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CHILDREN OF THE SOUTH 11

And now those men wanted are no longer indolent-
they are men of action-they come forward like soldiers.
And Manuel is led quickly from the room.
The Chieftain throws away his cigarette and rises-
but before he can make one forward step-a human
chain is about his feet-human lips are pressed to them
and a human body is torn by convulsive, hysterical sobs.

"Save him! Save him! Save him! You are a man.
You do not strike women. The vile wretch Roderigo
wants me. I will die first. I will give myself to you.
Save him! Save him! Mother of God-Save him!"

Villa, "The Butcher", stoops! His great, rough,
brown hands gently lift up this girl, this child. He
looks at her face, the very pores of which are shedding
tears.
"Ah! So! - - - I have another problem-Why is
he an outlaw when he inspires such a love as this. We
shall see. We shall see." A stride, and he is at the door.
The guns are just being brought to shoulder when the
vo.ice rings out-"Do not fire, Ramirez! - -Not
blindfolded, eh? Well, that is good. Senor Maretta,
a man so loved should have his chance-You shall have
yours-The chance to change your views. You ride
with us to the attack. If you fight (as a Mexican
should) and come back-Ah! then -as I said
We shall see! If you do not fight, Senor, you are riding
on my right side!"
The little bells ring on the spur rowels-They mount
and they are gone.
Within the shack there are three women, each torn
by conflicting emotions. Marta has seen her husband
go. Rosita has seen Roderigo go-but hers is a jealous
hate. And Juanita, she has won-but what a victory-
Her God is free, only to be made to attack those he
reveres and to be shot down if he does not do so. To
attack-to attack those Americans! God! It must not
be. Her distracted mind goes back to those talks, when
her hero told her of that great people, and when he