boys of -Drueryville Academy and for that reason if no other, they were bound -to be more dignified at times. You see the “D” club was made up of the -students who had won the privilege of wearing a white and blue initial, -the insignia of the school, on their caps or jersey; and in order to earn -that distinction a boy must needs work hard both in the class room and on -the athletic field. When a youth successfully attained such laurels the -crown _was_ apt to weigh heavily. - -How long the clicking of checkers would have remained the only sound is -hard to tell had not Tommy Todd happened to see Jack Straw curled up in -the window seat. He paused a moment before Phillip’s Hall and waved his -hand in friendly greeting. Then he splashed across the muddy road and -came up the stairs three steps at a time. Like a small portion of the -storm itself (for Tommy was by no means a big boy) he burst into the -room, his yellow raincoat and rubber hat dripping wet. - -“Say, don’t flood the place!” shouted Jack as he noted two growing pools -of water on the rug. - -But Tommy only grinned as he removed his wet garments and draped them -over the back of a chair so that they would drip on the hearthstone. - -“Sort of hard luck to have a day like this happen along just when it -isn’t wanted,” he suggested to no one in particular. Then without waiting -for a response he looked at Jack and spoke. - -“Say old man, I can’t think what on earth you’ve been up to recently, -but there’s something in the wind. Dr. Moorland wants to see you as soon -as possible. I just came from his house and he asked me to look you up. -I was going on downtown first because the last place on earth I ever -expected to find you was in your own room. What’s the trouble anyway? -You haven’t done something that will keep you from getting through next -week, have you? It’s mighty close to the end of the term and I hope -you’ve been careful.” - -At this Cory and Maston suspended their game for a moment and Bunny Baily -put down his book. All eyes were turned on Jack Straw. And as for Jack, -it must be confessed he looked startled and somewhat worried. Hastily he -ran through his mental diary, but so far as he could see no one entry -stood out above the rest as warranting reprimand from the principal. - -“I haven’t the slightest idea what he can want of me,” he assured his -guests as he hastened into his bedroom and donned raincoat and rubbers. -A few moments later he hurried out into the hall and down the broad -stairs toward the main entrance. As he passed the mail rack in the hall -he noticed a letter waiting for him. Hastily he seized it and crammed it -into his pocket, noting as he did so that the address was written in his -father’s hand. - -Dr. Theodore Moorland, the principal, lived in a modest little cottage on -the north side of the campus. It was almost hidden in a grove of tall -maples and, as if to make itself more inconspicuous, it had permitted -woodbine and ivy to clothe its gray stone walls in a cloak of soft green. -A graveled road that wound between fat old maples showed the way to the -front door, and it was up this much used path that Jack Strawbridge -hastened, his mind still puzzled over the reason for such an unusual -command. The heavy old-fashioned door to the cottage was equipped with -a ponderous brass knocker of quaint design which thumped with such -resonance as to spread consternation in the soul of youngsters summoned -thither. Thus they were thoroughly disturbed before they even faced the -austere old master. - -Such was not the attitude of Jack Straw, however. He had not been able -to remember a single reason why he should expect to face a scolding -from Dr. Moorland. Every examination paper had come back with excellent -markings and his conduct for some time past had been beyond reproach. -He thumped the old door knocker twice in his eagerness to find out just -what the master wanted. Perhaps it was news from home, he thought, and -he comforted himself by the fact that nothing serious had happened to -his father, for the letter in his coat pocket attested to the fact that -he was still well enough to write. But while he was speculating thus the -door was opened by Dr. Moorland himself. - -The dignified pedagogue greeted the boy with a broad smile and a hearty -hand shake. - -“I didn’t know but what you and some of the rest of the boys had about -grieved yourselves to death over your ill luck at having the championship -game broken up by the weather,” he said as he ushered Jack into his study -in a secluded wing of the house. - -“It is rather hard on us,” said Jack with a smile. “Here we’ve been -working since February to get our team in shape for the trophy contest -and then a little thing like the weather spoils it. Next year I think we -will have to arrange to have the championship game a little earlier so -there will be enough time to play it in case of an emergency like this -one.” - -“Never mind, Jack, my boy,” said the principal, “I have a mission for you -that is calculated to take your mind off baseball and similar troubles -for some time to come.” - -The boy was plainly puzzled at this remark. He looked curiously at the -principal who was striding the room nervously. Dr. Moorland was a tall, -broad shouldered man of sixty. His hair was snow white and so long in -back that it curled down over his coat collar. A pair of horn rimmed -spectacles that were constantly sliding forward on his nose made him -appear to be a testy individual, but in reality he was a genial old -gentleman who loved his boys as much as if he was the father of every one -of them. The State of Vermont counted him among the best of its educators -and he was famed throughout the country, indeed throughout the world as a -chemist. - -“Jack,” he said after a long silence, “how would you like to go to -Mexico?” - -“To Mexico!” gasped Jack. - -“Yes, to Mexico. It will be an opportunity for you to see a wonderful -country and also to make enough money to pay your tuition at Drueryville -next year. Do you care to go?” - -“Why—why—Oh, I’d be delighted—but—well I’d have to get father’s consent -first, you know.” - -“Ah, Jack, you don’t suppose I would have suggested the subject before -consulting your father about it, do you? I wrote him several days ago and -asked his permission to let you go. I received word this morning that he -was perfectly willing to have you avail yourself of the chance to see a -little of the world providing you cared to go. I wonder that he hasn’t -written to you about it.” - -“Why, perhaps the letter I have in my pocket now is about that very -thing,” said Jack, searching in his pocket for the envelope. - -“Very likely,” said the principal, “but you can read it after. Let me -explain exactly what I want you to do. When you have heard the details -you can decide better whether you want to go.” - -Dr. Moorland had ceased pacing the room and settled deep in his -comfortable study chair. With what seemed exasperating deliberateness to -Jack, he removed his huge glasses and polished them thoroughly on his -handkerchief before he was ready to talk. Then just as he was about to -begin he seemed to remember something else of importance, for he began to -search drawer after drawer of his desk until he finally brought to light -a large yellow envelope bulging with what appeared to be blueprints. He -tossed the package on the desk before him and once again resumed his -comfortable attitude. - -“Perhaps you never heard of my nephew, Harry Ryder. In fact, I am quite -certain you haven’t, for he has never visited Drueryville since you’ve -been at school. Harry Ryder is the chief engineer of the enormous -hydro-electric power plant at Necaxa where light and power is supplied -for Mexico City, the capital, one hundred and twenty-five miles away. He -was appointed to that important position by President Madero a year ago, -and he has done his best to keep Mexico City lighted in spite of all the -trouble in that turbulent republic, and the recent change to the Huerta -régime. - -“Time and again rebels have tried to break down the four transmission -lines that carry the current to the city but they have never yet been -successful and I judge from Harry’s letters that he never intends they -shall. But besides rebels, Harry has other important things to contend -with. Up there in the mountains where the plant is located, thunderstorms -are quite frequent and lightning is the troublesome element. Lightning -is electricity in its most dangerous form, because of its very high -voltage. Voltage, you know, is the pressure which causes it to travel. -One of our scientists once tried to measure lightning and found that its -voltage mounted well into the millions. This is tremendous force when you -consider that the current used in lighting houses and stores is supplied -at one hundred and ten volts. - -“During thunderstorms the lightning plays about the transmission lines, -often causing a great deal of trouble. If it should by any chance get -into the station it would raise havoc with the generators and other -machinery. To prevent this, lightning arresters have been constructed -that will waylay the lightning, as it were, and send it into the ground -before it reaches the vital machinery.” - -Here Dr. Moorland paused and began to sketch rapidly on a piece of paper -while Jack looked on, still very much mystified. - -[Illustration: Dr. Moorland’s Sketch] - -“The usual transformer is arranged something like this. First a choke -coil is put in the transmission line near the end. When the lightning -strikes this coil it piles up and is forced back exactly like a flying -wedge of football players that suddenly tries to break through an -impregnable defense. The lightning that is thus forced back rushes into -line ‘A,’ which is the point of least resistance, jumps the horn gap and -plunges through the arrester tank and into the ground. When the excessive -electricity has left the line and the flow is normal, the current is -checked at the horn gap and arrested. This combination of gap and -arrester does not permit current to flow into the ground during normal -operation and does not actually become active until lightning gets into -the line and there is danger of the plant being wrecked by an overload of -electricity.” - -“My, but that is interesting,” said Jack Straw as he fingered the -master’s sketch. Indeed, he had been so carried away with the description -of that interesting piece of engineering work that for the moment he had -completely forgotten about Mexico. But Dr. Moorland revived his interest -with his next sentence. - -“And now for my reason for wanting you to go to Mexico. The lightning -arresters now in use are not entirely satisfactory, and Harry Ryder -has been trying to build one on completely new lines. Indeed, he has -perfected the contrivance, except for a neutral chemical solution of a -new nature for which he asked me to construct a formula. He forwarded his -drawings for me to look over and now I am ready to send them back. But a -few weeks ago, Harry communicated with me and asked me to take particular -care that the drawings reach him safely. In fact, he suggested that they -be sent to him by messenger instead of by the mails. You see, Mexico is -in a state of extended turmoil now with Villa, Carranza and Zapata all -carrying on campaigns against Huerta, and under such conditions the mails -are not trustworthy. In fact, I understand from Harry that three-quarters -of the mail is destroyed by revolutionary forces and that the rest of -it is left lying in almost any corner of the republic until it can be -distributed. - -“These drawings,”—Dr. Moorland fingered the bulky yellow envelope as he -spoke,—“are far too valuable to trust to such mail service and since -Harry is willing to meet the expenses of a messenger and at the same time -pay him for his services, I can see no reason why you should not be the -one to take them safely to Necaxa.” - -“Why, I’d be delighted with the undertaking, if you think I can do it -satisfactorily,” said Jack. - -“And why can’t you do it satisfactorily?” demanded the principal rather -bruskly. “Any boy whom the students of Drueryville honor by electing -captain of the football team for two successive seasons certainly must -have some good qualities. You are strong and healthy. You are not a -coward and above all you are reliable. These are qualifications that I -could not find in every man. Will you go, Jack?” - -“Yes, I will. When do I start?” asked the boy enthusiastically, and from -the expression on his face it was evident that he was pleased with the -confidence the old master had in his ability to carry out the mission. - -“A steamer sails from New York on Saturday next. I would like to have you -be on board when it leaves the dock for I am more than eager to have the -drawings back to their owner and the responsibility off my mind. Then, -too, I am afraid the hostilities in Mexico might become more serious. -You will have a week to prepare for the journey, and since I have looked -up all your examination papers and found them above the proper rating I -will excuse you from school for the last week of the term and you can -spend that time with your father, for I know he has many things to say -to you. You can leave Drueryville on the ten o’clock train to-morrow -morning after you have called here to receive final instructions and the -precious drawings. And now you must hurry back to your room and pack. -Good afternoon and good luck to you.” - -It was a rather serious moment for Jack when he shook hands with Dr. -Moorland. He realized that the old schoolmaster was putting great trust -in him. It was in truth a struggle for him to hide his emotions as he -bade the old man good afternoon. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -“IN SELF-DEFENSE OR A CAUSE THAT IS HONORABLE” - - -Townsend Strawbridge, Jack’s father, lived alone in what was left of -a once very large estate in the upper end of the pleasant Champlain -Valley. The old dwelling was located on the outskirts of the village of -Middlebury less than fifty miles from Drueryville, and it was toward -this point that Jack hurried as soon as he received the precious yellow -envelope and final instructions from Dr. Moorland. - -Mr. Strawbridge had in his day suffered a double misfortune through -losing his wife and his money almost at the same time. His story was -the same as that of many others in that region of the country. He had -discovered outcroppings of another section of the rich marble vein that -runs from one end of the Champlain Valley to the other and almost -bisects the State of Vermont. Lured on by the vast fortune that certain -other men were making in marble quarrying, Mr. Strawbridge sought to -develop his own property. All the money he had saved, as well as all -that he could borrow on mortgages, was invested in quarrying machines, -derricks and the like. With these and a force of burly Canadian quarrymen -he went to work, opening quarry holes in what had once been the farm’s -pasture lot. - -But unfortunately he had not been able to gather together money enough -to more than to tide him over the early part of the operation. This -consisted in removing the top soil and breaking away the upper layers -of worthless stone, a condition he had not reckoned with. The result -was that when the channeling machines were finally put to work to get -out the first blocks Mr. Strawbridge found himself unable to finance -the undertaking much longer. He tried to borrow more money, but before -he could successfully negotiate a loan the quarrymen called a general -strike throughout the State and the men at the Strawbridge quarries -went out with the rest. The strike affected the entire valley and every -one was pressed for money. Instead of making new loans old accounts were -called in, and since Mr. Strawbridge had no way of meeting his debts, the -mortgages on his property were foreclosed. However, he had steadfastly -refused to mortgage his house and the property on which it stood. Nor -would he jeopardize his interest in the old pasture lot where the -quarries were located; consequently these sections alone were saved to -him. - -On top of all this trouble Jack’s mother died. This was almost more -than Mr. Strawbridge could stand and for several years he was very much -depressed. But gradually he was mastering his unhappiness. He was, in -fact, working on a plan to organize a company and develop his marble -quarries and this served to keep his mind occupied enough to prevent -unpleasant memories from creeping in. - -Naturally his son was very dear to him. In fact, he and Jack were more -like chums than father and son. In summer, during Jack’s long vacation, -they would go hunting and fishing together and have a thoroughly good -time in general. In the fall and winter, when Jack was at Drueryville, -Mr. Strawbridge made weekly visits to the old academy, just for the -pleasure of being able to chat with Jack and his schoolboy companions. - -Considering this mutual affection it may seem strange that his father -was willing to let Jack spend his vacation in Mexico, but then, as Mr. -Strawbridge said in his letter to Jack sanctioning the trip, “It is an -opportunity that you cannot well miss, as it will give you a chance to -see a very wonderful country. If you do not avail yourself of this chance -you may have to wait a long time before I can afford to pay the expenses -of such a journey. Besides, you will be able to earn enough money to pay -your tuition next year which also counts for a great deal because I am -now using every penny I have at my command to re-establish my fortune.” - -When Jack reached home that Sunday afternoon after leaving the academy, -Mr. Strawbridge was for putting by his plans for organizing a quarry -operating company and devoting the entire week to his son. But Jack -would not hear to this, for he was thoroughly interested in the work of -reopening the quarries. Mr. Strawbridge was well pleased at this and -explained all the intricacies of issuing stock and organizing a company -until the boy had secured an excellent insight into business of this -nature. Many hours were spent in wandering over the old pasture lot and -climbing in and out of the quarry holes. They even visited other quarries -that were being successfully operated in the vicinity of Middlebury. - -But though they were employed in working out the more serious problems of -life they did find time to go a-wandering beside babbling trout brooks -with their fly rods. Altogether they crowded more enjoyment into that one -week than they really expected and Friday morning came all too soon for -both of them. This, in spite of the fact that Jack was looking forward to -his voyage to Mexico with as much enthusiasm as ever. - -After breakfast the last morning before his departure Jack went over -the contents of his valise to see that nothing important had been -overlooked. While he was thus engaged his father asked him to step into -the library for a moment. When Jack entered the room Mr. Strawbridge was -seated at his desk and before him lay a huge blue steel Colt revolver, a -well-worn leather holster and a cartridge belt studded with brass ends -of many cartridges. Jack had often viewed this weapon in his father’s -room and occasionally he had been allowed to fire it at a target when his -father was at hand. - -“My son,” said Mr. Strawbridge kindly as he patted the heavy six-shooter, -“you have been greatly honored by your principal, Dr. Moorland. He has -asked you to undertake a mission of importance. He has entrusted you with -valuable drawings, the loss of which would mean the ruination perhaps of -a man’s most important contribution to the scientific world. All this -has pleased me a great deal for I find satisfaction in knowing others -besides myself have faith in your ability to carry out an undertaking. Do -everything you can, my boy, to have them retain this faith. I realized -when I gave you permission to go to Mexico that I was letting you take -your life in your own hands. This worried me a great deal at first, but I -would not for anything in the world cheat you of the honor of making that -journey successfully. You will be traveling most of the time among people -to whom human life is of little value. These people are violent and -warlike. They are uneducated and untrained, and all the time that you are -in their country your life will be in danger. For that reason I am going -to give you this revolver. Take it and use it only in self-defense or in -a cause that is honorable. If others believe that you are to carry out an -important task I am ready to believe that you are careful enough to know -how to use a weapon of this kind and not misuse it.” - -Jack’s heart beat fast as he took the heavy holster and cartridge belt -from the desk. He always liked to feel it in his hands, and to examine it -closely. He had been accustomed to firearms of all kinds, but this huge -army revolver fascinated him because of its massiveness. - -“Father,” he said finally, “I shall be as careful with this as you have -been, and you can be certain that whatever use it is put to will be -honorable.” - -“Jack, I believe you,” said Mr. Strawbridge heartily, as he grasped his -son’s hand. - -The rest of the day Jack and his father devoted to planning the details -of his trip and at four o’clock Mr. Strawbridge opened the heavy door -of his private safe and took the yellow envelope from the compartment -in which it had been reposing since Jack’s arrival from Drueryville. He -also took a heavy waterproof wallet from the safe and emptying the papers -contained therein gave it to Jack with instructions always to keep the -precious drawings in it. The wallet, with drawings inside, Jack placed -in an inner pocket of his coat, taking good care first to see that there -were no small holes that might become enlarged by the weight of the -package, thereby providing a way for it to slip through. Shortly after -that the village bus drove to the door and Jack and his father bundled -inside. Thus did our hero depart on the first stage of what was to prove -an unusual adventure. - -The express from Montreal that was to take him to New York was in the -station when he arrived and Jack had but a very few minutes to say a last -good-by to his parent. In fact, the train started as they were shaking -hands and Jack just had time to toss his bag to a dusky Pullman porter -and swing aboard. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -SEASICK - - -Fortunately Dr. Moorland had arranged all the details concerning Jack’s -sailing and had forwarded his steamship ticket and stateroom reservation -to him while he was still in Middlebury, otherwise he never would -have made the Pringle Line pier before the sailing hour. Somewhere -south of Albany a freight train had been wrecked during the night and -in consequence the entire line had been tied up for three hours. The -Montreal express had merely crawled along for the greater part of its -journey and when Jack awoke the next morning he found to his dismay that -it had many miles to go before it reached the Grand Central depot. In -fact, when it finally pulled into the train shed the young traveler had a -little more than half an hour in which to reach the Brooklyn dock. - -Valise in hand he stood on the platform of the first car when the long -train rolled in. And while the brakes were yet crunching against the -wheels he leapt down, to the imminent peril of a colored porter whom he -nearly bowled over in his mad haste to reach Forty-second Street. Down -the long concourse and through the waiting-room he hurried until he -finally gained the sidewalk. There he hailed the first taxicab in sight. -Pausing only a moment to give the driver hasty instructions, Jack plunged -inside and immediately was being whisked through New York at top speed. - -But with all this hustle and bustle he came very near to missing the -boat. Indeed he was among the last aboard. All but one gang-plank had -been hauled in and the few remaining visitors were being hastened ashore -by the stewards when he finally gained the deck and paused to catch his -breath. She was a long low white-hulled steamer that sailed under the -name of the _Yucatan_ and her seaworthiness was apparent even to Jack, -who had never before set foot on a ship’s deck. - -The first thing that the boy from Drueryville Academy did after -locating his stateroom was to see that the wallet with its precious -contents was secure in its proper place. His mind at ease on this -point, he immediately returned to the deck, for he was eager to see -the sights of New York harbor. The _Yucatan_ was slipping past the -lower end of Governor’s Island and the entire skyline of Manhattan was -spread out before his admiring gaze. But presently, as the ship passed -Tompkinsville, his attention was diverted to three huge gray vessels with -queer basket-like masts that were anchored just off the Staten Island -shore. He recalled that a United States Navy coaling station was located -in that vicinity and concluded that this was the reason for the presence -there of three of the largest of Uncle Sam’s battleships. - -And as these vessels faded in the distance a new delight was revealed to -him. The _Yucatan_ was steaming down the Narrows toward the lower bay -and on either bank Jack beheld the many innocent looking grass-grown -terraces of Fort Wadsworth and Fort Hamilton behind which the deadly -disappearing guns of the harbor defense are concealed. The mere sight of -these embankments with the Stars and Stripes whipping in the breeze above -them made the young Vermonter thrill with patriotism, and for the first -time in his life he realized fully how glad he was that Yankee blood -coursed through his veins. And as he stood there almost spell-bound by -this picture of silent power, some one at his elbow spoke to him. - -“They look almost impregnable,” said the stranger, whereat Jack turned to -find himself addressed by a tall, good looking man whose face was tanned -to a ruddy brown, and whose eyes sparkled with as much enthusiasm as his -own. - -“Indeed they do, and I am proud of them,” our young friend replied with -feeling. - -“So am I, son; so am I,” said the other with equal fervor. “And every day -I feel more grateful to Providence for making an American of me. You’ll -appreciate it too after you have traveled in foreign lands a little -while.” - -Jack instinctively liked this man. He was so heartily enthusiastic about -America and everything American that the boy could not help but admire -him. Indeed he found him decidedly interesting as a companion and they -chatted away about everything in general until the _Yucatan_ reached -Sandy Hook. Here the stranger brought forth a pair of binoculars and -scrutinized the beach and the Atlantic Highlands beyond until he located -the object of his search. Then he passed the glasses to Jack, saying as -he did so: - -“Here, look at the greatest lighthouses in the world. See those two -towers standing out of the foliage over there on the hill. The reflection -of their lights can be seen seventy miles out at sea.” - -After a search Jack found them. They appeared like the towers of some -medieval castle connected by a long low brick structure. - -“Are those the Sandy Hook Lights?” he queried. - -“No,” said his companion, “they are officially known as the Navesink -Lights. The Sandy Hook Light is that old octagonal white tower over -yonder. That is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, lighthouse in -America. It was built by the British Government in 1764 and during the -Revolutionary War the King’s soldiers used it as a military prison. -Not long ago when they were making some improvements in the foundation -a dungeon was unearthed in which were found several human skeletons, -evidently Colonial soldiers imprisoned there and not liberated when the -lighthouse was abandoned. Now if you will turn your glasses off to the -right you will be able to see the Sandy Hook Lightship. That little -cockleshell of a craft is there winter and summer fighting every storm -and fog that comes up. She’s in competent hands, however, for the captain -is a master mariner.” - -Jack was exceedingly interested. He wondered how his companion came to -know so much about lighthouses and lightships and several times he was -on the point of asking him. This, however, was not necessary, for a few -moments later the information was furnished quite voluntarily. - -“By the way,” said the stranger, after Jack had finished scrutinizing -the tossing lightship, “I’ve neglected to introduce myself. My name -is Warner, James Warner, I am supposed to be a marine engineer. You -understand; a builder of lighthouses, concrete dykes and all that.” - -“And I am John Strawbridge of Drueryville Academy, but since Strawbridge -is a rather large mouthful I suggest you call me Jack Straw. It’s -handier, you know.” - -“Jack Straw, eh? Well, that’s corking,” said Mr. Warner heartily, -clapping the boy on the back. “Where are you bound for, Jack? I’m on my -way to Tampico. President Huerta, of Mexico, has just given me a contract -to rebuild the foundation of the Lobo’s Island Light. That is one of the -most important coast markings in Mexico.” - -“I’m bound for Necaxa, by way of Vera Cruz and Mexico City,” said Jack, -who had already begun to feel like a seasoned traveler. - -“Necaxa,” exclaimed his companion; “why that’s where the big -hydro-electric power plant is located. That’s where Mexico City gets -its light from. Harry Ryder, the engineer in charge of the plant, is an -old chum of mine. In fact, we were classmates at Sheffield Scientific -School.” - -“Why, he’s the man I am expecting to visit there,” said Jack, somewhat -surprised at the fact that Mr. Warner knew Dr. Moorland’s nephew. He -refrained, however, from telling his companion the reason for his journey. - -“Well, that’s mighty interesting,” replied the marine engineer. “I -haven’t seen Harry Ryder in more than two years, though I’ve kept in -touch with him. He’s a very capable fellow, and he deserves the honor -of being in charge of the largest electric station in Mexico. He won -the office, you know, about a year or so ago. President Madero held -competitive examinations in Mexico City. Harry carried off the highest -honors. But from what he told me he was rather hard pressed by several -other good electrical engineers, both Americans and Mexicans. I guess he -expected to lose his position when Huerta won the revolution and deposed -Madero. But the new president reappointed him.” - -Jack was greatly pleased to learn that Dr. Moorland’s relative was so -well liked by his former classmate. It served to increase his interest in -the man whose plans he was carrying and he concluded that his visit to -Mexico was destined to be very pleasant with Mr. Ryder as his host. He -became silent after that, for his thoughts were far away, anticipating -his sojourn in the land that Cortez conquered. The voice of Mr. Warner -interrupted this pleasant mental occupation. - -“Look over there on the horizon. That’s a storm cloud. I rather think -it’s fixing for a blow. Do you ever get seasick?” he queried. - -“Well, I’ve never had an opportunity to find out,” said Jack, “for you -see this is my first experience on salt water.” - -“Well, you’ll know within an hour. It’s freshening up now and before long -the boat will be pitching around like a Mexican burro, a beast you are -destined to become acquainted with before you have traveled in Mexico -very long.” - -Jack smiled at Mr. Warner’s simile, but it was not long before he noticed -that the long rolling swells had changed to white crested waves that -pounded against the steel sides of the _Yucatan_ with a hiss and a shower -of salt spray. The pitching of the ship had increased, too, by the time -he and Mr. Warner went below for luncheon. Indeed, he found it rather -hard to follow his companion across the dining saloon without seeming to -stagger. At the same time he began to feel very peculiarly. It was as if -he had been swinging around and around so violently that he had finally -become very dizzy. He tried his best to hide his feelings from Mr. -Warner, hoping that he would be a little better after he had eaten. But -his companion looked at him sharply as he took his seat at the table and -Jack was certain that he saw the semblance of a smile about the corners -of his mouth. This nettled the boy and he determined that he would master -the peculiar feeling immediately. About that time, however, the waiter -placed a plate of hot soup before him. Jack looked at it once and all his -self-control vanished. Somehow the sight of food made him extremely ill -and without even the formality of excusing himself he pushed back his -chair and bolted for his stateroom. - -Life hardly seemed worth living to Jack Straw during the next three -days for he was so ill that he could not stir out of his stateroom. -The _Yucatan_ pitched and rolled as if she was being tossed about for -a plaything by some very inconsiderate giant, and it frequently seemed -to the boy that the steel hull was on the point of foundering under the -heavy seas that broke against it. Nor did Jack care particularly whether -it did or not. - -Several times he made an attempt to leave his stateroom, believing that -he would feel very much better if he could only reach deck. But each time -he left his berth he became so nauseated that he was glad to climb back -again. Mr. Warner made three efforts to visit him but Jack had bolted the -door against all intruders, including a solicitous steward who tried to -persuade him to drink a cup of tea and eat some hot toast. - -On the morning of the fourth day out, however, he awoke to find himself -much relieved. To be sure he was very weak, but the sea had gone down -and walking was not the effort it had been before. He found himself able -to eat a light breakfast and later he managed to reach his steamer chair -into which he sank with a sigh of relief. He was not the only passenger -convalescing. Indeed all the occupants of the steamer chairs were pale -and weak appearing and Jack found a great deal of satisfaction in knowing -that others had been affected by the storm. - -The _Yucatan_ was plowing her way through the dark blue water of the -Gulf, riding the long lazy swells with graceful ease, and to Jack, who -had never before been out of sight of land, the vast stretch of water -was awe-inspiring. The vessel seemed small and insignificant out there -all alone and he wondered how Columbus and other early adventurers had -ever found courage enough to sail for weeks over untraveled seas knowing -so little of their destination. In fact, how mariners could navigate a -vessel even with present-day charts and equipment seemed a mystery to the -boy from Vermont. - -Late that afternoon while Jack was trying to get interested in a book -that he had brought from his stateroom, Mr. Warner appeared on deck. -“By George,” he exclaimed as he caught sight of Jack, “you’re not the -boy with whom I was talking a day or so ago! Why, you look as pale as a -ghost. You must have had a rather disagreeable few days. Well, we did run -through something of a blow and I guess you weren’t the only one who was -seasick. To tell the truth, I felt a little squeamish myself for a time.” - -“I think it was about the most unpleasant sensation I ever had,” said -Jack. - -“You are right,” said Mr. Warner; “but most of us have to experience -it sometime. Well, you are headed straight for your destination now. I -expect we will reach Tampico by late to-morrow night or the following -morning, and after that it is only a day to Vera Cruz. I am rather -glad I came across you here, for I’ve a lot of figuring to do on some -specifications I brought with me and I may not have an opportunity to see -you again before I land. I’ll say good-by to you now and let me wish you -the very best of luck in Mexico. Be sure and remember me to Harry Ryder -when you see him and tell him also that I may find an opportunity to -visit him if I am in Mexico long enough.” - -Jack shook his hand warmly, for he had come to like the marine engineer a -great deal. - -“I am sure we shall see each other again some day,” he said as they -parted company. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -AT ODDS WITH CUSTOMS INSPECTORS - - -Though it was hardly daylight Jack was up and dressed and on deck when -the Mexican pilot came aboard to take the _Yucatan_ into Vera Cruz. A -filmy blue mist was rising from the broad surface of the harbor, making -the white walled seaport seem like a dream city. Dawn, like twilight, in -the Tropics is of brief duration, and the boy from New England scarcely -had time to mark the fleeting changes of color along the eastern horizon -before the sun came up, dispelling at once the lingering night mist. And -with the coming of day the city and the harbor became alive. Tiny sail -boats put out and from wharves and jetties here and there puffing tugs -made their appearance. - -Jack Straw watched the scene with eager interest. It was all so new and -so very unlike what he had expected that he became thoroughly fascinated. -Off to the right he beheld the frowning walls of the old fortress and -military prison of San Juan de Ulloa. He recalled stories he had heard of -its dungeons where numberless horrible executions had taken place, and he -wondered how many enemies of Huerta lingered there at the present time. -From this grim building he turned his attention to the city. The spires -of the cathedral showed high above the housetops, and as Jack caught -sight of them there arose the most confused jargon of metallic sound that -he had ever heard. It was as if a regiment of blacksmiths were beating -on cracked anvils. He did not learn until he landed that these sounds -emanated from the belfry of the cathedral and were caused by a group of -bell ringers bent on calling the population to early mass. - -In due time, after port inspectors, quarantine officers, and a host of -other uniformed individuals had climbed aboard and inspected every one -and everything in sight, the _Yucatan_ was permitted to make her way -slowly to the Pringle Line wharf. - -Jack, valise in hand, was among the first down the gang-plank, but he had -hardly put foot on the dock before he was accosted by another uniformed -attendant who spoke very poor English. The boy managed after a great -deal of effort to understand that he was one of the customs inspectors -and that he was about to make an examination of the contents of the -valise. Jack willingly unlocked the leather bag and permitted the swarthy -searcher to tumble its contents about until he became convinced that the -youth had nothing on which he could collect duty. But he did not seem -satisfied. He looked at Jack from head to heels, noting particularly each -one of his pockets. Then suddenly he pointed to where the leather wallet -and drawing made the boy’s coat bulge slightly. - -“What—ah—have. Ah—you—ah—er—” he puzzled his brain to know how to finish -the sentence in English. But finally becoming exasperated he tapped -Jack’s coat violently with his fingers. - -“_Aqui! Aqui! Aqui!_” (here! here! here!) he demanded. Jack did not -understand the Spanish, but he knew that the leather wallet interested -the inspector. He hesitated to produce it at first and tried to satisfy -the dark-visaged little man by telling him that it was only a wallet. But -the Mexican would not be contented and in the end the boy had to reveal -to him the contents of the yellow leather case. At the sight of the blue -prints and sketches the native became thoroughly aroused. He tried to ask -questions in English but became so very confused that he resorted to his -native tongue and talked a perfect stream of Spanish. And of course Jack -was unable to understand a word of it. - -Then the Mexican beckoned the young American to follow him, pointing at -the same time to a long low stone building near by which Jack concluded -was the custom house. Together they hurried across the street, the -inspector chattering so hard that Jack’s protests were lost completely. - -The man led the way through several rather poorly kept offices to the -far end of the building, where they entered what was evidently the -room of the Chief Inspector of the port. An elderly and very dignified -old gentleman was the sole occupant. He was seated at a desk in the -far corner, but at their coming he arose and advanced to meet them. -Immediately the little inspector became thoroughly animated. He opened -the wallet (upon which he had kept a firm grip since Jack gave it to him) -and spread the drawings on the table before his superior, talking very -fast all the while. Together the two Mexicans examined each sketch, then -finally the old man turned and spoke to Jack. - -“Do you converse Mexican?” he queried and Jack shook his head. - -The Chief Inspector clapped his hands twice, whereat a servant appeared, -to disappear immediately upon receiving a few abrupt instructions. -Shortly after the servant entered again followed by a light-haired -youth of about Jack’s own age, and undoubtedly an American. The boy -from Vermont was decidedly pleased, but before he could speak the Chief -Inspector addressed the newcomer, pointing to the drawings and the -wallet at the conclusion of his remarks. - -“He wants to know what these drawings are,” said the interpreter; “he -thinks that you are a spy in the employ of the revolutionists and that -these papers are very important.” - -“Please tell him,” said Jack with a smile, “that the drawings are -valuable only to one person and he is the man who is making the -electricity which lights President Huerta’s palace and the streets of -Mexico City.” - -There was a decided change in the attitude of both officials when this -was translated for them. The Chief Inspector bowed and smiled most -apologetically. - -“So, Señor Ryder. He is your friend?” he said; “he is a—” but he could -get no further with his English, so he addressed the rest to the -interpreter who imparted it to Jack. - -“He says that Mr. Ryder is a very wonderful man and that if you are his -friend he is sorry that he detained you. You are free to go now,” said -the American, and Jack, after thanking the dignified old Mexican, tucked -the wallet into his pocket and left the office. In the corridor of the -building he was overtaken by the interpreter, who paused a moment to -speak. - -“My name is Dave Anson,” he said, “and if I can help you any, while you -are in Vera Cruz, just let me know. I always like to help out a fellow -countryman.” - -“You have done a great deal for me already,” said Jack, “for if it had -not been for you I am afraid I would have found myself in a mighty -unhappy position. I certainly am obliged to you.” - -“Oh, don’t mention it,” said Anson, then in an undertone he added, “Don’t -let the old chap deceive you. I could see he was rather skeptical about -what you said, but he is afraid to detain you any longer for fear you -might have a little more pull than he has, so he let you go. Don’t worry; -you’ll be shadowed every minute that you are in Vera Cruz, so mind your -actions. Well, so long and good luck to you.” The two boys shook hands -warmly and parted. - -Jack gave little thought to his recent experience after he left the -custom house, for he had a great deal to attend to. First of all he must -find a banking house where he could get his American money exchanged for -Mexican currency. Dr. Moorland had given him the address of one of the -few honest banking firms in Vera Cruz, and after a long search he located -the place. He was very much surprised to find that for every one of his -American dollars he received two Mexican dollars in exchange. Indeed, his -capital was doubled and when he left the bank his trousers’ pockets and -wallet were weighted down with huge silver coins. Jack’s next object was -to find the railroad terminal, and since an English speaking clerk had -given him explicit directions as to its location he experienced little or -no difficulty in finding the long low building with its dirty trainshed. - -A great many of the railroad men in Mexico above the grade of brakemen -are Americans and the young traveler had very little trouble at the -station. He learned, however, that he had two hours to wait before the -next train to the capital would be made up, and after buying his ticket -and making Pullman reservations he checked his valise and started on a -trip about the city. - -Through hot unshaded streets he wandered, peering into the curious little -shops and watching with interest the swarthy people. Finally he reached -the broad plaza with its imposing cathedral, bandstand and line upon line -of park benches. Here he sat down to rest and watch a score of dirty, -half-clad children playing on the sidewalk. They were apparently taking -part in a game and Jack tried very hard to understand the details of it. -Indeed he became so interested that he did not realize some one had taken -the seat beside him until he felt a hand upon his arm. - -“_Un centavo, Señor, un centavo_,” pleaded a whining voice, and Jack -found himself accosted by a very ugly and dirty-looking Mexican with a -monstrous hat. Though the lad did not understand his language he had -little difficulty in guessing that the man was begging for money. Eager -to be quit of such an uncouth companion he took several small coins from -his coat pocket and dropped them into the beggar’s outstretched palm. -But as he did so he looked up to find a man on a bench not far distant -watching him closely. - -He was rather well dressed when compared to others Jack had noticed about -the city, wearing an unusually large sombrero of much better texture than -that of the beggar’s. The brim and band about the crown was embellished -with Indian beadwork which made it very picturesque. On being observed -this man lowered his eyes and began to roll a black paper cigarette, nor -did he look up again until Jack left the bench and started across the -plaza. However, he watched the lad’s movements from the corner of his eye -until the Vermonter turned toward the street that led to the railroad -terminal. Then he arose and followed at a distance. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -IN THE HANDS OF THE SECRET SERVICE - - -Although the train for Mexico City was due to leave Vera Cruz promptly on -the hour, it was forty minutes late when it started to get underway. This -slight disregard for schedule did not surprise Jack, however, for already -he had discovered this natural failing of all Mexicans. The Pullman -coach in which he had secured accommodations was fortunately one of a -number of American-built cars that had been taken over the Rio Grande -and into Mexico from time to time during the extension of the national -railroad system, and in consequence the young traveler did not suffer -much from lack of comfort. Before he had traveled very long Jack realized -that he had embarked upon the most interesting portion of his journey -to the power plant. The train sped along through the most wonderful -country that he had ever seen. Now he was racing through deep ravines -with perpendicular walls of rock rising so high that daylight was almost -shut out and perpetual twilight reigned. From this he was whisked into -broad valleys with mountain ranges towering on either side. And often -the tracks led high up on the sides of one of these mountains, revealing -a broad panorama of tropical country, with Popocatepetl, the monstrous -volcano, in the distance. - -Now and then Indian villages were passed and Jack caught fleeting -glimpses of a group of thatched huts and adobes and crowds of naked -children and half-clad men and women who stared stolidly at the train -as it shot by. Occasionally a stop was made at some large town and -picturesque groups of Mexicans gathered at the station to stare in -wonderment at the passengers. Always these groups were made up entirely -of men, for the women had far too much to do to waste time idly watching -trains. These men were a motley throng, all wearing high-crowned, -broad-brimmed hats and gaily colored _serapes_, or blankets, which -they hugged close about them in spite of the heat. The better dressed -wore trousers that were extremely tight fitting. The others, however, -wore frayed and tattered garments made of everything from sail cloth to -sacking and ungainly sandals bound across the arch and around the ankle -with long buckskin thongs. Not a shoe did Jack discover among them. - -What with the scenery and the picturesque towns and villages, Jack’s -interest was kept out of doors for several hours. But eventually even -the novelty of traveling through a foreign country grew wearisome and he -turned his attention to a book that he had stowed away in his traveling -bag. He had not been reading long, however, before he began to be -troubled by a strange presentiment that some one was watching him. Quite -involuntarily he glanced up from the page he was perusing and looked into -the bead-like eyes of a native who was occupying a Pullman chair at the -other end of the car. Instantly the Mexican’s eyes were turned away. The -lad became suspicious immediately, for he recognized the man as the one -who had watched him in the plaza at Vera Cruz. There was no mistaking -him, for he wore the same big-brimmed sombrero with its curious beadwork -binding. - -Jack instinctively put his hand to the pocket where he kept the wallet -of drawings, for he had a vague feeling that this man was interested in -them, though he really could not understand why he should be since they -had not been exhibited at any place save in the custom house. Then he -suddenly recalled the young American interpreter’s warning that he would -probably be closely watched at all times! Was this man shadowing him? -Had he been trailed all through Vera Cruz? The thought angered him and -he glanced at the Mexican again. That individual, however, had removed -his big hat and was gazing calmly out of the window, as if he did not -know that Jack Straw ever existed, and his unconcerned manner caused the -young traveler to wonder whether this second meeting was only a strange -coincidence after all. - -Jack tried to resume his reading, but it was not long before his mind -was far from the printed pages and busy evolving a plan whereby he could -become certain as to whether the tall Mexican was watching him or not. -Soon the train began to slow down for another stop and on the instant the -American got an idea. He waited until the train came to a full stop; then -as if he suddenly realized that this was the station he wanted to get off -at he jumped up and seizing his traveling bag bolted for the door. - -It was all done so quickly that the Mexican was taken completely off his -guard. When he saw the boy rush for the door he gave one hurried glance -up the car, then followed as fast as he could. By the time he reached the -door, however, Jack had alighted and was racing along the side of the car -to the rear platform where he swung aboard and returned to the seat he -had just vacated. He had successfully lost the Mexican for five minutes -at least, for the man searched up and down the station platform and in -all directions trying to locate the Vermonter. Then, purely by accident, -he looked toward the train again and saw Jack smiling at him from one of -the windows. - -It was evident from his distorted features that the native was thoroughly -enraged. He plunged for the train which was already underway and swinging -aboard hurried into the Pullman car, brandishing a huge army revolver as -he advanced. Several women passengers screamed and every man in the car -put his hands above his head when they saw the angered native striding -down the aisle. They were certain that the train had been boarded by -highwaymen and that they were about to be asked to turn over their -valuables. But the Mexican disregarded the disturbance he had caused. He -put the muzzle of the ugly revolver against Jack’s breast and hissed: - -“You, gringo, you are arrest for a spy of the revolution. Not holler.” - -But Jack did not intend to “holler.” With the hard nose of the gun -pressed against his ribs he did not hesitate to put his hands above his -head as the other men in the train had done. - -“You are arrest by that great Secret Service of Mexico,” said the native -very impressively; “give me up your guns.” - -“I have no guns that are dangerous,” said Jack Straw, and he spoke the -truth, for the big Colt that his father had given him reposed unloaded -and quite harmless in the bottom of his valise. But the Mexican refused -to believe him. - -“Give up or I make of you an examination,” he said, trying hard to be -courteous in spite of his outraged temper. - -“Search,” said Jack, “only let me put my arms down.” And the detective -forthwith began to go through his pockets while the other passengers, -many of whom were Americans, gathered around and looked on. One of the -first things that the detective did was to confiscate the yellow wallet -with the drawings. His eyes sparkled with pleasure when he opened it. - -“Ah! Señor, it is for these you will be shot, maybe. You are a bad -gringo,” he said with an evil chuckle. - -“They are only working drawings of a machine,” protested Jack. - -“Yes, a war machine, I think,” said the Mexican, continuing his search -for firearms. Finally, after finding nothing more formidable than a -jack-knife, the officer put his own revolver away and informed Jack that -he might sit down and be at ease until they reached Mexico City. He -warned the boy, however, that any attempt on his part to leave the car -would call forth the huge revolver again, and since Jack had no desire -to learn how good a marksman the Mexican was he refrained from rising -from his Pullman chair for the rest of the afternoon. The Secret Service -man sat directly opposite, his dark eyes never moving from the lad from -Drueryville. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -ON TRIAL AS A SPY - - -The lights of Mexico City were a welcome sight to the young American. -Never had a train ride seemed so long. The Secret Service guard refused -to allow him conversation with his fellow-passengers and as the -circumstances were too strained to permit his reading with any degree -of interest, Jack had little to do but gaze out of the window and think -over his misfortune. The moment the train rolled into the station, the -detective hustled Jack to the military barracks in the heart of the city. -It was almost midnight when they were challenged by the white-clad sentry -before the heavy double gates of the enclosure. Jack’s captor answered -with a few brief sentences in Spanish and the gates were unbarred to -let them pass. Inside another sentry located the officer on duty and he -and the Secret Service man held a short conference. A few moments later -two privates were summoned. They took charge of the young Vermonter, -escorting him toward the far end of the long barracks buildings, where he -was locked into a stuffy unlighted cell in the guardhouse. - -[Illustration: “To Jack it all seemed like a horrible nightmare”] - -To Jack it all seemed like a horrible nightmare. Here he was a prisoner -in the capital of a strange country. He had no knowledge of the language -spoken by those with whom he had to deal, nor did he have friends or -relatives within several thousand miles. His only hope in being delivered -from his rather serious position lay in the possibility of calling Harry -Ryder to Mexico City so that he could identify his drawings and explain -how they came to be in the possession of some other person. But Jack was -not altogether certain that this could be done, or if it could be done, -whether his captors would be willing to take that much trouble to prove -him innocent. At first he had taken the arrest more or less as a joke, -but as he reviewed the various stories he had heard of the Mexican idea -of justice, he became very much worried. He knew the punishment meted -out to a spy and he wondered whether that would be his end. With such -thought parading through his brain, he had little chance for sleep that -night. Indeed he heard a big clock beyond the barracks walls toll every -hour from midnight until dawn. - -At seven o’clock breakfast was brought to him by an uncouth looking -private in a dirty white uniform. The meal consisted of _tortillas_, made -of corn flour, and _frijoles_, which are black Mexican beans. There was -not even a cup of water with which to wash it down. Though Jack had had -very little to eat the day before, the sight of the mess brought by the -soldier sickened him, and he put the tin plate aside untouched. - -An hour later an officer with four privates came into the guardhouse -and unlocked the door of Jack’s cell. The lad observed that each of the -soldiers carried a shining rifle at port arms and the officer entered -with sword drawn. At this he became speechless with horror. Was this -a firing squad! Was he going to be executed without the formality of -trial? He was almost too weak to walk when the officer spoke to him in -Spanish and motioned for him to come forth. Silently the soldiers formed -behind him and urged him forward out of the guardhouse and on to the -parade grounds. - -His heart-breaking suspense ended there, however, when he noted the -direction in which the soldiers turned him. Instead of marching out into -the center of the enclosure they headed directly for a building that -looked very much like a large dwelling. To the young American it appeared -as if it might be the home of the commander of the barracks. He hoped it -was, for in that case he could be certain of some form of trial at least, -during which he could doubtlessly explain about the drawings. - -The boy was ushered before the austere old General by the officer alone, -the guard remaining on duty before the door. The commander was seated -at a desk in the center of a well-lighted, cheerful-looking room, a -uniformed orderly at his elbow. The other occupant of the room was -the Secret Service man who had arrested him the day before. Both were -poring over the drawings of the lightning arrester which the detective -had confiscated, while on the corner of the officer’s desk was Jack’s -traveling bag which had been forced open, possibly for the purpose of -finding other evidence against him. - -The detective and the officer looked up as the youth entered. Jack’s -officer escort saluted and retired to the rear of the room, leaving the -lad standing in the middle of the floor alone. The detective cleared his -throat and spoke. - -“I shall be what you call the interpreter. I spik Mexican, I spik also -Inglis. Shall you be content?” he queried. - -“I will be contented if you will believe what I tell you,” said Jack -rather curtly. “It is ridiculous to arrest me as a spy. I am an American -citizen and those drawings are not war plans or details of a ‘war -machine,’ as you suggested yesterday. They are plans for an electrical -appliance that is to be built by Mr. Harry Ryder, in order to give better -light to Mexico City.” - -The detective looked at him with doubt plainly written on his -countenance. Then he turned and in rapid fire sentences imparted Jack’s -story to the general. The officer also appeared to doubt the youth’s -statement. He was silent for a few moments, however, while he pondered -the situation; then through the interpreter he asked: - -“Why does Mr. Ryder trust his valuable papers to you?” - -“Because he didn’t care to trust your unreliable mail service,” said Jack -vindictively. - -The wrath of the detective was stirred immediately. - -“Mexico is a great country. She has a dependability of mail service. You -are a gringo who spies for the revolution. Do not tell me not. I saw you -with my own eyes pass some secret something to a sympathizer in the plaza -at Vera Cruz. Ah, but he are arrest already and your secret is now known.” - -Jack was startled at first. Then as he recalled the whining beggar in the -plaza he laughed heartily. - -“Why, he was only a beggar. I gave him a few coins. You are making a -mountain out of a mole hill, Mr. Detective. Why not have done with all -the foolishness by summoning Mr. Ryder from Necaxa? He will prove that -the drawings are his and that I am no spy.” - -The General and the Secret Service man debated this suggestion for some -time. Evidently they thought it a good idea, for the officer presently -began to use the telephone at his elbow while the detective talked to -Jack. - -“We will call Señor Ryder. General Rodriguez say the great electrical -engineer is in Mexico City now. He spoke with him in the café last -evening. He will come maybe, and then if you can prove, you must prove. -If you don’t, you will be shot to-morrow.” - -The commander ceased his telephoning after a few moments and spoke to the -interpreter, who, turning to Jack, announced: - -“Señor Ryder is at the office of the Compania de Luz y Fuerza Montriz in -Calle de Tetuan. He will be here quite soon.” - -The General and the Secret Service agent spent the next fifteen minutes -smoking numerous black paper cigarettes and talking quite excitedly to -each other while Jack was left standing in the center of the room. The -waiting was ages long for the American. But finally there sounded the -tooting of an automobile horn and roar of a motor from the parade ground -outside and a moment later a tall fine-looking American, clad in linen -trousers and soft shirt, entered the commander’s office. - -Jack stepped forward instantly and held out his hand. - -“Mr. Ryder,” he said, “I am John Strawbridge, Dr. Moorland’s messenger. -I have been arrested and am being held as a spy because I happened to -have your drawings in my wallet. You see it excited the curiosity of the -customs inspector yesterday and the result is I am in the hands of the -Mexican Secret Service to-day. I sincerely hope that you can get me out -of this rather disagreeable position; otherwise I’ll furnish the target -for a firing squad to-morrow morning.” - -“Why, this is ridiculous,” said Mr. Ryder as he saw his drawings spread -out before General Rodriguez. Then he began to talk in Spanish to the -natives. A few moments conversation was all that was necessary to -convince the Secret Service agent and the officer that a serious mistake -had been made, and each was profuse in his apologies to Jack Straw. - -“It is a great regret that I arrest so honorable friend of Señor Ryder,” -said the detective with a sweeping bow. “I hope you will pardon, Señor.” - -And Jack showed the sort of stuff Americans are made of by stepping -forward and warmly shaking hands with the Secret Service agent and the -commander. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -OFF FOR NECAXA - - -Jack was not long in discovering that Harry Ryder was a prince of -companions. After the little incident at the barracks they were fast -friends. Of course the engineer was somewhat older than the boy from -Drueryville, having just turned twenty-nine, but withal he was decidedly -boyish in spirit. The big gray motor car that stood in front of the -commander’s house was the engineer’s latest toy and nothing would do -but that Jack should accompany him on a tour of the capital of “this -benighted country,” as he termed Mexico. And he made an excellent guide. - -Until long after midday they went flying up one street and down another, -while Mr. Ryder pointed out all the places of interest. First they -visited the Plaza Mayor, or Zocalo, as it is frequently called. And -while Jack was noting each interesting detail about the imposing public -buildings, the Cathedral and the National Palace, the engineer explained -the history of that remarkable section of the City of Mexico. - -“This,” he said, “was the heart of the Aztec capital four hundred or more -years ago. Indeed, that building over there, the National Palace, was -constructed on the very site of the splendid palace of the old Indian -ruler Montezuma. And as for the Cathedral, that is built on the very -foundation stones that held the wonderful Tecalli, the Aztec temple, -where from twenty to fifty thousand lives were sacrificed annually to the -powerful Indian deity Huitzilopotchli. The present Cathedral with its -towering spires was erected in 1573 and is the most imposing edifice of -its kind in the whole of North and South America.” - -From the Plaza Mayor they turned to other interesting portions of the -community. The famous tree under which Cortez is said to have wept was -pointed out by Mr. Ryder; also the various monuments and buildings -associated with the old Spanish adventurer. They traversed the causeway -over which Cortez retreated and ultimately visited Chapultepec where the -Indian rulers once maintained magnificent dwellings. - -It was nearly one o’clock when the car rolled into the heart of the city -again and stopped before the door of the American Hotel. There Jack and -the engineer climbed out, but before Mr. Ryder entered the hotel he -inspected his new machine thoroughly. - -“That’s a great plaything,” he said enthusiastically. “I bought it a -month ago, and I usually arrange to get into the city every Sunday to -take a drive. You see I have to leave it here because there is no roadway -out to Necaxa, only a pack train trail and our narrow-gage railroad. -I couldn’t very well use it out at the power plant anyway for it’s a -trackless wilderness there.” - -On entering the hostelry the two Americans lost no time in finding the -dining-room, for the drive had given them both a ravenous appetite. They -ate in silence for a time, for the business of satisfying their hunger -was of great importance. But when coffee was finally served and each -felt that they had done credit to the ample portions afforded to them, -Mr. Ryder began to talk. - -“You know, Jack, I think it was mighty lucky for you that I happened -to be in Mexico City. Otherwise you would probably have been compelled -to spend several days in jail. And it is even possible that they would -not have taken the trouble to send to Necaxa for me. A Mexican’s idea -of justice is rather crude. Frequently they shoot a suspect and then -debate his guilt or innocence over his body. Old Rodriguez and his Secret -Service friend were quite positive that you were a spy, and I am afraid -that the cartridges with which you were to be executed had already been -dealt out, figuratively speaking.” - -Jack shuddered as he thought of his narrow escape. - -“I guess that I _was_ very fortunate having you so near at hand,” he said. - -“Well, I’ll be quite honest with you, Jack, this visit to Mexico City -was not a matter of choice with me. I was requested to appear before the -officials of the company and old Huerta himself. You see things have -been in a devil of a mess at the plant recently and we have had some -trouble in keeping the old city supplied with enough light. I fancy it -has been getting on Huerta’s nerves and he has been calling the company’s -officials to account. They in turn pass the calls along to me. - -“You see some of the hundred or more workmen at the plant have developed -revolutionary ideas. They seem to be Zapata sympathizers and they are -doing all they can to make things unpleasant for Huerta. They have been -crippling machinery from time to time, tampering with the searchlights, -putting dirt in the bearings of the generators and raising the dickens in -general. Of course this reflects on my management and I feel rather ugly -about it all. But the men who do it keep pretty well under cover. I wish -that I could find out just which of the greasers are the trouble makers. -I’d have them line up against the station wall and drilled through with -some of their own soft-nosed bullets. That may sound a little inhuman, -but honestly one cannot afford to treat them otherwise. As a matter of -fact their fate is not in my hands. The moment we discover a sympathizer -the rurales stationed at the plant as special guards take the matter in -their own hands and all that we hear of the case after that is the report -of the carbines. Oh, they make very little bones about human life down -here. And that reminds me, have you provided yourself with a protector in -the form of a revolver? If you haven’t we’ll see that you are supplied -with one before we start back for the plant this afternoon.” - -“I have my father’s big blue steel Colt,” said Jack with pride. “It’s -right here in my traveling bag. But I haven’t much ammunition, only the -cartridges in the belt.” - -“Well, you’d better buckle it on your hip when we start. You will -probably find a great deal of comfort in having it handy all the time -you remain in Mexico. Why, you should see our plant. It’s a veritable -fortress with its rows of trenches, its barbed-wire barriers, its -squadron of rurales and detachment of infantry. And our working force -is drilled to do some fine defense work too. We are all equipped with -Mauser rifles and we have a battery of new French rapid-fire guns and -a three-inch fieldpiece that can throw a shell clean over the top of -the nearest mountain. We know it will do that for not long ago we had -occasion to bombard a handful of Zapatistas from a position on the cliffs -a mile away. The rats had an old fieldpiece and they managed to get a -couple of solid shot down through the roof of a storehouse near the -plant. Oh, we have had an interesting time out there for the last eight -or ten months. The Zapatistas have been hovering around like a swarm -of bees. They haven’t managed to do much damage, however, but we never -know when they will be joined by other mobs of guerrilla soldiers who -are operating in that section of the mountains. When that happens then I -guess we can look for real trouble. - -“I arranged with General Rodriguez last night to have another detachment -of infantry accompany us to the plant this afternoon. I think it would be -wise to strengthen the guard out there at any rate. We are going out on a -train of flat cars that will be ready to move shortly so I guess we had -better be getting ready. I’ll drive you over to a gunsmith’s and you can -get all the ammunition you want, then we’ll start for the railroad.” - -At the gunshop Jack laid in five hundred rounds of ammunition. This -seemed a ridiculously large amount but Mr. Ryder assured him that it -was wise to be on the safe side in such matters. Several other stores -were visited where Jack purchased some clothing suggested by Mr. Ryder -for service at the plant. The most important purchase was one of the -huge sombreros such as the natives wear. This was secured at a little -hat booth on one of the side streets. Jack was amazed at the size -of some of these hats and while he was looking over the assortment -offered, Mr. Ryder explained that the natives were very vain about -their hats. He said that in former days the wealthy Mexicans vied with -each other to see who could wear the hat with the largest brim and the -most costly embellishments. This competition reached the point where it -finally became a public nuisance, for the big hat brims were decidedly -objectionable on crowded thoroughfares or street cars. The federal -government finally took the matter in hand and imposed a tax of a certain -amount for every four inches of brim over a stipulated size. This -ordinance put the hat brims at a universal width. - -After the shopping they hurried back to the hotel where Mr. Ryder always -maintained a room. Their clothes were changed and garments of the -rough-and-ready sort adopted. Jack felt very self-conscious as he buckled -on the heavy revolver and donned the high-crowned sombrero, but he did -his best to hide it from his companion. On his way out of the hotel, -however, he surreptitiously glanced at his reflection in one of the large -mirrors and found to his great satisfaction that such toggery was not at -all unbecoming. He secretly resolved to have some photographs made which -he intended to take back to Drueryville when he returned. - -The train that was to carry them out to Necaxa was, as the engineer had -said, nothing more than a string of flat cars with a yellow caboose at -the end. It was a narrow gage railroad that was built especially to carry -supplies to the power station, one hundred and twenty-five miles back in -the mountains. - -Two of the flat cars were heaped high with boxes of provisions and -barrels of flour, all on the way to the little community at the power -house. Three other cars were occupied by the detachment of infantry from -the barracks. The soldiers were not a prepossessing lot, Jack thought, as -he viewed them. They were uniformed alike, of course, and for the most -the uniforms were in rather good order though somewhat dirty. Their hats -were not unlike the forage caps of the United States troops during the -Civil War, with the exception that they were higher in the crown. The -men were all dark skinned and ugly looking, and the young American was -quite certain that as enemies they would probably be decidedly vicious -customers. - -Three officers accompanied the detachment but they held themselves -aloof from the rest of the soldiers, sharing the caboose with Jack and -Mr. Ryder. They were tall, fine-looking specimens of Mexican manhood, -very jaunty in their gold-braided uniforms, and Jack found them very -companionable after they became acquainted, for they could speak English -after a fashion and some of the war stories they told helped to make the -slow journey into the mountains less tedious. - -On leaving Mexico City the train started to climb immediately for the -way was entirely up grade, the plant being situated at a higher altitude -than the capital. As a result of this and the unusually heavy load, the -little engine made slow progress. Indeed, at some points in spite of its -snorting and puffing it could not go on and the men were forced to get -down from the flat cars and walk, thereby lessening the load. Because -of this slow progress it was long after nightfall when Jack discovered -a long pencil of light reaching out across the sky. It looked weird and -uncanny off there in the solitude of the mountains. But as he watched it -began to move along the ridges, searching out each valley and depression. -Then Jack understood. It was the huge searchlight at the plant, looking -among the hills for lurking bands of Zapatistas. - -The lad watched the light travel from point to point until finally it -located the supply train, which it escorted all the way to the station, -illuminating the tracks just ahead of the engine. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -THE CRIPPLED GENERATORS - - -It was a veritable fortress that Jack entered when he left the caboose -of the supply train. Before him, on a slight eminence, was the massive -building of the power station with the searchlight mounted on the -roof. The grassy slope below was marred by a double line of trenches -unoccupied, of course, save for one or two white-clad sentinels who paced -back and forth restlessly. On the lawn between the first trench and -the station, the lad noted a bulky object covered with canvas. This he -immediately decided was the three-inch fieldpiece about which Mr. Ryder -had spoken. To the north of the station was the irregular outline of many -small cottages. As the searchlight threw its rays in that direction, the -boy observed that nearly all of them were constructed of wood and erected -after the fashion of the cottages furnished to the quarrymen in Vermont. -There were also several long low shed-like structures which he learned -later housed the soldiers. The entire community did not occupy more than -five or six acres and was entirely cut off from the surrounding country -by barbed wire barricades. Indeed, the place looked well-nigh impregnable -to the American. To approach from the north, south or west, invaders -would have to get through the mass of barbed wire first and carry two -lines of trenches before they reached the station, and as far as the east -side of the plant was concerned, approach in that direction was made -impossible by the roaring mountain stream that furnished water to the -station’s turbines. - -The enclosure became a perfect bedlam a few moments after the supply -train rolled in. To the roar of the river and the grumble of the huge -generators inside were added the shouts of the soldiers detraining and -unloading the supplies. The entire barracks had turned out to welcome the -reinforcements, for it happened that they composed two companies of the -same regiment. Altogether Jack estimated that there were more than 200 -men ready to defend the place against the rebels, not including the squad -of twenty-five rurales who were stationed there to patrol the surrounding -country. The rurales, the lad learned, were not soldiers in the stricter -sense of the word. They are maintained by the Mexican Government to -do practically the same work as that required of the famous Canadian -mounted police; which is to rid the country of bandits, smugglers and bad -men, and run down the outlaws that hide in the mountains. They are far -better drilled than any of the Mexican troops and are well equipped with -clothing and firearms. Their horses are the best that Mexican dollars can -buy. These men ride exceptionally well, shoot almost as accurately as the -Texas ranger and are brave and fearless. A Mexican president who believed -in the old saying that “it takes a thief to catch a thief,” organized -the rurales years ago when the country was infested with bandits and bad -men. Every time one of these men was apprehended he was forced to join -the rurales and hunt down bandits. In this way his vicious nature was -well satisfied and at the same time he was able to consider himself a -law-abiding citizen, which usually appeals to all individuals who have -been outlaws for any length of time. To Jack these soldier-policemen were -very picturesque as they swaggered about in their dark-green, tightly -fitting uniforms and broad-brimmed hats. He noticed, however, that they -did not associate with the white-clad regulars, but stood apart in a -little group by themselves and watched the other men unload the cars. - -Mr. Ryder and Jack lingered long enough to see that the unloading was -well under way before they turned toward the station. - -“I’ve a strange premonition that the troublemakers hereabout have taken -advantage of my absence,” said the engineer as they approached the -office. “I would not be surprised to find the plant dynamited some day. -These rebel sympathizers will go the limit to make it disagreeable for -old Huerta.” - -The office of Ben Nedham, first assistant engineer, was vacant. When Mr. -Ryder saw this he looked worried. Immediately he bounded up the spiral -iron staircase to the balcony-like control room where the switchboards -were located. Allen Lyman, a tall light-haired American in charge of that -section of the plant, advanced to meet him, and his face also bore a -troubled look. - -“They’ve been at it again, Mr. Ryder,” he exclaimed. “We haven’t been -able to carry the load all evening. Machines five and six are out of -commission. Couldn’t even start them. Nedham and a gang are down there on -the generator floor now trying to patch them up.” - -“What is the trouble?” demanded the engineer, his brow wrinkled by a -perplexed frown. - -“Well, some one got in after two o’clock this morning, evidently, and -threw a bucket full of fire sand into the gears of both machines. Nedham -has had only one watchman here and he must have gone to sleep.” - -“Have you heard from Mexico City yet?” demanded Mr. Ryder anxiously. - -“No, not yet, but we can gamble that the lights are mighty dim there. -Shouldn’t wonder but what we’ll get a call before the night is over.” - -He had hardly completed the sentence when the telephone bell on the desk -in the center of the room jangled sharply. - -“Dollars to doughnuts that’s Mexico City now,” exclaimed Lyman as he -removed the receiver. A moment he talked with the man on the other end of -the line; then he beckoned to Mr. Ryder. - -“It’s President Huerta himself,” he said, holding his hand over the -transmitter. “He’s as mad as a Mexican bull too. Wants to speak with you.” - -For fifteen minutes the chief engineer attempted to explain the situation -to the country’s executive, and in the meantime Jack busied himself -trying to puzzle out the reason for all the switches, knobs, handles -and indicators on the huge marble switchboard that extended all the way -around the circular room. He knew that all the machinery in the station -was controlled from that board, but just how it was done he had not the -slightest idea. He decided, however, to take advantage of the first -opportunity and learn the function of each of the mysterious looking -black rubber handles. - -Mr. Ryder left the ’phone apparently thoroughly angry. He paced the -narrow room for some time before he uttered a word. Finally, pausing -before the desk again, he brought his fist down with a resounding blow. - -“By Jupiter,” he thundered, “this _must_ stop or I’ll know the reason -why. The old man is as peeved as a wet hen and I don’t blame him. He -informed me that we had made a failure out of the most important state -function of the year simply because the palace was so poorly lighted. -They had to resort to smoky oil lamps to help out. He was furious. Told -me the city looked like an Indian village, it was so dark. Oh, if I could -only get my fingers on the villains who did this work!” - -Thus did he storm to Jack and the operator until he became thoroughly -out of breath and was forced to pause. Then turning he called Jack and -started down the spiral stairs again. Three flights they descended until -they reached the floor of the generating room. Six huge generating units -occupied the space. They were great black monsters of steel that looked -like so many mastodons chained to the floor. Water was roaring down from -the forebay through four of the massive penstocks that supplied the -turbines, but the other two were silent. Around each of these silent -machines was gathered a group of workmen. They had unbolted the steel -protecting plates and were assiduously wiping the sand from the delicate -armature bearings. Some of these workmen were Americans but there were a -number of Mexicans among them, many of whom were distinctly of the peon -class, with bared feet and shabby garments. - -As Jack and the engineer hurried across the floor a short, dark-haired -American advanced to meet them. - -“We’ve trouble on our hands this time!” he exclaimed. “The two machines -are full of sand and we won’t be able to get them cleaned until long -after midnight.” - -“Well, how did it happen, Nedham?” demanded Mr. Ryder. “You were in -charge while I was away and you are responsible. Are you going to let -this plant go to the devil? I got a good blowing up yesterday from the -board of directors and here to-night President Huerta himself had me on -the long distance telephone. Told me flatly that things would have to go -smoother; and I propose to see that they do go smoother hereafter.” - -“How do I know how it happened? Maybe I was in charge, but they manage to -work the same tricks when you are here too, so you can’t altogether blame -me,” said Nedham indignantly. - -“Well, I suppose not,” replied Mr. Ryder in calmer tones. “I didn’t mean -to accuse you of neglect of duty. I know they work the same tricks on me -too. I hope you’ll pardon my temper.” - -The chief engineer extended his hand in cordial apology and Nedham -grasped it, his anger disappearing immediately. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -JACK PROPOSES A TRAP - - -Nedham was right. It was some time after midnight before the big -generators were in condition to operate again. For hours the men toiled -to get every vestige of the gritty substance out of the machines. Mr. -Ryder went at the task with the rest, and Jack, unwilling to remain idle, -rolled up his sleeves and seized a piece of cotton waste also. With the -steel jacket removed, an excellent opportunity was afforded the lad for a -better acquaintance with the mechanism of a water turbine generator, and -as he worked beside Mr. Ryder, the engineer briefly explained the details. - -“This is not really a generator that we are working on, Jack,” said Mr. -Ryder, “because a generator is supposed to create energy. This does not -do that. The real energy is in the water that turns the turbine, and -this machine merely converts that energy into electric current, so you -see the word ‘generator’ is a misnomer in this case. It is the same in a -steam plant. Steam furnishes energy which is converted into electricity -by the so-called generators. In fact, man-made electricity is nothing -more or less than some other kind of energy in a new and more useful -form. I guess you follow me.” - -“I understand all right,” said Jack, “for it is very simple, though I -must confess I had never considered electricity in that way before.” - -“The energy here comes from the water that plunges over the dam we built -across the river about a mile back in the mountains. The dam is sixty-odd -feet high and the water that is stored up behind it is carried down to -the plant here through a very large flume. The flume is built at the same -level as the dam and brings the water around the mountain to the north of -the plant and into the big forebay or reservoir just back of the station. - -“The water in the forebay is kept at about the same height as the dam -also, so it can get a sixty-foot direct drop to the turbines here in the -building. The stream rushes down through the large penstocks, or feeders, -and strikes against the mass of concaved blades on the waterwheel or -turbine. The blades are set across the drum of the wheel and at a slight -angle, thus giving the turbine the full benefit of the force of the water -striking against them as well as the suction of the water after it leaves -the blades. This is known as the reaction type of turbine and is only -used in plants where the fall of water is less than 100 feet. There is -another type of waterwheel on which buckets take the place of blades. -This is known as the impact type and is driven entirely by the pelting -of the water against the bottom of each cup. This wheel is used chiefly -where the fall of water is more than 100 feet. - -“The armature of the generator is also mounted on the shaft or axle of -the turbine. The armature, you know, is composed of coils of wire wound -very close together on an iron frame, or spider. Since the turbine whirls -around very fast the armature is bound to turn at the same rate of -speed. Now, the armature is surrounded by electrically excited magnets, -which are the positive and negative poles of the generator. And as the -coils of wire on the armature rush past the magnets the attraction -or lines of force between the poles are cut abruptly and immediately -electricity is created. By means of those brass collecting rings which -you see on the armature the coils are connected to the transmission lines -and the electricity flows through them to the lights in Mexico City.” - -Mr. Ryder’s description of the hydro-electric plant was so simple and -so easily understood that Jack was able to follow the entire process of -converting water power into electrical energy. The conversation had also -helped to lighten the rather disagreeable task of cleaning the generator -and it was midnight almost before they realized it. - -At this hour Mr. Ryder gave up all hope of using the generator that -night, for, as he explained to Jack, the lights were fast being put out -in the houses and stores of Mexico City, thus cutting down the load on -the power plant to a point where the supply could be easily furnished -by the remaining four machines. That being the case, he suggested they -quit work and leave the task entirely to the peons and other workmen -under Nedham. Jack’s arms were black to the elbow with dirty oil when he -finally tossed his piece of waste away, and Mr. Ryder’s condition was -little better. - -“Come on, we’ll wash up a bit and start for the cottage; I am rather -tired and I fancy you are too.” - -Together they proceeded to the washroom and a few moments later left the -station building and started up the short dusty street that led between -the two rows of cottages. The searchlight was still playing from the roof -and here and there a lonesome sentinel could be seen silhouetted against -the skyline. Otherwise the little community was quite lifeless. - -Mr. Ryder’s cottage was at the very end of the short street. It was a -one-story affair but somewhat more prepossessing in appearance than the -rest of the dwellings. The engineer lived there entirely alone save for -Tom Why, his aged Chinese cook. In fact, each American at the plant had -a separate cottage, which was usually taken care of by some old Indian -woman. There were only two white women in the village. One was the wife -of Allen Lyman and the other was Mrs. Harriet Clifford, the wife of a -young American foreman in the plant-maintenance department. - -Mr. Ryder’s cottage was no better furnished than any of the rest. The -main room, which was living room, dining room, library and study all in -one, was equipped with several heavy wooden chairs, a square table and -a flat desk littered with old magazines and papers. The remaining three -rooms boasted small iron beds and washstands. Just in the rear of the -cottage was a little house in which Tom Why and his American cookstove -were quartered. Tom was acknowledged to be the best cook in the village, -excepting, of course, the two American women. - -Though it was very late, Tom was up and waiting for the engineer. He had -prepared a rather substantial midnight luncheon and when Jack caught -the odor of steaming coffee he suddenly realized that he was extremely -hungry. Neither he nor Mr. Ryder had tasted food since their dinner at -the American Hotel in Mexico City, and they were both ready to do justice -to Tom’s tempting spread. Between mouthfuls, however, they did find time -to talk over the recent trouble at the plant. - -“I must get at the bottom of this and find out who the rebel sympathizers -are. Of course they are among the peon laborers, at least I think so, -for none of the white employees have the slightest interest in Zapata -and his gang of cutthroats, as far as I know. Still, the way the trouble -makers have tampered with the big switches and other dangerous machinery -that most of the peons are afraid of, makes me believe sometimes that -the culprits are white men or natives who know a little more about -electricity than the peons.” - -“I should think then, that you would try and find out whether you are -dealing with peons or Mexicans of another variety,” said Jack. - -“Find out!” demanded the engineer sharply. “Do you think I have been -sitting with my hands folded all this time? I’ve had the place watched. -I’ve done everything I could to discover who is up to this crooked work. -You see, after two in the morning things slacken down at the plant. There -isn’t much of a load to be carried, only the street lighting in Mexico -City, and one or two generators are enough to take care of that. At that -time most of the men leave the plant. There is only the night operator -and two or three watchmen in different parts of the building, and they -are not always as alert as they might be. Well, between two o’clock -and the time the day force comes on at six o’clock in the morning, -the meddlers get in their best work. The day men usually discover the -trouble, though in a case like to-night, when one of the big machines -have been tampered with, the disturbance isn’t noticed until the operator -tries to start up at nightfall. - -“We’ve watched everything and everybody, but when we are in one place -trouble turns up in an entirely different part of the plant. The -thing that worries me the most about the whole business is that some -night after the meddlers have been at work the rebels out there in -the mountains might take it in their heads to attack. Suppose the -searchlight generator was crippled. In that case we’d have a serious -time, wouldn’t we? Indeed, I would like to find out whom we are dealing -with. But how can I?” - -“Well,” said Jack after a moment’s reflection, “at least we can learn -whether we are dealing with peons or white men. Here’s a suggestion. Why -not sprinkle a little powder or dust around the machines, switchboard and -other apparatus likely to be tampered with? Sprinkle it at two o’clock -every morning and sweep it up again at six. In the meantime if any one -has tampered with these contrivances they are bound to leave footprints. -If the prints show naked feet we’ll know it is one of the peons, and if -we find the trouble maker wears shoes then we’ll know it is a white man.” - -“By Jove, that’s a corking idea,” said Mr. Ryder enthusiastically; “we’ll -do it. We’ll sprinkle cement dust on the floor. Let’s try it out to-night -and keep it up religiously until we get an imprint of the villain’s feet. -We’ll saunter over to the plant after those workmen clear out, which I -judge will be about three o’clock; meanwhile, if you care to, you can -snatch an hour’s sleep.” - -To Jack sleep sounded particularly good and as soon as Mr. Ryder pointed -out his room he tumbled into it without even removing his shoes. But it -seemed to him however that he had only closed his eyes when he felt the -engineer’s hand upon his forehead. - -“It’s after three o’clock,” said Mr. Ryder, “and the workmen have all -left the plant. What do you say to setting our trap now?” - -Jack was on his feet in an instant, for he was as eager as the engineer -to see how his plan would work out. First they visited a tool shed where -they secured a bucket, then Mr. Ryder ripped open a bag of cement with -his jack knife and by the light of an electric pocket flash lamp supplied -himself with a pail of the fine gray powder. - -As they passed the front of the plant they could see Nedham in his office -working over some papers. They continued on around the corner of the -building where Mr. Ryder opened a large door that let them in on the -generator floor. Two of the big machines were running, but there was not -a soul in sight. Through the glass front of the control room, high up -among the girders, they could see Lyman watching the switchboard. - -“Is there any wonder that the rebel sympathizers can tamper with the -machines?” said Mr. Ryder; “there isn’t a watchman in sight, and Lyman -would not be likely to see us down here unless he made a point of looking -out of the window, which is not necessary, for he can see how the -machines are running by looking at the indicators on his board. Nedham is -in his office and the only other man on duty is the engineer and he is -probably in his office watching for signals from Lyman. There should be a -watchman here on the floor, but I guess when no one is looking he steals -off and takes a nap. I’ve fired at least five men for doing that, but you -can’t teach these Mexicans anything. They’ll do exactly as they please in -spite of you.” - -In fifteen minutes Jack and the engineer had set their trap and returned -to the cottage again. They were both thoroughly tired and Mr. Ryder began -to take off his things the moment he entered the house. As he unloosened -the front of his shirt, however, a rather bulky yellow wallet slipped out -and fell to the floor. - -“There are those drawings,” said the engineer. “I’d almost forgotten them -with all our activities to-day. Here’s your wallet, I guess I won’t need -it any longer.” - -He removed the envelope of blue prints as he spoke and opening the top -drawer of his desk dropped it inside, at the same time handing the wallet -to Jack. - -“I’ll be up at six to look for results,” said he as Jack started for his -room, “but I really don’t expect to find any footprints right off. I -rather think the trouble maker has done enough damage to satisfy him for -several days at least.” - - - - -CHAPTER X - -FOOTPRINTS - - -In spite of the fact that he had been able to get but a few hours’ sleep, -Jack was awake before six o’clock. The noise Mr. Ryder made in the -adjoining room aroused him, and when he realized that the engineer was -getting ready to start for the power plant, he dressed with all speed. -But though they were up early, old Tom Why had been awake fully half an -hour before them as a steaming breakfast testified. - -The two did not linger long over their coffee, however, for they were -too eager to reach the station before the day men arrived and tracked -through the cement powder. Indeed, they left the cottage still munching -the last of their meal. The sun had been up two hours, but the mountains -across the river were so tall that its rays were only just getting down -into the broad valley that held Necaxa. Jack’s first view of the place -by daylight pleased him greatly. As Mr. Ryder had said, the country was -wilderness, the only evidence of civilization being the tracks of the -narrow gage railroad and the steel poles that carried the four black -serpent-like transmission lines across the clearing and into the forest -toward Mexico City. Necaxa was completely shut off from the rest of the -world by mountains, the nearest community being a little nameless Indian -village down the river. - -However, the lad had no time to gaze at the scenery just then, for in a -few minutes the workmen would be on the way to the plant. Jack and Mr. -Ryder hurried to the side door they had used but three hours before, -and in a few moments they were looking at their recent handiwork. From -one machine to another they hurried, closely inspecting the dust on the -floor, before sweeping it into the pail again. Though they did not expect -to find traces of a nocturnal visit by the mysterious trouble maker they -were keenly alert for every little clue. They inspected each appliance -in the main room but all seemed to be in good order, nor did the cement -powder reveal a single telltale mark. There remained only the small -generators of the exciter sets to be inspected. Jack hurried forward to -brush up the dust about these machines, for the men were already entering -the plant and he did not care to let them know of the trap. - -And as he stooped over, his eyes caught the distinct outline of a foot -close to the base of the generator! Another and still another were -discovered close by. He could scarcely credit his eyes. But Mr. Ryder, -who was directly behind him, saw the imprints also. - -“By George, we’ve a clue at last!” he exclaimed, leaning forward and -examining the tracks. “They have been made by naked feet too! What do you -think of that!” - -“And I’ll be hanged if that isn’t the mark of a scar on the left heel!” -he ejaculated, as he dropped to his hands and knees and scrutinized the -tracks. “Oh, our task is an easy one now! I’ll guarantee to have the -meddler in the hands of the rurales by sundown with this evidence to -work on. But look how they have riddled the exciter!” - -As Jack bent closer he too could see the mark of a scar. The foot had -removed the concrete dust completely except for a little ridge diagonally -across the heel. This showed plainly that there had been a sharp -indentation in the flesh at that point. And as the same mark showed in -every other imprint of the left foot there was small room for doubt. - -“Well, it looks as if our trap had worked far better than we expected,” -he said jubilantly, as they prepared to obliterate the track by sweeping -up the dust. - -“Indeed it did,” replied Mr. Ryder. “Here’s positive proof that the -culprit is a peon, and with this telltale scar to help out it is only -necessary to inspect every peon in the plant and pick out the guilty -individual. We’ll have them lined up immediately.” - -Together they hurried out of the station and across to the quarters of -the army officers. The captain in command of the post was on the front -porch of his cottage washing his face in a tin basin when Mr. Ryder -interrupted him. The engineer spoke a few words in Spanish and the -officer hastily reached for a towel, at the same time calling loudly -for an orderly. That individual arrived from behind the cottage as if -produced by magic, and after listening to the captain’s brief orders -saluted and hurried to the barracks building, from the door of which the -soldiers were just emerging in various stages of attire. - -He returned presently, to be followed five minutes later by a young -officer in charge of a squad of ten soldiers. Curt instructions were -issued by the commander and the soldiers broke ranks immediately and went -hurrying here and there about the plant, rounding up every peon in sight. - -Some of the native laborers protested violently against being hustled -into line along the south wall of the station, for they were afraid that -they were about to be shot, this being the spot where all the executions -in Necaxa were staged. But their protests were of no avail, for the -soldiers took keen delight in hurrying them along with the sharp point of -their bayonets or the flat stock of their guns. - -In less than no time two score natives were facing the gray stone wall. -They were a heterogeneous assortment of half-breeds and full-blooded -Indians with ragged garments and hair long and unkempt. None wore shoes -or even sandals. - -When every native had been located and the line was complete the soldiers -withdrew a short distance and the captain then turning to Mr. Ryder, -spoke nervously and with great concern: - -“Here are they, Señor, maybe now you find them sick mans, yes.” - -“Why did he say ‘those sick men?’” asked Jack, somewhat puzzled. - -“I told him there was a rumor abroad that one of the peons had leprosy -and that we wanted to find him and put him in a pest house. Though I know -very little about the disease I understand it shows first on the face, -palms of the hands or soles of the feet,” answered the engineer. - -“But why did you tell him that?” demanded the lad. - -“Well, for the simple reason that I do not care to let any one know what -we have discovered. I think the less said about the scar the easier it -will be for us to catch our man. If we keep it to ourselves he will never -suspect that we set a trap for him. Now for the search.” - -Mr. Ryder, Jack and the captain began a tour of inspection. Each Indian -was commanded to lift first one foot and then the other, while Jack and -the engineer scrutinized them closely. The engineer in addition examined -their hands and face as well, though not with as keen an eye as he -watched the feet. The peons all submitted to the inspection meekly, but -it was quite evident from the expression on their faces that they could -not understand the whole proceedings. One by one they were passed and as -Mr. Ryder neared the end of the line his brow wrinkled in a perplexed -frown. Finally when the last man was allowed to go he turned to the -officer in charge of the squad and demanded: - -“Are these all the peons there are about the plant? There must be more!” - -“No more are here, Señor. But maybe those sick mans you look on is -here in the night men. There are—ah—_diez hombres_,” said the officer -excitedly. - -“Jack,” said the engineer, “that fellow may be right. It is possible that -my man _is_ on the night force or he may be a strange peon who gets into -the plant somehow. I think the next move for us to make is to go down to -the Indian village and do some detective work there. Most of the peons we -hire live down there and it is more than likely that we will find the man -with the scarred heel among them.” - -“That sounds reasonable,” said Jack, after considering the question. “Why -not go down there while the trail is hot?” - -“All right,” said Mr. Ryder, “but let me warn you that we will have to -travel through about five miles of country infested with rebels and, as -you know, they do not look upon any of the white men from the plant with -very great favor.” - -“I am willing to take the chance,” said Jack, laconically. - -“Very good, only be sure your gun is in working order and your cartridge -belt is full.” - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -SEARCHING FOR THE MAN WITH A SCARRED HEEL - - -A drove of thirty or more horses and half as many pack mules were -quartered in the large corral behind the barracks for the use of the -rurales stationed at Necaxa. From among them a rather docile mustang was -selected for Jack. While a native was saddling the horse, a _mozo_, or -Indian servant, arrived with the engineer’s steed, a beautiful creature -that had cost Mr. Ryder nearly three hundred Mexican dollars, which is a -very high price indeed to pay for horse flesh in that country. Three of -the rurales were detailed to accompany them as a special guard and before -leaving the enclosure the entire party made a careful inspection of their -firearms. - -For the first two miles the trail skirted the high bank of the river -and was wide enough to permit the men to ride two abreast. The three -soldier-policemen took the lead while Jack and the engineer brought up -the rear, and as their horses jogged along Mr. Ryder explained briefly -the life of the Mexican Indians since the conquest of the country by -adventurers from across the sea. - -“These natives,” he said, “have been veritable slaves since their -ancestors yielded to Spain’s warriors. The peons, who are all Indians or -half-breeds, are the lowest type of Mexicans. They are uneducated and -uncivilized and for that reason they rarely advance above the class of -servants and laborers. Since the day they were conquered they have been -without opportunity, however, so we cannot blame them altogether for -their condition. There is every reason to believe, from the relics that -are left to-day, that the Mexican Indians were semi-civilized at least. -They erected magnificent temples, they laid out large cities, and they -even built aqueducts and sewer systems. Indeed, they were much farther -advanced than the North American Indian of the plains, but with the -advent of the Spaniards they began to deteriorate for the simple reason -that they were not allowed to progress. As you already know, a man or -a nation cannot stand still. It must either develop or retrogress. The -Spaniards made slaves of the Indians and while they are not slaves in -name to-day they might just as well be, for they have not as much freedom -as the negro had in the United States before the Civil War. - -“The peons live as tenants on _haciendas_, or large farms, where they -till the soil and raise crops. For this work they are paid a few -_centavos_ a day which in American money does not amount to five cents; -with this pittance they are supposed to buy food and clothes. But the -hacienda owners sell them food and clothes at a figure far above their -daily earnings and as a result the Indian is always in debt to his -master. And since it is a capital offense in Mexico for an employee to -leave an employer while still in debt to him, the peon is bound to the -hacienda on which he is born for the rest of his life. He can never leave -and he can never cease working for the same man. Whole communities of -natives are often controlled in this way by Mexican farmers.” - -“It seems ridiculous that such conditions can exist to-day,” said Jack, -very much surprised at this revelation. He had always considered the -Mexican Indian as a shiftless being who did not work and lived from hand -to mouth simply because of his own laziness. - -“Do not get the idea that these natives are blind to their present -condition or that they do not care to elevate their general plane of -existence,” continued Mr. Ryder. “They are just as eager for a chance to -advance as is the Jew or other foreigner who immigrates to America. That -is the reason why the present revolution is being waged in the north by -Carranza and Villa, and that is why our bloodthirsty friend Zapata has so -many peon followers. - -“The only trouble is the moment one of these revolutions is successful -and the new leader is in power all pledges to the peon are forgotten -and the native goes back to exactly the same condition that he has been -fighting to clear himself from. It is a very unhappy situation, but some -day, perhaps, a leader will keep his promise to his people. Then the huge -_haciendas_, which often embrace hundreds of thousands of acres, will be -confiscated and this land with the millions of acres of government land -will be cut up into small farms and sold to the natives at reasonable -terms exactly as our country opened up the great West. When this happens -Mexico will develop into a wonderful nation. Give these people public -schools and the other advantages of civilization and you will soon see -what kind of stuff they are made of. The old Indian blood is strong in -them and Indians, properly trained, often make excellent men.” - -Mr. Ryder’s talk had changed Jack’s opinion of the peons a great deal. -Indeed, he soon found that instead of despising them he was sympathizing -with them. He could not understand, however, how the engineer could -feel kindly disposed to the natives when they were causing him so much -trouble. He was on the point of mentioning this thought when Mr. Ryder -spoke again. - -“I feel very sorry for the peons even though I am an agent of Huerta. -But as I have weighed it out, my duty to my employer comes first no -matter whether the employer is a scoundrel or not. It is not for me to -judge. I am asked to keep Mexico City illuminated and I will keep the -lights burning no matter who is in the National Palace, and, moreover, -I’ll do it in spite of this man with the scarred foot, whoever he is.” - -Thus recalled to their mission, Jack instantly became attentive to their -surroundings. He found that the trail had narrowed and that the rurales -ahead had formed in single file. His little mustang was patiently picking -its way through rough places and underbrush to keep beside the animal -ridden by the engineer. - -“I guess we have been talking too much and paying too little attention to -our horses, Jack,” said Mr. Ryder. “Push ahead and get in single file. -This is a section of the trail that carries us over the shoulder of a -mountain and it is rather narrow.” - -Soon the shoulder was topped, however, and the horses began to descend -in single file toward the Indian village. The community was somewhat -larger than the villages Jack had seen from the train window on his way -to Mexico City, otherwise it was the same collection of dilapidated -huts that looked as if they had been literally thrown together by their -builders. - -As they drove down through the single street a regiment of barking dogs -and screaming naked Indian children greeted them. Robust, dark-skinned -men lounged about before the huts (most of them clad in pajama like -cotton garments), while their women folk worked hard at grinding corn -between stones or carried water from the river in tall earthen jugs which -they balanced deftly on their heads. Down at the river bank Jack could -see other women busy washing clothes. This laundry work was accomplished -by pounding the garments between stones much to the detriment of the -garments, for the hard stones rubbed innumerable holes in the cloth as -Jack found later when he gave his linen to a native washerwoman. - -In the village Mr. Ryder took the lead and Jack followed, leaving -the rurales to their own diversions. The engineer drove toward a more -pretentious hut than the rest, where a very much wrinkled old Indian sat -sunning himself before the door and idly watching a half dozen scrawny -razorback pigs rooting in the dirt almost at his very feet. - -The two Americans reined up before the house and viewed the picture that -the old fellow made as he sat there staring absently at the animals. - -“That,” said Mr. Ryder, “is Señor Yuai and his pigs. Pigs and vultures, -as you know, are the scavengers of Mexico. But for their able services -the country would be unfit to live in because of its filth and carrion. -And Señor Yuai, though he is neither pig nor vulture, is also a very -useful inhabitant. He is the Indian doctor who attends to all the natives -in this vicinity. The old fellow is very much looked up to and every one -comes to him for advice. He is aged and very nearsighted but his mind is -as keen as ever. He knows every peon for miles around and I’ve an idea -that he can identify our trouble maker with the scarred foot if he wants -to. Come, we’ll hear what he has to say on the question.” - -The Americans dismounted and after kicking their way through the drove -of grunting pigs confronted the austere old Indian. Señor Yuai peered up -at them with eyes bleared by age and demanded in Spanish to know whose -shadow fell across his doorway. (The following conversation then took -place which Mr. Ryder translated for Jack’s benefit.) - -“It is I, Señor Ryder, from the electrical plant,” said the engineer. - -“Gringo friend come over mountain to see me?” asked the old Indian. - -“Yes, I’ve come to see you, Señor Yuai, but not because I am sick of -_calentura_. It is another reason. Tell me, in all your years do you -remember a peon ailing of a cut heel. Did you ever cure a very deep -wound that would leave a scar across a peon’s heel, thus?” Mr. Ryder -illustrated his question by drawing his finger diagonally across the old -man’s heel. The Indian was silent a long time and while his memory went -slowly back over the many years he had been doctoring the natives, Mr. -Ryder slipped a cigarette between his lean old fingers, saying, “Here, -Señor Yuai, perhaps a little smoke will make you remember better.” - -The Indian accepted the roll of brown paper and tobacco with a grunt of -satisfaction and lit it on the glowing end of Mr. Ryder’s own cigarette -which the engineer held for his convenience. - -For five minutes the old native puffed in silence, exhaling great clouds -of blue smoke from time to time. Finally he spoke. - -“As many years ago as I have fingers came a young man to see me. He had -stepped on a _machette_ and the flesh of his foot was laid open to the -bone. My medicine cured him. Soon he could walk, he could run, he could -swim. He was a fine big fellow. He could shoot well, he could ride well -and he was a good boy except he liked _pulque_ too much. One day he went -away. Two summers later he came back in clothes as green as the banana -palm. He was then a rurale. He went away again and never came again. His -name—ah—his name went with him.” Here the Indian touched his forehead -with his finger as he spoke and this action told the American plainer -than his words that he had forgotten the young man’s name. - -Jack and the engineer looked at each other significantly when Señor Yuai -finished speaking. - -“Can it be that we have traitors among our rurales!” demanded Mr. Ryder -incredulously. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE DRAWINGS ARE STOLEN - - -“Well, this is a mighty serious state of affairs,” said the engineer as -they returned to their horses and prepared to remount. - -“Yes, indeed, and from all appearances we have a real enemy to contend -with,” replied the lad. - -“You are right, we have,” confirmed Mr. Ryder. “If our man with the -scarred foot is a member of the rurales, we are going to have the devil’s -own job locating him too. We cannot accuse at random and moreover we -cannot take our troubles to the captain, for the reason that where -there is one traitor there are likely to be many more. The captain may -be a revolutionist himself, and if he is, heaven help us when he finds -out that we have a way of identifying the trouble maker. We would be -murdered in less than a week. I think we had better feel our way very -slowly before we make an arrest.” - -“But why should a rurale go traveling about in his bared feet at night?” -queried Jack, suddenly discovering a puzzling question. - -“I thought of that myself,” confessed the engineer, “and the only reason -I can give is that the culprit is always afraid that the jingle of his -big spurs will attract attention and rather than remove them he removed -his boots instead and goes about his work silently. That sounds perfectly -plausible, doesn’t it?” - -“By George, that’s capital reasoning! I believe you’ve hit it exactly -right,” exclaimed the lad enthusiastically. - -“I see our three guards over on the river bank,” said Mr. Ryder, abruptly -changing the subject; “we’ll drive over and join them there, for I’ve an -idea that our horses could stand a drink before starting for the plant -again. - -“And by the way,” he warned as they urged their mounts forward, “I -wouldn’t say much about our friend of the scarred foot in the presence -of the rurales either here or at the plant, for you never can tell just -how much English some of these fellows understand. I’m a little worried -over the impression that our search among the peons created, even though -I did tell the captain the falsehood about the suspected leper. Who -knows, perhaps the very man we are after was looking on all the time. In -that case our lives are in danger every moment. He would kill us rather -than run the chance of being identified.” - -It was quite evident to Jack that the engineer regarded the business at -hand as rather hazardous and the lad from Vermont could not help feeling -slightly concerned about his own safety. He put on a bold front before -Mr. Ryder, however, for he did not care to have the engineer think that -he was the least bit worried. - -The river’s course through the valley was broad and the stream ran -sluggish and shallow where it passed the village. Indeed, just below -the point where the women were washing on the rocks was a ford, with a -sloping sandy beach on either bank. Here it was that the pack trains -leaving the valley toward the north crossed the stream. On the bank -opposite, Jack saw several large alligators sunning themselves, and here -and there on the surface of the water he also saw the scaly backs and -heads of others that had come up to rest awhile and get a fresh supply of -air. Some of them were fully ten feet long. - -But in spite of the presence of these reptiles, the horses did not -hesitate to wade belly deep into the stream and cool themselves while -they slaked their thirst. Jack noticed this and remarked about it to Mr. -Ryder. - -“Alligators are not disposed to attack anything very large,” said the -engineer, “although sometimes they do make away with sheep and small -calves that come down for a drink. The ’gator is not as ferocious as his -cousin the crocodile and I have never heard of any natives being devoured -by one, in spite of the fact that the Indians wade the ford here daily.” - -Mr. Ryder had hardly finished speaking when a young Indian appeared on -the opposite bank followed by a full-grown hound dog. The native was -clad only in abbreviated canvas trousers and slung across his back was a -tiny mail bag. Jack learned later that his first name was Miguel and that -his last name was almost unpronounceable, also that he was the official -runner, or messenger, of that section of the country, and that his -forefathers had been runners as far back as the days of Montezuma. - -The native stood knee deep in the river a moment and emitted several -loud whoops at the same time churning the water furiously with his feet. -At this the alligators on the bank slipped into the water with a splash -and every scaly back and head disappeared. Then the Indian plunged into -the stream and waded across, at the same time coaxing the dog to follow. -The hound stood whining at the water’s edge, however, and the messenger -reached the opposite shore before the animal found sufficient courage to -follow. Finally, after much coaxing, he took the plunge and swam toward -his master. But he had scarcely passed the middle of the stream when he -began to whine again, half raising himself out of the water with his -frantic efforts to swim faster. The next instant there was a swirl just -behind him and an ugly head appeared on the surface. The dog fairly -leapt out of the water at this but he could not avoid the reptile whose -dripping jaws closed upon one hind leg. - -The native shouted wildly and plunged back into the river again to rescue -his pet. But before he had gone two steps, Jack, with great presence of -mind, whipped out his revolver. Twice he fired and each bullet found its -way into the scaly body. Instantly the water was lashed into foam by the -death struggle of the monster. The great jaws opened wide and the reptile -awoke the echoes in the hills with a bellow like that of an angry bull. -Then it sank out of sight. - -Half drowned and with one leg dangling limp and useless the hound -dragged itself from the river. The young Indian lifted it in his arms -and caressed it gently, at the same time talking effusively to Jack. Of -course the American could not understand the messenger, but it was quite -evident from the expression on the red man’s face that he was very -grateful to Jack and that he admired his quick and accurate shooting. - -“What is he saying?” asked the Vermonter, turning to Mr. Ryder. - -“He says that you are a very good marksman and that you have a warm heart -for a gringo. He promises never to forget your kindness.” - -Jack smiled his acknowledgment and prepared to remount his horse, -which with the others had withdrawn from the river when the struggling -alligator began its frenzied lashing of the water. - -It was past midday when the five riders started on their return journey -toward the power plant, and the heat was intense. However, as soon as the -horses had climbed out of the valley the trail led through a dense forest -where huge trees and thickly matted vines shut out all sunlight and all -heat as well. Travel, under such circumstances was thoroughly enjoyable, -and the five riders swung along in single file until they reached the -open country in the vicinity of the great hydro station again. - -“Well,” said Jack as he reined in beside Mr. Ryder at the gate in the -barbed-wire barricade, “I thought you said the woods were full of rebels. -We haven’t seen a sign of one all day long. What do you make of it?” - -“It is more than likely that they are off in some other section of the -hills, burning and pillaging. But don’t think that they haven’t an eye on -us, for they have and you’ll see signs of them again before long, I’ll -warrant.” - -The soldier on guard at the gate had unfastened the intricate lock by -this time and the cavalcade entered. The rurales hurried off at top speed -to their long low barracks hall where they hoped to find the remains of -the noonday mess. And as for Jack and the engineer, they were not slow -in reaching the cottage, for they knew that faithful old Tom Why had -something tempting waiting for them. - -A _mozo_ met them as they reined in before the door and when they had -dismounted he took charge of the horses. The few hours in the saddle had -been rather tiresome to the lad, for he was not accustomed to that form -of exercise. Indeed, the shaking up he had received on horseback and the -lack of sleep the night before had made him so thoroughly fatigued that -even the cartridge belt and holster weighed heavily on his hips and as -he walked toward the cottage he started to unbuckle the leather girdle. -Just as he was mounting the steps the buckle opened suddenly and the belt -swung free, upsetting the holster and toppling the revolver to the ground. - -Hastily Jack stooped to pick it up. But as he reached down he caught -sight of a naked footprint in the dust! He bent closer, hardly able -to believe what he saw! The footprint bore the mark of a deep scar -diagonally across the heel! - -“Hi! Mr. Ryder! Look! Our man with the scar paid a visit here as well!” -he shouted to the engineer, who had already entered the cottage. - -Mr. Ryder hurried out and examined the footprint with Jack. - -“By George, you’re right! What could he have wanted up here!” exclaimed -the engineer. - -Jack did not wait to answer the question. He bolted into the house and -rushed to the flat-topped desk, for he had suddenly thought of the -precious blueprints. Eagerly he drew open the top drawer into which he -had seen Mr. Ryder drop the yellow envelope the evening before. But the -compartment was empty! The drawings were gone! - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -A WEAKENED GARRISON - - -With the disappearance of the engineer’s drawings the mystery that -surrounded the man with the scarred foot was doubled. Neither Jack nor -Mr. Ryder could be quite positive of the clue they had been following. To -them the fact that the trouble maker went about without shoes argued that -he was a peon, and they could well understand why a peon, imbued with the -spirit of revolution, should seek to make conditions as uncomfortable as -possible for President Huerta, against whose rule they were revolting. -That the person in question should undertake to wreck the power plant, -or portions of it, seemed quite natural. But when it came to stealing -drawings that were absolutely useless to them the whole affair took on a -different complexion. - -Who was this individual with the scar on his foot? Was he a peon or was -he some one of the other employees about the plant? Or again, was he a -soldier, or a member of the band of rurales, or was he some one of the -bandits in the mountains who ran the guard at night and accomplished -his trickery under the very eyes of soldiers and employees? The whole -situation was thoroughly muddled and Jack and Mr. Ryder spent days trying -to fathom the knotty problem. To a technical man the drawings were of -the utmost value, for they laid bare to him the secret of an invention -that would make him wealthy. But on the other hand it would seem that the -man was moved more by his sympathies with the revolutionists than by his -desire for personal gain, since it was quite apparent that the person who -was so industriously engaged in making things disagreeable for President -Huerta and the man who stole the drawings was the same individual. - -“It is a mighty peculiar situation,” said Mr. Ryder one evening, after he -and Jack had been puzzling over the matter for several hours. “This is -my only conclusion. The man must be a peon, or a soldier, for they are -the only persons hereabout who are interested in the revolution at all. -He has heard of the drawings somehow, and believing that they would be of -value to Zapata or Carranza (or whoever else he favors), he stole them. -Later on he will probably turn them over to some one of these leaders -with the hope, perhaps, that he will be given a commission or some other -form of recognition for his service to the cause. - -“But after I have reached that conclusion,” he added, “I am not -absolutely certain that I am shooting in the right direction.” - -For some time after the disappearance of the papers everything ran -smoothly at the plant. But in the meantime disconcerting rumors were -coming in from the mountains about bands of Zapatistas who were -gathering at all points. The rurales who went out to patrol the hills -and in particular to ride the transmission line to see that it was not -disturbed were the first to bring in reports of skirmishes with these -rebels. Almost daily several of the soldier-policemen would locate a -handful of armed natives somewhere in the hills. Always a fight followed -which resulted in at least one or two fatalities. More than once these -green-clad riders came into Necaxa with dead or wounded comrades in their -arms. And on several occasions they appeared at the power plant with -prisoners bound hand and foot and tied to the backs of horses or burros -like so many sacks of flour. - -Short work was made of these men. Their fate was sealed the moment they -were captured by the rurales. As a matter of form they were given a -drumhead trial; that is, they were taken before the chief officer of -the rurales and asked a number of unimportant questions. No matter how -these questions were answered the sentence was the same. The natives were -always condemned to be shot at sunrise the following morning. - -Jack was present at the trial of one of these unfortunates and after the -rebel was taken to the guardhouse the lad and Mr. Ryder went to visit -him. It gave Jack a rather uncanny feeling when he realized that the man -with whom they were talking would be dead and cold in ten hours. The -Vermonter was up before sunrise to see the prisoner led out and placed -against the gray wall of the power plant. The firing squad was composed -of five men and an officer who stood with sword drawn while a soldier -bound a handkerchief about the eyes of the victim. When this was done the -executioners took careful aim and waited for the abrupt command to fire. - -The five guns roared simultaneously, and Jack grew sick as he saw the -blindfolded figure sway backward first, then recover its balance only -to pitch forward with a groan and become an inert and lifeless mass. -When the smoke had cleared away the officer walked calmly up to the dead -man and drawing his revolver emptied the entire six chambers into the -already lifeless body. This, Jack learned, was prescribed by the military -regulations of Mexico, which state that an officer in charge of a firing -squad, is held responsible for the certain death of the victim. - -The rurales, however, were not the only ones to bring in word of the -gathering of the Zapatistas. One day three men left the plant on a -handcar trip of inspection along the narrow gage railroad track. -One took a Winchester rifle with him while the others carried their -revolvers. On their return journey they were met at a bend in the road -by six rebels. One had a rifle but the others were armed only with -_machettes_, or long brush knives. The men from the plant were ordered to -stop, of course, but they did not obey. Instead they started to pump the -handles harder and since the tracks were down grade at that point their -car had gained tremendous headway by the time they reached the natives. -Fortunately the peons had not had forethought enough to plug the railroad -tracks or loosen a rail in which case the car would have been wrecked and -the inspectors killed immediately. As it was they ran past the natives -at top speed. The Mexican with the rifle opened fire and the man with -the Winchester replied, but he was only able to get in one shot before -the handle of the car knocked the rifle from his grasp. One of the other -men drew his six shooter and emptied it as he went flying past. It was a -narrow escape and the three inspectors were glad when they reached the -power plant. - -Shortly after this experience some excitement was created at the station -when Lyman noticed that one of his indicators recorded a grounded -transmission line. Two linemen and a squad of rurales were despatched to -locate the trouble. Five miles back in the mountains they found a dead -peon clinging to one of the steel transmission poles and the story of -the ground was revealed instantly. This peon had climbed the pole and -with his steel _machette_ tried to cut through one of the transmission -lines. The moment the blade came in contact with the cable a circuit was -formed and the entire 88,000 volts were sent through the man’s body. His -companions, seeing his fate, had fled without even attempting to rescue -him. - -These demonstrations on the part of the rebels did not add to the peace -of mind of the men at the power plant. Indeed every one began to feel -the strain, for the station was veritably in a state of siege. Rumors -came into Necaxa by way of the peons from the Indian village down the -valley, that José Cerro, one of the fiercest of the mountain bandits and -a strong ally of Zapata, was in charge of the horde that was gathering in -the hills in that vicinity. After that no one felt inclined to leave the -station except when accompanied by a guard of rurales and all inspection -of railroad and transmission lines was done with the aid of soldiers. - -Then one day in the midst of it all the officer in charge of the infantry -reported to Mr. Ryder that he had been in communication with General -Rodriguez and had received orders to move his entire detachment back to -Mexico City. The engineer could not believe his ears. With all haste he -called up the capital on the long-distance telephone. - -“Why, you won’t need soldiers out there any longer,” said the military -officer after the engineer had protested vigorously to the removal of the -guard. “You don’t need soldiers because Zapata is moving his whole army -toward the Atlantic coast. He’s evidently heard of the shipment of arms -coming in on the German steamer and hopes to intercept them on their way -to the capital. If he takes the railroad we are lost. That’s why we want -your soldiers. We must have them. The rebel chief has withdrawn all his -men from your section of the country so I’m sure you won’t need them.” - -“Oh, is that so,” said Mr. Ryder, thoroughly angry. “Well, there are a -few hundred lurking out here in the woods just now and I am expecting an -attack almost any time.” - -“You are mistaken, I am sure,” said the officer; “there may be a few -bandits about in the mountains but the Zapatistas have all followed their -leader. I am very sorry, but we need all the soldiers you have at Necaxa. -However, if you are at all alarmed I will leave you a detachment of -twenty-five infantrymen who, with the squad of rurales you have stationed -there, will be able to defend the place against a few bandits. Good-by.” - -The soldiers entrained that very afternoon, much to the chagrin of Mr. -Ryder and the other Americans. - -“By George, this is the queerest piece of work I have ever seen,” said -Mr. Ryder. “If Zapata has moved his men, José Cerro did not follow his -leader, for he’s out there in the mountains with two hundred men and -he’ll swoop down on us in short order when he hears how weak our garrison -is. Just watch how bold those greasers get when they learn that the -infantry has been called back to Mexico City.” - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -THE NIGHT WATCH - - -Mr. Ryder’s prediction came true. It was not two days later when a half -dozen peons appeared on the edge of the forest and occupied their time -shooting out the windows in the workmen’s cottages and sending leaden -greetings to any one who appeared out of doors. They remained in their -positions until the soldiers mounted a light machine gun in the window of -the barracks house and poured a rain of steel-jacketed bullets in their -direction. But José Cerro’s followers were not the only ones who were -made bold by the withdrawal of the troops. The traitor inside the power -plant became active too. - -One evening while Jack and Mr. Ryder were partaking of one of Tom Why’s -elaborate meals, Phil Underwood, the young American whose duty it was to -take care of the huge searchlight, rushed into the dining room. - -“Mr. Ryder,” he exclaimed with a savage note in his voice, “there’s a -peon in Necaxa I’d like to lay hands on. He’s that blasted sympathizer. -If I knew who he was I’d choke him to death. What do you think he’s done -now to help that bunch of cutthroats out there in the mountain? He’s put -the big searchlight out of business! He’s wrecked the entire outfit and -there isn’t a place this side of New York where we can get the broken -parts replaced! It looks as if we were up against it for sure.” - -The engineer looked thoroughly worried. - -“When did it happen?” he demanded. - -“The light was all right up to dawn this morning. I shut it off promptly -at four o’clock, put the canvas jacket over it and went to bed. When I -tried to start it a few moments ago I found the whole mechanism gone to -smash.” - -For a long time Mr. Ryder was silent. His brow was wrinkled and it was -evident to both Phil and Jack that the situation was causing him some -deep thought. Finally he spoke. - -“Look here, Phil, this condition is mighty serious and I am at a loss -to know exactly how to proceed. I think the best plan is not to mention -this last piece of treachery. Merely go to Lieutenant Hernandez and -tell him that the searchlight suddenly became out of order and until we -can repair it or make better arrangements he must keep a double guard -along the barricade and the first trench. If we spread the news about -this broadcast we can’t tell what sort of an effect it will have on the -soldiers. Mexicans are a peculiar lot, you know, and for that reason -alone I think it would be far better for us to keep this incident secret. -In the meantime you and Jack and myself can keep a watchful eye on -everything in general and I’ll try to work out a plan for an improvised -searchlight.” - -“Very good, sir,” said Phil, as he hurried off to the military barracks. - -When the youth had gone Mr. Ryder turned to Jack and said: “I trust you -are still willing to help me in this difficulty, my boy.” - -“You’re right I am,” exclaimed Jack enthusiastically, “I am as much -interested as if I were employed here and I’ll do anything I can to be -of assistance.” - -“Very well then, Jack, I’ll look to you to do a man’s share of the -watching around here until we can get things straightened out. This -trouble with the searchlight may mean that a night attack is impending. I -purpose doing some guard duty myself to-night and I should like to have -you help me out. Will you?” - -“Only tell me what you want of me and I’ll do it without a word of -protest,” said Jack loyally. - -“Well, suppose you buckle on your revolver now and start patroling the -village. Keep an eye out for anything that does not look absolutely -normal. At midnight report back to the cottage here and wake me up. I’ll -do my trick between midnight and dawn, for I do not intend that this -traitor shall get in any more of his underhanded work without being -caught at it.” - -“That’s a capital scheme,” said the young Vermonter and finishing his -coffee he hurried to his room. There he secured his belt and holster -which he had tossed on his bed an hour previous. Also before he left he -rummaged through his traveling bag until he had located a tiny electric -pocket flash lamp which he had brought with him all the way from -Drueryville. Ten minutes later he was sauntering down the single narrow -street toward the power plant. - -Darkness was just coming on as the sentries were changed and the lad -watched the small squad of regulars leave the barracks and take their -places at various points around the tiny village. - -“I wonder,” mused the boy, “how many actually keep awake all night? I’ll -warrant half of them find some sheltered spot and go to sleep after -midnight.” - -For an hour or two the little community resembled the quarry towns of far -off Vermont to such a degree that Jack actually became a little homesick -as he viewed the scene. Every cottage window glowed with cheerful light -and the day men, free from their tasks for a while, were indulging in the -only sociability Necaxa afforded: that was to gather in twos and threes -on cottage porches and spend the evening in telling stories and smoking. -Now and then some one of these groups would burst forth in songs and what -the tunes lacked in harmony was made up for in the enthusiasm of the -singers. Most of the songs Jack recognized as having been popular back in -the States two years before. - -At half past nine the groups began to dwindle, the men going off to their -various cottages. One by one the lights went out and by ten o’clock the -place was in total darkness, save for the lights in the power plant. Jack -felt very lonesome then. Except for the steady grumble of the generators -inside the big gray building, not a sound disturbed the stillness. From -place to place about the village the youth roamed, peering here and there -for signs of trouble. But mostly he watched in the vicinity of the power -plant. - -This constant vigil was very tiresome, however, and several times he -paused in a secluded angle of the building and flashed his electric lamp -on the face of his watch. He was thoroughly glad when the hands pointed -out the hour of midnight. - -He made one more tour of inspection after that, then started up the -street toward Mr. Ryder’s cottage. He had almost reached his destination -when suddenly his attention was attracted by a gray shadow moving -between two cottages some distance to his left. Jack remembered that -both buildings were occupied by Mexican linemen and his suspicions were -aroused immediately. As softly as a panther he moved across the roadway -and gained the corner of one of the buildings. The shadow still lingered -in the alley and the youth softly slipped his revolver from its holster. -But just as he was on the point of calling to the man to throw up his -hands he became aware of another gray shadow moving about. This one was -coming stealthily up the roadway he had just left and Jack thanked his -lucky stars that he had hidden himself when he did. - -It was quite evident to the Vermonter that the two shadows intended to -meet, but in order to accomplish this either one or the other must pass -within six feet of him. For a moment he scarcely knew what to do, for he -realized that he could not handle two men at once. - -The man in the alley had paused, but the one in the roadway came forward -softly and swiftly. When he was within fifteen feet of the crouching -youth Jack could see him quite distinctly. He wore a very broad hat and -the tight jacket of a rurale. Of a rurale! Instantly the old Indian -doctor’s story about a rurale with an injured foot flashed upon him! This -must be the man of the scarred heel! - -Throwing all caution to the wind, Jack dropped his revolver and leapt -toward the shadowy figure. It was a perfect flying tackle and the man -came down with a crash, his legs pinned tightly together, exactly as -Jack had pinned the legs of many an opposing fullback on the field at -Drueryville. - -The attack was so sudden that the man lay stunned for a moment. Then as -if he suddenly realized that it was a human being and not a vice that had -gripped him, the soldier began to struggle. He tried to kick and squirm -his way out of the boy’s arms, at the same time thrashing about with his -fists and cursing lustily in Spanish. He was a big man and exceedingly -powerful and Jack had all that he could do to hold him on the ground. - -The lad had the advantage, however, since the native was almost flat -on his stomach. By careful maneuvering and the help of two or three -wrestling holds that are known to every American boy he was soon able to -work himself astride the prostrated one and pin the refractory hands down -as well. This accomplished, the youth began to shout for help at the top -of his voice. - -Mr. Ryder was first on the scene. He came running across from his -cottage, a revolver in one hand and an electric flash lamp in the other. -The Mexican linemen came tumbling out of their cottages a few moments -later and immediately after two Mexican regulars arrived, all out of -breath. - -“Well, I think we’ve captured our man,” said Jack, panting in his -excitement. “Here, lay hold of this fellow, so I can stand up.” - -The soldiers seized the prostrated one but they still kept him pinned -flat on his stomach, in spite of his protests. - -“Mr. Ryder,” said Jack, “I think this is the man with the scarred foot. -Turn your light this way until we have a good look at his feet. He hasn’t -any boots on, that’s certain, for he moved about like a cat.” - -Hurriedly the engineer turned the light on the native’s naked feet and -there, standing out plainly in spite of the dirt and dust, was a long -scar that extended across the heel and partly up the side of his foot -toward the ankle. The wound looked exactly as if the man had at one time -stepped on a very sharp stone that had laid the flesh open to the bone. - -“By George, you’re right! He’s our man!” exclaimed the engineer -jubilantly. Then to the soldiers in Spanish he said: - -“Hustle him off to the guardhouse, men, and put a double watch over him, -for he’s a traitor. I’ll pay a peso a day to the men who watch him, but -I’ll have the scoundrel shot who lets him get away.” - -Without any ceremony the regulars jerked the big man to his feet and -marched him off down the street, Mr. Ryder and Jack following directly -behind with their revolvers cocked and ready for action. But the heavy -door to the prison pen had hardly been bolted behind the rurale when -the town was aroused by another sensation. From down along the line of -barbed wire fence came the sharp report of a rifle. The first report was -followed by two others in quick succession. - -“What is it! An attack!” gasped Jack as he rushed forward with Mr. Ryder. -The sound of firing aroused every man in the camp and in an instant -half-clad soldiers and workmen came tumbling from barracks hall and -cottage. - -“An attack! an attack!” was the cry they all uttered as they hurried into -the trenches. - -But after the third shot the sentry’s guns were silent so long that Mr. -Ryder and Jack and Lieutenant Hernandez and Captain Alvarez went to -investigate. - -“What was the trouble?” they demanded of the first soldier they met. - -“Shadows came along the fence. Three, four, five of them all came to try -and cut the wire. One dropped this,” said the sentry as he held up an -ugly looking _machette_. - -“That’s mighty bad news,” said Mr. Ryder, “for it looks to me as if the -rebels are planning an attack. But we’ll fix these wire cutters to-morrow -night. In the meantime you fellows keep awake and on the lookout until -dawn.” - -But when the news of the shadowy wire cutters was spread about among -the men there was little need for extra vigilance on the part of -the sentries, for every man in the village stayed up until daylight -discussing the possibilities of an attack. Indeed, the sun was just -rising as Jack and Mr. Ryder turned in for some much-needed sleep. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -IMPROVISED SEARCHLIGHTS - - -“Velly vell, on’y me no likee losee dlishe pans, Misler Lyder. Me no -velly much can usee pailes to washee dlishes in sometimes. Jus’ samee me -no likee losee dlishe pan.” - -Tom Why’s voice accompanied by the clatter of tin pans awoke Jack next -day, from a very sound sleep. The lad at first was thoroughly mystified, -for it was rarely that good natured Tom ever objected to anything either -he or Mr. Ryder did. It was evident, however, from the pitch of the -Chinaman’s voice that he was slightly indignant. - -“Me can no savvy leason to put holes in him dlish pan. Him alle samee no -glood then,” continued Tom. - -“Well, I want to put wires through the bottom of the pans and make -searchlights out of them. What if your old pans are spoiled, Tom. When -the next train comes up from Mexico City I’ll have a carload for you if -you want them,” said Mr. Ryder. - -“Me no wantee clarload. Me wantee tlu dlishe pans, and me no wantee liars -put thlu him bottom, too.” - -“All right, Tom,” laughed the engineer; “you shall have two of the finest -dishpans south of the Rio Grande if you’ll only let me have these two.” - -“Velly vell, velly vell,” said Tom somewhat appeased at such an -attractive offer. - -The conversation had done more than amuse Jack. It had made him -thoroughly curious, for he could not understand how Mr. Ryder could make -a searchlight out of a tin dishpan. He lost no time in tumbling out of -bed and dressing, and five minutes after the engineer had left the house -the youth was ready to follow him. Just as Jack entered the main room, -however, Tom Why came in at the back door. - -“Hello there, Tom, did Mr. Ryder confiscate your dishpans?” asked the -boy. - -“No him no dloo lat. Him just takee him dlish plans. Him get Tlom Why tlu -flines likee clums to Melexeclo,” said Tom with a grin. Then he added, -“Allee samee Jack want him dlinner now?” - -“Dinner?” exclaimed the boy, “why, what time is it? Well, by George, if -it isn’t three o’clock. I’ve slept nearly ten hours. How long has Mr. -Ryder been up?” - -“Him alle samee come from him room an’ slay, ‘Tom, glet my bleckflast!’ -Then him look at him clock him slay, ‘Gleat Clats, him one o’clock. Tom, -glet me my dlinner!’” Tom tried to imitate the engineer as he quoted Mr. -Ryder’s remarks and the result made Jack laugh heartily. - -In a surprisingly short time the Chinaman had the table spread and a -steaming hot meal before the young American. But the lad hurried every -mouthful (much to Tom’s displeasure), for he was eager to reach the plant -and witness the operation of converting tin dishpans into searchlights. -Also, he was curious to know what had transpired since dawn that morning. - -When Jack reached the little machine shop on the north side of the power -plant he found Mr. Ryder in the center of a pile of wire, pieces of iron -pipe, electric light bulbs and all sorts of odds and ends. The engineer -was busily engaged with one of Tom’s precious tin dishpans. - -“Oh! there you are, I thought you were due to sleep all day,” said the -engineer banteringly as Jack arrived. “You are just in time to witness -an attempt to build a genuine spotlight out of the cook’s most cherished -possession.” - -“I heard all about it when you were trying to persuade Tom to be generous -with his pans. What do you mean to do anyway?” said Jack. - -“Why, I intend to spring a little surprise on our wire-cutting friends -this evening if they should happen around, which I expect they will. I’m -going to put a cluster of electric bulbs in each of these tin dishpans, -and put them up on iron rods in position so that they will sweep the line -of barbed-wire defense. I’m going to keep them dark until the sentries -see the ‘shadows’ that visited us last night, then I’m going to switch -them on and have a firing party ready. Oh! the wire cutters will receive -an ideal reception, I’ll warrant. You see, fairly bright tin shaped in -this manner will magnify the light beam from three to five times and -that will throw a spotlight as far as necessary. Tin is an excellent -reflector for all ordinary purposes. With the ten thirty-two candlepower -lamps which I intend to use in each cluster, I will get a beam of light -1600 candlepower intensity. Of course that amounts to very little when -compared with the huge thirty-inch searchlight of ours that magnified a -light several hundred times. - -“These searchlights will be operated by remote control; that is, a wire -will be run from the lights to the roof of the power station where Phil -will be on duty as usual. The moment he gets a signal from the sentries -he will throw on a switch which will connect with both wires and the line -of fence will be lighted from either direction at once. The firing squad -will be just beyond the lower trenches and behind the lights, so that -they will not be blinded by the sudden glare. The bandits on the other -hand will be surprised and made temporarily blind by the sudden flash of -light and before they get away the riflemen will discourage any idea of -future wire cutting parties.” - -“It sounds like a first-rate scheme,” said Jack appreciatively. Then -suddenly remembering the prisoner of the night before he queried: “How is -our friend, the rurale? Have you seen him to-day?” - -“Yes, I’ve seen him,” said the engineer as he paused in his work of -fitting a group of lamp sockets inside the tin pan. “He’s a mighty meek -individual too just now. I guess his thoughts are on the trial he’s to -have to-morrow morning. The chief witnesses over-slept this morning or he -would probably have faced court-martial before this. It was a lucky thing -for him that we did oversleep too, for it gives him a few hours longer to -live at any rate.” - -“What does he have to say for himself?” asked the lad. - -“Well, in the first place, he’s the man whom Señor Yuai described. He did -live in the Indian village over the mountain, and he did cut his foot -by stepping on a _machette_. His name is Alfonso Perro. I asked him why -he was sneaking about the place last night and he said that he had made -arrangements with the peon who keeps the cottage for the lineman to get -some _pulque_ for the troopers. _Pulque_ is the Mexican drink, you know. -It is made from the sap of the century plant or _maquay_ plant and when -properly prepared is a very fiery and highly intoxicating drink. Don’t -ever touch it, my boy, for it has ruined the chance of more than one -American who acquired a taste for it. We do not allow it to be brought -into Necaxa at all, but the rurale says that every time the linemen’s -peon goes to the village he smuggles in several jugs of the stuff. Some -was smuggled in yesterday and the rurale said he was on his way to get it -and bring it back to the barracks when you captured him. Of course I have -had the peon arrested also. He too is in the guardhouse, but he swears -that he has never smuggled _pulque_ into Necaxa. - -“I accused Perro of having tampered with the machinery in the plant from -time to time and also of stealing my plans, and I must say he is a very -good actor, for he feigned surprise wonderfully well. But when I told him -how we set a trap for him and discovered that he had a scar on his foot -he looked even more surprised, and that surprise was genuine. I think -Captain Alvarez, of the rurales, is decidedly angry over the whole affair -and he is determined to have the prisoner face a firing squad as soon as -possible.” - -“Well, I can’t help feeling a little sorry for the man,” said Jack, who -felt rather unhappy when he realized how much he had helped in sending -the man to his end. - -“I feel sorry myself,” added Mr. Ryder, “and if he would only tell the -truth about the plans and give me some idea where they are I’d do my -utmost to save his life. However, the best that I could do would be -of little avail, I’m afraid, for Captain Alvarez takes charge of all -prisoners and the man’s fate is entirely in his hands.” - -The two searchlights were completed late that afternoon, but Mr. Ryder -did not make an attempt to erect them until after dark, for as he -explained to Jack, “Those bandits may have lookouts stationed on the -mountains, and to have them see our new lights would knock the little -surprise party into a cocked hat.” - -It required but a very little time to put the lamps in place, for the -engineer had fastened each tin pan to a section of iron pipe and this -was easily strapped to a tree at either end of the clearing in front of -the plant. The sentries were carefully coached that night before they -were sent to their post, and most of the men in the village as well as -the extra soldiers and rurales, gathered in the trenches to watch for -developments. - -But hours of waiting under such strained conditions was far from -comfortable and after a while the men grew restive. In twos and threes -they began to leave for their cottages, quite disappointed that nothing -spectacular had happened. Jack, who was in the first trench, began to -grow tired of the suspense too. Indeed, he was just on the point of going -back to the cottage himself, when suddenly a rifle shot rang out at one -end of the clearing. This was followed by another further up the line of -fence and instantly Phil Underwood, on the roof, jammed home the switch. - -The flood of light that swept along the barricade revealed almost a score -of bandits, with _machettes_ and big wire nippers. Some were discovered -in the very act of snipping strands of wire while others, thoroughly -frightened, were turning to flee, but they had scarcely moved two steps -before the roar of a dozen rifles burst forth. - -Jack saw two men toss up their hands and pitch forward in the grass. -Another staggered a few steps, then he too fell in a limp heap. Other -shots rang out, but the rebels got beyond the range of the improvised -searchlights and were lost in the dark before any others were brought -down. - -It all transpired so quickly that Jack could hardly believe his eyes. -He felt as if he had been looking at a motion picture of something that -had taken place in a far-off land. But he realized the horror of it all -when several soldiers crawled under the barbed wire fence and picked up -the three lifeless forms. Indeed, he was forced to turn away, for the -whole scene became very repulsive to him. The idea of trapping human -beings like rats and slaughtering them, was hideous. But the other men -laughed and joked over the occurrence exactly as if they had but recently -witnessed a performance at a theater. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -A WARNING - - -“Hi there, Jack, is that you?” called Mr. Ryder as the lad entered the -cottage. - -“Yes, but what on earth are you doing here with all the rumpus down at -the plant?” - -“Oh, I’ve been here for the last hour or more. To tell you the truth, my -boy, I did not have the heart to remain and see the outcome. I knew the -trap would work; in fact, I was afraid it would work too well. How many -men did they kill, Jack?” There was a note of anxiety in the engineer’s -voice as he asked the question. - -“Three,” replied the boy. - -“Well, thank heavens it wasn’t more,” said Mr. Ryder somewhat relieved. -“The riflemen would have had no compunction if the number had been -thirty-three, but I have. It seems wicked and inhuman to sacrifice three -lives in order to teach the beggars a lesson. It makes me very unhappy.” - -Jack was glad to find that Mr. Ryder took this attitude in the matter. -If the truth were known he had secretly felt a little bitter toward the -engineer for concocting such a diabolical trap. But when he saw how -unhappy it had made the man his bitterness turned to sympathy. - -“It does seem mighty hard to kill three men in order to teach the rest -of them a lesson, but I suppose it was absolutely necessary for our own -safety,” said the youth in an effort to relieve the engineer’s feelings. - -“You are quite right, my lad. It is hard, but it had to be done. -Sometimes, you know, the lesson is almost as disagreeable to the teacher -as it is to the pupil. I hope to goodness we’ll have no more of this -slaughter, but the way the rebels are acting I am very much afraid -that we will be in for a real battle before the trouble is settled. I -sincerely hope I’m wrong.” - -The engineer was sitting at the table in the center of the room, a mass -of blueprints, drawings and typewritten data spread out in front of him. -His shirt was open at the throat, for the evening was very warm and his -revolver and cartridge belt had been removed and tossed carelessly on the -table before him. - -“What are all the plans?” queried Jack as he sat down opposite the -engineer. - -“These are the original sketches and preliminary drawings from which I -worked out my lightning arrester,” replied Mr. Ryder. “It begins to look -as if the stolen papers weren’t going to turn up. Our rurale with the -scarred foot denies all knowledge of their whereabouts, which means that -he will never tell where they are, even if he does happen to know, for a -Mexican can be mighty stubborn when he feels disposed that way. Under the -circumstances, I fancy I’ll have to dig a new set of blueprints out of -these old plans. - -“And that isn’t going to be the easiest work in the world, let me tell -you. I have paid very little attention to the preliminary papers since -I worked out the final plans and the consequence is many of the more -important sketches and formulas have disappeared. I am mighty sorry that -I did not make duplicate drawings before I sent the plans to Drueryville. -The worst feature of the whole thing is the fact that I have not yet -applied for patent rights either in this country or the United States. -I could not take this step until I had secured Dr. Moorland’s formula, -you know, because that was one of the fundamental features of the new -appliance. In that case whoever has the plans can very easily apply for -patents in his own name and then all my work will have been for nothing. -Indeed, if I wanted to use my own invention after that I would probably -be forced to pay a royalty to some one else. That would be a fine -how-de-do, wouldn’t it?” - -Though the boy could be of very little assistance to the engineer, just -then, he remained at the table. Somehow, plans and blueprints had a -certain fascination for Jack, who hoped to become an engineer some day. -He spread one of the more simple charts before him and tried to work out -the details for himself. How long he had been absorbed in this task he -did not know, but suddenly, just outside the cottage, sounded a patter -of naked feet, then some one sprang upon the porch in front of the door, -shouting as he did so: - -“_Los Zapatistas! Los Zapatistas! Viene Ellos!_” - -“The rebels, they are coming! What can he mean!” shouted Mr. Ryder as he -leaped from his chair and reached for his revolver. The next instant the -door was pushed violently open and an Indian exhausted and with blood -dripping from an ugly wound in his shoulder, plunged into the room. - -“It is Miguel the Indian runner, and he’s wounded,” exclaimed Jack, -immediately recognizing the red man as the one whose dog he had saved -from the alligator several weeks before. - -Clutching the end of the table for support, the native began to talk very -rapidly, and as the engineer listened, his face took on a startled and -somewhat puzzled look. - -“He says that he has run ten miles to warn us that José Cerro and his -band are planning to attack us to-night!” explained Mr. Ryder when the -native finally ceased talking. “He says that they are on the way now -and that we must hurry and prepare to meet their attack or we will be -overwhelmed!” - -“How does he know this?” demanded Jack, thoroughly excited. - -“He carried mail to Los Angeles to-night,” said Mr. Ryder, “and while he -was lingering in the village a native told him that the famous bandit -José Cerro was there. The native pointed out the very house where José -Cerro was drinking _pulque_ with some of his lieutenants. He became -curious to see a man of such a villainous reputation and crept close to -the shack and peered into the window. He not only saw the villain but -he heard most of their conversation. He was startled, for he realized -that he was overhearing the plans for an attack on the power plant. He -heard José Cerro say, ‘The fence wires are all cut by now and the big -searchlight crippled. Everything is ready for the attack. Our men need -only to rush in, seize Señor Ryder and carry him off. Then I will collect -three thousand pesos from our benefactor before we start to join Zapata -and capture the railroad. Then if we play our part right we can hold -this great electrical engineer for a ransom from his friends in America -perhaps. If we can’t do that we can kill him at least, though I’d much -prefer to hold him and collect gringo gold for his release. How say you, -men?’ At this there were many cheers. - -“Miguel became less cautious for he wanted to hear more. The result was -that José Cerro saw him through the window and fired his revolver at him. -The bullet hit him in the shoulder. The town was in an uproar immediately -but the runner did not wait. As fast as he could he ran toward the power -plant, glad, he says, of an opportunity to be of service to the gringo -who saved his dog from the alligators.” - -The Indian had stood by the table during Mr. Ryder’s recital, his -face distorted with the pain of the wound in his shoulder, and as the -lad looked at him he realized just how much hardship the red man had -withstood to repay a debt of kindness. - -“We must prepare to meet the attack immediately,” said Jack calmly, “but -before I move a step I am going to bind up this poor fellow’s wound and -see that he is comfortable.” - -“Fine! Take care of him and I’ll go and spread the alarm. Hurry down to -the trenches when you’re through,” said Mr. Ryder as he seized a rifle -and rushed out the door. - -Although Jack could not talk to the Indian, he soon made the red man -understand by motions that he wanted to take care of the bullet wound. -The native smiled gratefully at this and sat down in Mr. Ryder’s chair -while the young American hastened out to Tom Why’s cook house. The lad -routed the worthy Chinaman out of bed and bade him heat some water -immediately. In the meantime, he found some clean linen with which to -make bandages. - -Tom Why was a willing assistant and in short order all blood stains -had been wiped from the runner’s chest and arm and the wound bathed. -Then Jack bound a bandage tightly about the injured shoulder and after -preparing a cup of steaming hot coffee, showed the native to one of -the bedrooms and insisted that he lay down and rest for a while. During -all this, the tawny yellow hound which had followed the Indian into the -cottage, kept close to his master’s side. The animal seemed to appreciate -everything that Jack and Tom did for the redman, for his tail wagged -furiously all the time. And when the runner lay down upon Jack’s bed the -hound curled himself up in the doorway as if to keep guard while Miguel -was sleeping. - -When the Indian was comfortable, the Vermonter buckled on his own -revolver, and slinging a heavy cartridge belt over his shoulder seized -one of the rifles in the corner and hurried out to the trenches. - -At the plant every one was in a state of excitement. The ugly-looking, -three-inch fieldpiece had been unjacketed and made ready for action. The -battery of French machine guns, those death-dealing instruments that -fired more than four hundred shots a minute, had all been mounted and -manned, and soldiers and workmen alike all fully armed, waited crouching -in the trenches. The two improvised searchlights were still burning and -by their light the whole scene looked weird and uncanny. - -Mr. Ryder was as active as the rest, directing the position of the -defenders and arranging other details. But in the midst of it all he -found time to call Jack aside and hold a brief conversation with him. - -“That Indian’s story has me thoroughly puzzled. If all he says is true, -and I have no reason to believe otherwise, some one is certainly plotting -for my downfall. Whom do you suppose José Cerro’s ‘benefactor’ is anyway? -This is the most mysterious situation I have ever been mixed up with -in my life. It certainly has me guessing. I wonder if—Look! Look! See -that flash over there! On the mountain! Listen! Hear the roar! It’s the -rebels! They’ve lugged their old fieldpiece up there again. They are -trying to drop shells down here! Ho, boys! Bill! Joe! Did you see that -flash! Throw a shell or two up there the next time they fire!” The last -was addressed to the men in charge of the three-inch gun. - -Again came the flash, then the far-off roar and Jack heard the shell go -humming high in the air above the plant and burst against the mountain -across the river. But this time the gun on the mountain was answered -by the one at the plant. The battery belched forth a cloud of fire and -smoke and a moment later Jack saw a flash of fire in the woods across the -valley where the shell exploded. The fieldpiece at the plant was of the -quick-firing variety and four shots were hurled up on to the mountain -before another one was sent toward the station. - -Twice shells burst within the inclosure about the plant, one carrying -away a section of the rurales’ barracks hall and setting fire to the -rest of it. The flames added to the excitement of the occasion but were -quickly extinguished by two men with a hose, held in readiness for that -very kind of emergency. Until just before daylight, the firing kept up, -then the gun on the mountain became strangely silent and the men at -Necaxa concluded that their shells had put it into disuse forever. But -when the first golden streak of morning showed above the mountain tops, -and the valley became light enough for the men to see any distance, -a new terror took the place of the gun on the mountain. From here and -there in the underbrush across the valley bottom came tiny jets of -smoke, and Jack for the first time in his life heard the ominous hum of -bullets fired with deadly earnestness. José Cerro’s sharpshooters seemed -everywhere and the flying pellets of lead and steel kicked up the dust in -all directions. For a long time the rifles in the trenches were silent, -for the men could locate no one to fire at. The fieldpiece, however, kept -shelling the forest but with little effect, for the gunners could not see -the enemy. - -Then suddenly two natives showed themselves on the edge of the wood. -Instantly, a volley rang out from the defenders and the French machine -guns began to rattle viciously. The battle was on! - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -“WHO WILL BE FOOD FOR THE VULTURES!” - - -Of the two men, one advanced. The other lay writhing in pain on the -ground, but his place was taken by twenty more, forty more, eighty more, -a hundred, two hundred. They emerged from every bush, from behind trees, -they arose from the long grass, they appeared as if by magic. On they -came, yelling, screaming; swarthy faces distorted, the lust of battle in -their eyes. - -“Here they come, boys! Steady! Keep cool and fight, _fight_, FIGHT!” -screamed Mr. Ryder to the men in the trenches. - -His instructions were answered by a mighty cheer; a war-cry that sent a -thrill down Jack Straw’s back. - -All thoughts of danger, all thoughts of everything but the fight, were -driven from the lad’s brain by that cheer. In his hands he gripped a -rifle. About his shoulders were two hundred rounds of ammunition. With -these he must fight, _fight_, FIGHT! - -He was surprised to find how calm and collected he felt as he crouched -there in the first trench, shoulder to shoulder with a rurale on one -side and Harvey Carroll on the other. Over his head whistled a thousand -screaming messengers of death. They plunged into the earthy embankment -in front of him and threw dirt and pebbles into his eyes and mouth. -They whistled past his cheeks and thumped against the wall of the power -station behind him. Yet for all he was calm, insanely calm, it seemed to -him. - -Carefully and methodically he slipped a shell from his cartridge belt -and held it between his teeth while he threw open the breech block of -his rifle. Without any apparent haste he slipped the brass thing home, -closed the breech and put the piece to his shoulder. Then with the utmost -deliberation he selected one of those ugly distorted faces for his target -and taking careful aim pulled the trigger. - -Thus did the boy load and fire, load and fire, a dozen times while the -screaming mob came on. All along the double line of trenches, workmen -and soldiers were doing the same as he. And behind him the battery of -French machine guns, two on the roof and the others against the wall of -the power station, spat vehemently four hundred times a minute. Yet with -all this stubborn defense the motley mob advanced. They rushed, shrieking -and screaming, across the valley bottom toward the barbed-wire barricade, -pausing only to reload and fire. They came on, on, on, sombreros and -jackets flapping, red lips parted and white teeth showing like a pack of -bloodthirsty wolves. Two men reached the barbed-wire fence, one began to -climb but he stopped at the second strand and his bullet-riddled body -hung on the fence for the rest of the battle. The other hacked away with -a _machette_, trying hard to sever the wires. Jack was surprised to see -how long he remained exposed to the grueling fire before he fell. - -Others reached the fence; one man clutched the top strand and vaulted -clear, but he did not stand on his feet when he landed. Another climbed -a post only to pitch backward, bowling over two men directly behind him. -But they came so thick and fast after that, that Jack could only see them -as a mass. They pressed against the barrier like cattle; they raged, they -cursed, they screamed, while the bullets from the machine guns mowed them -down like rye before a scythe. But the press was too great! The fence -came down with a crash and the way to the plant was cleared for them! - -A groan arose from the trenches when the men saw this, for the Necaxa -force was outnumbered five to one in spite of the havoc of the machine -guns. Jack’s spirit sank with the rest, for he realized that the end -was near unless they could stop the rush of that bloodthirsty mob. But -suddenly he heard a voice above the roar of battle and looking in the -direction from whence it came, he saw Mr. Ryder standing exposed on the -embankment of the first trench. - -“Boys, boys!” he shouted; “look overhead! The vultures! Shall they feed -on us or the greasers to-night?” Jack looked aloft, there in the blue -heavens were two huge birds circling slowly around over the battle -field. It was dramatic! It was hideous! Others looked, too, and the grim -specter had its effect. - -“The greasers! the greasers! let them be food for the vultures! Make -them carrion, fellows!” was the cry that went up from the trenches, and -some men in their anger stood bolt upright to load and fire. The rain of -bullets that swept down the grassy slope was annihilating. The oncoming -mob stopped! The rebels’ dogged rush was checked! For five minutes they -tried to hold their ground against the withering fire. Then suddenly they -broke and ran for cover. - -[Illustration: “They pressed against the barrier like cattle”] - -At this a shout of triumph went up from the trenches. The men all stood -upright then and pumped bullets after the scattered force of José Cerro. -Jack discarded his rifle entirely and drawing his revolver leapt to the -top of the breastworks and fired, round after round at the tattered -brigade that was hurrying across the valley, until the last of the -Mexicans was lost in the forest. Then he paused and as he wiped the -perspiration from his brow, he remarked to no one in particular: - -“By crackey, for excitement this beats all.” - -Harvey Carroll overheard him and smiled. “So it appeals to you, eh?” he -queried. - -“Appeals to me? No, not exactly, but nevertheless it’s exciting! How long -did it last? About fifteen minutes, I guess.” - -But Jack was disillusioned on this point when he looked at his watch. He -could hardly believe it but he had been in the midst of death for two -hours and had come through it all without a single scratch. This was -not true of others, however. From here and there in the trenches came -groans of anguish, telling plainly that more than one of the murderous -soft-nosed Mexican bullets had found its mark. Jack saw many motionless -forms too, and he knew that the power plant would be short handed for a -while. - -The lad did not have long to view the situation, however, for soon -he heard the voice of the engineer giving commands in English and -Spanish. These were to the effect that every man should get busy and -repair the broken-down barricade before the rebels rallied and began -another assault. Rifles were discarded immediately and axes and shovels -substituted. With these, soldiers and workmen alike began to reset the -broken-down posts and restring the wires. Jack and Mr. Ryder did their -part. They worked side by side with the rest, in spite of the fact that -they had been longer than twenty-four hours without sleep. - -Once Jack paused in his work and standing erect, viewed the valley. Dead -men lay everywhere. They were piled thick along the line of fence and -scattered broadcast from the bottom of the slope to the edge of the wood, -and though the bodies were not yet cold the vultures were feeding. The -scavengers of Mexico were already at work clearing the battle field. - -As soon as the fence was repaired and reinforced with hundreds of feet -of extra barbed wire which the workmen brought from the storehouse, -Mr. Ryder appointed a hospital squad and a burial squad from amongst -the infantry men. They were detailed to go across the valley gathering -up the dead and the wounded. When this was well under way the engineer -returned to the plant, to look after the hospital work there. Lyman, -Carroll and several other Americans who were not needed inside the plant -at that time, had gathered up the injured and taken them inside a big -well-lighted toolhouse. - -Mr. Ryder glanced about the room; he studied the faces of the wounded and -scrutinized the attendants closely. Finally, he turned to Jack and said: - -“Say, son, have you seen my assistant? Nedham, I mean. I haven’t seen him -since last night. I was looking for him in the trenches, but couldn’t -find him. Thought maybe he was wounded early and brought here.” - -Jack could not recall having seen Nedham. So Mr. Ryder called Lyman. - -“Hi, Lyman, come here.” - -Lyman made his way between the prostrated forms to his chief’s side. - -“Have you seen Nedham, lately?” queried the engineer. - -“Why—er—ah, why I think the last glimpse I caught of him was when the -three-inch fieldpiece opened up. He came through the operating room. -Said he was on his way to the roof to look after some machine guns up -there. Haven’t seen him since.” - -“Well,” said Mr. Ryder, “that’s a peculiar place for my assistant when I -need him alongside of me all the time. If you see him again tell him I -want him. He’ll find me here with the wounded.” - -Jack was surprised to find out how many had been injured in the battle. -There were more than a score of workmen and soldiers stretched out on the -toolhouse floor, and the few Americans available had all they could do -to care for the wants of the wounded. Jack noted that one of the busiest -of the attendants was the Indian runner whom he had left in his room -before the battle started. The red man was going about among the wounded -with a gourd of water in his right hand. His left was bandaged tightly -across his breast and entirely useless because of José Cerro’s bullet. -Jack learned later on that the messenger had entered the trenches at the -opening of the battle and all through the conflict had handled a huge -six shooter which he had found in Mr. Ryder’s cottage. - -The youth and the engineer turned to with the rest and tried to make -things more comfortable for the sufferers. They had not been at work -long, however, before Arthur Strong, the tall, light-haired day operator, -came rushing in. The moment he saw Mr. Ryder he began to shout: - -“The lines are down! The lines are down! Mexico City’s service is cut -off.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -THE WIRES ARE DOWN - - -The news was staggering! Mr. Ryder stood blinking at the man for fully -a minute before he could comprehend the situation. Then as he realized -that his one desire, to keep the current flowing uninterruptedly into -Mexico City, had been thwarted, his face grew very white and tense, but -instantly this expression changed to one of determination. - -“We’ll put these lines back again in the face of every obstacle,” he -thundered. Then, turning, he addressed the men in the room. - -“Boys, the lines are down! For the first time since I’ve been in charge -of Necaxa, Mexico City is without juice! I’m going to open the service -again! Who is going to help me!” - -“I am!” came the chorus and every man who could stand crowded about the -engineer and pleaded to be taken along. Even some of the wounded men -raised themselves on their elbows and begged to be permitted to help in -the crisis. - -Quietly and methodically Mr. Ryder went about picking out his assistants. -Two burly Mexican linemen were the first selected, then Harvey Carroll of -the maintenance department under whose jurisdiction came all the repair -work along the transmission line, and last of all a swarthy rurale, known -among the men as the best rider and best marksman of all the Necaxa troop. - -“You five will be enough. Carroll, you and the linemen get your -repair kits and have the _mozos_ saddle five horses. We’re to start -immediately.” Then as the men were turning to go, the engineer called -them together again. - -“Perhaps I should warn you boys of the dangers that face us. I have -an idea that this breaking down of the transmission lines is nothing -more or less than a trap. Where we find the trouble we will also find a -swarm of rebels ambushed. They may shoot us from the poles just as they -would shoot so many pheasants. In fact, the more I think of it the more -confident I am that they have pulled the wires down for the very purpose -of luring some of us out into the mountains so that they can square -accounts. Considering the situation in that light, do you all feel just -as enthusiastic about going?” - -“You bet we do,” came the hearty response and the five men hurried out to -get their equipment together. - -“Fine,” said Mr. Ryder, then turning and addressing the rest of the men -in the toolhouse he said: - -“It will be up to you fellows to guard the place from an attack until we -return. I know your number is small now and some of our best fighters -are out of commission, but just the same you must hold the place against -any further assault. I don’t expect you’ll have much trouble after the -way we treated José Cerro and his rebels this morning, but nevertheless -you can’t afford to have your eyes closed. Clear up the place and get -everything shipshape and ready for instant action. - -“And as for you,” he continued, turning to Jack Straw, “you’ve acquitted -yourself well to-day and I must compliment you. Now, to top off all -this, I want you to keep your eyes on the clock. It is exactly eleven -o’clock. If we are not back or you do not get word from us by three this -afternoon, arrange with Captain Alvarez, of the rurales, to have the -whole squad ride the transmission line in search of us. They may get -there in time to find our dead bodies, but anyway we can feel certain of -a decent burial, can’t we, my boy?” - -“You’re right you can, but I certainly hope that we’ll be able to locate -you before burial is necessary, if we have to look for you at all,” -replied Jack. - -A few moments later the four other members of the repair squad rode up -to the door of the improvised hospital, leading Mr. Ryder’s mount. The -engineer shook hands with all his friends and bade them good-by while his -assistants did likewise. Then when all were mounted and ready, word was -given and the five horses went racing across the enclosure, through the -gate and on to the trail that followed the line of transmission cables. -For half an hour they pushed ahead at a steady canter, keeping a careful -watch on the shrubbery and underbrush for signs of the enemy. They saw -any number of dead rebels. All along the trail were bodies of men who had -been wounded in the recent battle and who had followed their companions -until they dropped from sheer exhaustion. - -About four miles from Necaxa they located the break. The four large -cables were completely down, but fortunately the parallel telephone wire -was still in service. At first Mr. Ryder was at loss to know just how the -peons had done the work until he examined the cable and discovered bullet -marks. - -“I have it,” he exclaimed suddenly; “the greasers have pumped shot into -the cables and insulators until the lines simply couldn’t stay up. I -guess the telephone wire was too small for them to hit. I’m mighty glad -they are such poor shots. They have done very little damage for the -cables are not cut to amount to anything. All that is necessary is some -new porcelain insulators on the poles and a little patchwork on the lines -and we will be able to give Huerta his service in an hour. Come, boys, -up the poles there and get the insulators in place. Cut in on the ’phone -line and tell the station we’ll have the work done in an hour.” - -The men became active immediately, even the rurale taking a hand in the -work. From the four repair kits enough insulators were secured to equip -the pole. The two linemen were sent aloft to install these while Mr. -Ryder, Carroll and the rurale stayed on the ground to repair the lines. -They were all so thoroughly busy and so absorbed in their work that none -of them heard the soft patter of naked feet on the trail and in the -underbrush about the pole. Indeed, they were surprised almost to the -point of speechlessness when a wicked-faced little Mexican, revolver in -hand, stepped into full view before them and requested them in Spanish to -hold up their hands. - -Mr. Ryder and the rurale jumped up simultaneously and reached for their -guns but the ugly-looking Mexican merely smiled as he turned his revolver -to cover them completely. - -“Ah, Señor Ryder, I would not try to shoot if I were you, the woods are -full of rifles,” he said very politely in Spanish. And it was true. Mr. -Ryder could see a peon behind every bush and tree. - -“It is José Cerro,” hissed the rurale as he put his hands above his head. - -“Yes, it is I, José Cerro,” answered the Mexican calmly. Then turning to -the engineer he said, “I hoped to get some of you in this trap, but I -never expected to have the good fortune of capturing Señor Ryder, I am -sure. I am indeed honored to have you as my prisoner. I am also pleased -for other reasons, for your capture means three thousand pesos to me and -perhaps more, who knows.” - -“Three thousand pesos! Who will give you that amount?” demanded the -engineer. - -“Ah, señor, would it be loyal of me to reveal the name of my benefactor, -especially when he does not want his identity known?” asked Zapata’s -lieutenant suavely. Then he answered the question himself by saying, “No, -no, that would not be kind. I cannot tell you, Señor Ryder, but I can -tell you that you must come with me. You must hurry too, before your -rurales hear of this trap. For my force is far too small as it is, thanks -to the excellent fighting of you gringoes. Ho! men! come, take these -monkeys from their perch on the pole. We must away with our prisoners. -Come!” - -A horde of battle-scarred peons appeared immediately, and with -threatening speech and gestures managed to persuade the two Mexican -linemen to climb down from the pole. Each of the five prisoners -was commanded to mount his horse, then according to José Cerro’s -instructions, peons bound their feet together under the horses’ stomachs -and tied their hands behind their backs. This done the leader gave a -few brief commands and the band started to move, striking off at right -angle to the trail that followed the transmission line. They seemed to be -following an invisible path through the thicket that led into a narrow -ravine between the mountains in the direction of the broad valley where -Los Angeles was located. - -But they had hardly left the tiny clearing about the pole when the -figure of an Indian and a tawny hound crept out of the bushes. The redman -was clad only in canvas trousers that were rolled up to his knees, and -his left arm and shoulder was swathed in bandages. A moment he paused -while his black eyes searched the ground and the surrounding shrubbery. -Suddenly he caught sight of the narrow trail left by the cavalcade. - -“Ugh,” he grunted, “they have gone toward the sunrise. They have no -horses. We shall easily catch José Cerro.” He paused a moment longer to -examine the trail, then, standing erect, he mused: - -“I am right. Only so many horses as I have fingers, no more. Those are -Señor Ryder’s.” - -And he disappeared as silently as he came. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -TO THE RESCUE! - - -It was some time before Jack and the rest of the Americans were able to -make the wounded comfortable in the makeshift hospital. When the task was -accomplished, however, Phil Underwood and Lance Carpenter were put in -permanent charge of the toolhouse. Their first action was to bar everyone -else from entering the building and disturbing their patients. - -Since nothing remained for Jack to do but obey these orders, the lad soon -left the place and sought employment with the men who were engaged in -eliminating the evidences of the recent battle from the vicinity of the -power house. In the meantime, however, he kept careful track of the time -and constant watch for some message from Mr. Ryder and the repair crew. - -As a result of the industriousness of the regulars, the dead and wounded -were fast being removed from the valley. Those who still showed signs of -life were carried to the toolhouse to be cared for by Phil and Lance. The -dead men were carried into the forest to the west. This puzzled Jack for -he could not understand why graves were not dug in the open. Indeed, he -became so curious about the whole thing that he finally asked Lyman what -the regulars did with the bodies. - -“In Mexico,” explained Lyman, “they don’t bother to bury dead men after -a battle. They merely gather them all in one pile, saturate them with -kerosene and touch a match to them. You see, bodies must be removed -quickly in the Tropics or serious disease will be spread immediately. The -funeral pyre is the quickest and best method of avoiding this danger.” - -“Goodness, but that’s a gruesome way of caring for the dead. But then, I -suppose, it is best from a sanitary standpoint and it certainly is far -better than leaving the remains for the vultures.” - -“Si, señor, it es best zan ze vultures,” said some one in broken English, -and Jack and Lyman turned to find Captain Alvarez, of the rurales, -addressing them. “I hear your remarks what you say about dead mens and I -agree. Fire es best zan ze vultures. Oh; ze vultures zay are ah—what you -call—ah—higeous, eh!” - -“Indeed they are hideous. They are the most repulsive creatures I have -ever seen,” said Jack. - -“Ah, you are right, Señor Jack, but it is not of vulture I wish to see -you for. It is of my mans Alfonso Perro, the one wiz ze scar foot which -is in ze guardhouse now. We mus give him ze court-martial soon and ze -execution. Also his peon assistant must we shoot. Will you and Señor -Ryder be ready for ze court zis evening?” - -“I think so,” replied Jack. “I will be ready and I think Mr. Ryder will—” - -“Who is that,” interrupted Lyman, pointing across the clearing in the -direction of the trail that followed the transmission line. - -Jack beheld a swarthy, long-haired individual clad only in white trousers -running toward the power plant, a dog loping along at his heels. The -man’s stride was long and regular, like that of an experienced distance -runner, and the lad recognized him immediately as the Indian messenger. - -“Why, it’s the runner. I saw him here at the plant only an hour ago. I -wonder where he’s been? I’ll warrant he has word about Mr. Ryder.” - -Together Jack and Lyman hurried to greet the messenger who by this time -had crawled under the barbed-wire fence and was swinging up the slope. -But while he was still some distance away he began to call in Spanish. - -“What does he say?” queried Jack of Lyman, who had been listening -intently to catch every word. - -“Quick, call out the rurales!” replied Lyman; “he says that the repair -crew has been taken prisoners by José Cerro himself!” - -“But how does he know? How did he get the information?” demanded Jack. - -“Don’t know, he must have slipped out and followed Mr. Ryder and his men. -Hurry, we’ve no time to lose. He will guide us.” - -But Captain Alvarez had followed them down the slope and he needed no -persuading. He had understood everything the Indian said and even while -Lyman was urging him to hurry the officer drew a tiny silver whistle -from his pocket and blew three shrill blasts upon it. A moment later an -orderly appeared running toward the commander. - -Brief instructions were given and the soldier hurried back toward the -plant again. Five minutes later the clear notes of a bugle echoed and -re-echoed through the valley, calling the troopers to saddle. - -By the time the three arrived at the corral the rurales were ready. There -were other horsemen, too, eager to go to the rescue of Mr. Ryder, for the -news had been spread throughout Necaxa and all the Americans who could be -spared and who could find horses or mules to ride upon had gathered with -the troopers. - -_Mozos_ found mounts for Jack and Lyman and the Indian runner, and in -less than twenty minutes after Miguel appeared upon the trail the troop -was galloping out of the enclosure and along the path that followed the -transmission lines. Captain Alvarez, the Indian, Jack and Lyman were in -the lead and the rest of the band was strung out behind, their position -depending entirely upon the speed of their horses. And as they galloped -toward the break in the transmission line the wounded Indian explained -how he had left the toolhouse hospital and followed the repair crew at -a distance, hoping to be of assistance in case of trouble. But soon -he began to find traces of the presence of rebels along the trail. He -tried to reach Mr. Ryder and warn him of the ambush, but he said that -the woods in the vicinity of the pole on which the men were working were -so full of José Cerro’s men that he could not get through their lines -without running the risk of being shot. Quietly he waited until he could -be certain of the direction José Cerro and his men would lead their -prisoners. Then he returned to Necaxa as fast as he could run. - -[Illustration: “The horsemen in green swept down the valley”] - -Half an hour after the rurales left the plant they arrived at the point -where the transmission line was down. Here the Indian dismounted and -looked over the ground carefully. - -“They are many peons,” he said laconically to Captain Alvarez as he -remounted and started toward the trail that led into the ravine. In -single file the horsemen followed their guide, for nearly an hour before -they reached the end of the rocky pass, from the mouth of which they -could look down into the broad valley that held Los Angeles. Off in the -distance Jack saw a line of soldiers winding its way toward the little -community. - -“There, there, over there! Those are José Cerro’s men with their -prisoners!” exclaimed Captain Alvarez in Spanish. “Come! At them, men!” - -The call of the bugle trumpeting the charge sounded through the -valley. José Cerro and his men heard it and began to hurry forward at -double-quick time. But they soon saw that escape was impossible, for the -horsemen rushed down upon them swiftly. All that remained for the peons -to do was stand and fight. Hurriedly they formed a circle about their -prisoners and with guns pointing on every side prepared to repel the -rurales. - -The horsemen in green swept down from the ravine ’mid the thunder of -hoofs and the shouts of infuriated men! Indian fashion the squad split, a -wing skirting either side of the valley. On they came firing from their -saddles with carbine or revolver and menacing José Cerro’s men from every -side. But the little knot of peons were courageous. They loaded and fired -in lightning fashion and the rattle of their musketry sounded like a -battery of machine guns in action. They were making a last and desperate -stand and they fought doggedly! - -Round and round the little group of men swept the cavalry, making the -circle ever narrower. Jack rode with the rest of them, lying close to his -horse’s neck and firing his revolver. But in the heat of it all he never -took his eyes from the prisoners in the center of the circle of rebels. -There were Mr. Ryder and his assistants exposed to the fire of the men -from the plant. Jack expected to see one of them topple from his horse at -any moment, pierced by the bullets of their friends. - -But gradually the nerve of the fighting rebels began to go. Three of them -left their companions and tried to break through the line of horsemen. -Jack saw a rurale ride one of them down. The other two were shot before -they had gone a dozen yards. Two more tried to get through, only to -be trampled down by the flying horsemen. José Cerro and his men were -trapped. There was no way for them to get beyond the circle of horsemen. -Some threw down their arms and cried for mercy while others broke and -ran; ran as far as they could go before a bullet brought them to the -ground or a horse trampled them under foot. - -Then in the midst of it all, while Jack was still keeping a watchful eye -on Mr. Ryder, the lad saw the engineer suddenly jerked down from his -mount, and in his place on the horse’s back appeared a wicked-looking -little Mexican. The man set spurs to the horse immediately and tried to -ride through the crush of humans about him. He cursed and shouted for his -men to make way and those who did not move fast enough he beat over the -head with the butt of his revolver. - -“Look! look!” shrieked Jack; “their leader is getting away! José Cerro -is escaping!” Then rolling his spurs across his animal’s flanks he gave -chase. But others saw the escaping leader and more than one horseman -turned his mount down the valley after the fleeing rebel. - -It was a short race. José Cerro had hardly time to get his steed down to -its pace before Jack and two rurales reached his side. One man seized the -horse’s bridle and threw the animal back up on its haunches. With a curse -the Zapatista drew his revolver. But Jack happened fortunately to be on -the right side of the rebel. His revolver spat fire twice before the -Mexican could raise his arm. José Cerro shrieked with pain. The revolver -dropped from his helpless fingers and he reeled in the saddle. The other -rurale caught him as he was falling and steadied him on the prancing -horse. - -The fighting had ceased by this time for most of the peons, seeing -their leader in full flight, had surrendered. The Mexican linemen and -the Americans who were still tied to their horses had been liberated -immediately and the rurales were busy forming the remainder of the rebel -band in a double line and disarming them. - -Jack and Mr. Ryder greeted each other warmly when the former drove up, -escorting the wounded leader. - -“By George, boy, I’m mighty glad you got the rurales out when you did. It -began to look to us as if we were in for a rather disagreeable time with -José Cerro. José, you know, is a dangerous individual at best, and any -one who is unfortunate enough to become his prisoner is very liable to -suffer.” - -“Yes, I am glad I arrived before it was necessary to superintend your -‘decent burial,’ but the credit is not due me. Miguel, our Indian runner, -once more appeared in the nick of time. He saw you leaving for the -mountains and all unknown to us he trailed you. He saw you captured and -hurried back to the plant and spread the news. Where is he now?” - -“There he is yonder on his horse, looking like a bronze statue. I’m -going over and shake hands with him. He’s a brave boy,” said Mr. Ryder. - -To have the great gringo engineer shake hands with him and compliment -him pleased the Indian runner a great deal in spite of the fact that he -became very self-conscious when Mr. Ryder told him how brave he really -was. - -“I’m not brave,” he said in Spanish. “I merely repay a kindness. Also, I -am glad to see José Cerro captured. If he is not killed by the rurales I -myself will kill him for this.” The Indian pointed gravely to his wounded -shoulder as he spoke. - -But Mr. Ryder did not hear all that the Indian said for the grounded -transmission line was worrying him. He looked at his watch then hurried -off to where Carroll and several men from the plant were standing. - -“Come, we’ve still time to fix up that transmission line before -nightfall. Get the linemen together and we’ll start back through the -ravine. The Indian will lead us and if we hurry we will be able to put -things in condition so that Mexico City can have light to-night.” - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -“SHOOT! SHOOT!” - - -It was long after sunrise next morning when the cavalcade of horsemen -and their prisoners appeared at the station. Though the wires had been -restrung and service started at nightfall the previous evening, the -rescuers and rescued as well were too tired even to make the four-mile -ride back to the plant. They had all been without sleep for practically -forty-eight hours and even while the lines were being repaired many -of the rurales tossed themselves on the ground and promptly became -unconscious. The result was a night camp along the transmission line -trail with no guard except that maintained over the prisoners, and this -was hardly necessary for the rebels had been awake as long, if not -longer, than the men from the power house, and were equally as tired. - -Necaxa was not awake either when the rurales arrived. Aside from the few -regular soldiers who were doing sentry duty, no one seemed to be stirring -about the little town. The night men, who had been forced to stay awake -longer than the rest, had already left the station and crawled into bed -thoroughly weary. But the clatter of hoofs and the shouts of the soldiers -greeting the returning fighters awakened many of them and attracted the -attention of the men at work in the power station. Soon the community -was alive with curious soldiers and workmen, all eager to hear of the -adventures of Mr. Ryder and his repair crew. But when they saw the line -of prisoners and beheld José Cerro, helpless on a stretcher made of one -of the rurale’s blankets, they cheered lustily, for the capture of the -rebel leader meant that the country was rid of one of its most vicious -bandits. - -Arthur Strong, the day operator, was one of the first to greet the -engineer. The moment he heard the soldiers arrive he left the control -room in charge of his assistant and hurried downstairs. - -“By Jove, we were mighty pleased to get your telephone message last -night,” he said to Mr. Ryder. “We thought that Cerro had done away with -all of you. I am glad to see you again. You too, Jack, old boy.” Strong -shook hands with his superior as he spoke. “And, say, perhaps you don’t -think we’ve had one fine time around here since you left yesterday -afternoon,” he continued, to Mr. Ryder. “Things nearly went to the devil -until we locked that man Nedham up.” - -“Nedham,” exclaimed Mr. Ryder; “what’s he been doing?” - -“Doing?” exclaimed Long; “why the man’s been drunk on _pulque_! You know -what that stuff will do with you. I hadn’t seen him since the battle -until last night after the rurales cleared out. About eight o’clock he -came stumbling into the control room. His eyes were bulging out and his -face was red and ugly. I was on duty and I had about made up my mind to -stick through the night, since Lyman had gone with the rescuers. Nedham -came staggering in just when I was busiest. He said _he_ was going to -run the plant for the night. I could see that he was in no shape to run -anything nor to issue orders either, so I told him to get back home and -sleep it off. Then he got ugly. But I knew he was drunk so I did not -bother with him. Then he became insistent and noisy and when he tried to -punch me I had to call in two soldiers. They took him to the guardhouse. -He was in there all last night. This morning I let him out. I think he is -up at his cottage now, very much the worse for his spree.” - -“What a fine assistant I have!” said Mr. Ryder sarcastically. “Tell Lyman -to go and rout him out. I want to talk with him.” - -While the engineer and the operator were talking, Captain Alvarez and -his rurales arranged their prisoners in line along the south wall of the -power station. This scene had interested Jack far more than the recital -of Nedham’s drunken actions for it began to look to the lad as if a -wholesale slaughter was about to take place. - -“Heavens, I hope Captain Alvarez doesn’t intend to execute them all,” -said the youth to Mr. Ryder when the day operator ceased talking. “That -would be hideous. It would be brutal murder. You can’t countenance such -actions, Mr. Ryder?” - -“Indeed I can’t,” said the engineer, hurrying toward Captain Alvarez, -“and besides I want to have a word with Cerro before any execution takes -place. I think that man knows some things that will help clear up the -mystery that surrounds all our recent trouble.” - -To do justice to the Mexican commander it must be said that he had not -intended to have a wholesale execution. He explained this to Mr. Ryder -quite frankly and stated that he merely intended to make the rebel leader -face the firing squad while his followers looked on. He thought that -it would be a capital way of teaching a lesson. After the execution he -purposed sending the whole horde of prisoners to Mexico City, where they -would be turned over to General Rodriguez to be confined in the military -prison. - -“If it is all the same to you,” said Mr. Ryder, “I would like to have a -few words with Cerro before he is shot.” - -“Certain,” said the officer, “only et ez not so easy to mek him to talk, -he is ah what you call—ah—to handle hard you know.” - -The rebel leader was lying on the ground near the entrance to the -guardhouse. His wounds had been bound up the evening before by one of his -followers, but in spite of all efforts to ease him, it was quite evident -that the man was suffering a great deal. - -Mr. Ryder bent over the prostrate form and spoke in Spanish. “José Cerro, -you are going to die. You will soon face the firing squad. Tell me who -would give you three thousand pesos for my capture.” But in spite of his -pain the little black-haired Mexican smiled grimly and shook his head. - -“No,” he said. “I cannot tell, no, no.” - -Mr. Ryder was about to press his question again, however, when Lyman -appeared, leading a very white and very nervous-looking individual whom -Jack recognized as Nedham. - -“Here’s your assistant, Mr. Ryder; you said you wanted to see him,” said -Lyman. - -But before the engineer could speak Nedham caught sight of the man on the -ground. He shrank back in terror and gasped. - -“Oh, it’s José Cerro!” - -Mr. Ryder looked searchingly at his trembling assistant, for he could not -understand what made the man so frightened at seeing the wounded rebel -leader. He did not have long to speculate on the reason for such strange -actions, for Captain Alvarez came to speak to him. - -“You could no make José speak?” queried the officer. - -“No, he refused to answer my questions.” - -“Ah-ha, did I not tell you zay all are so like that.” Then turning to -José Cerro, he said in Spanish, “You are to die. Can you stand up to face -the firing squad or must we prop you against the wall?” - -“I shall die standing,” said the rebel proudly, “and you shall not -blindfold me either.” - -“All right, get up; we have not time to lose, two others are to be shot -after you. Perro, our traitorous rurale, and his peon companion die -to-day,” said Captain Alvarez brutally. - -“Carlos! Jesus! come, help your leader to rise; he must die standing,” -called José Cerro to two of the peon prisoners. - -The faithful followers left their places and raising the wounded man to -his feet, assisted him to the spot designated by the commander of the -firing squad. That his effort to walk was causing the rebel excruciating -pain was evident from the expression on his face. It took him some time -to limp across the space in front of the firing squad even with the help -of his men. - -While he was taking his place before the five executioners, a hush -fell over the scores of men that stood about. Every one was tense and -silent. José Cerro’s attendants shook hands with him solemnly and left -him standing there alone. Slowly the five riflemen brought their guns to -position and took aim. Then just as the officer was raising his sword to -give the firing signal, José Cerro spoke. - -“A moment,” he said in Spanish, “just a moment. I wish to speak—” - -“No! No! Shoot! Shoot! Don’t let him speak,” screamed a voice in English. - -It was Nedham, trembling and on the point of collapse. His face was -distorted with fear and he was forced to cling to Lyman to keep from -falling to the ground. - -“So, Señor Nedham, you turn against me now,” hissed the rebel leader. -“You would have me shot without speaking my last words. You thought me -a traitor who would tell your plot. That was not intended. But now I -will tell. Come, Señor Ryder, listen. It was Señor Nedham who plotted -against you. He it was who offered three thousand pesos for your capture, -I—I—was—.” The sentence was cut off abruptly for the wounded man, weak -with the exertion of standing, suddenly pitched forward on his face. - -The rebel leader’s two loyal followers hurried to his side to lift him -back up on his feet, but he was only semi-conscious and it was evident to -both that in a few moments more the firing squad would be cheated of its -work. - -In the meantime, Nedham, regaining some of his shattered nerve, tried to -bolt through the crowd but Jack and Lyman seized him and threw him to the -ground. - -“Hurry, Mr. Ryder, take off his left shoe,” cried Jack. “I have an idea -that this is the man who stole your drawings and tried to wreck the -plant.” - -The shoe and stocking were quickly removed and much to the engineer’s -amazement a deep scar was revealed running diagonally across Nedham’s -heel. - -“But—but—why I thought we had the man with the scarred heel under -arrest,” said Mr. Ryder thoroughly mystified. - -“Yes,” said Jack, “but it flashed upon me a moment ago that the rurale’s -scar was on his right heel, while the scar mark in the dust was on the -left foot. Don’t you remember? Here comes the rurale now, go look for -yourself.” - -Two men were leading Perro from the guardhouse toward the firing squad. -He was still barefooted for no one had been considerate enough of his -comfort to return his cavalry boots to him since his arrest. - -“Let me see your left heel,” said Mr. Ryder in Spanish, and obediently -the rurale raised his foot. - -“By George, there’s no scar there! Is it on the right foot? Let me see! -But it was not necessary for the rurale to raise his right foot for the -scar extended half way up the man’s ankle and was plainly visible from -the right side. - -“Well, this came near being a fatal mistake,” exclaimed the engineer. -Then to the rurale in Spanish he said, “I’m glad to know you’re not a -traitor anyway, my man.” - -And the Mexican grinned for he could see by the expression on Mr. Ryder’s -face that he was not to be executed. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -“YES, YES, I DID IT!” - - -Nedham’s _pulque_ drinking had completely shattered his nerves and the -effects of the liquor combined with the revelation of José Cerro had -well nigh made a physical wreck of the assistant engineer. Indeed, as he -stood in the center of the room in Mr. Ryder’s cottage, where he had been -brought by Lyman and Captain Alvarez, he swayed backward and forward, -and if Jack had not brought him a chair in all probability he would have -collapsed completely. - -He looked at his inquisitors with staring bloodshot eyes, and his fingers -worked nervously at the buttons on the front of his shirt. His condition -was pitiable and Jack and Mr. Ryder both felt sincerely sorry for him. - -“Nedham, where are those plans you stole from my desk! You are the -thief, aren’t you?” demanded Mr. Ryder. - -“Plans?” said Nedham, trying his best to feign ignorance. “What plans? -I—I—know—” - -“Stop,” roared the engineer, “don’t lie, we know you are the guilty man.” - -“I tell you—I—I—Oh, God, yes, yes, I did it! It’s true.” Nedham could -control his shattered nerves no longer. He broke down completely. “I -stole the plans! I stole them! They are under the mattress of my bed! -They’ve been haunting me ever since I took them! Curse the things! If I -had had the courage I’d have burned them long ago! I did the rest too! -I crippled the generators! I smashed the searchlight! I offered the -three thousand pesos for your capture! I did it all—all—and now, thank -goodness, I’ve confessed! It’s all over! The strain! The strain! It was -horrible! I had to get drunk—beastly drunk.” - -Thus he raved until he was almost completely exhausted, and his physical -self, unable to bear the strain any longer, caved in completely. His -head dropped forward on his chest and his hands fell helplessly over the -arms of the chair. He was unconscious for nearly a quarter of an hour -and it was only by administering violent restoratives that Jack and the -engineer managed to make the man himself once more. - -For some time the four sat staring at the helpless engineer. Finally Mr. -Ryder spoke. - -“Why did you do this deviltry, Nedham?” he asked with a trace of -disappointment in his voice. - -“I—I—well I was ambitious—and—I guess a little jealous of you too,” -said Nedham weakly. “You know you only beat me out by two points in the -competition for chief engineer and—well—I couldn’t help feeling bitter -toward you. I wanted your job, and I wanted it badly, and from the time -you appointed me your assistant I started to scheme ways of getting you -out.” - -“But what good would all your plant-wrecking have done? Why did you put -sand in the generators and disrupt the place in general?” queried the -engineer. - -“Well, first off I hoped to frighten you into resigning. I—I—thought -perhaps when you found you had traitors among the men at the plant you -might fear for your own safety and resign, but when I learned how angry -Huerta grew with each new occurrence and how often he called you on -the telephone and raised the devil with you I saw a new way of getting -your job. I concluded that if the trouble was kept up long enough the -President would dismiss you entirely as an incompetent manager and put -me in charge. The day they called you down to Mexico City and had you up -before the directors I felt mighty confident that you would not last long. - -“You brought this youngster back with you and from then on my plans -began to go wrong. I saw you two pass the office the first night Jack -was here. I followed you into the generating room and hid behind one of -the machines. I saw you sprinkle the cement dust and I knew you were -setting a trap. But as I watched it suddenly occurred to me that you were -unconsciously giving me a capital opportunity of throwing you off the -trail entirely. Thereafter I decided to work with my feet bared so that -you would think a peon was doing the damage. I forgot completely about -the scar on my heel until it was too late.” - -“But the plans; the drawings of the lightning arrester. How did you even -know of their existence? I kept my work on that appliance very secret -indeed,” interrupted Mr. Ryder. - -“Well, after I watched you set your trap I followed you back to the -cottage for I was curious to hear what you might have to say about the -situation. I saw the bundle of drawings drop from your shirt. Also I -saw where you put them. And although I did not have the slightest idea -what the plans were about I decided that so long as I had gone that far -I might just as well take a look at your private papers too. I thought -perhaps they were orders or instructions you had received from Huerta -that day. - -“I waited until you were both sound asleep, and slipped into the room -and opened your desk. It did not take me long to learn that the papers -were drawings of a lightning arrester of a type I had never seen before. -Then it occurred to me that the appliance was one of your own invention. -I looked for patent marks and could find none and on the impulse of the -moment I slipped the yellow envelope into my pocket and went back to the -plant. I figured that I had made a double coup, for if you were to build -that lightning arrester and install it here you would win the favor of -President Huerta and consequently my efforts would all be wasted. Also I -was dishonest enough to think that perhaps I could easily secure a patent -on the appliance in my own name when I finally got you out of the way.” - -“Nedham! I never would believe it of you,” said the engineer -reproachfully. - -“Don’t, don’t, please don’t reproach me, Heaven only knows where my -manhood has gone to,” cried Nedham in agony. - -“And do you mean to say that you deliberately brought on battle and -caused hundreds of lives to be sacrificed merely to get me out of my -position?” asked Mr. Ryder incredulously. - -“Yes, yes, I did. I offered José Cerro three thousand pesos to get you -out of the way. I did not want you killed. No, no, I was not as base as -that. I merely wanted you captured and kept a prisoner so long that when -you were finally released I would be safely intrenched here and in the -favor of the President to such an extent that you could never regain your -position. José Cerro thought an attack the only way to get you, and I -smashed the searchlight and did everything else to help him. Oh, it was -villainous work, I know. Heaven forgive me, I must have been mad.” - -The three Americans present were utterly amazed at the man’s treachery, -but Captain Alvarez did not understand fully, for his knowledge of -English was so meager that he could not follow the strange recital in -every detail. When the story was translated for his benefit, however, -his fiery temper became aroused to such a pitch that the three Americans -could hardly restrain him from rushing at the helpless assistant engineer -and beating him senseless with his fist. - -“The dog! The traitor!” roared the Mexican in Spanish. “_He_ should be -killed! _He_ should face the firing squad! Come, drag him out! We will -shoot him! We will shoot him!” - -“No! no!” shrieked Nedham, a look of horror coming into his ashen face. -“No! no! you cannot kill me! You cannot shoot me! I am an American -citizen!” - -“He is right,” said Mr. Ryder. “We cannot execute him without bringing -on international complications that would be distasteful to President -Huerta. No, we can’t shoot him, even though he does deserve it. But we -can expel him from the Republic of Mexico. Put him in the guardhouse, -Captain Alvarez, and this afternoon we will ship him to Mexico City with -the rest of our prisoners. We can turn him over to the authorities there -and request that he be sent out of the country immediately.” - -A look of relief spread over Nedham’s face when he heard Mr. Ryder’s -opinion. - -“Oh, never fear, I’m only too willing to be quit of this country. I can’t -see how any man can keep straight in this hole of iniquity.” - -“It was not a hole of iniquity until treacherous villains of your stamp -came into it,” retorted Mr. Ryder. Then turning to Captain Alvarez -he said, “Call in your trooper and have him taken to the guardhouse. -The train for Mexico City will be made up as soon as possible. In the -meantime you and Lyman stay here and sample one of Tom Why’s excellent -dinners. Things have gone so far to the devil lately that I haven’t had -time to enjoy a good dinner myself. After dinner I’ll accompany you to -Mexico City for I will have to make a report of this whole matter to our -directors. I guess the plant will be safe enough in the hands of my new -assistant, Mr. Lyman.” - -The night operator’s face beamed when he heard, thus abruptly, of his -promotion and he blushed like a schoolboy when Jack and Captain Alvarez -congratulated him. - -“I envy you,” said Jack Straw heartily, “for there’s nothing I’d like -more than to be connected with a huge generating station like this.” - -“Well, we’ve room for a boy here, and we could teach you a great deal -about the electrical industry. Why don’t you apply for a position,” said -Lyman meaningly, at the same time glancing in the direction of Mr. Ryder. - -“Oh, no,” said the lad from Vermont, “I’ve already been away from -Drueryville a month and I think it is about time I hurried back. In -fact, I’ve decided to go in on the train this afternoon with Mr. Ryder. -Some day after I have acquired a real training at ‘Sheff.’ or some other -engineering school I may visit Necaxa again. Who knows?” - -“Well, if we are still here you can be certain of a welcome, my boy,” -said Mr. Ryder heartily. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -GOOD-BY, NECAXA - - -The string of flat cars and the snorting steam engine were waiting when -Jack, Mr. Ryder, the new assistant engineer and Captain Alvarez arrived. -Indeed, the soldiers and rurales were already hurrying their prisoners -aboard. Wicked-looking regulars were stationed at each end of the cars -and there appeared to be small chance of any of the peons escaping from -the train during its journey toward the capital. - -In half an hour everything was ready. Jack found that a large group of -workmen had gathered to see him depart and he shook hands with each one -of them before he finally swung aboard the platform of the yellow caboose -and took his place beside Mr. Ryder and Captain Alvarez. Slowly the -little train gathered headway and with the cheers of the men ringing in -his ears Jack Straw said good-by to Necaxa. But the string of cars had -scarcely gone two hundred yards when a figure elbowed its way through the -crowd of workmen and soldiers and came swinging down the narrow track at -a rapid pace. His shoulder was bandaged about with white cloth and at -his heels followed a tawny, long-eared hound. It was Miguel, the Indian -runner, and his dog. - -After some effort the agile messenger overtook the train and jumped -aboard the steps of the caboose. Hastily he held out his hand toward -Jack and mumbled something in Spanish. The lad from Vermont was greatly -pleased that the redman was so eager to say farewell to him that he -risked jumping aboard the moving train, and he wrung the Indian’s hand -warmly. - -“What did he say?” asked Jack of Mr. Ryder when the messenger had swung -to the ground. - -“He said ‘I am still in debt to you for saving my dog. Many thanks, many -thanks,’” replied Mr. Ryder. - -“Well, it strikes me that he paid that debt off several times during the -last few days,” laughed Jack as he waved to the Indian who remained -standing in the center of the track watching the departing cars. - -The news of the battle and the treachery of Nedham at Necaxa reached the -capital over the long-distance telephone wire long before the train with -the prisoners arrived and when Jack and Mr. Ryder entered the American -Hotel after Nedham and the rest of the prisoners had been turned over to -the proper authorities, they found the evening papers crowded with the -news. Pictures of the prisoners that had been brought in, pen sketches of -the battle and photographs of the plant at Necaxa occupied the front page -of the dailies and scare headlines fairly shouted the details attending -the capture of José Cerro and his band. Fortunately one of the papers -printed an American as well as a Mexican edition and Jack was able to -read the full account of his own adventures. - -The capture of José Cerro was the subject of conversation in the -dining-room of the hotel that evening too, and many of Mr. Ryder’s -friends sought him out and congratulated him on the successful way in -which he had handled things at Necaxa through all the trouble. Indeed, -after a time the publicity that they were attracting became distasteful -to the two Americans and they made haste to finish their meal. - -But just as they were leaving the dining-room a tall sun tanned -individual rushed up and clapping Mr. Ryder on the shoulder fairly -shouted: - -“Why, Harry Ryder, you old fighting engineer, I am glad to see you alive -after such a mixup. And as I live here is my young friend, Jack Straw.” -Jack instantly recognized the man as Mr. Warner, the marine engineer whom -he had met on board the _Yucatan_ on his way south to Vera Cruz. The -lad was more than pleased to see Mr. Warner once more and shook hands -cordially. - -“Hello there, Jim Warner!” exclaimed Mr. Ryder; “what the dickens are you -doing down in this part of the world?” - -“Why, I’ve been tinkering with the old Lobo’s Island Light for nearly -a month. To tell you the truth, I’ve just finished the job and knowing -that you were within a few hundred miles of me I decided to run in to -see you. I was going out to Necaxa to-morrow and spend a week or two -with you, but unfortunately that can’t be done for I’ve just received -a telegram from Washington instructing me to go ahead with a mighty -big undertaking I’ve been figuring on. I’ll have to hustle back to the -coast immediately. And in view of the fact that you have been having -quite a fuss out there I’m rather glad my plans have been changed. I’m -not hankering to be drilled through by a soft-nosed bullet just now,” -concluded Mr. Warner with a smile. - -“Oh! you would soon get used to those little things,” said Jack -banteringly. - -“I suppose so,” replied the marine engineer. “You must have had rather an -adventurous month there.” - -“Indeed I did,” answered Jack. - -“Well, how would you like to have another month of thrills? If you feel -inclined that way, come along with me. If you don’t fight men you’ll -fight the elements. I am going to cruise the high seas for Uncle Sam.” - -“That sounds interesting,” said Jack, “but I am going north on the next -steamer from Vera Cruz.” - -“So am I, and we’ll get a chance to talk it over anyway,” said Mr. Warner. - - -VAIL-BALLOU CO., BINGHAMTON AND NEW YORK - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK STRAW IN MEXICO*** - - -******* This file should be named 60941-0.txt or 60941-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/0/9/4/60941 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you are not -located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this ebook.</p> -<p>Title: Jack Straw in Mexico</p> -<p> How the Engineers Defended the Great Hydro-Electric Plant</p> -<p>Author: Irving Crump</p> -<p>Release Date: December 16, 2019 [eBook #60941]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK STRAW IN MEXICO***</p> -<p> </p> -<h4>E-text prepared by the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> - (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> - from page images generously made available by<br /> - Internet Archive<br /> - (<a href="https://archive.org">https://archive.org</a>)</h4> -<p> </p> -<table class="pg" border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> - <tr> - <td valign="top"> - Note: - </td> - <td> - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - <a href="https://archive.org/details/jackstrawinmexic00crum"> - https://archive.org/details/jackstrawinmexic00crum</a> - </td> - </tr> -</table> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<p class="titlepage larger">JACK STRAW IN MEXICO</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="500" height="750" alt="" /> -</div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 475px;" id="illus1"> -<img src="images/illus1.jpg" width="475" height="700" alt="" /> -<p class="caption">“The door was pushed violently open”</p> -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p class="titlepage larger">JACK STRAW IN<br /> -MEXICO</p> - -<p class="titlepage">How the Engineers Defended<br /> -the Great Hydro-Electric Plant</p> - -<p class="titlepage"><span class="smaller">BY</span><br /> -IRVING CRUMP</p> - -<p class="titlepage"><span class="smaller">Illustrations by</span><br /> -LESLIE CRUMP</p> - -<p class="titlepage">NEW YORK<br /> -McBRIDE, NAST & COMPANY<br /> -1914</p> - -<p class="titlepage smaller">Copyright, 1914, by<br /> -<span class="smcap">McBride, Nast & Co.</span></p> - -<p class="titlepage smaller">Published September, 1914</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - -<table summary="Contents"> - <tr> - <td class="tdr smaller">CHAPTER</td> - <td></td> - <td class="tdpg smaller">PAGE</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">I</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Jack Straw’s Mission to Mexico</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">1</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">II</td> - <td><span class="smcap">“In Self Defense”</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">17</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">III</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Seasick</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">26</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">IV</td> - <td><span class="smcap">At Odds with Customs Inspectors</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">40</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">V</td> - <td><span class="smcap">In the Hands of the Secret Service</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">50</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">VI</td> - <td><span class="smcap">On Trial as a Spy</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">58</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">VII</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Off for Necaxa</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">67</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">VIII</td> - <td><span class="smcap">The Crippled Generators</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">79</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">IX</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Jack Proposes a Trap</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">88</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">X</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Footprints</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">100</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">XI</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Searching for the Man with the Scarred Heel</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">108</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">XII</td> - <td><span class="smcap">The Drawings are Stolen</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">119</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">XIII</td> - <td><span class="smcap">A Weakened Garrison</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">129</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">XIV</td> - <td><span class="smcap">The Night Watch</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">139</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">XV</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Improvised Searchlights</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">151</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">XVI</td> - <td><span class="smcap">A Warning</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">162</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">XVII</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Who will be Food for the Vultures</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">174</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">XVIII</td> - <td><span class="smcap">The Wires are Down</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">184</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">XIX</td> - <td><span class="smcap">To the Rescue</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">193</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">XX</td> - <td><span class="smcap">“Shoot! Shoot!”</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">205</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">XXI</td> - <td><span class="smcap">“Yes, Yes, I Did It”</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">216</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr">XXII</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Good-by Necaxa</span></td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">226</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<h2>THE ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> - -<table summary="List of illustrations"> - <tr> - <td>The door was pushed violently open</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus1"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdpg smaller">FACING PAGE</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>To Jack it all seemed like a horrible nightmare</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus2">58</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>They pressed against the barrier like cattle</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus3">178</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>The horsemen in green swept down the valley</td> - <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus4">198</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> - -<h1>JACK STRAW IN MEXICO</h1> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I<br /> -<span class="smaller">JACK STRAW’S MISSION TO MEXICO</span></h2> - -<p>Five members of the “D” club had gathered -in Jack Straw’s room on the top floor -of Phillip’s Hall the last Saturday afternoon -before the end of the Spring term. They had -not assembled in official conclave, indeed they -had not intended to assemble at all. They had -merely gravitated there one by one in search -of something to take their minds off the worst -disappointment they had been compelled to -face that year. The Drueryville-Seaton baseball -game, the one that was to have settled the -preparatory school championship of Vermont, -had been scheduled for that Saturday afternoon, -and, lo and behold, in spite of the importance -of the day, Jupiter Pluvius or whoever -it was that controlled the rain supply,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> -had made the game impossible by deluging -everything in sight since early morning. And -there was no chance of postponing the contest -either as school closed the following Friday. -The championship would have to remain undecided. -And this was just the year Drueryville -stood a better chance than ever of adding the -“prep” cup to her trophy case. It was enough -to make anyone glum.</p> - -<p>“They should have named this place Drearyville -instead of Drueryville,” muttered Toad -Fletcher, the stocky little catcher of the team, -as he looked across the deserted campus at the -dripping eves of Bradley Hall.</p> - -<p>John Monroe Strawbridge, who was known -to every boy in school as Jack Straw, shifted -his position on the window seat so that he -could take another look at the weather.</p> - -<p>“It is pretty gloomy on a day like this,” he -answered after searching the leaden sky for -some signs of a break in the low hanging -storm clouds.</p> - -<p>Jack and Toad were too dejected in spirit for -conversation and since Bunny Baily was deeply -engrossed in a book of fiction and Dick Cory<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> -and Harvey Maston were working out an absorbing -game of checkers silence reigned in the -room for some time. In fact a stranger passing -the door would never have suspected that -five perfectly normal, healthy boys were within. -But then the “D” club was composed of the -honor boys of Drueryville Academy and for -that reason if no other, they were bound to be -more dignified at times. You see the “D” club -was made up of the students who had won the -privilege of wearing a white and blue initial, -the insignia of the school, on their caps or -jersey; and in order to earn that distinction a -boy must needs work hard both in the class -room and on the athletic field. When a youth -successfully attained such laurels the crown -<em>was</em> apt to weigh heavily.</p> - -<p>How long the clicking of checkers would -have remained the only sound is hard to tell -had not Tommy Todd happened to see Jack -Straw curled up in the window seat. He -paused a moment before Phillip’s Hall and -waved his hand in friendly greeting. Then he -splashed across the muddy road and came up -the stairs three steps at a time. Like a small<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> -portion of the storm itself (for Tommy was by -no means a big boy) he burst into the room, -his yellow raincoat and rubber hat dripping -wet.</p> - -<p>“Say, don’t flood the place!” shouted Jack -as he noted two growing pools of water on the -rug.</p> - -<p>But Tommy only grinned as he removed his -wet garments and draped them over the back -of a chair so that they would drip on the -hearthstone.</p> - -<p>“Sort of hard luck to have a day like this -happen along just when it isn’t wanted,” he -suggested to no one in particular. Then without -waiting for a response he looked at Jack -and spoke.</p> - -<p>“Say old man, I can’t think what on earth -you’ve been up to recently, but there’s something -in the wind. Dr. Moorland wants to see -you as soon as possible. I just came from his -house and he asked me to look you up. I was -going on downtown first because the last place -on earth I ever expected to find you was in -your own room. What’s the trouble anyway? -You haven’t done something that will keep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> -you from getting through next week, have -you? It’s mighty close to the end of the term -and I hope you’ve been careful.”</p> - -<p>At this Cory and Maston suspended their -game for a moment and Bunny Baily put down -his book. All eyes were turned on Jack Straw. -And as for Jack, it must be confessed he looked -startled and somewhat worried. Hastily he -ran through his mental diary, but so far as he -could see no one entry stood out above the rest -as warranting reprimand from the principal.</p> - -<p>“I haven’t the slightest idea what he can -want of me,” he assured his guests as he -hastened into his bedroom and donned raincoat -and rubbers. A few moments later he -hurried out into the hall and down the broad -stairs toward the main entrance. As he -passed the mail rack in the hall he noticed a -letter waiting for him. Hastily he seized it -and crammed it into his pocket, noting as he -did so that the address was written in his -father’s hand.</p> - -<p>Dr. Theodore Moorland, the principal, lived -in a modest little cottage on the north side of -the campus. It was almost hidden in a grove<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> -of tall maples and, as if to make itself more -inconspicuous, it had permitted woodbine and -ivy to clothe its gray stone walls in a cloak -of soft green. A graveled road that wound -between fat old maples showed the way to the -front door, and it was up this much used path -that Jack Strawbridge hastened, his mind still -puzzled over the reason for such an unusual -command. The heavy old-fashioned door to -the cottage was equipped with a ponderous -brass knocker of quaint design which thumped -with such resonance as to spread consternation -in the soul of youngsters summoned -thither. Thus they were thoroughly disturbed -before they even faced the austere old master.</p> - -<p>Such was not the attitude of Jack Straw, -however. He had not been able to remember -a single reason why he should expect to face a -scolding from Dr. Moorland. Every examination -paper had come back with excellent -markings and his conduct for some time past -had been beyond reproach. He thumped the -old door knocker twice in his eagerness to find -out just what the master wanted. Perhaps it -was news from home, he thought, and he comforted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> -himself by the fact that nothing serious -had happened to his father, for the letter in his -coat pocket attested to the fact that he was -still well enough to write. But while he was -speculating thus the door was opened by Dr. -Moorland himself.</p> - -<p>The dignified pedagogue greeted the boy -with a broad smile and a hearty hand -shake.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t know but what you and some of the -rest of the boys had about grieved yourselves -to death over your ill luck at having the championship -game broken up by the weather,” he -said as he ushered Jack into his study in a -secluded wing of the house.</p> - -<p>“It is rather hard on us,” said Jack with a -smile. “Here we’ve been working since February -to get our team in shape for the trophy -contest and then a little thing like the weather -spoils it. Next year I think we will have to -arrange to have the championship game a little -earlier so there will be enough time to play it -in case of an emergency like this one.”</p> - -<p>“Never mind, Jack, my boy,” said the principal, -“I have a mission for you that is calculated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> -to take your mind off baseball and -similar troubles for some time to come.”</p> - -<p>The boy was plainly puzzled at this remark. -He looked curiously at the principal who was -striding the room nervously. Dr. Moorland -was a tall, broad shouldered man of sixty. -His hair was snow white and so long in back -that it curled down over his coat collar. A -pair of horn rimmed spectacles that were constantly -sliding forward on his nose made him -appear to be a testy individual, but in reality -he was a genial old gentleman who loved his -boys as much as if he was the father of every -one of them. The State of Vermont counted -him among the best of its educators and he was -famed throughout the country, indeed throughout -the world as a chemist.</p> - -<p>“Jack,” he said after a long silence, “how -would you like to go to Mexico?”</p> - -<p>“To Mexico!” gasped Jack.</p> - -<p>“Yes, to Mexico. It will be an opportunity -for you to see a wonderful country and also -to make enough money to pay your tuition at -Drueryville next year. Do you care to go?”</p> - -<p>“Why—why—Oh, I’d be delighted—but—well<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> -I’d have to get father’s consent first, you -know.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, Jack, you don’t suppose I would have -suggested the subject before consulting your -father about it, do you? I wrote him several -days ago and asked his permission to let you -go. I received word this morning that he was -perfectly willing to have you avail yourself of -the chance to see a little of the world providing -you cared to go. I wonder that he hasn’t -written to you about it.”</p> - -<p>“Why, perhaps the letter I have in my pocket -now is about that very thing,” said Jack, -searching in his pocket for the envelope.</p> - -<p>“Very likely,” said the principal, “but you -can read it after. Let me explain exactly what -I want you to do. When you have heard the -details you can decide better whether you want -to go.”</p> - -<p>Dr. Moorland had ceased pacing the room -and settled deep in his comfortable study chair. -With what seemed exasperating deliberateness -to Jack, he removed his huge glasses and polished -them thoroughly on his handkerchief before -he was ready to talk. Then just as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> -was about to begin he seemed to remember -something else of importance, for he began to -search drawer after drawer of his desk until -he finally brought to light a large yellow envelope -bulging with what appeared to be blueprints. -He tossed the package on the desk -before him and once again resumed his comfortable -attitude.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps you never heard of my nephew, -Harry Ryder. In fact, I am quite certain you -haven’t, for he has never visited Drueryville -since you’ve been at school. Harry Ryder is -the chief engineer of the enormous hydro-electric -power plant at Necaxa where light and -power is supplied for Mexico City, the capital, -one hundred and twenty-five miles away. He -was appointed to that important position by -President Madero a year ago, and he has done -his best to keep Mexico City lighted in spite of -all the trouble in that turbulent republic, and -the recent change to the Huerta régime.</p> - -<p>“Time and again rebels have tried to break -down the four transmission lines that carry -the current to the city but they have never yet -been successful and I judge from Harry’s letters<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> -that he never intends they shall. But besides -rebels, Harry has other important things -to contend with. Up there in the mountains -where the plant is located, thunderstorms are -quite frequent and lightning is the troublesome -element. Lightning is electricity in its -most dangerous form, because of its very high -voltage. Voltage, you know, is the pressure -which causes it to travel. One of our scientists -once tried to measure lightning and -found that its voltage mounted well into the -millions. This is tremendous force when you -consider that the current used in lighting -houses and stores is supplied at one hundred -and ten volts.</p> - -<p>“During thunderstorms the lightning plays -about the transmission lines, often causing a -great deal of trouble. If it should by any -chance get into the station it would raise havoc -with the generators and other machinery. To -prevent this, lightning arresters have been -constructed that will waylay the lightning, as -it were, and send it into the ground before it -reaches the vital machinery.”</p> - -<p>Here Dr. Moorland paused and began to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> -sketch rapidly on a piece of paper while Jack -looked on, still very much mystified.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> -<img src="images/sketch.jpg" width="500" height="420" alt="" /> -<p class="caption">Dr. Moorland’s Sketch</p> -</div> - -<p>“The usual transformer is arranged something -like this. First a choke coil is put in the -transmission line near the end. When the -lightning strikes this coil it piles up and is -forced back exactly like a flying wedge of -football players that suddenly tries to break -through an impregnable defense. The lightning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> -that is thus forced back rushes into line -‘A,’ which is the point of least resistance, -jumps the horn gap and plunges through the -arrester tank and into the ground. When the -excessive electricity has left the line and the -flow is normal, the current is checked at the -horn gap and arrested. This combination of -gap and arrester does not permit current to -flow into the ground during normal operation -and does not actually become active until lightning -gets into the line and there is danger of -the plant being wrecked by an overload of electricity.”</p> - -<p>“My, but that is interesting,” said Jack -Straw as he fingered the master’s sketch. Indeed, -he had been so carried away with the -description of that interesting piece of engineering -work that for the moment he had completely -forgotten about Mexico. But Dr. -Moorland revived his interest with his next -sentence.</p> - -<p>“And now for my reason for wanting you -to go to Mexico. The lightning arresters now -in use are not entirely satisfactory, and Harry -Ryder has been trying to build one on completely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> -new lines. Indeed, he has perfected -the contrivance, except for a neutral chemical -solution of a new nature for which he asked -me to construct a formula. He forwarded -his drawings for me to look over and now I -am ready to send them back. But a few -weeks ago, Harry communicated with me and -asked me to take particular care that the drawings -reach him safely. In fact, he suggested -that they be sent to him by messenger instead -of by the mails. You see, Mexico is in a state -of extended turmoil now with Villa, Carranza -and Zapata all carrying on campaigns against -Huerta, and under such conditions the mails -are not trustworthy. In fact, I understand -from Harry that three-quarters of the mail is -destroyed by revolutionary forces and that the -rest of it is left lying in almost any corner of -the republic until it can be distributed.</p> - -<p>“These drawings,”—Dr. Moorland fingered -the bulky yellow envelope as he spoke,—“are -far too valuable to trust to such mail service -and since Harry is willing to meet the expenses -of a messenger and at the same time pay -him for his services, I can see no reason why<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> -you should not be the one to take them safely -to Necaxa.”</p> - -<p>“Why, I’d be delighted with the undertaking, -if you think I can do it satisfactorily,” -said Jack.</p> - -<p>“And why can’t you do it satisfactorily?” -demanded the principal rather bruskly. “Any -boy whom the students of Drueryville honor -by electing captain of the football team for -two successive seasons certainly must have -some good qualities. You are strong and -healthy. You are not a coward and above all -you are reliable. These are qualifications that -I could not find in every man. Will you go, -Jack?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I will. When do I start?” asked the -boy enthusiastically, and from the expression -on his face it was evident that he was pleased -with the confidence the old master had in his -ability to carry out the mission.</p> - -<p>“A steamer sails from New York on Saturday -next. I would like to have you be on -board when it leaves the dock for I am more -than eager to have the drawings back to their -owner and the responsibility off my mind.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> -Then, too, I am afraid the hostilities in Mexico -might become more serious. You will have a -week to prepare for the journey, and since I -have looked up all your examination papers -and found them above the proper rating I will -excuse you from school for the last week of -the term and you can spend that time with -your father, for I know he has many things to -say to you. You can leave Drueryville on the -ten o’clock train to-morrow morning after you -have called here to receive final instructions -and the precious drawings. And now you -must hurry back to your room and pack. -Good afternoon and good luck to you.”</p> - -<p>It was a rather serious moment for Jack -when he shook hands with Dr. Moorland. He -realized that the old schoolmaster was putting -great trust in him. It was in truth a struggle -for him to hide his emotions as he bade the old -man good afternoon.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II<br /> -<span class="smaller">“IN SELF-DEFENSE OR A CAUSE THAT IS -HONORABLE”</span></h2> - -<p>Townsend Strawbridge, Jack’s -father, lived alone in what was left of -a once very large estate in the upper end of -the pleasant Champlain Valley. The old -dwelling was located on the outskirts of the -village of Middlebury less than fifty miles -from Drueryville, and it was toward this point -that Jack hurried as soon as he received the -precious yellow envelope and final instructions -from Dr. Moorland.</p> - -<p>Mr. Strawbridge had in his day suffered a -double misfortune through losing his wife and -his money almost at the same time. His story -was the same as that of many others in that -region of the country. He had discovered outcroppings -of another section of the rich marble -vein that runs from one end of the Champlain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> -Valley to the other and almost bisects -the State of Vermont. Lured on by the vast -fortune that certain other men were making -in marble quarrying, Mr. Strawbridge sought -to develop his own property. All the money -he had saved, as well as all that he could borrow -on mortgages, was invested in quarrying -machines, derricks and the like. With these -and a force of burly Canadian quarrymen he -went to work, opening quarry holes in what -had once been the farm’s pasture lot.</p> - -<p>But unfortunately he had not been able to -gather together money enough to more than to -tide him over the early part of the operation. -This consisted in removing the top soil and -breaking away the upper layers of worthless -stone, a condition he had not reckoned with. -The result was that when the channeling machines -were finally put to work to get out the -first blocks Mr. Strawbridge found himself unable -to finance the undertaking much longer. -He tried to borrow more money, but before -he could successfully negotiate a loan the -quarrymen called a general strike throughout -the State and the men at the Strawbridge<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> -quarries went out with the rest. The strike -affected the entire valley and every one was -pressed for money. Instead of making new -loans old accounts were called in, and since Mr. -Strawbridge had no way of meeting his debts, -the mortgages on his property were foreclosed. -However, he had steadfastly refused -to mortgage his house and the property on -which it stood. Nor would he jeopardize his -interest in the old pasture lot where the quarries -were located; consequently these sections -alone were saved to him.</p> - -<p>On top of all this trouble Jack’s mother died. -This was almost more than Mr. Strawbridge -could stand and for several years he was very -much depressed. But gradually he was mastering -his unhappiness. He was, in fact, -working on a plan to organize a company and -develop his marble quarries and this served -to keep his mind occupied enough to prevent -unpleasant memories from creeping in.</p> - -<p>Naturally his son was very dear to him. In -fact, he and Jack were more like chums than -father and son. In summer, during Jack’s -long vacation, they would go hunting and fishing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> -together and have a thoroughly good time -in general. In the fall and winter, when Jack -was at Drueryville, Mr. Strawbridge made -weekly visits to the old academy, just for the -pleasure of being able to chat with Jack and -his schoolboy companions.</p> - -<p>Considering this mutual affection it may -seem strange that his father was willing to -let Jack spend his vacation in Mexico, but -then, as Mr. Strawbridge said in his letter to -Jack sanctioning the trip, “It is an opportunity -that you cannot well miss, as it will give -you a chance to see a very wonderful country. -If you do not avail yourself of this chance -you may have to wait a long time before I can -afford to pay the expenses of such a journey. -Besides, you will be able to earn enough money -to pay your tuition next year which also counts -for a great deal because I am now using every -penny I have at my command to re-establish -my fortune.”</p> - -<p>When Jack reached home that Sunday afternoon -after leaving the academy, Mr. Strawbridge -was for putting by his plans for organizing -a quarry operating company and devoting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> -the entire week to his son. But Jack -would not hear to this, for he was thoroughly -interested in the work of reopening the -quarries. Mr. Strawbridge was well pleased -at this and explained all the intricacies of issuing -stock and organizing a company until the -boy had secured an excellent insight into business -of this nature. Many hours were spent -in wandering over the old pasture lot and -climbing in and out of the quarry holes. They -even visited other quarries that were being -successfully operated in the vicinity of Middlebury.</p> - -<p>But though they were employed in working -out the more serious problems of life they -did find time to go a-wandering beside babbling -trout brooks with their fly rods. Altogether -they crowded more enjoyment into that -one week than they really expected and Friday -morning came all too soon for both of -them. This, in spite of the fact that Jack was -looking forward to his voyage to Mexico with -as much enthusiasm as ever.</p> - -<p>After breakfast the last morning before his -departure Jack went over the contents of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> -valise to see that nothing important had been -overlooked. While he was thus engaged his -father asked him to step into the library for a -moment. When Jack entered the room Mr. -Strawbridge was seated at his desk and before -him lay a huge blue steel Colt revolver, a well-worn -leather holster and a cartridge belt -studded with brass ends of many cartridges. -Jack had often viewed this weapon in his -father’s room and occasionally he had been -allowed to fire it at a target when his father -was at hand.</p> - -<p>“My son,” said Mr. Strawbridge kindly as -he patted the heavy six-shooter, “you have -been greatly honored by your principal, Dr. -Moorland. He has asked you to undertake -a mission of importance. He has entrusted -you with valuable drawings, the loss of which -would mean the ruination perhaps of a man’s -most important contribution to the scientific -world. All this has pleased me a great deal -for I find satisfaction in knowing others besides -myself have faith in your ability to carry -out an undertaking. Do everything you can, -my boy, to have them retain this faith. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> -realized when I gave you permission to go to -Mexico that I was letting you take your life -in your own hands. This worried me a great -deal at first, but I would not for anything in -the world cheat you of the honor of making -that journey successfully. You will be traveling -most of the time among people to whom human -life is of little value. These people are -violent and warlike. They are uneducated -and untrained, and all the time that you are -in their country your life will be in danger. -For that reason I am going to give you this -revolver. Take it and use it only in self-defense -or in a cause that is honorable. If -others believe that you are to carry out an important -task I am ready to believe that you are -careful enough to know how to use a weapon -of this kind and not misuse it.”</p> - -<p>Jack’s heart beat fast as he took the heavy -holster and cartridge belt from the desk. He -always liked to feel it in his hands, and to examine -it closely. He had been accustomed to -firearms of all kinds, but this huge army revolver -fascinated him because of its massiveness.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Father,” he said finally, “I shall be as careful -with this as you have been, and you can -be certain that whatever use it is put to will -be honorable.”</p> - -<p>“Jack, I believe you,” said Mr. Strawbridge -heartily, as he grasped his son’s hand.</p> - -<p>The rest of the day Jack and his father devoted -to planning the details of his trip and at -four o’clock Mr. Strawbridge opened the -heavy door of his private safe and took the -yellow envelope from the compartment in -which it had been reposing since Jack’s arrival -from Drueryville. He also took a heavy -waterproof wallet from the safe and emptying -the papers contained therein gave it to -Jack with instructions always to keep the precious -drawings in it. The wallet, with drawings -inside, Jack placed in an inner pocket of -his coat, taking good care first to see that there -were no small holes that might become enlarged -by the weight of the package, thereby -providing a way for it to slip through. -Shortly after that the village bus drove to the -door and Jack and his father bundled inside.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> -Thus did our hero depart on the first stage of -what was to prove an unusual adventure.</p> - -<p>The express from Montreal that was to take -him to New York was in the station when he -arrived and Jack had but a very few minutes -to say a last good-by to his parent. In fact, -the train started as they were shaking hands -and Jack just had time to toss his bag to a -dusky Pullman porter and swing aboard.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III<br /> -<span class="smaller">SEASICK</span></h2> - -<p>Fortunately Dr. Moorland had arranged -all the details concerning Jack’s -sailing and had forwarded his steamship ticket -and stateroom reservation to him while he was -still in Middlebury, otherwise he never would -have made the Pringle Line pier before the -sailing hour. Somewhere south of Albany a -freight train had been wrecked during the -night and in consequence the entire line had -been tied up for three hours. The Montreal -express had merely crawled along for the -greater part of its journey and when Jack -awoke the next morning he found to his dismay -that it had many miles to go before it -reached the Grand Central depot. In fact, -when it finally pulled into the train shed the -young traveler had a little more than half an -hour in which to reach the Brooklyn dock.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> - -<p>Valise in hand he stood on the platform of -the first car when the long train rolled in. -And while the brakes were yet crunching -against the wheels he leapt down, to the imminent -peril of a colored porter whom he -nearly bowled over in his mad haste to reach -Forty-second Street. Down the long concourse -and through the waiting-room he hurried -until he finally gained the sidewalk. -There he hailed the first taxicab in sight. -Pausing only a moment to give the driver hasty -instructions, Jack plunged inside and immediately -was being whisked through New York -at top speed.</p> - -<p>But with all this hustle and bustle he came -very near to missing the boat. Indeed he was -among the last aboard. All but one gang-plank -had been hauled in and the few remaining -visitors were being hastened ashore by the -stewards when he finally gained the deck and -paused to catch his breath. She was a long -low white-hulled steamer that sailed under -the name of the <i>Yucatan</i> and her seaworthiness -was apparent even to Jack, who had never -before set foot on a ship’s deck.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> - -<p>The first thing that the boy from Drueryville -Academy did after locating his stateroom -was to see that the wallet with its precious -contents was secure in its proper place. -His mind at ease on this point, he immediately -returned to the deck, for he was eager to see -the sights of New York harbor. The <i>Yucatan</i> -was slipping past the lower end of Governor’s -Island and the entire skyline of Manhattan -was spread out before his admiring -gaze. But presently, as the ship passed -Tompkinsville, his attention was diverted to -three huge gray vessels with queer basket-like -masts that were anchored just off the Staten -Island shore. He recalled that a United -States Navy coaling station was located in -that vicinity and concluded that this was the -reason for the presence there of three of the -largest of Uncle Sam’s battleships.</p> - -<p>And as these vessels faded in the distance a -new delight was revealed to him. The <i>Yucatan</i> -was steaming down the Narrows toward -the lower bay and on either bank Jack beheld -the many innocent looking grass-grown terraces -of Fort Wadsworth and Fort Hamilton<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> -behind which the deadly disappearing guns of -the harbor defense are concealed. The mere -sight of these embankments with the Stars -and Stripes whipping in the breeze above them -made the young Vermonter thrill with patriotism, -and for the first time in his life he realized -fully how glad he was that Yankee blood -coursed through his veins. And as he stood -there almost spell-bound by this picture of silent -power, some one at his elbow spoke to -him.</p> - -<p>“They look almost impregnable,” said the -stranger, whereat Jack turned to find himself -addressed by a tall, good looking man whose -face was tanned to a ruddy brown, and whose -eyes sparkled with as much enthusiasm as his -own.</p> - -<p>“Indeed they do, and I am proud of them,” -our young friend replied with feeling.</p> - -<p>“So am I, son; so am I,” said the other with -equal fervor. “And every day I feel more -grateful to Providence for making an American -of me. You’ll appreciate it too after you -have traveled in foreign lands a little while.”</p> - -<p>Jack instinctively liked this man. He was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> -so heartily enthusiastic about America and -everything American that the boy could not -help but admire him. Indeed he found him -decidedly interesting as a companion and they -chatted away about everything in general until -the <i>Yucatan</i> reached Sandy Hook. Here -the stranger brought forth a pair of binoculars -and scrutinized the beach and the Atlantic -Highlands beyond until he located the object -of his search. Then he passed the glasses -to Jack, saying as he did so:</p> - -<p>“Here, look at the greatest lighthouses in -the world. See those two towers standing out -of the foliage over there on the hill. The reflection -of their lights can be seen seventy -miles out at sea.”</p> - -<p>After a search Jack found them. They appeared -like the towers of some medieval castle -connected by a long low brick structure.</p> - -<p>“Are those the Sandy Hook Lights?” he -queried.</p> - -<p>“No,” said his companion, “they are officially -known as the Navesink Lights. The -Sandy Hook Light is that old octagonal white -tower over yonder. That is one of the oldest,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> -if not the oldest, lighthouse in America. It -was built by the British Government in 1764 -and during the Revolutionary War the King’s -soldiers used it as a military prison. Not long -ago when they were making some improvements -in the foundation a dungeon was unearthed -in which were found several human -skeletons, evidently Colonial soldiers imprisoned -there and not liberated when the lighthouse -was abandoned. Now if you will turn -your glasses off to the right you will be able to -see the Sandy Hook Lightship. That little -cockleshell of a craft is there winter and summer -fighting every storm and fog that comes -up. She’s in competent hands, however, for -the captain is a master mariner.”</p> - -<p>Jack was exceedingly interested. He wondered -how his companion came to know so -much about lighthouses and lightships and several -times he was on the point of asking him. -This, however, was not necessary, for a few -moments later the information was furnished -quite voluntarily.</p> - -<p>“By the way,” said the stranger, after Jack -had finished scrutinizing the tossing lightship,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> -“I’ve neglected to introduce myself. My -name is Warner, James Warner, I am supposed -to be a marine engineer. You understand; -a builder of lighthouses, concrete dykes -and all that.”</p> - -<p>“And I am John Strawbridge of Drueryville -Academy, but since Strawbridge is a rather -large mouthful I suggest you call me Jack -Straw. It’s handier, you know.”</p> - -<p>“Jack Straw, eh? Well, that’s corking,” -said Mr. Warner heartily, clapping the boy on -the back. “Where are you bound for, Jack? -I’m on my way to Tampico. President -Huerta, of Mexico, has just given me a contract -to rebuild the foundation of the Lobo’s -Island Light. That is one of the most important -coast markings in Mexico.”</p> - -<p>“I’m bound for Necaxa, by way of Vera -Cruz and Mexico City,” said Jack, who had -already begun to feel like a seasoned traveler.</p> - -<p>“Necaxa,” exclaimed his companion; “why -that’s where the big hydro-electric power plant -is located. That’s where Mexico City gets its -light from. Harry Ryder, the engineer in -charge of the plant, is an old chum of mine.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> -In fact, we were classmates at Sheffield Scientific -School.”</p> - -<p>“Why, he’s the man I am expecting to visit -there,” said Jack, somewhat surprised at the -fact that Mr. Warner knew Dr. Moorland’s -nephew. He refrained, however, from telling -his companion the reason for his journey.</p> - -<p>“Well, that’s mighty interesting,” replied -the marine engineer. “I haven’t seen Harry -Ryder in more than two years, though I’ve -kept in touch with him. He’s a very capable -fellow, and he deserves the honor of being in -charge of the largest electric station in Mexico. -He won the office, you know, about -a year or so ago. President Madero held -competitive examinations in Mexico City. -Harry carried off the highest honors. But -from what he told me he was rather hard -pressed by several other good electrical -engineers, both Americans and Mexicans. I -guess he expected to lose his position when -Huerta won the revolution and deposed -Madero. But the new president reappointed -him.”</p> - -<p>Jack was greatly pleased to learn that Dr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> -Moorland’s relative was so well liked by his -former classmate. It served to increase his -interest in the man whose plans he was carrying -and he concluded that his visit to Mexico -was destined to be very pleasant with Mr. -Ryder as his host. He became silent after -that, for his thoughts were far away, anticipating -his sojourn in the land that Cortez conquered. -The voice of Mr. Warner interrupted -this pleasant mental occupation.</p> - -<p>“Look over there on the horizon. That’s -a storm cloud. I rather think it’s fixing for a -blow. Do you ever get seasick?” he queried.</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ve never had an opportunity to find -out,” said Jack, “for you see this is my first -experience on salt water.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you’ll know within an hour. It’s -freshening up now and before long the boat -will be pitching around like a Mexican burro, -a beast you are destined to become acquainted -with before you have traveled in Mexico very -long.”</p> - -<p>Jack smiled at Mr. Warner’s simile, but it -was not long before he noticed that the long<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> -rolling swells had changed to white crested -waves that pounded against the steel sides of -the <i>Yucatan</i> with a hiss and a shower of salt -spray. The pitching of the ship had increased, -too, by the time he and Mr. Warner -went below for luncheon. Indeed, he found -it rather hard to follow his companion across -the dining saloon without seeming to stagger. -At the same time he began to feel very peculiarly. -It was as if he had been swinging -around and around so violently that he had -finally become very dizzy. He tried his best -to hide his feelings from Mr. Warner, hoping -that he would be a little better after he had -eaten. But his companion looked at him -sharply as he took his seat at the table and -Jack was certain that he saw the semblance of -a smile about the corners of his mouth. This -nettled the boy and he determined that he -would master the peculiar feeling immediately. -About that time, however, the waiter placed a -plate of hot soup before him. Jack looked -at it once and all his self-control vanished. -Somehow the sight of food made him extremely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> -ill and without even the formality of -excusing himself he pushed back his chair and -bolted for his stateroom.</p> - -<p>Life hardly seemed worth living to Jack -Straw during the next three days for he was -so ill that he could not stir out of his stateroom. -The <i>Yucatan</i> pitched and rolled as if she was -being tossed about for a plaything by some -very inconsiderate giant, and it frequently -seemed to the boy that the steel hull was on -the point of foundering under the heavy seas -that broke against it. Nor did Jack care particularly -whether it did or not.</p> - -<p>Several times he made an attempt to leave -his stateroom, believing that he would feel -very much better if he could only reach deck. -But each time he left his berth he became so -nauseated that he was glad to climb back -again. Mr. Warner made three efforts to -visit him but Jack had bolted the door against -all intruders, including a solicitous steward -who tried to persuade him to drink a cup of -tea and eat some hot toast.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the fourth day out, however, -he awoke to find himself much relieved.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> -To be sure he was very weak, but the sea had -gone down and walking was not the effort it -had been before. He found himself able to -eat a light breakfast and later he managed to -reach his steamer chair into which he sank -with a sigh of relief. He was not the only -passenger convalescing. Indeed all the occupants -of the steamer chairs were pale and weak -appearing and Jack found a great deal of satisfaction -in knowing that others had been affected -by the storm.</p> - -<p>The <i>Yucatan</i> was plowing her way through -the dark blue water of the Gulf, riding the long -lazy swells with graceful ease, and to Jack, -who had never before been out of sight of -land, the vast stretch of water was awe-inspiring. -The vessel seemed small and insignificant -out there all alone and he wondered how Columbus -and other early adventurers had ever -found courage enough to sail for weeks over -untraveled seas knowing so little of their -destination. In fact, how mariners could -navigate a vessel even with present-day charts -and equipment seemed a mystery to the boy -from Vermont.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> - -<p>Late that afternoon while Jack was trying -to get interested in a book that he had brought -from his stateroom, Mr. Warner appeared on -deck. “By George,” he exclaimed as he -caught sight of Jack, “you’re not the boy with -whom I was talking a day or so ago! Why, -you look as pale as a ghost. You must have -had a rather disagreeable few days. Well, we -did run through something of a blow and I -guess you weren’t the only one who was seasick. -To tell the truth, I felt a little squeamish -myself for a time.”</p> - -<p>“I think it was about the most unpleasant -sensation I ever had,” said Jack.</p> - -<p>“You are right,” said Mr. Warner; “but -most of us have to experience it sometime. -Well, you are headed straight for your destination -now. I expect we will reach Tampico by -late to-morrow night or the following morning, -and after that it is only a day to Vera -Cruz. I am rather glad I came across you -here, for I’ve a lot of figuring to do on some -specifications I brought with me and I may -not have an opportunity to see you again before -I land. I’ll say good-by to you now and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> -let me wish you the very best of luck in Mexico. -Be sure and remember me to Harry Ryder -when you see him and tell him also that I may -find an opportunity to visit him if I am in -Mexico long enough.”</p> - -<p>Jack shook his hand warmly, for he had -come to like the marine engineer a great deal.</p> - -<p>“I am sure we shall see each other again -some day,” he said as they parted company.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV<br /> -<span class="smaller">AT ODDS WITH CUSTOMS INSPECTORS</span></h2> - -<p>Though it was hardly daylight Jack -was up and dressed and on deck when -the Mexican pilot came aboard to take the -<i>Yucatan</i> into Vera Cruz. A filmy blue mist -was rising from the broad surface of the harbor, -making the white walled seaport seem -like a dream city. Dawn, like twilight, in the -Tropics is of brief duration, and the boy from -New England scarcely had time to mark the -fleeting changes of color along the eastern -horizon before the sun came up, dispelling at -once the lingering night mist. And with the -coming of day the city and the harbor became -alive. Tiny sail boats put out and from -wharves and jetties here and there puffing -tugs made their appearance.</p> - -<p>Jack Straw watched the scene with eager<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> -interest. It was all so new and so very unlike -what he had expected that he became -thoroughly fascinated. Off to the right he -beheld the frowning walls of the old fortress -and military prison of San Juan de Ulloa. -He recalled stories he had heard of its dungeons -where numberless horrible executions -had taken place, and he wondered how many -enemies of Huerta lingered there at the present -time. From this grim building he turned -his attention to the city. The spires of the -cathedral showed high above the housetops, -and as Jack caught sight of them there arose -the most confused jargon of metallic sound -that he had ever heard. It was as if a regiment -of blacksmiths were beating on cracked -anvils. He did not learn until he landed that -these sounds emanated from the belfry of the -cathedral and were caused by a group of bell -ringers bent on calling the population to early -mass.</p> - -<p>In due time, after port inspectors, quarantine -officers, and a host of other uniformed individuals -had climbed aboard and inspected -every one and everything in sight, the <i>Yucatan</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> -was permitted to make her way slowly to -the Pringle Line wharf.</p> - -<p>Jack, valise in hand, was among the first -down the gang-plank, but he had hardly put -foot on the dock before he was accosted by another -uniformed attendant who spoke very -poor English. The boy managed after a great -deal of effort to understand that he was one of -the customs inspectors and that he was about -to make an examination of the contents of the -valise. Jack willingly unlocked the leather -bag and permitted the swarthy searcher to -tumble its contents about until he became convinced -that the youth had nothing on which -he could collect duty. But he did not seem -satisfied. He looked at Jack from head to -heels, noting particularly each one of his -pockets. Then suddenly he pointed to where -the leather wallet and drawing made the boy’s -coat bulge slightly.</p> - -<p>“What—ah—have. Ah—you—ah—er—” -he puzzled his brain to know how to finish the -sentence in English. But finally becoming exasperated -he tapped Jack’s coat violently with -his fingers.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> - -<p>“<i lang="es">Aqui! Aqui! Aqui!</i>” (here! here! here!) -he demanded. Jack did not understand the -Spanish, but he knew that the leather wallet interested -the inspector. He hesitated to produce -it at first and tried to satisfy the dark-visaged -little man by telling him that it was -only a wallet. But the Mexican would not be -contented and in the end the boy had to reveal -to him the contents of the yellow leather case. -At the sight of the blue prints and sketches the -native became thoroughly aroused. He tried -to ask questions in English but became so -very confused that he resorted to his native -tongue and talked a perfect stream of Spanish. -And of course Jack was unable to understand -a word of it.</p> - -<p>Then the Mexican beckoned the young -American to follow him, pointing at the same -time to a long low stone building near by which -Jack concluded was the custom house. Together -they hurried across the street, the inspector -chattering so hard that Jack’s protests -were lost completely.</p> - -<p>The man led the way through several -rather poorly kept offices to the far end of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> -building, where they entered what was evidently -the room of the Chief Inspector of the -port. An elderly and very dignified old gentleman -was the sole occupant. He was seated -at a desk in the far corner, but at their coming -he arose and advanced to meet them. -Immediately the little inspector became -thoroughly animated. He opened the wallet -(upon which he had kept a firm grip since -Jack gave it to him) and spread the drawings -on the table before his superior, talking very -fast all the while. Together the two Mexicans -examined each sketch, then finally the old -man turned and spoke to Jack.</p> - -<p>“Do you converse Mexican?” he queried -and Jack shook his head.</p> - -<p>The Chief Inspector clapped his hands -twice, whereat a servant appeared, to disappear -immediately upon receiving a few abrupt -instructions. Shortly after the servant entered -again followed by a light-haired youth of -about Jack’s own age, and undoubtedly an -American. The boy from Vermont was decidedly -pleased, but before he could speak the -Chief Inspector addressed the newcomer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> -pointing to the drawings and the wallet at the -conclusion of his remarks.</p> - -<p>“He wants to know what these drawings -are,” said the interpreter; “he thinks that you -are a spy in the employ of the revolutionists -and that these papers are very important.”</p> - -<p>“Please tell him,” said Jack with a smile, -“that the drawings are valuable only to one -person and he is the man who is making the -electricity which lights President Huerta’s -palace and the streets of Mexico City.”</p> - -<p>There was a decided change in the attitude -of both officials when this was translated for -them. The Chief Inspector bowed and smiled -most apologetically.</p> - -<p>“So, Señor Ryder. He is your friend?” he -said; “he is a—” but he could get no further -with his English, so he addressed the rest to -the interpreter who imparted it to Jack.</p> - -<p>“He says that Mr. Ryder is a very wonderful -man and that if you are his friend he is -sorry that he detained you. You are free to -go now,” said the American, and Jack, after -thanking the dignified old Mexican, tucked the -wallet into his pocket and left the office. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> -the corridor of the building he was overtaken -by the interpreter, who paused a moment to -speak.</p> - -<p>“My name is Dave Anson,” he said, “and -if I can help you any, while you are in Vera -Cruz, just let me know. I always like to help -out a fellow countryman.”</p> - -<p>“You have done a great deal for me already,” -said Jack, “for if it had not been for -you I am afraid I would have found myself in -a mighty unhappy position. I certainly am -obliged to you.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, don’t mention it,” said Anson, then in -an undertone he added, “Don’t let the old chap -deceive you. I could see he was rather skeptical -about what you said, but he is afraid to detain -you any longer for fear you might have a -little more pull than he has, so he let you go. -Don’t worry; you’ll be shadowed every minute -that you are in Vera Cruz, so mind your actions. -Well, so long and good luck to you.” -The two boys shook hands warmly and parted.</p> - -<p>Jack gave little thought to his recent experience -after he left the custom house, for he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> -a great deal to attend to. First of all he must -find a banking house where he could get his -American money exchanged for Mexican currency. -Dr. Moorland had given him the address -of one of the few honest banking firms -in Vera Cruz, and after a long search he located -the place. He was very much surprised -to find that for every one of his American dollars -he received two Mexican dollars in exchange. -Indeed, his capital was doubled and -when he left the bank his trousers’ pockets and -wallet were weighted down with huge silver -coins. Jack’s next object was to find the railroad -terminal, and since an English speaking -clerk had given him explicit directions as to -its location he experienced little or no difficulty -in finding the long low building with its -dirty trainshed.</p> - -<p>A great many of the railroad men in Mexico -above the grade of brakemen are Americans -and the young traveler had very little trouble -at the station. He learned, however, that he -had two hours to wait before the next train to -the capital would be made up, and after buying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> -his ticket and making Pullman reservations -he checked his valise and started on a trip -about the city.</p> - -<p>Through hot unshaded streets he wandered, -peering into the curious little shops and watching -with interest the swarthy people. Finally -he reached the broad plaza with its imposing -cathedral, bandstand and line upon line of park -benches. Here he sat down to rest and watch -a score of dirty, half-clad children playing on -the sidewalk. They were apparently taking -part in a game and Jack tried very hard to understand -the details of it. Indeed he became -so interested that he did not realize some one -had taken the seat beside him until he felt a -hand upon his arm.</p> - -<p>“<i lang="es">Un centavo, Señor, un centavo</i>,” pleaded a -whining voice, and Jack found himself accosted -by a very ugly and dirty-looking Mexican -with a monstrous hat. Though the lad -did not understand his language he had little -difficulty in guessing that the man was begging -for money. Eager to be quit of such an uncouth -companion he took several small coins -from his coat pocket and dropped them into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> -the beggar’s outstretched palm. But as he -did so he looked up to find a man on a bench -not far distant watching him closely.</p> - -<p>He was rather well dressed when compared -to others Jack had noticed about the city, wearing -an unusually large sombrero of much better -texture than that of the beggar’s. The -brim and band about the crown was embellished -with Indian beadwork which made it -very picturesque. On being observed this man -lowered his eyes and began to roll a black paper -cigarette, nor did he look up again until Jack -left the bench and started across the plaza. -However, he watched the lad’s movements -from the corner of his eye until the Vermonter -turned toward the street that led to the railroad -terminal. Then he arose and followed at -a distance.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V<br /> -<span class="smaller">IN THE HANDS OF THE SECRET SERVICE</span></h2> - -<p>Although the train for Mexico City -was due to leave Vera Cruz promptly -on the hour, it was forty minutes late when -it started to get underway. This slight disregard -for schedule did not surprise Jack, -however, for already he had discovered this -natural failing of all Mexicans. The Pullman -coach in which he had secured accommodations -was fortunately one of a number of -American-built cars that had been taken over -the Rio Grande and into Mexico from time to -time during the extension of the national railroad -system, and in consequence the young -traveler did not suffer much from lack of comfort. -Before he had traveled very long Jack -realized that he had embarked upon the most -interesting portion of his journey to the power -plant. The train sped along through the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> -wonderful country that he had ever seen. -Now he was racing through deep ravines with -perpendicular walls of rock rising so high that -daylight was almost shut out and perpetual -twilight reigned. From this he was whisked -into broad valleys with mountain ranges towering -on either side. And often the tracks led -high up on the sides of one of these mountains, -revealing a broad panorama of tropical country, -with Popocatepetl, the monstrous volcano, -in the distance.</p> - -<p>Now and then Indian villages were passed -and Jack caught fleeting glimpses of a group -of thatched huts and adobes and crowds of -naked children and half-clad men and women -who stared stolidly at the train as it shot by. -Occasionally a stop was made at some large -town and picturesque groups of Mexicans -gathered at the station to stare in wonderment -at the passengers. Always these groups -were made up entirely of men, for the women -had far too much to do to waste time idly -watching trains. These men were a motley -throng, all wearing high-crowned, broad-brimmed -hats and gaily colored <i lang="es">serapes</i>, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> -blankets, which they hugged close about them -in spite of the heat. The better dressed wore -trousers that were extremely tight fitting. -The others, however, wore frayed and tattered -garments made of everything from sail cloth -to sacking and ungainly sandals bound across -the arch and around the ankle with long buckskin -thongs. Not a shoe did Jack discover -among them.</p> - -<p>What with the scenery and the picturesque -towns and villages, Jack’s interest was kept -out of doors for several hours. But eventually -even the novelty of traveling through a -foreign country grew wearisome and he -turned his attention to a book that he had -stowed away in his traveling bag. He had not -been reading long, however, before he began -to be troubled by a strange presentiment that -some one was watching him. Quite involuntarily -he glanced up from the page he was -perusing and looked into the bead-like eyes of -a native who was occupying a Pullman chair -at the other end of the car. Instantly the -Mexican’s eyes were turned away. The lad -became suspicious immediately, for he recognized<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> -the man as the one who had watched -him in the plaza at Vera Cruz. There was -no mistaking him, for he wore the same big-brimmed -sombrero with its curious beadwork -binding.</p> - -<p>Jack instinctively put his hand to the pocket -where he kept the wallet of drawings, for he -had a vague feeling that this man was interested -in them, though he really could not understand -why he should be since they had not -been exhibited at any place save in the custom -house. Then he suddenly recalled the -young American interpreter’s warning that he -would probably be closely watched at all -times! Was this man shadowing him? Had -he been trailed all through Vera Cruz? The -thought angered him and he glanced at the -Mexican again. That individual, however, -had removed his big hat and was gazing calmly -out of the window, as if he did not know that -Jack Straw ever existed, and his unconcerned -manner caused the young traveler to wonder -whether this second meeting was only a -strange coincidence after all.</p> - -<p>Jack tried to resume his reading, but it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> -not long before his mind was far from the -printed pages and busy evolving a plan -whereby he could become certain as to whether -the tall Mexican was watching him or not. -Soon the train began to slow down for another -stop and on the instant the American got an -idea. He waited until the train came to a -full stop; then as if he suddenly realized that -this was the station he wanted to get off at -he jumped up and seizing his traveling bag -bolted for the door.</p> - -<p>It was all done so quickly that the Mexican -was taken completely off his guard. When he -saw the boy rush for the door he gave one -hurried glance up the car, then followed as -fast as he could. By the time he reached the -door, however, Jack had alighted and was racing -along the side of the car to the rear platform -where he swung aboard and returned to -the seat he had just vacated. He had successfully -lost the Mexican for five minutes at least, -for the man searched up and down the station -platform and in all directions trying to locate -the Vermonter. Then, purely by accident, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> -looked toward the train again and saw Jack -smiling at him from one of the windows.</p> - -<p>It was evident from his distorted features -that the native was thoroughly enraged. He -plunged for the train which was already underway -and swinging aboard hurried into the -Pullman car, brandishing a huge army revolver -as he advanced. Several women passengers -screamed and every man in the car -put his hands above his head when they saw -the angered native striding down the aisle. -They were certain that the train had been -boarded by highwaymen and that they were -about to be asked to turn over their valuables. -But the Mexican disregarded the disturbance -he had caused. He put the muzzle of the ugly -revolver against Jack’s breast and hissed:</p> - -<p>“You, gringo, you are arrest for a spy of the -revolution. Not holler.”</p> - -<p>But Jack did not intend to “holler.” With -the hard nose of the gun pressed against his -ribs he did not hesitate to put his hands above -his head as the other men in the train had -done.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> - -<p>“You are arrest by that great Secret Service -of Mexico,” said the native very impressively; -“give me up your guns.”</p> - -<p>“I have no guns that are dangerous,” said -Jack Straw, and he spoke the truth, for the big -Colt that his father had given him reposed unloaded -and quite harmless in the bottom of -his valise. But the Mexican refused to believe -him.</p> - -<p>“Give up or I make of you an examination,” -he said, trying hard to be courteous in spite -of his outraged temper.</p> - -<p>“Search,” said Jack, “only let me put my -arms down.” And the detective forthwith began -to go through his pockets while the other -passengers, many of whom were Americans, -gathered around and looked on. One of the -first things that the detective did was to confiscate -the yellow wallet with the drawings. -His eyes sparkled with pleasure when he -opened it.</p> - -<p>“Ah! Señor, it is for these you will be shot, -maybe. You are a bad gringo,” he said with -an evil chuckle.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> - -<p>“They are only working drawings of a machine,” -protested Jack.</p> - -<p>“Yes, a war machine, I think,” said the -Mexican, continuing his search for firearms. -Finally, after finding nothing more formidable -than a jack-knife, the officer put his own revolver -away and informed Jack that he might -sit down and be at ease until they reached -Mexico City. He warned the boy, however, -that any attempt on his part to leave the car -would call forth the huge revolver again, and -since Jack had no desire to learn how good a -marksman the Mexican was he refrained from -rising from his Pullman chair for the rest of -the afternoon. The Secret Service man sat -directly opposite, his dark eyes never moving -from the lad from Drueryville.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI<br /> -<span class="smaller">ON TRIAL AS A SPY</span></h2> - -<p>The lights of Mexico City were a welcome -sight to the young American. -Never had a train ride seemed so long. The -Secret Service guard refused to allow him conversation -with his fellow-passengers and as -the circumstances were too strained to permit -his reading with any degree of interest, Jack -had little to do but gaze out of the window -and think over his misfortune. The moment -the train rolled into the station, the detective -hustled Jack to the military barracks in the -heart of the city. It was almost midnight -when they were challenged by the white-clad -sentry before the heavy double gates of the -enclosure. Jack’s captor answered with a few -brief sentences in Spanish and the gates were -unbarred to let them pass. Inside another -sentry located the officer on duty and he and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> -the Secret Service man held a short conference. -A few moments later two privates were -summoned. They took charge of the young -Vermonter, escorting him toward the far end -of the long barracks buildings, where he was -locked into a stuffy unlighted cell in the guardhouse.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 475px;" id="illus2"> -<img src="images/illus2.jpg" width="475" height="700" alt="" /> -<p class="caption">“To Jack it all seemed like a horrible nightmare”</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> - -<p>To Jack it all seemed like a horrible nightmare. -Here he was a prisoner in the capital -of a strange country. He had no knowledge -of the language spoken by those with whom -he had to deal, nor did he have friends or relatives -within several thousand miles. His only -hope in being delivered from his rather serious -position lay in the possibility of calling -Harry Ryder to Mexico City so that he could -identify his drawings and explain how they -came to be in the possession of some other -person. But Jack was not altogether certain -that this could be done, or if it could be done, -whether his captors would be willing to take -that much trouble to prove him innocent. At -first he had taken the arrest more or less as a -joke, but as he reviewed the various stories -he had heard of the Mexican idea of justice,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> -he became very much worried. He knew the -punishment meted out to a spy and he wondered -whether that would be his end. With -such thought parading through his brain, he -had little chance for sleep that night. Indeed -he heard a big clock beyond the barracks walls -toll every hour from midnight until dawn.</p> - -<p>At seven o’clock breakfast was brought to -him by an uncouth looking private in a dirty -white uniform. The meal consisted of <i lang="es">tortillas</i>, -made of corn flour, and <i lang="es">frijoles</i>, which -are black Mexican beans. There was not -even a cup of water with which to wash it -down. Though Jack had had very little to -eat the day before, the sight of the mess -brought by the soldier sickened him, and he -put the tin plate aside untouched.</p> - -<p>An hour later an officer with four privates -came into the guardhouse and unlocked the -door of Jack’s cell. The lad observed that -each of the soldiers carried a shining rifle at -port arms and the officer entered with sword -drawn. At this he became speechless with -horror. Was this a firing squad! Was he -going to be executed without the formality of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> -trial? He was almost too weak to walk when -the officer spoke to him in Spanish and motioned -for him to come forth. Silently the -soldiers formed behind him and urged him -forward out of the guardhouse and on to the -parade grounds.</p> - -<p>His heart-breaking suspense ended there, -however, when he noted the direction in which -the soldiers turned him. Instead of marching -out into the center of the enclosure they headed -directly for a building that looked very much -like a large dwelling. To the young American -it appeared as if it might be the home of -the commander of the barracks. He hoped it -was, for in that case he could be certain of -some form of trial at least, during which he -could doubtlessly explain about the drawings.</p> - -<p>The boy was ushered before the austere old -General by the officer alone, the guard remaining -on duty before the door. The commander -was seated at a desk in the center of a well-lighted, -cheerful-looking room, a uniformed -orderly at his elbow. The other occupant of -the room was the Secret Service man who had -arrested him the day before. Both were poring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> -over the drawings of the lightning arrester -which the detective had confiscated, while on -the corner of the officer’s desk was Jack’s -traveling bag which had been forced open, -possibly for the purpose of finding other evidence -against him.</p> - -<p>The detective and the officer looked up as the -youth entered. Jack’s officer escort saluted -and retired to the rear of the room, leaving the -lad standing in the middle of the floor alone. -The detective cleared his throat and spoke.</p> - -<p>“I shall be what you call the interpreter. I -spik Mexican, I spik also Inglis. Shall you -be content?” he queried.</p> - -<p>“I will be contented if you will believe what -I tell you,” said Jack rather curtly. “It is ridiculous -to arrest me as a spy. I am an American -citizen and those drawings are not war -plans or details of a ‘war machine,’ as you suggested -yesterday. They are plans for an electrical -appliance that is to be built by Mr. -Harry Ryder, in order to give better light to -Mexico City.”</p> - -<p>The detective looked at him with doubt -plainly written on his countenance. Then he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> -turned and in rapid fire sentences imparted -Jack’s story to the general. The officer also -appeared to doubt the youth’s statement. He -was silent for a few moments, however, while -he pondered the situation; then through the -interpreter he asked:</p> - -<p>“Why does Mr. Ryder trust his valuable papers -to you?”</p> - -<p>“Because he didn’t care to trust your unreliable -mail service,” said Jack vindictively.</p> - -<p>The wrath of the detective was stirred immediately.</p> - -<p>“Mexico is a great country. She has a dependability -of mail service. You are a gringo -who spies for the revolution. Do not tell me -not. I saw you with my own eyes pass some -secret something to a sympathizer in the plaza -at Vera Cruz. Ah, but he are arrest already -and your secret is now known.”</p> - -<p>Jack was startled at first. Then as he recalled -the whining beggar in the plaza he -laughed heartily.</p> - -<p>“Why, he was only a beggar. I gave him a -few coins. You are making a mountain out -of a mole hill, Mr. Detective. Why not have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> -done with all the foolishness by summoning -Mr. Ryder from Necaxa? He will prove that -the drawings are his and that I am no spy.”</p> - -<p>The General and the Secret Service man debated -this suggestion for some time. Evidently -they thought it a good idea, for the -officer presently began to use the telephone at -his elbow while the detective talked to Jack.</p> - -<p>“We will call Señor Ryder. General -Rodriguez say the great electrical engineer is -in Mexico City now. He spoke with him in -the café last evening. He will come maybe, -and then if you can prove, you must prove. -If you don’t, you will be shot to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>The commander ceased his telephoning -after a few moments and spoke to the interpreter, -who, turning to Jack, announced:</p> - -<p>“Señor Ryder is at the office of the Compania -de Luz y Fuerza Montriz in Calle de -Tetuan. He will be here quite soon.”</p> - -<p>The General and the Secret Service agent -spent the next fifteen minutes smoking numerous -black paper cigarettes and talking -quite excitedly to each other while Jack was -left standing in the center of the room. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> -waiting was ages long for the American. But -finally there sounded the tooting of an automobile -horn and roar of a motor from the -parade ground outside and a moment later a -tall fine-looking American, clad in linen -trousers and soft shirt, entered the commander’s -office.</p> - -<p>Jack stepped forward instantly and held -out his hand.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Ryder,” he said, “I am John Strawbridge, -Dr. Moorland’s messenger. I have -been arrested and am being held as a spy because -I happened to have your drawings in my -wallet. You see it excited the curiosity of -the customs inspector yesterday and the result -is I am in the hands of the Mexican Secret -Service to-day. I sincerely hope that you can -get me out of this rather disagreeable position; -otherwise I’ll furnish the target for a firing -squad to-morrow morning.”</p> - -<p>“Why, this is ridiculous,” said Mr. Ryder as -he saw his drawings spread out before General -Rodriguez. Then he began to talk in -Spanish to the natives. A few moments conversation -was all that was necessary to convince<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> -the Secret Service agent and the officer -that a serious mistake had been made, and -each was profuse in his apologies to Jack -Straw.</p> - -<p>“It is a great regret that I arrest so honorable -friend of Señor Ryder,” said the detective -with a sweeping bow. “I hope you will -pardon, Señor.”</p> - -<p>And Jack showed the sort of stuff Americans -are made of by stepping forward and -warmly shaking hands with the Secret Service -agent and the commander.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII<br /> -<span class="smaller">OFF FOR NECAXA</span></h2> - -<p>Jack was not long in discovering that -Harry Ryder was a prince of companions. -After the little incident at the barracks they -were fast friends. Of course the engineer -was somewhat older than the boy from -Drueryville, having just turned twenty-nine, -but withal he was decidedly boyish in spirit. -The big gray motor car that stood in front of -the commander’s house was the engineer’s -latest toy and nothing would do but that Jack -should accompany him on a tour of the capital -of “this benighted country,” as he termed -Mexico. And he made an excellent guide.</p> - -<p>Until long after midday they went flying up -one street and down another, while Mr. Ryder -pointed out all the places of interest. First -they visited the Plaza Mayor, or Zocalo, as it -is frequently called. And while Jack was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -noting each interesting detail about the imposing -public buildings, the Cathedral and the -National Palace, the engineer explained the -history of that remarkable section of the City -of Mexico.</p> - -<p>“This,” he said, “was the heart of the Aztec -capital four hundred or more years ago. Indeed, -that building over there, the National -Palace, was constructed on the very site of -the splendid palace of the old Indian ruler -Montezuma. And as for the Cathedral, that -is built on the very foundation stones that held -the wonderful Tecalli, the Aztec temple, -where from twenty to fifty thousand lives were -sacrificed annually to the powerful Indian -deity Huitzilopotchli. The present Cathedral -with its towering spires was erected in 1573 -and is the most imposing edifice of its kind in -the whole of North and South America.”</p> - -<p>From the Plaza Mayor they turned to other -interesting portions of the community. The -famous tree under which Cortez is said to have -wept was pointed out by Mr. Ryder; also the -various monuments and buildings associated -with the old Spanish adventurer. They traversed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> -the causeway over which Cortez retreated -and ultimately visited Chapultepec -where the Indian rulers once maintained magnificent -dwellings.</p> - -<p>It was nearly one o’clock when the car rolled -into the heart of the city again and stopped before -the door of the American Hotel. There -Jack and the engineer climbed out, but before -Mr. Ryder entered the hotel he inspected his -new machine thoroughly.</p> - -<p>“That’s a great plaything,” he said enthusiastically. -“I bought it a month ago, and I -usually arrange to get into the city every -Sunday to take a drive. You see I have to -leave it here because there is no roadway out -to Necaxa, only a pack train trail and our narrow-gage -railroad. I couldn’t very well use -it out at the power plant anyway for it’s a -trackless wilderness there.”</p> - -<p>On entering the hostelry the two Americans -lost no time in finding the dining-room, for the -drive had given them both a ravenous appetite. -They ate in silence for a time, for the business -of satisfying their hunger was of great importance. -But when coffee was finally served<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> -and each felt that they had done credit to the -ample portions afforded to them, Mr. Ryder -began to talk.</p> - -<p>“You know, Jack, I think it was mighty -lucky for you that I happened to be in Mexico -City. Otherwise you would probably have -been compelled to spend several days in jail. -And it is even possible that they would not have -taken the trouble to send to Necaxa for me. A -Mexican’s idea of justice is rather crude. -Frequently they shoot a suspect and then debate -his guilt or innocence over his body. Old -Rodriguez and his Secret Service friend were -quite positive that you were a spy, and I am -afraid that the cartridges with which you were -to be executed had already been dealt out, figuratively -speaking.”</p> - -<p>Jack shuddered as he thought of his narrow -escape.</p> - -<p>“I guess that I <em>was</em> very fortunate having -you so near at hand,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ll be quite honest with you, Jack, -this visit to Mexico City was not a matter of -choice with me. I was requested to appear -before the officials of the company and old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> -Huerta himself. You see things have been in -a devil of a mess at the plant recently and we -have had some trouble in keeping the old city -supplied with enough light. I fancy it has -been getting on Huerta’s nerves and he has -been calling the company’s officials to account. -They in turn pass the calls along to me.</p> - -<p>“You see some of the hundred or more -workmen at the plant have developed revolutionary -ideas. They seem to be Zapata sympathizers -and they are doing all they can to -make things unpleasant for Huerta. They -have been crippling machinery from time to -time, tampering with the searchlights, putting -dirt in the bearings of the generators and -raising the dickens in general. Of course this -reflects on my management and I feel rather -ugly about it all. But the men who do it keep -pretty well under cover. I wish that I could -find out just which of the greasers are the trouble -makers. I’d have them line up against the -station wall and drilled through with some of -their own soft-nosed bullets. That may sound -a little inhuman, but honestly one cannot afford -to treat them otherwise. As a matter of fact<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> -their fate is not in my hands. The moment -we discover a sympathizer the rurales stationed -at the plant as special guards take the -matter in their own hands and all that we hear -of the case after that is the report of the carbines. -Oh, they make very little bones about -human life down here. And that reminds me, -have you provided yourself with a protector -in the form of a revolver? If you haven’t -we’ll see that you are supplied with one before -we start back for the plant this afternoon.”</p> - -<p>“I have my father’s big blue steel Colt,” -said Jack with pride. “It’s right here in my -traveling bag. But I haven’t much ammunition, -only the cartridges in the belt.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you’d better buckle it on your hip -when we start. You will probably find a great -deal of comfort in having it handy all the time -you remain in Mexico. Why, you should see -our plant. It’s a veritable fortress with its -rows of trenches, its barbed-wire barriers, -its squadron of rurales and detachment of infantry. -And our working force is drilled to -do some fine defense work too. We are all -equipped with Mauser rifles and we have a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> -battery of new French rapid-fire guns and a -three-inch fieldpiece that can throw a shell -clean over the top of the nearest mountain. -We know it will do that for not long ago we -had occasion to bombard a handful of Zapatistas -from a position on the cliffs a mile away. -The rats had an old fieldpiece and they managed -to get a couple of solid shot down -through the roof of a storehouse near the -plant. Oh, we have had an interesting time -out there for the last eight or ten months. -The Zapatistas have been hovering around like -a swarm of bees. They haven’t managed to -do much damage, however, but we never know -when they will be joined by other mobs of guerrilla -soldiers who are operating in that section -of the mountains. When that happens then I -guess we can look for real trouble.</p> - -<p>“I arranged with General Rodriguez last -night to have another detachment of infantry -accompany us to the plant this afternoon. I -think it would be wise to strengthen the guard -out there at any rate. We are going out on a -train of flat cars that will be ready to move -shortly so I guess we had better be getting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> -ready. I’ll drive you over to a gunsmith’s and -you can get all the ammunition you want, then -we’ll start for the railroad.”</p> - -<p>At the gunshop Jack laid in five hundred -rounds of ammunition. This seemed a ridiculously -large amount but Mr. Ryder assured -him that it was wise to be on the safe side in -such matters. Several other stores were -visited where Jack purchased some clothing -suggested by Mr. Ryder for service at the -plant. The most important purchase was one -of the huge sombreros such as the natives -wear. This was secured at a little hat booth -on one of the side streets. Jack was amazed -at the size of some of these hats and while he -was looking over the assortment offered, Mr. -Ryder explained that the natives were very -vain about their hats. He said that in former -days the wealthy Mexicans vied with each -other to see who could wear the hat with the -largest brim and the most costly embellishments. -This competition reached the point -where it finally became a public nuisance, for -the big hat brims were decidedly objectionable -on crowded thoroughfares or street cars. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> -federal government finally took the matter in -hand and imposed a tax of a certain amount -for every four inches of brim over a stipulated -size. This ordinance put the hat brims at a -universal width.</p> - -<p>After the shopping they hurried back to the -hotel where Mr. Ryder always maintained a -room. Their clothes were changed and garments -of the rough-and-ready sort adopted. -Jack felt very self-conscious as he buckled on -the heavy revolver and donned the high-crowned -sombrero, but he did his best to hide -it from his companion. On his way out of the -hotel, however, he surreptitiously glanced at -his reflection in one of the large mirrors and -found to his great satisfaction that such toggery -was not at all unbecoming. He secretly -resolved to have some photographs made -which he intended to take back to Drueryville -when he returned.</p> - -<p>The train that was to carry them out to -Necaxa was, as the engineer had said, nothing -more than a string of flat cars with a yellow -caboose at the end. It was a narrow gage -railroad that was built especially to carry supplies<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> -to the power station, one hundred and -twenty-five miles back in the mountains.</p> - -<p>Two of the flat cars were heaped high with -boxes of provisions and barrels of flour, all on -the way to the little community at the power -house. Three other cars were occupied by the -detachment of infantry from the barracks. -The soldiers were not a prepossessing lot, Jack -thought, as he viewed them. They were uniformed -alike, of course, and for the most the -uniforms were in rather good order though -somewhat dirty. Their hats were not unlike -the forage caps of the United States troops -during the Civil War, with the exception that -they were higher in the crown. The men were -all dark skinned and ugly looking, and the -young American was quite certain that as -enemies they would probably be decidedly -vicious customers.</p> - -<p>Three officers accompanied the detachment -but they held themselves aloof from the rest of -the soldiers, sharing the caboose with Jack and -Mr. Ryder. They were tall, fine-looking specimens -of Mexican manhood, very jaunty in -their gold-braided uniforms, and Jack found<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> -them very companionable after they became -acquainted, for they could speak English after -a fashion and some of the war stories they told -helped to make the slow journey into the mountains -less tedious.</p> - -<p>On leaving Mexico City the train started to -climb immediately for the way was entirely up -grade, the plant being situated at a higher -altitude than the capital. As a result of this -and the unusually heavy load, the little engine -made slow progress. Indeed, at some points -in spite of its snorting and puffing it could not -go on and the men were forced to get down -from the flat cars and walk, thereby lessening -the load. Because of this slow progress it was -long after nightfall when Jack discovered a -long pencil of light reaching out across the sky. -It looked weird and uncanny off there in the -solitude of the mountains. But as he watched -it began to move along the ridges, searching -out each valley and depression. Then Jack -understood. It was the huge searchlight at -the plant, looking among the hills for lurking -bands of Zapatistas.</p> - -<p>The lad watched the light travel from point<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> -to point until finally it located the supply train, -which it escorted all the way to the station, illuminating -the tracks just ahead of the engine.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE CRIPPLED GENERATORS</span></h2> - -<p>It was a veritable fortress that Jack entered -when he left the caboose of the supply train. -Before him, on a slight eminence, was the massive -building of the power station with the -searchlight mounted on the roof. The grassy -slope below was marred by a double line of -trenches unoccupied, of course, save for one -or two white-clad sentinels who paced back and -forth restlessly. On the lawn between the -first trench and the station, the lad noted a -bulky object covered with canvas. This he -immediately decided was the three-inch fieldpiece -about which Mr. Ryder had spoken. To -the north of the station was the irregular outline -of many small cottages. As the searchlight -threw its rays in that direction, the boy -observed that nearly all of them were constructed -of wood and erected after the fashion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> -of the cottages furnished to the quarrymen -in Vermont. There were also several -long low shed-like structures which he learned -later housed the soldiers. The entire community -did not occupy more than five or six -acres and was entirely cut off from the surrounding -country by barbed wire barricades. -Indeed, the place looked well-nigh impregnable -to the American. To approach from the -north, south or west, invaders would have to -get through the mass of barbed wire first and -carry two lines of trenches before they reached -the station, and as far as the east side of the -plant was concerned, approach in that direction -was made impossible by the roaring mountain -stream that furnished water to the station’s -turbines.</p> - -<p>The enclosure became a perfect bedlam a -few moments after the supply train rolled in. -To the roar of the river and the grumble of the -huge generators inside were added the shouts -of the soldiers detraining and unloading the -supplies. The entire barracks had turned out -to welcome the reinforcements, for it happened -that they composed two companies of the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> -regiment. Altogether Jack estimated that -there were more than 200 men ready to defend -the place against the rebels, not including the -squad of twenty-five rurales who were stationed -there to patrol the surrounding country. -The rurales, the lad learned, were not soldiers -in the stricter sense of the word. They are -maintained by the Mexican Government to do -practically the same work as that required of -the famous Canadian mounted police; which -is to rid the country of bandits, smugglers and -bad men, and run down the outlaws that hide -in the mountains. They are far better drilled -than any of the Mexican troops and are well -equipped with clothing and firearms. Their -horses are the best that Mexican dollars can -buy. These men ride exceptionally well, shoot -almost as accurately as the Texas ranger and -are brave and fearless. A Mexican president -who believed in the old saying that “it takes a -thief to catch a thief,” organized the rurales -years ago when the country was infested with -bandits and bad men. Every time one of these -men was apprehended he was forced to join -the rurales and hunt down bandits. In this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> -way his vicious nature was well satisfied and -at the same time he was able to consider himself -a law-abiding citizen, which usually appeals -to all individuals who have been outlaws -for any length of time. To Jack these soldier-policemen -were very picturesque as they swaggered -about in their dark-green, tightly fitting -uniforms and broad-brimmed hats. He noticed, -however, that they did not associate with -the white-clad regulars, but stood apart in a -little group by themselves and watched the -other men unload the cars.</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder and Jack lingered long enough to -see that the unloading was well under way before -they turned toward the station.</p> - -<p>“I’ve a strange premonition that the troublemakers -hereabout have taken advantage of my -absence,” said the engineer as they approached -the office. “I would not be surprised to find -the plant dynamited some day. These rebel -sympathizers will go the limit to make it disagreeable -for old Huerta.”</p> - -<p>The office of Ben Nedham, first assistant engineer, -was vacant. When Mr. Ryder saw -this he looked worried. Immediately he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> -bounded up the spiral iron staircase to the balcony-like -control room where the switchboards -were located. Allen Lyman, a tall light-haired -American in charge of that section of the -plant, advanced to meet him, and his face also -bore a troubled look.</p> - -<p>“They’ve been at it again, Mr. Ryder,” he -exclaimed. “We haven’t been able to carry -the load all evening. Machines five and six -are out of commission. Couldn’t even start -them. Nedham and a gang are down there on -the generator floor now trying to patch them -up.”</p> - -<p>“What is the trouble?” demanded the engineer, -his brow wrinkled by a perplexed -frown.</p> - -<p>“Well, some one got in after two o’clock this -morning, evidently, and threw a bucket full of -fire sand into the gears of both machines. -Nedham has had only one watchman here and -he must have gone to sleep.”</p> - -<p>“Have you heard from Mexico City yet?” -demanded Mr. Ryder anxiously.</p> - -<p>“No, not yet, but we can gamble that the -lights are mighty dim there. Shouldn’t wonder<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> -but what we’ll get a call before the night -is over.”</p> - -<p>He had hardly completed the sentence when -the telephone bell on the desk in the center of -the room jangled sharply.</p> - -<p>“Dollars to doughnuts that’s Mexico City -now,” exclaimed Lyman as he removed the receiver. -A moment he talked with the man -on the other end of the line; then he beckoned -to Mr. Ryder.</p> - -<p>“It’s President Huerta himself,” he said, -holding his hand over the transmitter. “He’s -as mad as a Mexican bull too. Wants to speak -with you.”</p> - -<p>For fifteen minutes the chief engineer attempted -to explain the situation to the country’s -executive, and in the meantime Jack -busied himself trying to puzzle out the reason -for all the switches, knobs, handles and indicators -on the huge marble switchboard that -extended all the way around the circular room. -He knew that all the machinery in the station -was controlled from that board, but just how -it was done he had not the slightest idea. He -decided, however, to take advantage of the first<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> -opportunity and learn the function of each of -the mysterious looking black rubber handles.</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder left the ’phone apparently thoroughly -angry. He paced the narrow room for -some time before he uttered a word. Finally, -pausing before the desk again, he brought his -fist down with a resounding blow.</p> - -<p>“By Jupiter,” he thundered, “this <em>must</em> stop -or I’ll know the reason why. The old man is -as peeved as a wet hen and I don’t blame him. -He informed me that we had made a failure -out of the most important state function of the -year simply because the palace was so poorly -lighted. They had to resort to smoky oil lamps -to help out. He was furious. Told me the -city looked like an Indian village, it was so -dark. Oh, if I could only get my fingers on -the villains who did this work!”</p> - -<p>Thus did he storm to Jack and the operator -until he became thoroughly out of breath and -was forced to pause. Then turning he called -Jack and started down the spiral stairs again. -Three flights they descended until they reached -the floor of the generating room. Six huge -generating units occupied the space. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> -were great black monsters of steel that -looked like so many mastodons chained to the -floor. Water was roaring down from the -forebay through four of the massive penstocks -that supplied the turbines, but the other -two were silent. Around each of these silent -machines was gathered a group of workmen. -They had unbolted the steel protecting plates -and were assiduously wiping the sand from -the delicate armature bearings. Some of these -workmen were Americans but there were a -number of Mexicans among them, many of -whom were distinctly of the peon class, with -bared feet and shabby garments.</p> - -<p>As Jack and the engineer hurried across the -floor a short, dark-haired American advanced -to meet them.</p> - -<p>“We’ve trouble on our hands this time!” he -exclaimed. “The two machines are full of -sand and we won’t be able to get them cleaned -until long after midnight.”</p> - -<p>“Well, how did it happen, Nedham?” demanded -Mr. Ryder. “You were in charge -while I was away and you are responsible. -Are you going to let this plant go to the devil?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> -I got a good blowing up yesterday from the -board of directors and here to-night President -Huerta himself had me on the long distance -telephone. Told me flatly that things -would have to go smoother; and I propose to -see that they do go smoother hereafter.”</p> - -<p>“How do I know how it happened? Maybe -I was in charge, but they manage to work the -same tricks when you are here too, so you -can’t altogether blame me,” said Nedham indignantly.</p> - -<p>“Well, I suppose not,” replied Mr. Ryder in -calmer tones. “I didn’t mean to accuse you of -neglect of duty. I know they work the same -tricks on me too. I hope you’ll pardon my -temper.”</p> - -<p>The chief engineer extended his hand in cordial -apology and Nedham grasped it, his anger -disappearing immediately.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX<br /> -<span class="smaller">JACK PROPOSES A TRAP</span></h2> - -<p>Nedham was right. It was some time -after midnight before the big generators -were in condition to operate again. -For hours the men toiled to get every vestige -of the gritty substance out of the machines. -Mr. Ryder went at the task with the rest, and -Jack, unwilling to remain idle, rolled up his -sleeves and seized a piece of cotton waste also. -With the steel jacket removed, an excellent opportunity -was afforded the lad for a better acquaintance -with the mechanism of a water turbine -generator, and as he worked beside Mr. -Ryder, the engineer briefly explained the details.</p> - -<p>“This is not really a generator that we are -working on, Jack,” said Mr. Ryder, “because -a generator is supposed to create energy. -This does not do that. The real energy is in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> -the water that turns the turbine, and this machine -merely converts that energy into electric -current, so you see the word ‘generator’ is a -misnomer in this case. It is the same in a -steam plant. Steam furnishes energy which -is converted into electricity by the so-called -generators. In fact, man-made electricity is -nothing more or less than some other kind of -energy in a new and more useful form. I -guess you follow me.”</p> - -<p>“I understand all right,” said Jack, “for it -is very simple, though I must confess I had -never considered electricity in that way before.”</p> - -<p>“The energy here comes from the water that -plunges over the dam we built across the river -about a mile back in the mountains. The dam -is sixty-odd feet high and the water that is -stored up behind it is carried down to the -plant here through a very large flume. The -flume is built at the same level as the dam and -brings the water around the mountain to the -north of the plant and into the big forebay or -reservoir just back of the station.</p> - -<p>“The water in the forebay is kept at about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> -the same height as the dam also, so it can get -a sixty-foot direct drop to the turbines here -in the building. The stream rushes down -through the large penstocks, or feeders, and -strikes against the mass of concaved blades on -the waterwheel or turbine. The blades are set -across the drum of the wheel and at a slight -angle, thus giving the turbine the full benefit -of the force of the water striking against them -as well as the suction of the water after it -leaves the blades. This is known as the reaction -type of turbine and is only used in plants -where the fall of water is less than 100 feet. -There is another type of waterwheel on which -buckets take the place of blades. This is -known as the impact type and is driven entirely -by the pelting of the water against the bottom -of each cup. This wheel is used chiefly where -the fall of water is more than 100 feet.</p> - -<p>“The armature of the generator is also -mounted on the shaft or axle of the turbine. -The armature, you know, is composed of coils -of wire wound very close together on an iron -frame, or spider. Since the turbine whirls -around very fast the armature is bound to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> -turn at the same rate of speed. Now, the -armature is surrounded by electrically excited -magnets, which are the positive and negative -poles of the generator. And as the coils -of wire on the armature rush past the magnets -the attraction or lines of force between the -poles are cut abruptly and immediately electricity -is created. By means of those brass -collecting rings which you see on the armature -the coils are connected to the transmission -lines and the electricity flows through them to -the lights in Mexico City.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder’s description of the hydro-electric -plant was so simple and so easily understood -that Jack was able to follow the entire -process of converting water power into electrical -energy. The conversation had also -helped to lighten the rather disagreeable task -of cleaning the generator and it was midnight -almost before they realized it.</p> - -<p>At this hour Mr. Ryder gave up all hope of -using the generator that night, for, as he explained -to Jack, the lights were fast being put -out in the houses and stores of Mexico City, -thus cutting down the load on the power plant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> -to a point where the supply could be easily furnished -by the remaining four machines. That -being the case, he suggested they quit work -and leave the task entirely to the peons -and other workmen under Nedham. Jack’s -arms were black to the elbow with dirty oil -when he finally tossed his piece of waste away, -and Mr. Ryder’s condition was little better.</p> - -<p>“Come on, we’ll wash up a bit and start for -the cottage; I am rather tired and I fancy you -are too.”</p> - -<p>Together they proceeded to the washroom -and a few moments later left the station building -and started up the short dusty street that -led between the two rows of cottages. The -searchlight was still playing from the roof and -here and there a lonesome sentinel could be -seen silhouetted against the skyline. Otherwise -the little community was quite lifeless.</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder’s cottage was at the very end of -the short street. It was a one-story affair -but somewhat more prepossessing in appearance -than the rest of the dwellings. The -engineer lived there entirely alone save for -Tom Why, his aged Chinese cook. In fact,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> -each American at the plant had a separate cottage, -which was usually taken care of by some -old Indian woman. There were only two -white women in the village. One was the wife -of Allen Lyman and the other was Mrs. Harriet -Clifford, the wife of a young American -foreman in the plant-maintenance department.</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder’s cottage was no better furnished -than any of the rest. The main room, which -was living room, dining room, library and -study all in one, was equipped with several -heavy wooden chairs, a square table and a flat -desk littered with old magazines and papers. -The remaining three rooms boasted small iron -beds and washstands. Just in the rear of the -cottage was a little house in which Tom Why -and his American cookstove were quartered. -Tom was acknowledged to be the best cook -in the village, excepting, of course, the two -American women.</p> - -<p>Though it was very late, Tom was up and -waiting for the engineer. He had prepared -a rather substantial midnight luncheon and -when Jack caught the odor of steaming coffee -he suddenly realized that he was extremely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> -hungry. Neither he nor Mr. Ryder had tasted -food since their dinner at the American Hotel -in Mexico City, and they were both ready to -do justice to Tom’s tempting spread. Between -mouthfuls, however, they did find time to talk -over the recent trouble at the plant.</p> - -<p>“I must get at the bottom of this and find -out who the rebel sympathizers are. Of -course they are among the peon laborers, at -least I think so, for none of the white employees -have the slightest interest in Zapata -and his gang of cutthroats, as far as I know. -Still, the way the trouble makers have tampered -with the big switches and other dangerous -machinery that most of the peons are -afraid of, makes me believe sometimes that the -culprits are white men or natives who know a -little more about electricity than the peons.”</p> - -<p>“I should think then, that you would try and -find out whether you are dealing with peons -or Mexicans of another variety,” said Jack.</p> - -<p>“Find out!” demanded the engineer sharply. -“Do you think I have been sitting with my -hands folded all this time? I’ve had the place -watched. I’ve done everything I could to discover<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> -who is up to this crooked work. You -see, after two in the morning things slacken -down at the plant. There isn’t much of a load -to be carried, only the street lighting in Mexico -City, and one or two generators are enough -to take care of that. At that time most of -the men leave the plant. There is only the -night operator and two or three watchmen in -different parts of the building, and they are -not always as alert as they might be. Well, -between two o’clock and the time the day force -comes on at six o’clock in the morning, the -meddlers get in their best work. The day -men usually discover the trouble, though in a -case like to-night, when one of the big machines -have been tampered with, the disturbance -isn’t noticed until the operator tries to -start up at nightfall.</p> - -<p>“We’ve watched everything and everybody, -but when we are in one place trouble turns up -in an entirely different part of the plant. The -thing that worries me the most about the whole -business is that some night after the meddlers -have been at work the rebels out there in the -mountains might take it in their heads to attack.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> -Suppose the searchlight generator was -crippled. In that case we’d have a serious -time, wouldn’t we? Indeed, I would like to -find out whom we are dealing with. But how -can I?”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said Jack after a moment’s reflection, -“at least we can learn whether we are -dealing with peons or white men. Here’s a -suggestion. Why not sprinkle a little powder -or dust around the machines, switchboard and -other apparatus likely to be tampered with? -Sprinkle it at two o’clock every morning and -sweep it up again at six. In the meantime if -any one has tampered with these contrivances -they are bound to leave footprints. If the -prints show naked feet we’ll know it is one of -the peons, and if we find the trouble maker -wears shoes then we’ll know it is a white man.”</p> - -<p>“By Jove, that’s a corking idea,” said Mr. -Ryder enthusiastically; “we’ll do it. We’ll -sprinkle cement dust on the floor. Let’s try -it out to-night and keep it up religiously until -we get an imprint of the villain’s feet. We’ll -saunter over to the plant after those workmen -clear out, which I judge will be about three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> -o’clock; meanwhile, if you care to, you can -snatch an hour’s sleep.”</p> - -<p>To Jack sleep sounded particularly good and -as soon as Mr. Ryder pointed out his room he -tumbled into it without even removing his -shoes. But it seemed to him however that he -had only closed his eyes when he felt the engineer’s -hand upon his forehead.</p> - -<p>“It’s after three o’clock,” said Mr. Ryder, -“and the workmen have all left the plant. -What do you say to setting our trap now?”</p> - -<p>Jack was on his feet in an instant, for he -was as eager as the engineer to see how his -plan would work out. First they visited a -tool shed where they secured a bucket, then -Mr. Ryder ripped open a bag of cement -with his jack knife and by the light of an electric -pocket flash lamp supplied himself with a -pail of the fine gray powder.</p> - -<p>As they passed the front of the plant they -could see Nedham in his office working over -some papers. They continued on around the -corner of the building where Mr. Ryder opened -a large door that let them in on the generator -floor. Two of the big machines were running,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> -but there was not a soul in sight. Through -the glass front of the control room, high up -among the girders, they could see Lyman -watching the switchboard.</p> - -<p>“Is there any wonder that the rebel sympathizers -can tamper with the machines?” said -Mr. Ryder; “there isn’t a watchman in sight, -and Lyman would not be likely to see us down -here unless he made a point of looking out of -the window, which is not necessary, for he -can see how the machines are running by looking -at the indicators on his board. Nedham -is in his office and the only other man on duty -is the engineer and he is probably in his office -watching for signals from Lyman. There -should be a watchman here on the floor, but I -guess when no one is looking he steals off and -takes a nap. I’ve fired at least five men for -doing that, but you can’t teach these Mexicans -anything. They’ll do exactly as they please -in spite of you.”</p> - -<p>In fifteen minutes Jack and the engineer had -set their trap and returned to the cottage -again. They were both thoroughly tired and -Mr. Ryder began to take off his things the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> -moment he entered the house. As he unloosened -the front of his shirt, however, a -rather bulky yellow wallet slipped out and fell -to the floor.</p> - -<p>“There are those drawings,” said the -engineer. “I’d almost forgotten them with -all our activities to-day. Here’s your wallet, -I guess I won’t need it any longer.”</p> - -<p>He removed the envelope of blue prints as -he spoke and opening the top drawer of his -desk dropped it inside, at the same time handing -the wallet to Jack.</p> - -<p>“I’ll be up at six to look for results,” said -he as Jack started for his room, “but I really -don’t expect to find any footprints right off. -I rather think the trouble maker has done -enough damage to satisfy him for several days -at least.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X<br /> -<span class="smaller">FOOTPRINTS</span></h2> - -<p>In spite of the fact that he had been able -to get but a few hours’ sleep, Jack was -awake before six o’clock. The noise Mr. -Ryder made in the adjoining room aroused -him, and when he realized that the engineer -was getting ready to start for the power plant, -he dressed with all speed. But though they -were up early, old Tom Why had been awake -fully half an hour before them as a steaming -breakfast testified.</p> - -<p>The two did not linger long over their -coffee, however, for they were too eager to -reach the station before the day men arrived -and tracked through the cement powder. Indeed, -they left the cottage still munching the -last of their meal. The sun had been up two -hours, but the mountains across the river were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> -so tall that its rays were only just getting down -into the broad valley that held Necaxa. -Jack’s first view of the place by daylight -pleased him greatly. As Mr. Ryder had said, -the country was wilderness, the only evidence -of civilization being the tracks of the narrow -gage railroad and the steel poles that carried -the four black serpent-like transmission lines -across the clearing and into the forest toward -Mexico City. Necaxa was completely shut -off from the rest of the world by mountains, -the nearest community being a little nameless -Indian village down the river.</p> - -<p>However, the lad had no time to gaze at -the scenery just then, for in a few minutes the -workmen would be on the way to the plant. -Jack and Mr. Ryder hurried to the side door -they had used but three hours before, and in -a few moments they were looking at their recent -handiwork. From one machine to another -they hurried, closely inspecting the dust -on the floor, before sweeping it into the pail -again. Though they did not expect to find -traces of a nocturnal visit by the mysterious -trouble maker they were keenly alert for every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> -little clue. They inspected each appliance in -the main room but all seemed to be in good -order, nor did the cement powder reveal a -single telltale mark. There remained only -the small generators of the exciter sets to be -inspected. Jack hurried forward to brush up -the dust about these machines, for the men -were already entering the plant and he did not -care to let them know of the trap.</p> - -<p>And as he stooped over, his eyes caught the -distinct outline of a foot close to the base of -the generator! Another and still another -were discovered close by. He could scarcely -credit his eyes. But Mr. Ryder, who was directly -behind him, saw the imprints also.</p> - -<p>“By George, we’ve a clue at last!” he exclaimed, -leaning forward and examining the -tracks. “They have been made by naked feet -too! What do you think of that!”</p> - -<p>“And I’ll be hanged if that isn’t the mark -of a scar on the left heel!” he ejaculated, as -he dropped to his hands and knees and scrutinized -the tracks. “Oh, our task is an easy one -now! I’ll guarantee to have the meddler in -the hands of the rurales by sundown with this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> -evidence to work on. But look how they have -riddled the exciter!”</p> - -<p>As Jack bent closer he too could see the -mark of a scar. The foot had removed the -concrete dust completely except for a little -ridge diagonally across the heel. This showed -plainly that there had been a sharp indentation -in the flesh at that point. And as the same -mark showed in every other imprint of the -left foot there was small room for doubt.</p> - -<p>“Well, it looks as if our trap had worked -far better than we expected,” he said jubilantly, -as they prepared to obliterate the track -by sweeping up the dust.</p> - -<p>“Indeed it did,” replied Mr. Ryder. -“Here’s positive proof that the culprit is a -peon, and with this telltale scar to help out -it is only necessary to inspect every peon in -the plant and pick out the guilty individual. -We’ll have them lined up immediately.”</p> - -<p>Together they hurried out of the station and -across to the quarters of the army officers. -The captain in command of the post was on -the front porch of his cottage washing his face -in a tin basin when Mr. Ryder interrupted him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> -The engineer spoke a few words in Spanish -and the officer hastily reached for a towel, at -the same time calling loudly for an orderly. -That individual arrived from behind the cottage -as if produced by magic, and after listening -to the captain’s brief orders saluted -and hurried to the barracks building, from -the door of which the soldiers were just emerging -in various stages of attire.</p> - -<p>He returned presently, to be followed five -minutes later by a young officer in charge of -a squad of ten soldiers. Curt instructions -were issued by the commander and the soldiers -broke ranks immediately and went hurrying -here and there about the plant, rounding up -every peon in sight.</p> - -<p>Some of the native laborers protested violently -against being hustled into line along the -south wall of the station, for they were afraid -that they were about to be shot, this being the -spot where all the executions in Necaxa were -staged. But their protests were of no avail, -for the soldiers took keen delight in hurrying -them along with the sharp point of their -bayonets or the flat stock of their guns.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> - -<p>In less than no time two score natives were -facing the gray stone wall. They were a -heterogeneous assortment of half-breeds and -full-blooded Indians with ragged garments -and hair long and unkempt. None wore shoes -or even sandals.</p> - -<p>When every native had been located and the -line was complete the soldiers withdrew a short -distance and the captain then turning to Mr. -Ryder, spoke nervously and with great concern:</p> - -<p>“Here are they, Señor, maybe now you find -them sick mans, yes.”</p> - -<p>“Why did he say ‘those sick men?’” asked -Jack, somewhat puzzled.</p> - -<p>“I told him there was a rumor abroad that -one of the peons had leprosy and that we -wanted to find him and put him in a pest house. -Though I know very little about the disease -I understand it shows first on the face, palms -of the hands or soles of the feet,” answered -the engineer.</p> - -<p>“But why did you tell him that?” demanded -the lad.</p> - -<p>“Well, for the simple reason that I do not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> -care to let any one know what we have discovered. -I think the less said about the scar -the easier it will be for us to catch our man. -If we keep it to ourselves he will never suspect -that we set a trap for him. Now for the -search.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder, Jack and the captain began a -tour of inspection. Each Indian was commanded -to lift first one foot and then the -other, while Jack and the engineer scrutinized -them closely. The engineer in addition -examined their hands and face as well, -though not with as keen an eye as he watched -the feet. The peons all submitted to the inspection -meekly, but it was quite evident from -the expression on their faces that they could -not understand the whole proceedings. One -by one they were passed and as Mr. Ryder -neared the end of the line his brow wrinkled -in a perplexed frown. Finally when the last -man was allowed to go he turned to the officer -in charge of the squad and demanded:</p> - -<p>“Are these all the peons there are about the -plant? There must be more!”</p> - -<p>“No more are here, Señor. But maybe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> -those sick mans you look on is here in the night -men. There are—ah—<i lang="es">diez hombres</i>,” said -the officer excitedly.</p> - -<p>“Jack,” said the engineer, “that fellow may -be right. It is possible that my man <em>is</em> on -the night force or he may be a strange peon -who gets into the plant somehow. I think the -next move for us to make is to go down to the -Indian village and do some detective work -there. Most of the peons we hire live down -there and it is more than likely that we will find -the man with the scarred heel among them.”</p> - -<p>“That sounds reasonable,” said Jack, after -considering the question. “Why not go down -there while the trail is hot?”</p> - -<p>“All right,” said Mr. Ryder, “but let me -warn you that we will have to travel through -about five miles of country infested with -rebels and, as you know, they do not look upon -any of the white men from the plant with very -great favor.”</p> - -<p>“I am willing to take the chance,” said Jack, -laconically.</p> - -<p>“Very good, only be sure your gun is in -working order and your cartridge belt is full.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI<br /> -<span class="smaller">SEARCHING FOR THE MAN WITH A SCARRED -HEEL</span></h2> - -<p>A drove of thirty or more horses and -half as many pack mules were quartered -in the large corral behind the barracks -for the use of the rurales stationed at Necaxa. -From among them a rather docile mustang -was selected for Jack. While a native was -saddling the horse, a <i lang="es">mozo</i>, or Indian servant, -arrived with the engineer’s steed, a beautiful -creature that had cost Mr. Ryder nearly three -hundred Mexican dollars, which is a very high -price indeed to pay for horse flesh in that country. -Three of the rurales were detailed to accompany -them as a special guard and before -leaving the enclosure the entire party made a -careful inspection of their firearms.</p> - -<p>For the first two miles the trail skirted the -high bank of the river and was wide enough<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> -to permit the men to ride two abreast. The -three soldier-policemen took the lead while -Jack and the engineer brought up the rear, -and as their horses jogged along Mr. Ryder -explained briefly the life of the Mexican Indians -since the conquest of the country by adventurers -from across the sea.</p> - -<p>“These natives,” he said, “have been veritable -slaves since their ancestors yielded to -Spain’s warriors. The peons, who are all Indians -or half-breeds, are the lowest type of -Mexicans. They are uneducated and uncivilized -and for that reason they rarely advance -above the class of servants and laborers. -Since the day they were conquered they have -been without opportunity, however, so we cannot -blame them altogether for their condition. -There is every reason to believe, from the -relics that are left to-day, that the Mexican -Indians were semi-civilized at least. They -erected magnificent temples, they laid out large -cities, and they even built aqueducts and sewer -systems. Indeed, they were much farther advanced -than the North American Indian of -the plains, but with the advent of the Spaniards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> -they began to deteriorate for the simple reason -that they were not allowed to progress. -As you already know, a man or a nation cannot -stand still. It must either develop or retrogress. -The Spaniards made slaves of the -Indians and while they are not slaves in name -to-day they might just as well be, for they have -not as much freedom as the negro had in the -United States before the Civil War.</p> - -<p>“The peons live as tenants on <i lang="es">haciendas</i>, -or large farms, where they till the soil and -raise crops. For this work they are paid a -few <i lang="es">centavos</i> a day which in American money -does not amount to five cents; with this -pittance they are supposed to buy food and -clothes. But the hacienda owners sell them -food and clothes at a figure far above their -daily earnings and as a result the Indian is -always in debt to his master. And since it is -a capital offense in Mexico for an employee to -leave an employer while still in debt to him, -the peon is bound to the hacienda on which he -is born for the rest of his life. He can never -leave and he can never cease working for the -same man. Whole communities of natives<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> -are often controlled in this way by Mexican -farmers.”</p> - -<p>“It seems ridiculous that such conditions can -exist to-day,” said Jack, very much surprised -at this revelation. He had always considered -the Mexican Indian as a shiftless being who -did not work and lived from hand to mouth -simply because of his own laziness.</p> - -<p>“Do not get the idea that these natives are -blind to their present condition or that they -do not care to elevate their general plane of -existence,” continued Mr. Ryder. “They are -just as eager for a chance to advance as is the -Jew or other foreigner who immigrates to -America. That is the reason why the present -revolution is being waged in the north by -Carranza and Villa, and that is why our bloodthirsty -friend Zapata has so many peon followers.</p> - -<p>“The only trouble is the moment one of -these revolutions is successful and the new -leader is in power all pledges to the peon are -forgotten and the native goes back to exactly -the same condition that he has been fighting -to clear himself from. It is a very unhappy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> -situation, but some day, perhaps, a leader will -keep his promise to his people. Then the huge -<i lang="es">haciendas</i>, which often embrace hundreds of -thousands of acres, will be confiscated and -this land with the millions of acres of government -land will be cut up into small farms and -sold to the natives at reasonable terms exactly -as our country opened up the great West. -When this happens Mexico will develop into -a wonderful nation. Give these people public -schools and the other advantages of civilization -and you will soon see what kind of stuff -they are made of. The old Indian blood is -strong in them and Indians, properly trained, -often make excellent men.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder’s talk had changed Jack’s opinion -of the peons a great deal. Indeed, he soon -found that instead of despising them he was -sympathizing with them. He could not understand, -however, how the engineer could -feel kindly disposed to the natives when they -were causing him so much trouble. He was -on the point of mentioning this thought when -Mr. Ryder spoke again.</p> - -<p>“I feel very sorry for the peons even though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> -I am an agent of Huerta. But as I have -weighed it out, my duty to my employer comes -first no matter whether the employer is a scoundrel -or not. It is not for me to judge. I am -asked to keep Mexico City illuminated and I -will keep the lights burning no matter who is -in the National Palace, and, moreover, I’ll do -it in spite of this man with the scarred foot, -whoever he is.”</p> - -<p>Thus recalled to their mission, Jack instantly -became attentive to their surroundings. -He found that the trail had narrowed -and that the rurales ahead had formed in single -file. His little mustang was patiently picking -its way through rough places and underbrush -to keep beside the animal ridden by the -engineer.</p> - -<p>“I guess we have been talking too much and -paying too little attention to our horses, Jack,” -said Mr. Ryder. “Push ahead and get in single -file. This is a section of the trail that -carries us over the shoulder of a mountain and -it is rather narrow.”</p> - -<p>Soon the shoulder was topped, however, and -the horses began to descend in single file toward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> -the Indian village. The community was -somewhat larger than the villages Jack had -seen from the train window on his way to -Mexico City, otherwise it was the same collection -of dilapidated huts that looked as if they -had been literally thrown together by their -builders.</p> - -<p>As they drove down through the single -street a regiment of barking dogs and screaming -naked Indian children greeted them. -Robust, dark-skinned men lounged about before -the huts (most of them clad in pajama like -cotton garments), while their women folk -worked hard at grinding corn between stones -or carried water from the river in tall earthen -jugs which they balanced deftly on their -heads. Down at the river bank Jack could -see other women busy washing clothes. This -laundry work was accomplished by pounding -the garments between stones much to the detriment -of the garments, for the hard stones -rubbed innumerable holes in the cloth as Jack -found later when he gave his linen to a native -washerwoman.</p> - -<p>In the village Mr. Ryder took the lead and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> -Jack followed, leaving the rurales to their own -diversions. The engineer drove toward a -more pretentious hut than the rest, where a -very much wrinkled old Indian sat sunning -himself before the door and idly watching a -half dozen scrawny razorback pigs rooting in -the dirt almost at his very feet.</p> - -<p>The two Americans reined up before the -house and viewed the picture that the old fellow -made as he sat there staring absently at -the animals.</p> - -<p>“That,” said Mr. Ryder, “is Señor Yuai and -his pigs. Pigs and vultures, as you know, are -the scavengers of Mexico. But for their able -services the country would be unfit to live in -because of its filth and carrion. And Señor -Yuai, though he is neither pig nor vulture, is -also a very useful inhabitant. He is the Indian -doctor who attends to all the natives in -this vicinity. The old fellow is very much -looked up to and every one comes to him for -advice. He is aged and very nearsighted but -his mind is as keen as ever. He knows every -peon for miles around and I’ve an idea that -he can identify our trouble maker with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> -scarred foot if he wants to. Come, we’ll hear -what he has to say on the question.”</p> - -<p>The Americans dismounted and after kicking -their way through the drove of grunting -pigs confronted the austere old Indian. Señor -Yuai peered up at them with eyes bleared by -age and demanded in Spanish to know whose -shadow fell across his doorway. (The following -conversation then took place which -Mr. Ryder translated for Jack’s benefit.)</p> - -<p>“It is I, Señor Ryder, from the electrical -plant,” said the engineer.</p> - -<p>“Gringo friend come over mountain to see -me?” asked the old Indian.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I’ve come to see you, Señor Yuai, but -not because I am sick of <i lang="es">calentura</i>. It is another -reason. Tell me, in all your years do -you remember a peon ailing of a cut heel. -Did you ever cure a very deep wound that -would leave a scar across a peon’s heel, thus?” -Mr. Ryder illustrated his question by drawing -his finger diagonally across the old man’s heel. -The Indian was silent a long time and while -his memory went slowly back over the many -years he had been doctoring the natives, Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> -Ryder slipped a cigarette between his lean old -fingers, saying, “Here, Señor Yuai, perhaps a -little smoke will make you remember better.”</p> - -<p>The Indian accepted the roll of brown paper -and tobacco with a grunt of satisfaction and -lit it on the glowing end of Mr. Ryder’s own -cigarette which the engineer held for his convenience.</p> - -<p>For five minutes the old native puffed in -silence, exhaling great clouds of blue smoke -from time to time. Finally he spoke.</p> - -<p>“As many years ago as I have fingers came -a young man to see me. He had stepped on -a <i lang="es">machette</i> and the flesh of his foot was laid -open to the bone. My medicine cured him. -Soon he could walk, he could run, he could -swim. He was a fine big fellow. He could -shoot well, he could ride well and he was a -good boy except he liked <i lang="es">pulque</i> too much. -One day he went away. Two summers later -he came back in clothes as green as the banana -palm. He was then a rurale. He went away -again and never came again. His name—ah—his -name went with him.” Here the Indian -touched his forehead with his finger as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> -he spoke and this action told the American -plainer than his words that he had forgotten -the young man’s name.</p> - -<p>Jack and the engineer looked at each other -significantly when Señor Yuai finished speaking.</p> - -<p>“Can it be that we have traitors among our -rurales!” demanded Mr. Ryder incredulously.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE DRAWINGS ARE STOLEN</span></h2> - -<p>“Well, this is a mighty serious state of -affairs,” said the engineer as they returned -to their horses and prepared to remount.</p> - -<p>“Yes, indeed, and from all appearances we -have a real enemy to contend with,” replied -the lad.</p> - -<p>“You are right, we have,” confirmed Mr. -Ryder. “If our man with the scarred foot is -a member of the rurales, we are going to have -the devil’s own job locating him too. We cannot -accuse at random and moreover we cannot -take our troubles to the captain, for the -reason that where there is one traitor there -are likely to be many more. The captain may -be a revolutionist himself, and if he is, heaven -help us when he finds out that we have a way -of identifying the trouble maker. We would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> -be murdered in less than a week. I think we -had better feel our way very slowly before we -make an arrest.”</p> - -<p>“But why should a rurale go traveling -about in his bared feet at night?” queried -Jack, suddenly discovering a puzzling question.</p> - -<p>“I thought of that myself,” confessed the -engineer, “and the only reason I can give is -that the culprit is always afraid that the jingle -of his big spurs will attract attention and -rather than remove them he removed his boots -instead and goes about his work silently. -That sounds perfectly plausible, doesn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“By George, that’s capital reasoning! I believe -you’ve hit it exactly right,” exclaimed the -lad enthusiastically.</p> - -<p>“I see our three guards over on the river -bank,” said Mr. Ryder, abruptly changing the -subject; “we’ll drive over and join them there, -for I’ve an idea that our horses could stand -a drink before starting for the plant again.</p> - -<p>“And by the way,” he warned as they urged -their mounts forward, “I wouldn’t say much -about our friend of the scarred foot in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> -presence of the rurales either here or at the -plant, for you never can tell just how much -English some of these fellows understand. -I’m a little worried over the impression that -our search among the peons created, even -though I did tell the captain the falsehood -about the suspected leper. Who knows, perhaps -the very man we are after was looking on -all the time. In that case our lives are in -danger every moment. He would kill us rather -than run the chance of being identified.”</p> - -<p>It was quite evident to Jack that the engineer -regarded the business at hand as rather -hazardous and the lad from Vermont could -not help feeling slightly concerned about his -own safety. He put on a bold front before -Mr. Ryder, however, for he did not care to -have the engineer think that he was the least -bit worried.</p> - -<p>The river’s course through the valley was -broad and the stream ran sluggish and shallow -where it passed the village. Indeed, just below -the point where the women were washing -on the rocks was a ford, with a sloping -sandy beach on either bank. Here it was that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> -the pack trains leaving the valley toward the -north crossed the stream. On the bank opposite, -Jack saw several large alligators sunning -themselves, and here and there on the surface -of the water he also saw the scaly backs -and heads of others that had come up to rest -awhile and get a fresh supply of air. Some of -them were fully ten feet long.</p> - -<p>But in spite of the presence of these reptiles, -the horses did not hesitate to wade belly deep -into the stream and cool themselves while they -slaked their thirst. Jack noticed this and remarked -about it to Mr. Ryder.</p> - -<p>“Alligators are not disposed to attack anything -very large,” said the engineer, “although -sometimes they do make away with sheep and -small calves that come down for a drink. -The ’gator is not as ferocious as his cousin the -crocodile and I have never heard of any natives -being devoured by one, in spite of the -fact that the Indians wade the ford here -daily.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder had hardly finished speaking -when a young Indian appeared on the opposite -bank followed by a full-grown hound dog.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> -The native was clad only in abbreviated canvas -trousers and slung across his back was a -tiny mail bag. Jack learned later that his -first name was Miguel and that his last name -was almost unpronounceable, also that he was -the official runner, or messenger, of that section -of the country, and that his forefathers -had been runners as far back as the days of -Montezuma.</p> - -<p>The native stood knee deep in the river a -moment and emitted several loud whoops at -the same time churning the water furiously -with his feet. At this the alligators on the -bank slipped into the water with a splash and -every scaly back and head disappeared. Then -the Indian plunged into the stream and waded -across, at the same time coaxing the dog to -follow. The hound stood whining at the -water’s edge, however, and the messenger -reached the opposite shore before the animal -found sufficient courage to follow. Finally, -after much coaxing, he took the plunge and -swam toward his master. But he had scarcely -passed the middle of the stream when he began -to whine again, half raising himself out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> -of the water with his frantic efforts to swim -faster. The next instant there was a swirl -just behind him and an ugly head appeared on -the surface. The dog fairly leapt out of the -water at this but he could not avoid the reptile -whose dripping jaws closed upon one hind -leg.</p> - -<p>The native shouted wildly and plunged back -into the river again to rescue his pet. But before -he had gone two steps, Jack, with great -presence of mind, whipped out his revolver. -Twice he fired and each bullet found its way -into the scaly body. Instantly the water was -lashed into foam by the death struggle of the -monster. The great jaws opened wide and -the reptile awoke the echoes in the hills with -a bellow like that of an angry bull. Then it -sank out of sight.</p> - -<p>Half drowned and with one leg dangling -limp and useless the hound dragged itself from -the river. The young Indian lifted it in his -arms and caressed it gently, at the same time -talking effusively to Jack. Of course the -American could not understand the messenger, -but it was quite evident from the expression<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> -on the red man’s face that he was very grateful -to Jack and that he admired his quick and -accurate shooting.</p> - -<p>“What is he saying?” asked the Vermonter, -turning to Mr. Ryder.</p> - -<p>“He says that you are a very good marksman -and that you have a warm heart for a -gringo. He promises never to forget your -kindness.”</p> - -<p>Jack smiled his acknowledgment and prepared -to remount his horse, which with the -others had withdrawn from the river when the -struggling alligator began its frenzied lashing -of the water.</p> - -<p>It was past midday when the five riders -started on their return journey toward the -power plant, and the heat was intense. However, -as soon as the horses had climbed out of -the valley the trail led through a dense forest -where huge trees and thickly matted vines shut -out all sunlight and all heat as well. Travel, -under such circumstances was thoroughly enjoyable, -and the five riders swung along in -single file until they reached the open country -in the vicinity of the great hydro station again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Well,” said Jack as he reined in beside -Mr. Ryder at the gate in the barbed-wire barricade, -“I thought you said the woods were -full of rebels. We haven’t seen a sign of one -all day long. What do you make of it?”</p> - -<p>“It is more than likely that they are off in -some other section of the hills, burning and -pillaging. But don’t think that they haven’t -an eye on us, for they have and you’ll see signs -of them again before long, I’ll warrant.”</p> - -<p>The soldier on guard at the gate had unfastened -the intricate lock by this time and the -cavalcade entered. The rurales hurried off at -top speed to their long low barracks hall where -they hoped to find the remains of the noonday -mess. And as for Jack and the engineer, -they were not slow in reaching the cottage, for -they knew that faithful old Tom Why had -something tempting waiting for them.</p> - -<p>A <i lang="es">mozo</i> met them as they reined in before -the door and when they had dismounted he -took charge of the horses. The few hours in -the saddle had been rather tiresome to the lad, -for he was not accustomed to that form of -exercise. Indeed, the shaking up he had received<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> -on horseback and the lack of sleep the -night before had made him so thoroughly fatigued -that even the cartridge belt and holster -weighed heavily on his hips and as he walked -toward the cottage he started to unbuckle the -leather girdle. Just as he was mounting the -steps the buckle opened suddenly and the belt -swung free, upsetting the holster and toppling -the revolver to the ground.</p> - -<p>Hastily Jack stooped to pick it up. But as -he reached down he caught sight of a naked -footprint in the dust! He bent closer, hardly -able to believe what he saw! The footprint -bore the mark of a deep scar diagonally across -the heel!</p> - -<p>“Hi! Mr. Ryder! Look! Our man with -the scar paid a visit here as well!” he shouted -to the engineer, who had already entered the -cottage.</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder hurried out and examined the -footprint with Jack.</p> - -<p>“By George, you’re right! What could he -have wanted up here!” exclaimed the engineer.</p> - -<p>Jack did not wait to answer the question. -He bolted into the house and rushed to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> -flat-topped desk, for he had suddenly thought -of the precious blueprints. Eagerly he drew -open the top drawer into which he had seen -Mr. Ryder drop the yellow envelope the evening -before. But the compartment was empty! -The drawings were gone!</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII<br /> -<span class="smaller">A WEAKENED GARRISON</span></h2> - -<p>With the disappearance of the engineer’s -drawings the mystery that surrounded -the man with the scarred foot was doubled. -Neither Jack nor Mr. Ryder could be quite -positive of the clue they had been following. -To them the fact that the trouble maker went -about without shoes argued that he was a -peon, and they could well understand why a -peon, imbued with the spirit of revolution, -should seek to make conditions as uncomfortable -as possible for President Huerta, against -whose rule they were revolting. That the -person in question should undertake to wreck -the power plant, or portions of it, seemed quite -natural. But when it came to stealing drawings -that were absolutely useless to them the -whole affair took on a different complexion.</p> - -<p>Who was this individual with the scar on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> -his foot? Was he a peon or was he some one -of the other employees about the plant? Or -again, was he a soldier, or a member of the -band of rurales, or was he some one of the -bandits in the mountains who ran the guard -at night and accomplished his trickery under -the very eyes of soldiers and employees? The -whole situation was thoroughly muddled and -Jack and Mr. Ryder spent days trying to fathom -the knotty problem. To a technical man -the drawings were of the utmost value, for -they laid bare to him the secret of an invention -that would make him wealthy. But on the -other hand it would seem that the man was -moved more by his sympathies with the revolutionists -than by his desire for personal gain, -since it was quite apparent that the person -who was so industriously engaged in making -things disagreeable for President Huerta and -the man who stole the drawings was the same -individual.</p> - -<p>“It is a mighty peculiar situation,” said Mr. -Ryder one evening, after he and Jack had been -puzzling over the matter for several hours. -“This is my only conclusion. The man must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> -be a peon, or a soldier, for they are the only -persons hereabout who are interested in the -revolution at all. He has heard of the drawings -somehow, and believing that they would -be of value to Zapata or Carranza (or whoever -else he favors), he stole them. Later on he -will probably turn them over to some one of -these leaders with the hope, perhaps, that he -will be given a commission or some other form -of recognition for his service to the cause.</p> - -<p>“But after I have reached that conclusion,” -he added, “I am not absolutely certain that I -am shooting in the right direction.”</p> - -<p>For some time after the disappearance of -the papers everything ran smoothly at the -plant. But in the meantime disconcerting rumors -were coming in from the mountains -about bands of Zapatistas who were gathering -at all points. The rurales who went out -to patrol the hills and in particular to ride the -transmission line to see that it was not disturbed -were the first to bring in reports of -skirmishes with these rebels. Almost daily -several of the soldier-policemen would locate -a handful of armed natives somewhere in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> -hills. Always a fight followed which resulted -in at least one or two fatalities. More than -once these green-clad riders came into Necaxa -with dead or wounded comrades in their arms. -And on several occasions they appeared at the -power plant with prisoners bound hand and -foot and tied to the backs of horses or burros -like so many sacks of flour.</p> - -<p>Short work was made of these men. Their -fate was sealed the moment they were captured -by the rurales. As a matter of form -they were given a drumhead trial; that is, -they were taken before the chief officer of the -rurales and asked a number of unimportant -questions. No matter how these questions -were answered the sentence was the same. -The natives were always condemned to be shot -at sunrise the following morning.</p> - -<p>Jack was present at the trial of one of these -unfortunates and after the rebel was taken to -the guardhouse the lad and Mr. Ryder went -to visit him. It gave Jack a rather uncanny -feeling when he realized that the man with -whom they were talking would be dead and -cold in ten hours. The Vermonter was up before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> -sunrise to see the prisoner led out and -placed against the gray wall of the power -plant. The firing squad was composed of five -men and an officer who stood with sword -drawn while a soldier bound a handkerchief -about the eyes of the victim. When this was -done the executioners took careful aim and -waited for the abrupt command to fire.</p> - -<p>The five guns roared simultaneously, and -Jack grew sick as he saw the blindfolded figure -sway backward first, then recover its balance -only to pitch forward with a groan and become -an inert and lifeless mass. When the smoke -had cleared away the officer walked calmly up -to the dead man and drawing his revolver -emptied the entire six chambers into the already -lifeless body. This, Jack learned, was -prescribed by the military regulations of -Mexico, which state that an officer in charge -of a firing squad, is held responsible for the -certain death of the victim.</p> - -<p>The rurales, however, were not the only -ones to bring in word of the gathering of the -Zapatistas. One day three men left the plant -on a handcar trip of inspection along the narrow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> -gage railroad track. One took a Winchester -rifle with him while the others carried -their revolvers. On their return journey -they were met at a bend in the road by six -rebels. One had a rifle but the others were -armed only with <i lang="es">machettes</i>, or long brush knives. -The men from the plant were ordered to stop, -of course, but they did not obey. Instead they -started to pump the handles harder and since -the tracks were down grade at that point -their car had gained tremendous headway -by the time they reached the natives. Fortunately -the peons had not had forethought -enough to plug the railroad tracks or loosen a -rail in which case the car would have been -wrecked and the inspectors killed immediately. -As it was they ran past the natives at top -speed. The Mexican with the rifle opened -fire and the man with the Winchester replied, -but he was only able to get in one shot before -the handle of the car knocked the rifle from -his grasp. One of the other men drew his six -shooter and emptied it as he went flying past. -It was a narrow escape and the three inspectors<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> -were glad when they reached the power -plant.</p> - -<p>Shortly after this experience some excitement -was created at the station when Lyman -noticed that one of his indicators recorded a -grounded transmission line. Two linemen -and a squad of rurales were despatched to locate -the trouble. Five miles back in the mountains -they found a dead peon clinging to one -of the steel transmission poles and the story -of the ground was revealed instantly. This -peon had climbed the pole and with his steel -<i lang="es">machette</i> tried to cut through one of the transmission -lines. The moment the blade came in -contact with the cable a circuit was formed and -the entire 88,000 volts were sent through the -man’s body. His companions, seeing his fate, -had fled without even attempting to rescue -him.</p> - -<p>These demonstrations on the part of the -rebels did not add to the peace of mind of the -men at the power plant. Indeed every one -began to feel the strain, for the station was -veritably in a state of siege. Rumors came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> -into Necaxa by way of the peons from the -Indian village down the valley, that José -Cerro, one of the fiercest of the mountain -bandits and a strong ally of Zapata, was in -charge of the horde that was gathering in the -hills in that vicinity. After that no one felt -inclined to leave the station except when accompanied -by a guard of rurales and all inspection -of railroad and transmission lines -was done with the aid of soldiers.</p> - -<p>Then one day in the midst of it all the officer -in charge of the infantry reported to Mr. -Ryder that he had been in communication with -General Rodriguez and had received orders -to move his entire detachment back to Mexico -City. The engineer could not believe his ears. -With all haste he called up the capital on the -long-distance telephone.</p> - -<p>“Why, you won’t need soldiers out there any -longer,” said the military officer after the -engineer had protested vigorously to the removal -of the guard. “You don’t need soldiers -because Zapata is moving his whole army -toward the Atlantic coast. He’s evidently -heard of the shipment of arms coming in on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> -the German steamer and hopes to intercept -them on their way to the capital. If he takes -the railroad we are lost. That’s why we want -your soldiers. We must have them. The -rebel chief has withdrawn all his men from -your section of the country so I’m sure you -won’t need them.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, is that so,” said Mr. Ryder, thoroughly -angry. “Well, there are a few hundred lurking -out here in the woods just now and I am -expecting an attack almost any time.”</p> - -<p>“You are mistaken, I am sure,” said the -officer; “there may be a few bandits about in -the mountains but the Zapatistas have all followed -their leader. I am very sorry, but we -need all the soldiers you have at Necaxa. -However, if you are at all alarmed I will leave -you a detachment of twenty-five infantrymen -who, with the squad of rurales you have stationed -there, will be able to defend the place -against a few bandits. Good-by.”</p> - -<p>The soldiers entrained that very afternoon, -much to the chagrin of Mr. Ryder and the -other Americans.</p> - -<p>“By George, this is the queerest piece of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> -work I have ever seen,” said Mr. Ryder. -“If Zapata has moved his men, José Cerro -did not follow his leader, for he’s out there in -the mountains with two hundred men and he’ll -swoop down on us in short order when he -hears how weak our garrison is. Just watch -how bold those greasers get when they learn -that the infantry has been called back to Mexico -City.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE NIGHT WATCH</span></h2> - -<p>Mr. Ryder’s prediction came true. It -was not two days later when a half -dozen peons appeared on the edge of the forest -and occupied their time shooting out the -windows in the workmen’s cottages and sending -leaden greetings to any one who appeared -out of doors. They remained in their positions -until the soldiers mounted a light machine -gun in the window of the barracks house -and poured a rain of steel-jacketed bullets in -their direction. But José Cerro’s followers -were not the only ones who were made bold -by the withdrawal of the troops. The traitor -inside the power plant became active too.</p> - -<p>One evening while Jack and Mr. Ryder were -partaking of one of Tom Why’s elaborate -meals, Phil Underwood, the young American -whose duty it was to take care of the huge<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> -searchlight, rushed into the dining room.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Ryder,” he exclaimed with a savage -note in his voice, “there’s a peon in Necaxa I’d -like to lay hands on. He’s that blasted sympathizer. -If I knew who he was I’d choke -him to death. What do you think he’s done -now to help that bunch of cutthroats out there -in the mountain? He’s put the big searchlight -out of business! He’s wrecked the entire -outfit and there isn’t a place this side of -New York where we can get the broken parts -replaced! It looks as if we were up against -it for sure.”</p> - -<p>The engineer looked thoroughly worried.</p> - -<p>“When did it happen?” he demanded.</p> - -<p>“The light was all right up to dawn this -morning. I shut it off promptly at four -o’clock, put the canvas jacket over it and went -to bed. When I tried to start it a few moments -ago I found the whole mechanism gone -to smash.”</p> - -<p>For a long time Mr. Ryder was silent. His -brow was wrinkled and it was evident to both -Phil and Jack that the situation was causing -him some deep thought. Finally he spoke.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Look here, Phil, this condition is mighty -serious and I am at a loss to know exactly how -to proceed. I think the best plan is not to -mention this last piece of treachery. Merely -go to Lieutenant Hernandez and tell him that -the searchlight suddenly became out of order -and until we can repair it or make better arrangements -he must keep a double guard along -the barricade and the first trench. If we -spread the news about this broadcast we can’t -tell what sort of an effect it will have on the -soldiers. Mexicans are a peculiar lot, you -know, and for that reason alone I think it -would be far better for us to keep this incident -secret. In the meantime you and Jack -and myself can keep a watchful eye on everything -in general and I’ll try to work out a plan -for an improvised searchlight.”</p> - -<p>“Very good, sir,” said Phil, as he hurried -off to the military barracks.</p> - -<p>When the youth had gone Mr. Ryder turned -to Jack and said: “I trust you are still willing -to help me in this difficulty, my boy.”</p> - -<p>“You’re right I am,” exclaimed Jack enthusiastically, -“I am as much interested as if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> -I were employed here and I’ll do anything I -can to be of assistance.”</p> - -<p>“Very well then, Jack, I’ll look to you to do -a man’s share of the watching around here -until we can get things straightened out. -This trouble with the searchlight may mean -that a night attack is impending. I purpose -doing some guard duty myself to-night and I -should like to have you help me out. Will -you?”</p> - -<p>“Only tell me what you want of me and I’ll -do it without a word of protest,” said Jack -loyally.</p> - -<p>“Well, suppose you buckle on your revolver -now and start patroling the village. Keep an -eye out for anything that does not look absolutely -normal. At midnight report back to the -cottage here and wake me up. I’ll do my trick -between midnight and dawn, for I do not intend -that this traitor shall get in any more of -his underhanded work without being caught -at it.”</p> - -<p>“That’s a capital scheme,” said the young -Vermonter and finishing his coffee he hurried -to his room. There he secured his belt and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> -holster which he had tossed on his bed an hour -previous. Also before he left he rummaged -through his traveling bag until he had located -a tiny electric pocket flash lamp which he had -brought with him all the way from Drueryville. -Ten minutes later he was sauntering -down the single narrow street toward the -power plant.</p> - -<p>Darkness was just coming on as the sentries -were changed and the lad watched the small -squad of regulars leave the barracks and take -their places at various points around the tiny -village.</p> - -<p>“I wonder,” mused the boy, “how many actually -keep awake all night? I’ll warrant half -of them find some sheltered spot and go to -sleep after midnight.”</p> - -<p>For an hour or two the little community resembled -the quarry towns of far off Vermont -to such a degree that Jack actually became a -little homesick as he viewed the scene. Every -cottage window glowed with cheerful light and -the day men, free from their tasks for a while, -were indulging in the only sociability Necaxa -afforded: that was to gather in twos and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> -threes on cottage porches and spend the evening -in telling stories and smoking. Now and -then some one of these groups would burst -forth in songs and what the tunes lacked in -harmony was made up for in the enthusiasm of -the singers. Most of the songs Jack recognized -as having been popular back in the States -two years before.</p> - -<p>At half past nine the groups began to -dwindle, the men going off to their various -cottages. One by one the lights went out and -by ten o’clock the place was in total darkness, -save for the lights in the power plant. Jack -felt very lonesome then. Except for the -steady grumble of the generators inside the -big gray building, not a sound disturbed the -stillness. From place to place about the village -the youth roamed, peering here and there -for signs of trouble. But mostly he watched -in the vicinity of the power plant.</p> - -<p>This constant vigil was very tiresome, however, -and several times he paused in a secluded -angle of the building and flashed his electric -lamp on the face of his watch. He was thoroughly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> -glad when the hands pointed out the -hour of midnight.</p> - -<p>He made one more tour of inspection after -that, then started up the street toward Mr. -Ryder’s cottage. He had almost reached his -destination when suddenly his attention was -attracted by a gray shadow moving between -two cottages some distance to his left. Jack -remembered that both buildings were occupied -by Mexican linemen and his suspicions -were aroused immediately. As softly as a -panther he moved across the roadway and -gained the corner of one of the buildings. -The shadow still lingered in the alley and the -youth softly slipped his revolver from its holster. -But just as he was on the point of calling -to the man to throw up his hands he became -aware of another gray shadow moving -about. This one was coming stealthily up the -roadway he had just left and Jack thanked his -lucky stars that he had hidden himself when -he did.</p> - -<p>It was quite evident to the Vermonter that -the two shadows intended to meet, but in order<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> -to accomplish this either one or the other -must pass within six feet of him. For a moment -he scarcely knew what to do, for he realized -that he could not handle two men at once.</p> - -<p>The man in the alley had paused, but the one -in the roadway came forward softly and -swiftly. When he was within fifteen feet of -the crouching youth Jack could see him quite -distinctly. He wore a very broad hat and the -tight jacket of a rurale. Of a rurale! Instantly -the old Indian doctor’s story about a -rurale with an injured foot flashed upon him! -This must be the man of the scarred heel!</p> - -<p>Throwing all caution to the wind, Jack -dropped his revolver and leapt toward the -shadowy figure. It was a perfect flying tackle -and the man came down with a crash, his legs -pinned tightly together, exactly as Jack had -pinned the legs of many an opposing fullback -on the field at Drueryville.</p> - -<p>The attack was so sudden that the man lay -stunned for a moment. Then as if he suddenly -realized that it was a human being and -not a vice that had gripped him, the soldier began -to struggle. He tried to kick and squirm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> -his way out of the boy’s arms, at the same time -thrashing about with his fists and cursing -lustily in Spanish. He was a big man and exceedingly -powerful and Jack had all that he -could do to hold him on the ground.</p> - -<p>The lad had the advantage, however, since -the native was almost flat on his stomach. By -careful maneuvering and the help of two or -three wrestling holds that are known to every -American boy he was soon able to work himself -astride the prostrated one and pin the -refractory hands down as well. This accomplished, -the youth began to shout for help at -the top of his voice.</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder was first on the scene. He came -running across from his cottage, a revolver in -one hand and an electric flash lamp in the -other. The Mexican linemen came tumbling -out of their cottages a few moments later and -immediately after two Mexican regulars arrived, -all out of breath.</p> - -<p>“Well, I think we’ve captured our man,” said -Jack, panting in his excitement. “Here, lay -hold of this fellow, so I can stand up.”</p> - -<p>The soldiers seized the prostrated one but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> -they still kept him pinned flat on his stomach, -in spite of his protests.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Ryder,” said Jack, “I think this is -the man with the scarred foot. Turn your -light this way until we have a good look at -his feet. He hasn’t any boots on, that’s certain, -for he moved about like a cat.”</p> - -<p>Hurriedly the engineer turned the light on -the native’s naked feet and there, standing out -plainly in spite of the dirt and dust, was a -long scar that extended across the heel and -partly up the side of his foot toward the ankle. -The wound looked exactly as if the man had at -one time stepped on a very sharp stone that -had laid the flesh open to the bone.</p> - -<p>“By George, you’re right! He’s our man!” -exclaimed the engineer jubilantly. Then to -the soldiers in Spanish he said:</p> - -<p>“Hustle him off to the guardhouse, men, and -put a double watch over him, for he’s a traitor. -I’ll pay a peso a day to the men who watch -him, but I’ll have the scoundrel shot who lets -him get away.”</p> - -<p>Without any ceremony the regulars jerked -the big man to his feet and marched him off<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> -down the street, Mr. Ryder and Jack following -directly behind with their revolvers cocked -and ready for action. But the heavy door to -the prison pen had hardly been bolted behind -the rurale when the town was aroused by another -sensation. From down along the line -of barbed wire fence came the sharp report of -a rifle. The first report was followed by two -others in quick succession.</p> - -<p>“What is it! An attack!” gasped Jack as -he rushed forward with Mr. Ryder. The -sound of firing aroused every man in the camp -and in an instant half-clad soldiers and workmen -came tumbling from barracks hall and -cottage.</p> - -<p>“An attack! an attack!” was the cry they all -uttered as they hurried into the trenches.</p> - -<p>But after the third shot the sentry’s guns -were silent so long that Mr. Ryder and Jack -and Lieutenant Hernandez and Captain -Alvarez went to investigate.</p> - -<p>“What was the trouble?” they demanded of -the first soldier they met.</p> - -<p>“Shadows came along the fence. Three, -four, five of them all came to try and cut the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> -wire. One dropped this,” said the sentry as -he held up an ugly looking <i lang="es">machette</i>.</p> - -<p>“That’s mighty bad news,” said Mr. Ryder, -“for it looks to me as if the rebels are planning -an attack. But we’ll fix these wire cutters -to-morrow night. In the meantime you fellows -keep awake and on the lookout until -dawn.”</p> - -<p>But when the news of the shadowy wire -cutters was spread about among the men there -was little need for extra vigilance on the part -of the sentries, for every man in the village -stayed up until daylight discussing the possibilities -of an attack. Indeed, the sun was -just rising as Jack and Mr. Ryder turned in -for some much-needed sleep.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV<br /> -<span class="smaller">IMPROVISED SEARCHLIGHTS</span></h2> - -<p>“Velly vell, on’y me no likee losee dlishe -pans, Misler Lyder. Me no velly -much can usee pailes to washee dlishes in sometimes. -Jus’ samee me no likee losee dlishe -pan.”</p> - -<p>Tom Why’s voice accompanied by the clatter -of tin pans awoke Jack next day, from a -very sound sleep. The lad at first was -thoroughly mystified, for it was rarely that -good natured Tom ever objected to anything -either he or Mr. Ryder did. It was evident, -however, from the pitch of the Chinaman’s -voice that he was slightly indignant.</p> - -<p>“Me can no savvy leason to put holes in him -dlish pan. Him alle samee no glood then,” -continued Tom.</p> - -<p>“Well, I want to put wires through the bottom -of the pans and make searchlights out of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> -them. What if your old pans are spoiled, -Tom. When the next train comes up from -Mexico City I’ll have a carload for you if you -want them,” said Mr. Ryder.</p> - -<p>“Me no wantee clarload. Me wantee tlu -dlishe pans, and me no wantee liars put thlu -him bottom, too.”</p> - -<p>“All right, Tom,” laughed the engineer; -“you shall have two of the finest dishpans -south of the Rio Grande if you’ll only let me -have these two.”</p> - -<p>“Velly vell, velly vell,” said Tom somewhat -appeased at such an attractive offer.</p> - -<p>The conversation had done more than -amuse Jack. It had made him thoroughly -curious, for he could not understand how Mr. -Ryder could make a searchlight out of a tin -dishpan. He lost no time in tumbling out of -bed and dressing, and five minutes after the -engineer had left the house the youth was -ready to follow him. Just as Jack entered the -main room, however, Tom Why came in at the -back door.</p> - -<p>“Hello there, Tom, did Mr. Ryder confiscate -your dishpans?” asked the boy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> - -<p>“No him no dloo lat. Him just takee him -dlish plans. Him get Tlom Why tlu flines -likee clums to Melexeclo,” said Tom with a -grin. Then he added, “Allee samee Jack want -him dlinner now?”</p> - -<p>“Dinner?” exclaimed the boy, “why, what -time is it? Well, by George, if it isn’t three -o’clock. I’ve slept nearly ten hours. How -long has Mr. Ryder been up?”</p> - -<p>“Him alle samee come from him room an’ -slay, ‘Tom, glet my bleckflast!’ Then him -look at him clock him slay, ‘Gleat Clats, him -one o’clock. Tom, glet me my dlinner!’” Tom -tried to imitate the engineer as he quoted Mr. -Ryder’s remarks and the result made Jack -laugh heartily.</p> - -<p>In a surprisingly short time the Chinaman -had the table spread and a steaming hot meal -before the young American. But the lad hurried -every mouthful (much to Tom’s displeasure), -for he was eager to reach the plant and -witness the operation of converting tin dishpans -into searchlights. Also, he was curious -to know what had transpired since dawn that -morning.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> - -<p>When Jack reached the little machine shop -on the north side of the power plant he found -Mr. Ryder in the center of a pile of wire, -pieces of iron pipe, electric light bulbs and all -sorts of odds and ends. The engineer was -busily engaged with one of Tom’s precious tin -dishpans.</p> - -<p>“Oh! there you are, I thought you were due -to sleep all day,” said the engineer banteringly -as Jack arrived. “You are just in time to witness -an attempt to build a genuine spotlight -out of the cook’s most cherished possession.”</p> - -<p>“I heard all about it when you were trying -to persuade Tom to be generous with his pans. -What do you mean to do anyway?” said Jack.</p> - -<p>“Why, I intend to spring a little surprise on -our wire-cutting friends this evening if they -should happen around, which I expect they will. -I’m going to put a cluster of electric bulbs in -each of these tin dishpans, and put them up on -iron rods in position so that they will sweep -the line of barbed-wire defense. I’m going -to keep them dark until the sentries see the -‘shadows’ that visited us last night, then I’m -going to switch them on and have a firing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> -party ready. Oh! the wire cutters will receive -an ideal reception, I’ll warrant. You see, -fairly bright tin shaped in this manner will -magnify the light beam from three to five -times and that will throw a spotlight as far as -necessary. Tin is an excellent reflector for all -ordinary purposes. With the ten thirty-two -candlepower lamps which I intend to use in -each cluster, I will get a beam of light -1600 candlepower intensity. Of course that -amounts to very little when compared with the -huge thirty-inch searchlight of ours that magnified -a light several hundred times.</p> - -<p>“These searchlights will be operated by remote -control; that is, a wire will be run from -the lights to the roof of the power station -where Phil will be on duty as usual. The moment -he gets a signal from the sentries he will -throw on a switch which will connect with -both wires and the line of fence will be lighted -from either direction at once. The firing -squad will be just beyond the lower trenches -and behind the lights, so that they will not be -blinded by the sudden glare. The bandits on -the other hand will be surprised and made temporarily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> -blind by the sudden flash of light and -before they get away the riflemen will discourage -any idea of future wire cutting parties.”</p> - -<p>“It sounds like a first-rate scheme,” said -Jack appreciatively. Then suddenly remembering -the prisoner of the night before he -queried: “How is our friend, the rurale? -Have you seen him to-day?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I’ve seen him,” said the engineer as -he paused in his work of fitting a group of -lamp sockets inside the tin pan. “He’s a -mighty meek individual too just now. I guess -his thoughts are on the trial he’s to have to-morrow -morning. The chief witnesses over-slept -this morning or he would probably have -faced court-martial before this. It was a -lucky thing for him that we did oversleep too, -for it gives him a few hours longer to live at -any rate.”</p> - -<p>“What does he have to say for himself?” -asked the lad.</p> - -<p>“Well, in the first place, he’s the man whom -Señor Yuai described. He did live in the Indian -village over the mountain, and he did<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> -cut his foot by stepping on a <i lang="es">machette</i>. His -name is Alfonso Perro. I asked him why he -was sneaking about the place last night and -he said that he had made arrangements with -the peon who keeps the cottage for the lineman -to get some <i lang="es">pulque</i> for the troopers. <i lang="es">Pulque</i> -is the Mexican drink, you know. It is -made from the sap of the century plant or -<i lang="es">maquay</i> plant and when properly prepared is a -very fiery and highly intoxicating drink. -Don’t ever touch it, my boy, for it has ruined -the chance of more than one American who -acquired a taste for it. We do not allow it -to be brought into Necaxa at all, but the rurale -says that every time the linemen’s peon goes -to the village he smuggles in several jugs of the -stuff. Some was smuggled in yesterday and -the rurale said he was on his way to get it and -bring it back to the barracks when you captured -him. Of course I have had the peon -arrested also. He too is in the guardhouse, -but he swears that he has never smuggled <i lang="es">pulque</i> -into Necaxa.</p> - -<p>“I accused Perro of having tampered with -the machinery in the plant from time to time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> -and also of stealing my plans, and I must say -he is a very good actor, for he feigned surprise -wonderfully well. But when I told him -how we set a trap for him and discovered that -he had a scar on his foot he looked even more -surprised, and that surprise was genuine. I -think Captain Alvarez, of the rurales, is decidedly -angry over the whole affair and he is -determined to have the prisoner face a firing -squad as soon as possible.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I can’t help feeling a little sorry for -the man,” said Jack, who felt rather unhappy -when he realized how much he had helped in -sending the man to his end.</p> - -<p>“I feel sorry myself,” added Mr. Ryder, -“and if he would only tell the truth about the -plans and give me some idea where they are -I’d do my utmost to save his life. However, -the best that I could do would be of little avail, -I’m afraid, for Captain Alvarez takes charge -of all prisoners and the man’s fate is entirely -in his hands.”</p> - -<p>The two searchlights were completed late -that afternoon, but Mr. Ryder did not make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> -an attempt to erect them until after dark, for -as he explained to Jack, “Those bandits may -have lookouts stationed on the mountains, and -to have them see our new lights would knock -the little surprise party into a cocked hat.”</p> - -<p>It required but a very little time to put the -lamps in place, for the engineer had fastened -each tin pan to a section of iron pipe and this -was easily strapped to a tree at either end of -the clearing in front of the plant. The sentries -were carefully coached that night before -they were sent to their post, and most of the -men in the village as well as the extra soldiers -and rurales, gathered in the trenches to watch -for developments.</p> - -<p>But hours of waiting under such strained -conditions was far from comfortable and after -a while the men grew restive. In twos and -threes they began to leave for their cottages, -quite disappointed that nothing spectacular -had happened. Jack, who was in the first -trench, began to grow tired of the suspense -too. Indeed, he was just on the point of going -back to the cottage himself, when suddenly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> -a rifle shot rang out at one end of the -clearing. This was followed by another further -up the line of fence and instantly Phil -Underwood, on the roof, jammed home the -switch.</p> - -<p>The flood of light that swept along the barricade -revealed almost a score of bandits, with -<i lang="es">machettes</i> and big wire nippers. Some were -discovered in the very act of snipping strands -of wire while others, thoroughly frightened, -were turning to flee, but they had scarcely -moved two steps before the roar of a dozen -rifles burst forth.</p> - -<p>Jack saw two men toss up their hands and -pitch forward in the grass. Another staggered -a few steps, then he too fell in a limp -heap. Other shots rang out, but the rebels -got beyond the range of the improvised searchlights -and were lost in the dark before any -others were brought down.</p> - -<p>It all transpired so quickly that Jack could -hardly believe his eyes. He felt as if he had -been looking at a motion picture of something -that had taken place in a far-off land. But he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> -realized the horror of it all when several soldiers -crawled under the barbed wire fence and -picked up the three lifeless forms. Indeed, -he was forced to turn away, for the whole -scene became very repulsive to him. The idea -of trapping human beings like rats and slaughtering -them, was hideous. But the other men -laughed and joked over the occurrence exactly -as if they had but recently witnessed a performance -at a theater.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI<br /> -<span class="smaller">A WARNING</span></h2> - -<p>“Hi there, Jack, is that you?” called Mr. -Ryder as the lad entered the cottage.</p> - -<p>“Yes, but what on earth are you doing here -with all the rumpus down at the plant?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’ve been here for the last hour or -more. To tell you the truth, my boy, I did not -have the heart to remain and see the outcome. -I knew the trap would work; in fact, I was -afraid it would work too well. How many -men did they kill, Jack?” There was a note -of anxiety in the engineer’s voice as he asked -the question.</p> - -<p>“Three,” replied the boy.</p> - -<p>“Well, thank heavens it wasn’t more,” said -Mr. Ryder somewhat relieved. “The riflemen -would have had no compunction if the -number had been thirty-three, but I have. It -seems wicked and inhuman to sacrifice three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> -lives in order to teach the beggars a lesson. -It makes me very unhappy.”</p> - -<p>Jack was glad to find that Mr. Ryder took -this attitude in the matter. If the truth were -known he had secretly felt a little bitter toward -the engineer for concocting such a diabolical -trap. But when he saw how unhappy it had -made the man his bitterness turned to sympathy.</p> - -<p>“It does seem mighty hard to kill three men -in order to teach the rest of them a lesson, but -I suppose it was absolutely necessary for our -own safety,” said the youth in an effort to relieve -the engineer’s feelings.</p> - -<p>“You are quite right, my lad. It is hard, -but it had to be done. Sometimes, you know, -the lesson is almost as disagreeable to the -teacher as it is to the pupil. I hope to goodness -we’ll have no more of this slaughter, but -the way the rebels are acting I am very much -afraid that we will be in for a real battle before -the trouble is settled. I sincerely hope -I’m wrong.”</p> - -<p>The engineer was sitting at the table in the -center of the room, a mass of blueprints, drawings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> -and typewritten data spread out in front -of him. His shirt was open at the throat, for -the evening was very warm and his revolver -and cartridge belt had been removed and tossed -carelessly on the table before him.</p> - -<p>“What are all the plans?” queried Jack as he -sat down opposite the engineer.</p> - -<p>“These are the original sketches and preliminary -drawings from which I worked out -my lightning arrester,” replied Mr. Ryder. -“It begins to look as if the stolen papers -weren’t going to turn up. Our rurale with -the scarred foot denies all knowledge of their -whereabouts, which means that he will never -tell where they are, even if he does happen to -know, for a Mexican can be mighty stubborn -when he feels disposed that way. Under the -circumstances, I fancy I’ll have to dig a new set -of blueprints out of these old plans.</p> - -<p>“And that isn’t going to be the easiest work -in the world, let me tell you. I have paid very -little attention to the preliminary papers since -I worked out the final plans and the consequence -is many of the more important sketches -and formulas have disappeared. I am mighty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> -sorry that I did not make duplicate drawings -before I sent the plans to Drueryville. The -worst feature of the whole thing is the fact -that I have not yet applied for patent rights -either in this country or the United States. -I could not take this step until I had secured -Dr. Moorland’s formula, you know, because -that was one of the fundamental features of -the new appliance. In that case whoever has -the plans can very easily apply for patents in -his own name and then all my work will have -been for nothing. Indeed, if I wanted to use -my own invention after that I would probably -be forced to pay a royalty to some one else. -That would be a fine how-de-do, wouldn’t -it?”</p> - -<p>Though the boy could be of very little assistance -to the engineer, just then, he remained at -the table. Somehow, plans and blueprints had -a certain fascination for Jack, who hoped to become -an engineer some day. He spread one -of the more simple charts before him and tried -to work out the details for himself. How long -he had been absorbed in this task he did not -know, but suddenly, just outside the cottage,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> -sounded a patter of naked feet, then some one -sprang upon the porch in front of the door, -shouting as he did so:</p> - -<p>“<i lang="es">Los Zapatistas! Los Zapatistas! Viene -Ellos!</i>”</p> - -<p>“The rebels, they are coming! What can -he mean!” shouted Mr. Ryder as he leaped -from his chair and reached for his revolver. -The next instant the door was pushed violently -open and an Indian exhausted and with -blood dripping from an ugly wound in his -shoulder, plunged into the room.</p> - -<p>“It is Miguel the Indian runner, and he’s -wounded,” exclaimed Jack, immediately recognizing -the red man as the one whose dog he -had saved from the alligator several weeks before.</p> - -<p>Clutching the end of the table for support, -the native began to talk very rapidly, and as -the engineer listened, his face took on a -startled and somewhat puzzled look.</p> - -<p>“He says that he has run ten miles to warn -us that José Cerro and his band are planning -to attack us to-night!” explained Mr. Ryder -when the native finally ceased talking. “He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> -says that they are on the way now and that -we must hurry and prepare to meet their attack -or we will be overwhelmed!”</p> - -<p>“How does he know this?” demanded Jack, -thoroughly excited.</p> - -<p>“He carried mail to Los Angeles to-night,” -said Mr. Ryder, “and while he was lingering -in the village a native told him that the famous -bandit José Cerro was there. The native -pointed out the very house where José -Cerro was drinking <i lang="es">pulque</i> with some of his -lieutenants. He became curious to see a man -of such a villainous reputation and crept close -to the shack and peered into the window. He -not only saw the villain but he heard most of -their conversation. He was startled, for he -realized that he was overhearing the plans for -an attack on the power plant. He heard José -Cerro say, ‘The fence wires are all cut by now -and the big searchlight crippled. Everything -is ready for the attack. Our men need only to -rush in, seize Señor Ryder and carry him off. -Then I will collect three thousand pesos from -our benefactor before we start to join Zapata -and capture the railroad. Then if we play our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> -part right we can hold this great electrical -engineer for a ransom from his friends in -America perhaps. If we can’t do that we can -kill him at least, though I’d much prefer to -hold him and collect gringo gold for his release. -How say you, men?’ At this there -were many cheers.</p> - -<p>“Miguel became less cautious for he wanted -to hear more. The result was that José Cerro -saw him through the window and fired his -revolver at him. The bullet hit him in the -shoulder. The town was in an uproar immediately -but the runner did not wait. As fast as -he could he ran toward the power plant, glad, -he says, of an opportunity to be of service to -the gringo who saved his dog from the alligators.”</p> - -<p>The Indian had stood by the table during -Mr. Ryder’s recital, his face distorted with -the pain of the wound in his shoulder, and as -the lad looked at him he realized just how -much hardship the red man had withstood to -repay a debt of kindness.</p> - -<p>“We must prepare to meet the attack immediately,” -said Jack calmly, “but before I move<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> -a step I am going to bind up this poor fellow’s -wound and see that he is comfortable.”</p> - -<p>“Fine! Take care of him and I’ll go and -spread the alarm. Hurry down to the -trenches when you’re through,” said Mr. -Ryder as he seized a rifle and rushed out the -door.</p> - -<p>Although Jack could not talk to the Indian, -he soon made the red man understand by motions -that he wanted to take care of the bullet -wound. The native smiled gratefully at this -and sat down in Mr. Ryder’s chair while the -young American hastened out to Tom Why’s -cook house. The lad routed the worthy -Chinaman out of bed and bade him heat some -water immediately. In the meantime, he -found some clean linen with which to make -bandages.</p> - -<p>Tom Why was a willing assistant and in -short order all blood stains had been wiped -from the runner’s chest and arm and the -wound bathed. Then Jack bound a bandage -tightly about the injured shoulder and after -preparing a cup of steaming hot coffee, showed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> -the native to one of the bedrooms and insisted -that he lay down and rest for a while. During -all this, the tawny yellow hound which had -followed the Indian into the cottage, kept close -to his master’s side. The animal seemed to -appreciate everything that Jack and Tom did -for the redman, for his tail wagged furiously -all the time. And when the runner lay down -upon Jack’s bed the hound curled himself up -in the doorway as if to keep guard while -Miguel was sleeping.</p> - -<p>When the Indian was comfortable, the Vermonter -buckled on his own revolver, and slinging -a heavy cartridge belt over his shoulder -seized one of the rifles in the corner and hurried -out to the trenches.</p> - -<p>At the plant every one was in a state of excitement. -The ugly-looking, three-inch fieldpiece -had been unjacketed and made ready for -action. The battery of French machine guns, -those death-dealing instruments that fired more -than four hundred shots a minute, had all been -mounted and manned, and soldiers and workmen -alike all fully armed, waited crouching in -the trenches. The two improvised searchlights<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> -were still burning and by their light the -whole scene looked weird and uncanny.</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder was as active as the rest, directing -the position of the defenders and arranging -other details. But in the midst of it all he -found time to call Jack aside and hold a brief -conversation with him.</p> - -<p>“That Indian’s story has me thoroughly puzzled. -If all he says is true, and I have no reason -to believe otherwise, some one is certainly -plotting for my downfall. Whom do you suppose -José Cerro’s ‘benefactor’ is anyway? -This is the most mysterious situation I have -ever been mixed up with in my life. It certainly -has me guessing. I wonder if—Look! -Look! See that flash over there! On the -mountain! Listen! Hear the roar! It’s the -rebels! They’ve lugged their old fieldpiece up -there again. They are trying to drop shells -down here! Ho, boys! Bill! Joe! Did you -see that flash! Throw a shell or two up there -the next time they fire!” The last was addressed -to the men in charge of the three-inch -gun.</p> - -<p>Again came the flash, then the far-off roar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> -and Jack heard the shell go humming high in -the air above the plant and burst against the -mountain across the river. But this time the -gun on the mountain was answered by the one -at the plant. The battery belched forth a -cloud of fire and smoke and a moment later -Jack saw a flash of fire in the woods across -the valley where the shell exploded. The fieldpiece -at the plant was of the quick-firing -variety and four shots were hurled up on to the -mountain before another one was sent toward -the station.</p> - -<p>Twice shells burst within the inclosure -about the plant, one carrying away a section -of the rurales’ barracks hall and setting fire to -the rest of it. The flames added to the excitement -of the occasion but were quickly extinguished -by two men with a hose, held in readiness -for that very kind of emergency. Until -just before daylight, the firing kept up, then -the gun on the mountain became strangely silent -and the men at Necaxa concluded that -their shells had put it into disuse forever. -But when the first golden streak of morning -showed above the mountain tops, and the valley<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> -became light enough for the men to see any -distance, a new terror took the place of the -gun on the mountain. From here and there -in the underbrush across the valley bottom -came tiny jets of smoke, and Jack for the first -time in his life heard the ominous hum of -bullets fired with deadly earnestness. José -Cerro’s sharpshooters seemed everywhere and -the flying pellets of lead and steel kicked up -the dust in all directions. For a long time the -rifles in the trenches were silent, for the men -could locate no one to fire at. The fieldpiece, -however, kept shelling the forest but with little -effect, for the gunners could not see the -enemy.</p> - -<p>Then suddenly two natives showed themselves -on the edge of the wood. Instantly, a -volley rang out from the defenders and the -French machine guns began to rattle viciously. -The battle was on!</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII<br /> -<span class="smaller">“WHO WILL BE FOOD FOR THE VULTURES!”</span></h2> - -<p>Of the two men, one advanced. The other -lay writhing in pain on the ground, but -his place was taken by twenty more, forty -more, eighty more, a hundred, two hundred. -They emerged from every bush, from behind -trees, they arose from the long grass, they -appeared as if by magic. On they came, yelling, -screaming; swarthy faces distorted, the -lust of battle in their eyes.</p> - -<p>“Here they come, boys! Steady! Keep -cool and fight, <em>fight</em>, <em class="smcap">fight</em>!” screamed Mr. -Ryder to the men in the trenches.</p> - -<p>His instructions were answered by a mighty -cheer; a war-cry that sent a thrill down Jack -Straw’s back.</p> - -<p>All thoughts of danger, all thoughts of -everything but the fight, were driven from the -lad’s brain by that cheer. In his hands he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> -gripped a rifle. About his shoulders were -two hundred rounds of ammunition. With -these he must fight, <em>fight</em>, <em class="smcap">fight</em>!</p> - -<p>He was surprised to find how calm and collected -he felt as he crouched there in the first -trench, shoulder to shoulder with a rurale on -one side and Harvey Carroll on the other. -Over his head whistled a thousand screaming -messengers of death. They plunged into the -earthy embankment in front of him and threw -dirt and pebbles into his eyes and mouth. -They whistled past his cheeks and thumped -against the wall of the power station behind -him. Yet for all he was calm, insanely calm, -it seemed to him.</p> - -<p>Carefully and methodically he slipped a shell -from his cartridge belt and held it between his -teeth while he threw open the breech block of -his rifle. Without any apparent haste he -slipped the brass thing home, closed the breech -and put the piece to his shoulder. Then with -the utmost deliberation he selected one of those -ugly distorted faces for his target and taking -careful aim pulled the trigger.</p> - -<p>Thus did the boy load and fire, load and fire,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> -a dozen times while the screaming mob came -on. All along the double line of trenches, -workmen and soldiers were doing the same as -he. And behind him the battery of French -machine guns, two on the roof and the others -against the wall of the power station, spat -vehemently four hundred times a minute. -Yet with all this stubborn defense the motley -mob advanced. They rushed, shrieking and -screaming, across the valley bottom toward the -barbed-wire barricade, pausing only to reload -and fire. They came on, on, on, sombreros -and jackets flapping, red lips parted and white -teeth showing like a pack of bloodthirsty -wolves. Two men reached the barbed-wire -fence, one began to climb but he stopped at the -second strand and his bullet-riddled body hung -on the fence for the rest of the battle. The -other hacked away with a <i lang="es">machette</i>, trying -hard to sever the wires. Jack was surprised to -see how long he remained exposed to the -grueling fire before he fell.</p> - -<p>Others reached the fence; one man clutched -the top strand and vaulted clear, but he did not -stand on his feet when he landed. Another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> -climbed a post only to pitch backward, bowling -over two men directly behind him. But they -came so thick and fast after that, that Jack -could only see them as a mass. They pressed -against the barrier like cattle; they raged, they -cursed, they screamed, while the bullets from -the machine guns mowed them down like rye -before a scythe. But the press was too great! -The fence came down with a crash and the -way to the plant was cleared for them!</p> - -<p>A groan arose from the trenches when the -men saw this, for the Necaxa force was outnumbered -five to one in spite of the havoc of -the machine guns. Jack’s spirit sank with the -rest, for he realized that the end was near unless -they could stop the rush of that bloodthirsty -mob. But suddenly he heard a voice -above the roar of battle and looking in the direction -from whence it came, he saw Mr. Ryder -standing exposed on the embankment of the -first trench.</p> - -<p>“Boys, boys!” he shouted; “look overhead! -The vultures! Shall they feed on us or the -greasers to-night?” Jack looked aloft, there -in the blue heavens were two huge birds circling -slowly around over the battle field. It -was dramatic! It was hideous! Others -looked, too, and the grim specter had its effect.</p> - -<p>“The greasers! the greasers! let them be -food for the vultures! Make them carrion, -fellows!” was the cry that went up from the -trenches, and some men in their anger stood -bolt upright to load and fire. The rain of -bullets that swept down the grassy slope was -annihilating. The oncoming mob stopped! -The rebels’ dogged rush was checked! For -five minutes they tried to hold their ground -against the withering fire. Then suddenly -they broke and ran for cover.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;" id="illus3"> -<img src="images/illus3.jpg" width="700" height="475" alt="" /> -<p class="caption">“They pressed against the barrier like cattle”</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> - -<p>At this a shout of triumph went up from the -trenches. The men all stood upright then and -pumped bullets after the scattered force of -José Cerro. Jack discarded his rifle entirely -and drawing his revolver leapt to the top of -the breastworks and fired, round after round -at the tattered brigade that was hurrying -across the valley, until the last of the Mexicans -was lost in the forest. Then he paused and -as he wiped the perspiration from his brow, he -remarked to no one in particular:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> - -<p>“By crackey, for excitement this beats all.”</p> - -<p>Harvey Carroll overheard him and smiled. -“So it appeals to you, eh?” he queried.</p> - -<p>“Appeals to me? No, not exactly, but -nevertheless it’s exciting! How long did it -last? About fifteen minutes, I guess.”</p> - -<p>But Jack was disillusioned on this point -when he looked at his watch. He could hardly -believe it but he had been in the midst of death -for two hours and had come through it all -without a single scratch. This was not true of -others, however. From here and there in the -trenches came groans of anguish, telling plainly -that more than one of the murderous soft-nosed -Mexican bullets had found its mark. -Jack saw many motionless forms too, and he -knew that the power plant would be short -handed for a while.</p> - -<p>The lad did not have long to view the situation, -however, for soon he heard the voice of -the engineer giving commands in English and -Spanish. These were to the effect that every -man should get busy and repair the broken-down -barricade before the rebels rallied and -began another assault. Rifles were discarded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> -immediately and axes and shovels substituted. -With these, soldiers and workmen alike began -to reset the broken-down posts and restring -the wires. Jack and Mr. Ryder did their part. -They worked side by side with the rest, in -spite of the fact that they had been longer -than twenty-four hours without sleep.</p> - -<p>Once Jack paused in his work and standing -erect, viewed the valley. Dead men lay -everywhere. They were piled thick along the -line of fence and scattered broadcast from the -bottom of the slope to the edge of the wood, -and though the bodies were not yet cold the -vultures were feeding. The scavengers of -Mexico were already at work clearing the battle -field.</p> - -<p>As soon as the fence was repaired and reinforced -with hundreds of feet of extra barbed -wire which the workmen brought from the -storehouse, Mr. Ryder appointed a hospital -squad and a burial squad from amongst the -infantry men. They were detailed to go -across the valley gathering up the dead and -the wounded. When this was well under way -the engineer returned to the plant, to look after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> -the hospital work there. Lyman, Carroll and -several other Americans who were not needed -inside the plant at that time, had gathered up -the injured and taken them inside a big well-lighted -toolhouse.</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder glanced about the room; he -studied the faces of the wounded and scrutinized -the attendants closely. Finally, he -turned to Jack and said:</p> - -<p>“Say, son, have you seen my assistant? -Nedham, I mean. I haven’t seen him since -last night. I was looking for him in the -trenches, but couldn’t find him. Thought -maybe he was wounded early and brought -here.”</p> - -<p>Jack could not recall having seen Nedham. -So Mr. Ryder called Lyman.</p> - -<p>“Hi, Lyman, come here.”</p> - -<p>Lyman made his way between the prostrated -forms to his chief’s side.</p> - -<p>“Have you seen Nedham, lately?” queried -the engineer.</p> - -<p>“Why—er—ah, why I think the last glimpse -I caught of him was when the three-inch fieldpiece -opened up. He came through the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> -operating room. Said he was on his way to -the roof to look after some machine guns up -there. Haven’t seen him since.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said Mr. Ryder, “that’s a peculiar -place for my assistant when I need him alongside -of me all the time. If you see him again -tell him I want him. He’ll find me here with -the wounded.”</p> - -<p>Jack was surprised to find out how many -had been injured in the battle. There were -more than a score of workmen and soldiers -stretched out on the toolhouse floor, and the -few Americans available had all they could do -to care for the wants of the wounded. Jack -noted that one of the busiest of the attendants -was the Indian runner whom he had left in -his room before the battle started. The red -man was going about among the wounded with -a gourd of water in his right hand. His left -was bandaged tightly across his breast and -entirely useless because of José Cerro’s bullet. -Jack learned later on that the messenger had -entered the trenches at the opening of the battle -and all through the conflict had handled a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> -huge six shooter which he had found in Mr. -Ryder’s cottage.</p> - -<p>The youth and the engineer turned to with -the rest and tried to make things more comfortable -for the sufferers. They had not been -at work long, however, before Arthur Strong, -the tall, light-haired day operator, came rushing -in. The moment he saw Mr. Ryder he -began to shout:</p> - -<p>“The lines are down! The lines are down! -Mexico City’s service is cut off.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE WIRES ARE DOWN</span></h2> - -<p>The news was staggering! Mr. Ryder -stood blinking at the man for fully a -minute before he could comprehend the situation. -Then as he realized that his one desire, -to keep the current flowing uninterruptedly -into Mexico City, had been thwarted, his face -grew very white and tense, but instantly this -expression changed to one of determination.</p> - -<p>“We’ll put these lines back again in the face -of every obstacle,” he thundered. Then, -turning, he addressed the men in the room.</p> - -<p>“Boys, the lines are down! For the first -time since I’ve been in charge of Necaxa, -Mexico City is without juice! I’m going to -open the service again! Who is going to help -me!”</p> - -<p>“I am!” came the chorus and every man who -could stand crowded about the engineer and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> -pleaded to be taken along. Even some of the -wounded men raised themselves on their -elbows and begged to be permitted to help in -the crisis.</p> - -<p>Quietly and methodically Mr. Ryder went -about picking out his assistants. Two burly -Mexican linemen were the first selected, then -Harvey Carroll of the maintenance department -under whose jurisdiction came all the -repair work along the transmission line, and -last of all a swarthy rurale, known among the -men as the best rider and best marksman of -all the Necaxa troop.</p> - -<p>“You five will be enough. Carroll, you and -the linemen get your repair kits and have the -<i lang="es">mozos</i> saddle five horses. We’re to start immediately.” -Then as the men were turning to -go, the engineer called them together again.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps I should warn you boys of the -dangers that face us. I have an idea that this -breaking down of the transmission lines is -nothing more or less than a trap. Where we -find the trouble we will also find a swarm of -rebels ambushed. They may shoot us from -the poles just as they would shoot so many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> -pheasants. In fact, the more I think of it the -more confident I am that they have pulled the -wires down for the very purpose of luring -some of us out into the mountains so that they -can square accounts. Considering the situation -in that light, do you all feel just as enthusiastic -about going?”</p> - -<p>“You bet we do,” came the hearty response -and the five men hurried out to get their equipment -together.</p> - -<p>“Fine,” said Mr. Ryder, then turning and -addressing the rest of the men in the toolhouse -he said:</p> - -<p>“It will be up to you fellows to guard the -place from an attack until we return. I know -your number is small now and some of our -best fighters are out of commission, but just -the same you must hold the place against any -further assault. I don’t expect you’ll have -much trouble after the way we treated José -Cerro and his rebels this morning, but nevertheless -you can’t afford to have your eyes -closed. Clear up the place and get everything -shipshape and ready for instant action.</p> - -<p>“And as for you,” he continued, turning to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> -Jack Straw, “you’ve acquitted yourself well -to-day and I must compliment you. Now, to -top off all this, I want you to keep your eyes -on the clock. It is exactly eleven o’clock. If -we are not back or you do not get word from -us by three this afternoon, arrange with Captain -Alvarez, of the rurales, to have the whole -squad ride the transmission line in search of -us. They may get there in time to find our -dead bodies, but anyway we can feel certain of -a decent burial, can’t we, my boy?”</p> - -<p>“You’re right you can, but I certainly hope -that we’ll be able to locate you before burial -is necessary, if we have to look for you at -all,” replied Jack.</p> - -<p>A few moments later the four other members -of the repair squad rode up to the door -of the improvised hospital, leading Mr. -Ryder’s mount. The engineer shook hands -with all his friends and bade them good-by -while his assistants did likewise. Then when -all were mounted and ready, word was given -and the five horses went racing across the enclosure, -through the gate and on to the trail -that followed the line of transmission cables.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> -For half an hour they pushed ahead at a -steady canter, keeping a careful watch on the -shrubbery and underbrush for signs of the -enemy. They saw any number of dead rebels. -All along the trail were bodies of men who -had been wounded in the recent battle and -who had followed their companions until they -dropped from sheer exhaustion.</p> - -<p>About four miles from Necaxa they located -the break. The four large cables were completely -down, but fortunately the parallel telephone -wire was still in service. At first Mr. -Ryder was at loss to know just how the peons -had done the work until he examined the cable -and discovered bullet marks.</p> - -<p>“I have it,” he exclaimed suddenly; “the -greasers have pumped shot into the cables and -insulators until the lines simply couldn’t stay -up. I guess the telephone wire was too small -for them to hit. I’m mighty glad they are -such poor shots. They have done very little -damage for the cables are not cut to amount to -anything. All that is necessary is some new -porcelain insulators on the poles and a little -patchwork on the lines and we will be able to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> -give Huerta his service in an hour. Come, -boys, up the poles there and get the insulators -in place. Cut in on the ’phone line and tell -the station we’ll have the work done in an -hour.”</p> - -<p>The men became active immediately, even -the rurale taking a hand in the work. From -the four repair kits enough insulators were -secured to equip the pole. The two linemen -were sent aloft to install these while Mr. -Ryder, Carroll and the rurale stayed on the -ground to repair the lines. They were all so -thoroughly busy and so absorbed in their work -that none of them heard the soft patter of -naked feet on the trail and in the underbrush -about the pole. Indeed, they were surprised -almost to the point of speechlessness when a -wicked-faced little Mexican, revolver in hand, -stepped into full view before them and requested -them in Spanish to hold up their -hands.</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder and the rurale jumped up simultaneously -and reached for their guns but the -ugly-looking Mexican merely smiled as he -turned his revolver to cover them completely.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Ah, Señor Ryder, I would not try to shoot -if I were you, the woods are full of rifles,” he -said very politely in Spanish. And it was -true. Mr. Ryder could see a peon behind -every bush and tree.</p> - -<p>“It is José Cerro,” hissed the rurale as he -put his hands above his head.</p> - -<p>“Yes, it is I, José Cerro,” answered the -Mexican calmly. Then turning to the -engineer he said, “I hoped to get some of you -in this trap, but I never expected to have the -good fortune of capturing Señor Ryder, I am -sure. I am indeed honored to have you as my -prisoner. I am also pleased for other reasons, -for your capture means three thousand -pesos to me and perhaps more, who knows.”</p> - -<p>“Three thousand pesos! Who will give you -that amount?” demanded the engineer.</p> - -<p>“Ah, señor, would it be loyal of me to reveal -the name of my benefactor, especially -when he does not want his identity known?” -asked Zapata’s lieutenant suavely. Then he -answered the question himself by saying, -“No, no, that would not be kind. I cannot -tell you, Señor Ryder, but I can tell you that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> -you must come with me. You must hurry too, -before your rurales hear of this trap. For -my force is far too small as it is, thanks to the -excellent fighting of you gringoes. Ho! men! -come, take these monkeys from their perch on -the pole. We must away with our prisoners. -Come!”</p> - -<p>A horde of battle-scarred peons appeared -immediately, and with threatening speech and -gestures managed to persuade the two Mexican -linemen to climb down from the pole. Each -of the five prisoners was commanded to -mount his horse, then according to José -Cerro’s instructions, peons bound their feet together -under the horses’ stomachs and tied -their hands behind their backs. This done the -leader gave a few brief commands and the -band started to move, striking off at right -angle to the trail that followed the transmission -line. They seemed to be following an invisible -path through the thicket that led into -a narrow ravine between the mountains in the -direction of the broad valley where Los Angeles -was located.</p> - -<p>But they had hardly left the tiny clearing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> -about the pole when the figure of an Indian -and a tawny hound crept out of the bushes. -The redman was clad only in canvas trousers -that were rolled up to his knees, and his left -arm and shoulder was swathed in bandages. -A moment he paused while his black eyes -searched the ground and the surrounding -shrubbery. Suddenly he caught sight of the -narrow trail left by the cavalcade.</p> - -<p>“Ugh,” he grunted, “they have gone toward -the sunrise. They have no horses. We shall -easily catch José Cerro.” He paused a moment -longer to examine the trail, then, standing -erect, he mused:</p> - -<p>“I am right. Only so many horses as I -have fingers, no more. Those are Señor -Ryder’s.”</p> - -<p>And he disappeared as silently as he came.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX<br /> -<span class="smaller">TO THE RESCUE!</span></h2> - -<p>It was some time before Jack and the rest -of the Americans were able to make the -wounded comfortable in the makeshift hospital. -When the task was accomplished, however, -Phil Underwood and Lance Carpenter -were put in permanent charge of the toolhouse. -Their first action was to bar everyone -else from entering the building and disturbing -their patients.</p> - -<p>Since nothing remained for Jack to do but -obey these orders, the lad soon left the place -and sought employment with the men who -were engaged in eliminating the evidences of -the recent battle from the vicinity of the -power house. In the meantime, however, he -kept careful track of the time and constant -watch for some message from Mr. Ryder and -the repair crew.</p> - -<p>As a result of the industriousness of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> -regulars, the dead and wounded were fast being -removed from the valley. Those who -still showed signs of life were carried to the -toolhouse to be cared for by Phil and Lance. -The dead men were carried into the forest to -the west. This puzzled Jack for he could not -understand why graves were not dug in the -open. Indeed, he became so curious about the -whole thing that he finally asked Lyman what -the regulars did with the bodies.</p> - -<p>“In Mexico,” explained Lyman, “they don’t -bother to bury dead men after a battle. They -merely gather them all in one pile, saturate -them with kerosene and touch a match to them. -You see, bodies must be removed quickly in -the Tropics or serious disease will be spread -immediately. The funeral pyre is the quickest -and best method of avoiding this danger.”</p> - -<p>“Goodness, but that’s a gruesome way of -caring for the dead. But then, I suppose, it -is best from a sanitary standpoint and it certainly -is far better than leaving the remains for -the vultures.”</p> - -<p>“Si, señor, it es best zan ze vultures,” said -some one in broken English, and Jack and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> -Lyman turned to find Captain Alvarez, of the -rurales, addressing them. “I hear your remarks -what you say about dead mens and I -agree. Fire es best zan ze vultures. Oh; ze -vultures zay are ah—what you call—ah—higeous, -eh!”</p> - -<p>“Indeed they are hideous. They are the -most repulsive creatures I have ever seen,” -said Jack.</p> - -<p>“Ah, you are right, Señor Jack, but it is not -of vulture I wish to see you for. It is of my -mans Alfonso Perro, the one wiz ze scar foot -which is in ze guardhouse now. We mus give -him ze court-martial soon and ze execution. -Also his peon assistant must we shoot. Will -you and Señor Ryder be ready for ze court -zis evening?”</p> - -<p>“I think so,” replied Jack. “I will be ready -and I think Mr. Ryder will—”</p> - -<p>“Who is that,” interrupted Lyman, pointing -across the clearing in the direction of the -trail that followed the transmission line.</p> - -<p>Jack beheld a swarthy, long-haired individual -clad only in white trousers running toward -the power plant, a dog loping along at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> -his heels. The man’s stride was long and -regular, like that of an experienced distance -runner, and the lad recognized him immediately -as the Indian messenger.</p> - -<p>“Why, it’s the runner. I saw him here at -the plant only an hour ago. I wonder where -he’s been? I’ll warrant he has word about -Mr. Ryder.”</p> - -<p>Together Jack and Lyman hurried to greet -the messenger who by this time had crawled -under the barbed-wire fence and was swinging -up the slope. But while he was still some -distance away he began to call in Spanish.</p> - -<p>“What does he say?” queried Jack of Lyman, -who had been listening intently to catch -every word.</p> - -<p>“Quick, call out the rurales!” replied Lyman; -“he says that the repair crew has been -taken prisoners by José Cerro himself!”</p> - -<p>“But how does he know? How did he get -the information?” demanded Jack.</p> - -<p>“Don’t know, he must have slipped out and -followed Mr. Ryder and his men. Hurry, -we’ve no time to lose. He will guide us.”</p> - -<p>But Captain Alvarez had followed them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> -down the slope and he needed no persuading. -He had understood everything the Indian -said and even while Lyman was urging him to -hurry the officer drew a tiny silver whistle -from his pocket and blew three shrill blasts -upon it. A moment later an orderly appeared -running toward the commander.</p> - -<p>Brief instructions were given and the soldier -hurried back toward the plant again. -Five minutes later the clear notes of a bugle -echoed and re-echoed through the valley, calling -the troopers to saddle.</p> - -<p>By the time the three arrived at the corral -the rurales were ready. There were other -horsemen, too, eager to go to the rescue of Mr. -Ryder, for the news had been spread throughout -Necaxa and all the Americans who could -be spared and who could find horses or mules -to ride upon had gathered with the troopers.</p> - -<p><i lang="es">Mozos</i> found mounts for Jack and Lyman -and the Indian runner, and in less than twenty -minutes after Miguel appeared upon the trail -the troop was galloping out of the enclosure -and along the path that followed the transmission -lines. Captain Alvarez, the Indian, Jack<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> -and Lyman were in the lead and the rest of -the band was strung out behind, their position -depending entirely upon the speed of their -horses. And as they galloped toward the -break in the transmission line the wounded Indian -explained how he had left the toolhouse -hospital and followed the repair crew at a distance, -hoping to be of assistance in case of -trouble. But soon he began to find traces of -the presence of rebels along the trail. He -tried to reach Mr. Ryder and warn him of -the ambush, but he said that the woods in the -vicinity of the pole on which the men were -working were so full of José Cerro’s men that -he could not get through their lines without -running the risk of being shot. Quietly he -waited until he could be certain of the direction -José Cerro and his men would lead their -prisoners. Then he returned to Necaxa as -fast as he could run.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 475px;" id="illus4"> -<img src="images/illus4.jpg" width="475" height="700" alt="" /> -<p class="caption">“The horsemen in green swept down the valley”</p> -</div> - -<p>Half an hour after the rurales left the plant -they arrived at the point where the transmission -line was down. Here the Indian dismounted -and looked over the ground carefully.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> - -<p>“They are many peons,” he said laconically -to Captain Alvarez as he remounted and -started toward the trail that led into the ravine. -In single file the horsemen followed -their guide, for nearly an hour before they -reached the end of the rocky pass, from the -mouth of which they could look down into the -broad valley that held Los Angeles. Off in -the distance Jack saw a line of soldiers winding -its way toward the little community.</p> - -<p>“There, there, over there! Those are José -Cerro’s men with their prisoners!” exclaimed -Captain Alvarez in Spanish. “Come! At -them, men!”</p> - -<p>The call of the bugle trumpeting the charge -sounded through the valley. José Cerro and -his men heard it and began to hurry forward -at double-quick time. But they soon saw that -escape was impossible, for the horsemen rushed -down upon them swiftly. All that remained -for the peons to do was stand and fight. -Hurriedly they formed a circle about their -prisoners and with guns pointing on every side -prepared to repel the rurales.</p> - -<p>The horsemen in green swept down from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> -the ravine ’mid the thunder of hoofs and the -shouts of infuriated men! Indian fashion the -squad split, a wing skirting either side of the -valley. On they came firing from their saddles -with carbine or revolver and menacing -José Cerro’s men from every side. But the -little knot of peons were courageous. They -loaded and fired in lightning fashion and the -rattle of their musketry sounded like a battery -of machine guns in action. They were -making a last and desperate stand and they -fought doggedly!</p> - -<p>Round and round the little group of men -swept the cavalry, making the circle ever narrower. -Jack rode with the rest of them, lying -close to his horse’s neck and firing his revolver. -But in the heat of it all he never took -his eyes from the prisoners in the center of -the circle of rebels. There were Mr. Ryder -and his assistants exposed to the fire of the -men from the plant. Jack expected to see one -of them topple from his horse at any moment, -pierced by the bullets of their friends.</p> - -<p>But gradually the nerve of the fighting -rebels began to go. Three of them left their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> -companions and tried to break through the line -of horsemen. Jack saw a rurale ride one of -them down. The other two were shot before -they had gone a dozen yards. Two more -tried to get through, only to be trampled down -by the flying horsemen. José Cerro and his -men were trapped. There was no way for -them to get beyond the circle of horsemen. -Some threw down their arms and cried for -mercy while others broke and ran; ran as far -as they could go before a bullet brought them -to the ground or a horse trampled them under -foot.</p> - -<p>Then in the midst of it all, while Jack was -still keeping a watchful eye on Mr. Ryder, the -lad saw the engineer suddenly jerked down -from his mount, and in his place on the horse’s -back appeared a wicked-looking little Mexican. -The man set spurs to the horse immediately -and tried to ride through the crush of humans -about him. He cursed and shouted for his -men to make way and those who did not move -fast enough he beat over the head with the -butt of his revolver.</p> - -<p>“Look! look!” shrieked Jack; “their leader<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> -is getting away! José Cerro is escaping!” -Then rolling his spurs across his animal’s -flanks he gave chase. But others saw the -escaping leader and more than one horseman -turned his mount down the valley after the -fleeing rebel.</p> - -<p>It was a short race. José Cerro had hardly -time to get his steed down to its pace before -Jack and two rurales reached his side. One -man seized the horse’s bridle and threw the -animal back up on its haunches. With a curse -the Zapatista drew his revolver. But Jack -happened fortunately to be on the right side -of the rebel. His revolver spat fire twice before -the Mexican could raise his arm. José -Cerro shrieked with pain. The revolver -dropped from his helpless fingers and he reeled -in the saddle. The other rurale caught him -as he was falling and steadied him on the prancing -horse.</p> - -<p>The fighting had ceased by this time for -most of the peons, seeing their leader in full -flight, had surrendered. The Mexican linemen -and the Americans who were still tied to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> -their horses had been liberated immediately -and the rurales were busy forming the remainder -of the rebel band in a double line and -disarming them.</p> - -<p>Jack and Mr. Ryder greeted each other -warmly when the former drove up, escorting -the wounded leader.</p> - -<p>“By George, boy, I’m mighty glad you got -the rurales out when you did. It began to -look to us as if we were in for a rather disagreeable -time with José Cerro. José, you -know, is a dangerous individual at best, and -any one who is unfortunate enough to become -his prisoner is very liable to suffer.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I am glad I arrived before it was -necessary to superintend your ‘decent burial,’ -but the credit is not due me. Miguel, our Indian -runner, once more appeared in the nick -of time. He saw you leaving for the mountains -and all unknown to us he trailed you. -He saw you captured and hurried back to the -plant and spread the news. Where is he -now?”</p> - -<p>“There he is yonder on his horse, looking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> -like a bronze statue. I’m going over and -shake hands with him. He’s a brave boy,” -said Mr. Ryder.</p> - -<p>To have the great gringo engineer shake -hands with him and compliment him pleased -the Indian runner a great deal in spite of the -fact that he became very self-conscious when -Mr. Ryder told him how brave he really was.</p> - -<p>“I’m not brave,” he said in Spanish. “I -merely repay a kindness. Also, I am glad to -see José Cerro captured. If he is not killed -by the rurales I myself will kill him for this.” -The Indian pointed gravely to his wounded -shoulder as he spoke.</p> - -<p>But Mr. Ryder did not hear all that the Indian -said for the grounded transmission line -was worrying him. He looked at his watch -then hurried off to where Carroll and several -men from the plant were standing.</p> - -<p>“Come, we’ve still time to fix up that transmission -line before nightfall. Get the linemen -together and we’ll start back through the ravine. -The Indian will lead us and if we -hurry we will be able to put things in condition -so that Mexico City can have light to-night.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX<br /> -<span class="smaller">“SHOOT! SHOOT!”</span></h2> - -<p>It was long after sunrise next morning -when the cavalcade of horsemen and their -prisoners appeared at the station. Though -the wires had been restrung and service -started at nightfall the previous evening, the -rescuers and rescued as well were too tired -even to make the four-mile ride back to the -plant. They had all been without sleep for -practically forty-eight hours and even while -the lines were being repaired many of the -rurales tossed themselves on the ground and -promptly became unconscious. The result -was a night camp along the transmission line -trail with no guard except that maintained -over the prisoners, and this was hardly necessary -for the rebels had been awake as long, if -not longer, than the men from the power -house, and were equally as tired.</p> - -<p>Necaxa was not awake either when the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> -rurales arrived. Aside from the few regular -soldiers who were doing sentry duty, no one -seemed to be stirring about the little town. -The night men, who had been forced to stay -awake longer than the rest, had already left -the station and crawled into bed thoroughly -weary. But the clatter of hoofs and the -shouts of the soldiers greeting the returning -fighters awakened many of them and attracted -the attention of the men at work in the power -station. Soon the community was alive with -curious soldiers and workmen, all eager to -hear of the adventures of Mr. Ryder and his -repair crew. But when they saw the line of -prisoners and beheld José Cerro, helpless on -a stretcher made of one of the rurale’s -blankets, they cheered lustily, for the capture -of the rebel leader meant that the country was -rid of one of its most vicious bandits.</p> - -<p>Arthur Strong, the day operator, was one -of the first to greet the engineer. The moment -he heard the soldiers arrive he left the -control room in charge of his assistant and -hurried downstairs.</p> - -<p>“By Jove, we were mighty pleased to get<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> -your telephone message last night,” he said to -Mr. Ryder. “We thought that Cerro had -done away with all of you. I am glad to see -you again. You too, Jack, old boy.” Strong -shook hands with his superior as he spoke. -“And, say, perhaps you don’t think we’ve had -one fine time around here since you left yesterday -afternoon,” he continued, to Mr. Ryder. -“Things nearly went to the devil until we -locked that man Nedham up.”</p> - -<p>“Nedham,” exclaimed Mr. Ryder; “what’s -he been doing?”</p> - -<p>“Doing?” exclaimed Long; “why the man’s -been drunk on <i lang="es">pulque</i>! You know what that -stuff will do with you. I hadn’t seen him since -the battle until last night after the rurales -cleared out. About eight o’clock he came -stumbling into the control room. His eyes -were bulging out and his face was red and -ugly. I was on duty and I had about made -up my mind to stick through the night, since -Lyman had gone with the rescuers. Nedham -came staggering in just when I was busiest. -He said <em>he</em> was going to run the plant for the -night. I could see that he was in no shape to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> -run anything nor to issue orders either, so I -told him to get back home and sleep it off. -Then he got ugly. But I knew he was drunk -so I did not bother with him. Then he became -insistent and noisy and when he tried to punch -me I had to call in two soldiers. They took -him to the guardhouse. He was in there all -last night. This morning I let him out. I -think he is up at his cottage now, very much the -worse for his spree.”</p> - -<p>“What a fine assistant I have!” said Mr. -Ryder sarcastically. “Tell Lyman to go and -rout him out. I want to talk with him.”</p> - -<p>While the engineer and the operator were -talking, Captain Alvarez and his rurales arranged -their prisoners in line along the south -wall of the power station. This scene had -interested Jack far more than the recital of -Nedham’s drunken actions for it began to look -to the lad as if a wholesale slaughter was about -to take place.</p> - -<p>“Heavens, I hope Captain Alvarez doesn’t -intend to execute them all,” said the youth to -Mr. Ryder when the day operator ceased talking. -“That would be hideous. It would be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> -brutal murder. You can’t countenance such -actions, Mr. Ryder?”</p> - -<p>“Indeed I can’t,” said the engineer, hurrying -toward Captain Alvarez, “and besides I -want to have a word with Cerro before any -execution takes place. I think that man -knows some things that will help clear up the -mystery that surrounds all our recent -trouble.”</p> - -<p>To do justice to the Mexican commander it -must be said that he had not intended to have -a wholesale execution. He explained this to -Mr. Ryder quite frankly and stated that he -merely intended to make the rebel leader face -the firing squad while his followers looked on. -He thought that it would be a capital way of -teaching a lesson. After the execution he purposed -sending the whole horde of prisoners to -Mexico City, where they would be turned over -to General Rodriguez to be confined in the -military prison.</p> - -<p>“If it is all the same to you,” said Mr. -Ryder, “I would like to have a few words with -Cerro before he is shot.”</p> - -<p>“Certain,” said the officer, “only et ez not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> -so easy to mek him to talk, he is ah what you -call—ah—to handle hard you know.”</p> - -<p>The rebel leader was lying on the ground -near the entrance to the guardhouse. His -wounds had been bound up the evening before -by one of his followers, but in spite of all efforts -to ease him, it was quite evident that the -man was suffering a great deal.</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder bent over the prostrate form and -spoke in Spanish. “José Cerro, you are going -to die. You will soon face the firing squad. -Tell me who would give you three thousand -pesos for my capture.” But in spite of his -pain the little black-haired Mexican smiled -grimly and shook his head.</p> - -<p>“No,” he said. “I cannot tell, no, no.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder was about to press his question -again, however, when Lyman appeared, leading -a very white and very nervous-looking individual -whom Jack recognized as Nedham.</p> - -<p>“Here’s your assistant, Mr. Ryder; you said -you wanted to see him,” said Lyman.</p> - -<p>But before the engineer could speak Nedham -caught sight of the man on the ground. -He shrank back in terror and gasped.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Oh, it’s José Cerro!”</p> - -<p>Mr. Ryder looked searchingly at his -trembling assistant, for he could not understand -what made the man so frightened at -seeing the wounded rebel leader. He did not -have long to speculate on the reason for such -strange actions, for Captain Alvarez came to -speak to him.</p> - -<p>“You could no make José speak?” queried -the officer.</p> - -<p>“No, he refused to answer my questions.”</p> - -<p>“Ah-ha, did I not tell you zay all are so like -that.” Then turning to José Cerro, he said -in Spanish, “You are to die. Can you stand -up to face the firing squad or must we prop -you against the wall?”</p> - -<p>“I shall die standing,” said the rebel -proudly, “and you shall not blindfold me -either.”</p> - -<p>“All right, get up; we have not time to lose, -two others are to be shot after you. Perro, -our traitorous rurale, and his peon companion -die to-day,” said Captain Alvarez brutally.</p> - -<p>“Carlos! Jesus! come, help your leader to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> -rise; he must die standing,” called José Cerro -to two of the peon prisoners.</p> - -<p>The faithful followers left their places and -raising the wounded man to his feet, assisted -him to the spot designated by the commander -of the firing squad. That his effort to walk -was causing the rebel excruciating pain was -evident from the expression on his face. It -took him some time to limp across the space -in front of the firing squad even with the help -of his men.</p> - -<p>While he was taking his place before the five -executioners, a hush fell over the scores of -men that stood about. Every one was tense -and silent. José Cerro’s attendants shook -hands with him solemnly and left him standing -there alone. Slowly the five riflemen -brought their guns to position and took aim. -Then just as the officer was raising his sword -to give the firing signal, José Cerro spoke.</p> - -<p>“A moment,” he said in Spanish, “just a -moment. I wish to speak—”</p> - -<p>“No! No! Shoot! Shoot! Don’t let him -speak,” screamed a voice in English.</p> - -<p>It was Nedham, trembling and on the point<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> -of collapse. His face was distorted with fear -and he was forced to cling to Lyman to keep -from falling to the ground.</p> - -<p>“So, Señor Nedham, you turn against me -now,” hissed the rebel leader. “You would -have me shot without speaking my last words. -You thought me a traitor who would tell your -plot. That was not intended. But now I -will tell. Come, Señor Ryder, listen. It was -Señor Nedham who plotted against you. He -it was who offered three thousand pesos for -your capture, I—I—was—.” The sentence -was cut off abruptly for the wounded man, -weak with the exertion of standing, suddenly -pitched forward on his face.</p> - -<p>The rebel leader’s two loyal followers hurried -to his side to lift him back up on his feet, -but he was only semi-conscious and it was -evident to both that in a few moments more -the firing squad would be cheated of its -work.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, Nedham, regaining some -of his shattered nerve, tried to bolt through the -crowd but Jack and Lyman seized him and -threw him to the ground.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Hurry, Mr. Ryder, take off his left shoe,” -cried Jack. “I have an idea that this is the -man who stole your drawings and tried to -wreck the plant.”</p> - -<p>The shoe and stocking were quickly removed -and much to the engineer’s amazement -a deep scar was revealed running diagonally -across Nedham’s heel.</p> - -<p>“But—but—why I thought we had the man -with the scarred heel under arrest,” said Mr. -Ryder thoroughly mystified.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Jack, “but it flashed upon me a -moment ago that the rurale’s scar was on his -right heel, while the scar mark in the dust was -on the left foot. Don’t you remember? -Here comes the rurale now, go look for yourself.”</p> - -<p>Two men were leading Perro from the -guardhouse toward the firing squad. He was -still barefooted for no one had been considerate -enough of his comfort to return his cavalry -boots to him since his arrest.</p> - -<p>“Let me see your left heel,” said Mr. Ryder -in Spanish, and obediently the rurale raised -his foot.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> - -<p>“By George, there’s no scar there! Is it on -the right foot? Let me see! But it was not -necessary for the rurale to raise his right foot -for the scar extended half way up the man’s -ankle and was plainly visible from the right -side.</p> - -<p>“Well, this came near being a fatal mistake,” -exclaimed the engineer. Then to the -rurale in Spanish he said, “I’m glad to know -you’re not a traitor anyway, my man.”</p> - -<p>And the Mexican grinned for he could see -by the expression on Mr. Ryder’s face that he -was not to be executed.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI<br /> -<span class="smaller">“YES, YES, I DID IT!”</span></h2> - -<p>Nedham’s <i lang="es">pulque</i> drinking had completely -shattered his nerves and the effects -of the liquor combined with the revelation -of José Cerro had well nigh made a -physical wreck of the assistant engineer. Indeed, -as he stood in the center of the room in -Mr. Ryder’s cottage, where he had been -brought by Lyman and Captain Alvarez, he -swayed backward and forward, and if Jack -had not brought him a chair in all probability -he would have collapsed completely.</p> - -<p>He looked at his inquisitors with staring -bloodshot eyes, and his fingers worked nervously -at the buttons on the front of his shirt. -His condition was pitiable and Jack and Mr. -Ryder both felt sincerely sorry for him.</p> - -<p>“Nedham, where are those plans you stole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> -from my desk! You are the thief, aren’t -you?” demanded Mr. Ryder.</p> - -<p>“Plans?” said Nedham, trying his best to -feign ignorance. “What plans? I—I—know—”</p> - -<p>“Stop,” roared the engineer, “don’t lie, we -know you are the guilty man.”</p> - -<p>“I tell you—I—I—Oh, God, yes, yes, I did -it! It’s true.” Nedham could control his -shattered nerves no longer. He broke down -completely. “I stole the plans! I stole them! -They are under the mattress of my bed! -They’ve been haunting me ever since I took -them! Curse the things! If I had had the -courage I’d have burned them long ago! I -did the rest too! I crippled the generators! -I smashed the searchlight! I offered the three -thousand pesos for your capture! I did it all—all—and -now, thank goodness, I’ve confessed! -It’s all over! The strain! The -strain! It was horrible! I had to get drunk—beastly -drunk.”</p> - -<p>Thus he raved until he was almost completely -exhausted, and his physical self, unable -to bear the strain any longer, caved in completely.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> -His head dropped forward on his -chest and his hands fell helplessly over the -arms of the chair. He was unconscious for -nearly a quarter of an hour and it was only by -administering violent restoratives that Jack -and the engineer managed to make the man -himself once more.</p> - -<p>For some time the four sat staring at the -helpless engineer. Finally Mr. Ryder spoke.</p> - -<p>“Why did you do this deviltry, Nedham?” -he asked with a trace of disappointment in his -voice.</p> - -<p>“I—I—well I was ambitious—and—I guess -a little jealous of you too,” said Nedham -weakly. “You know you only beat me out by -two points in the competition for chief engineer -and—well—I couldn’t help feeling bitter -toward you. I wanted your job, and I -wanted it badly, and from the time you appointed -me your assistant I started to -scheme ways of getting you out.”</p> - -<p>“But what good would all your plant-wrecking -have done? Why did you put sand in the -generators and disrupt the place in general?” -queried the engineer.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Well, first off I hoped to frighten you into -resigning. I—I—thought perhaps when you -found you had traitors among the men at the -plant you might fear for your own safety and -resign, but when I learned how angry Huerta -grew with each new occurrence and how often -he called you on the telephone and raised the -devil with you I saw a new way of getting your -job. I concluded that if the trouble was kept -up long enough the President would dismiss -you entirely as an incompetent manager and -put me in charge. The day they called you -down to Mexico City and had you up before -the directors I felt mighty confident that you -would not last long.</p> - -<p>“You brought this youngster back with you -and from then on my plans began to go wrong. -I saw you two pass the office the first night -Jack was here. I followed you into the generating -room and hid behind one of the machines. -I saw you sprinkle the cement dust -and I knew you were setting a trap. But as I -watched it suddenly occurred to me that you -were unconsciously giving me a capital opportunity -of throwing you off the trail entirely.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> -Thereafter I decided to work with my feet -bared so that you would think a peon was -doing the damage. I forgot completely about -the scar on my heel until it was too late.”</p> - -<p>“But the plans; the drawings of the lightning -arrester. How did you even know of -their existence? I kept my work on that appliance -very secret indeed,” interrupted Mr. -Ryder.</p> - -<p>“Well, after I watched you set your trap I -followed you back to the cottage for I was -curious to hear what you might have to say -about the situation. I saw the bundle of -drawings drop from your shirt. Also I saw -where you put them. And although I did not -have the slightest idea what the plans were -about I decided that so long as I had gone that -far I might just as well take a look at your -private papers too. I thought perhaps they -were orders or instructions you had received -from Huerta that day.</p> - -<p>“I waited until you were both sound asleep, -and slipped into the room and opened your -desk. It did not take me long to learn that -the papers were drawings of a lightning arrester<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> -of a type I had never seen before. Then -it occurred to me that the appliance was one -of your own invention. I looked for patent -marks and could find none and on the impulse -of the moment I slipped the yellow envelope -into my pocket and went back to the plant. I -figured that I had made a double coup, for if -you were to build that lightning arrester and -install it here you would win the favor of -President Huerta and consequently my efforts -would all be wasted. Also I was dishonest -enough to think that perhaps I could easily -secure a patent on the appliance in my own -name when I finally got you out of the way.”</p> - -<p>“Nedham! I never would believe it of you,” -said the engineer reproachfully.</p> - -<p>“Don’t, don’t, please don’t reproach me, -Heaven only knows where my manhood has -gone to,” cried Nedham in agony.</p> - -<p>“And do you mean to say that you deliberately -brought on battle and caused hundreds -of lives to be sacrificed merely to get me out of -my position?” asked Mr. Ryder incredulously.</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes, I did. I offered José Cerro three -thousand pesos to get you out of the way. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> -did not want you killed. No, no, I was not as -base as that. I merely wanted you captured -and kept a prisoner so long that when you -were finally released I would be safely intrenched -here and in the favor of the President -to such an extent that you could never regain -your position. José Cerro thought an attack -the only way to get you, and I smashed the -searchlight and did everything else to help -him. Oh, it was villainous work, I know. -Heaven forgive me, I must have been mad.”</p> - -<p>The three Americans present were utterly -amazed at the man’s treachery, but Captain -Alvarez did not understand fully, for his -knowledge of English was so meager that he -could not follow the strange recital in every -detail. When the story was translated for his -benefit, however, his fiery temper became -aroused to such a pitch that the three Americans -could hardly restrain him from rushing -at the helpless assistant engineer and beating -him senseless with his fist.</p> - -<p>“The dog! The traitor!” roared the Mexican -in Spanish. “<em>He</em> should be killed! <em>He</em> -should face the firing squad! Come, drag him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> -out! We will shoot him! We will shoot -him!”</p> - -<p>“No! no!” shrieked Nedham, a look of horror -coming into his ashen face. “No! no! you -cannot kill me! You cannot shoot me! I am -an American citizen!”</p> - -<p>“He is right,” said Mr. Ryder. “We cannot -execute him without bringing on international -complications that would be distasteful -to President Huerta. No, we can’t shoot him, -even though he does deserve it. But we can -expel him from the Republic of Mexico. Put -him in the guardhouse, Captain Alvarez, and -this afternoon we will ship him to Mexico City -with the rest of our prisoners. We can turn -him over to the authorities there and request -that he be sent out of the country immediately.”</p> - -<p>A look of relief spread over Nedham’s face -when he heard Mr. Ryder’s opinion.</p> - -<p>“Oh, never fear, I’m only too willing to be -quit of this country. I can’t see how any man -can keep straight in this hole of iniquity.”</p> - -<p>“It was not a hole of iniquity until treacherous -villains of your stamp came into it,” retorted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> -Mr. Ryder. Then turning to Captain -Alvarez he said, “Call in your trooper and -have him taken to the guardhouse. The train -for Mexico City will be made up as soon as -possible. In the meantime you and Lyman -stay here and sample one of Tom Why’s excellent -dinners. Things have gone so far to -the devil lately that I haven’t had time to enjoy -a good dinner myself. After dinner I’ll accompany -you to Mexico City for I will have to -make a report of this whole matter to our directors. -I guess the plant will be safe enough -in the hands of my new assistant, Mr. Lyman.”</p> - -<p>The night operator’s face beamed when he -heard, thus abruptly, of his promotion and he -blushed like a schoolboy when Jack and Captain -Alvarez congratulated him.</p> - -<p>“I envy you,” said Jack Straw heartily, “for -there’s nothing I’d like more than to be connected -with a huge generating station like -this.”</p> - -<p>“Well, we’ve room for a boy here, and we -could teach you a great deal about the electrical -industry. Why don’t you apply for a -position,” said Lyman meaningly, at the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> -time glancing in the direction of Mr. Ryder.</p> - -<p>“Oh, no,” said the lad from Vermont, “I’ve -already been away from Drueryville a month -and I think it is about time I hurried back. In -fact, I’ve decided to go in on the train this -afternoon with Mr. Ryder. Some day after -I have acquired a real training at ‘Sheff.’ or -some other engineering school I may visit -Necaxa again. Who knows?”</p> - -<p>“Well, if we are still here you can be certain -of a welcome, my boy,” said Mr. Ryder -heartily.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII<br /> -<span class="smaller">GOOD-BY, NECAXA</span></h2> - -<p>The string of flat cars and the snorting -steam engine were waiting when Jack, -Mr. Ryder, the new assistant engineer and -Captain Alvarez arrived. Indeed, the soldiers -and rurales were already hurrying their prisoners -aboard. Wicked-looking regulars were -stationed at each end of the cars and there appeared -to be small chance of any of the peons -escaping from the train during its journey toward -the capital.</p> - -<p>In half an hour everything was ready. -Jack found that a large group of workmen had -gathered to see him depart and he shook hands -with each one of them before he finally swung -aboard the platform of the yellow caboose and -took his place beside Mr. Ryder and Captain -Alvarez. Slowly the little train gathered -headway and with the cheers of the men ringing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> -in his ears Jack Straw said good-by to -Necaxa. But the string of cars had scarcely -gone two hundred yards when a figure elbowed -its way through the crowd of workmen and -soldiers and came swinging down the narrow -track at a rapid pace. His shoulder was bandaged -about with white cloth and at his heels -followed a tawny, long-eared hound. It was -Miguel, the Indian runner, and his dog.</p> - -<p>After some effort the agile messenger overtook -the train and jumped aboard the steps of -the caboose. Hastily he held out his hand toward -Jack and mumbled something in Spanish. -The lad from Vermont was greatly pleased -that the redman was so eager to say farewell -to him that he risked jumping aboard the moving -train, and he wrung the Indian’s hand -warmly.</p> - -<p>“What did he say?” asked Jack of Mr. Ryder -when the messenger had swung to the ground.</p> - -<p>“He said ‘I am still in debt to you for saving -my dog. Many thanks, many thanks,’” -replied Mr. Ryder.</p> - -<p>“Well, it strikes me that he paid that debt -off several times during the last few days,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> -laughed Jack as he waved to the Indian who -remained standing in the center of the track -watching the departing cars.</p> - -<p>The news of the battle and the treachery of -Nedham at Necaxa reached the capital over -the long-distance telephone wire long before -the train with the prisoners arrived and when -Jack and Mr. Ryder entered the American -Hotel after Nedham and the rest of the prisoners -had been turned over to the proper authorities, -they found the evening papers -crowded with the news. Pictures of the prisoners -that had been brought in, pen sketches of -the battle and photographs of the plant at -Necaxa occupied the front page of the dailies -and scare headlines fairly shouted the details -attending the capture of José Cerro and his -band. Fortunately one of the papers printed -an American as well as a Mexican edition and -Jack was able to read the full account of his -own adventures.</p> - -<p>The capture of José Cerro was the subject -of conversation in the dining-room of the hotel -that evening too, and many of Mr. Ryder’s -friends sought him out and congratulated him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> -on the successful way in which he had handled -things at Necaxa through all the trouble. Indeed, -after a time the publicity that they were -attracting became distasteful to the two Americans -and they made haste to finish their meal.</p> - -<p>But just as they were leaving the dining-room -a tall sun tanned individual rushed up -and clapping Mr. Ryder on the shoulder fairly -shouted:</p> - -<p>“Why, Harry Ryder, you old fighting -engineer, I am glad to see you alive after such -a mixup. And as I live here is my young -friend, Jack Straw.” Jack instantly recognized -the man as Mr. Warner, the marine -engineer whom he had met on board the <i>Yucatan</i> -on his way south to Vera Cruz. The lad -was more than pleased to see Mr. Warner once -more and shook hands cordially.</p> - -<p>“Hello there, Jim Warner!” exclaimed Mr. -Ryder; “what the dickens are you doing down -in this part of the world?”</p> - -<p>“Why, I’ve been tinkering with the old -Lobo’s Island Light for nearly a month. To -tell you the truth, I’ve just finished the job and -knowing that you were within a few hundred<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> -miles of me I decided to run in to see you. I -was going out to Necaxa to-morrow and spend -a week or two with you, but unfortunately that -can’t be done for I’ve just received a telegram -from Washington instructing me to go ahead -with a mighty big undertaking I’ve been figuring -on. I’ll have to hustle back to the coast -immediately. And in view of the fact that you -have been having quite a fuss out there I’m -rather glad my plans have been changed. I’m -not hankering to be drilled through by a soft-nosed -bullet just now,” concluded Mr. Warner -with a smile.</p> - -<p>“Oh! you would soon get used to those little -things,” said Jack banteringly.</p> - -<p>“I suppose so,” replied the marine engineer. -“You must have had rather an adventurous -month there.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed I did,” answered Jack.</p> - -<p>“Well, how would you like to have another -month of thrills? If you feel inclined that -way, come along with me. If you don’t fight -men you’ll fight the elements. I am going to -cruise the high seas for Uncle Sam.”</p> - -<p>“That sounds interesting,” said Jack, “but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> -I am going north on the next steamer from -Vera Cruz.”</p> - -<p>“So am I, and we’ll get a chance to talk it -over anyway,” said Mr. Warner.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<p class="titlepage smaller">VAIL-BALLOU CO., BINGHAMTON AND NEW YORK</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK STRAW IN MEXICO***</p> -<p>******* This file should be named 60941-h.htm or 60941-h.zip *******</p> -<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> -<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/0/9/4/60941">http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/9/4/60941</a></p> -<p> -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed.</p> - -<p>Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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