troops pass, some short, some tall, but none with uniforms that fit,
except the officers, who were perfectly groomed, with beautiful uniforms
that would have done credit to a rear Admiral of anybody's country, and
as they marched past, sullen dirty faces showed no sign of expression,
of joy, of madness, chagrin, nor contempt--they were like so many dirty
brown masks, that hide so much thievery, murder, and cowardice
underneath.
"Do the rebels look anything like this?" asked Pearl, as they passed.
"Just the same--clothes may be different, but that means nothing. These
men that just marched past may be on the rebel side before sundown--they
are just as willing to fight for one side as the other, as long as it
promises to be profitable."
"I can't understand why they are always having these revolutions down
here."
"Pearl, in our country every boy is taught that he can, by hard study
and work, be the President if he wants to be, but down here every boy is
taught that he must be President, even if he has to kill the former one,
and they have tried to live up to their teaching, so it's just another
case of some bad boy taking what he thinks is rightfully his."
"I suppose they will stop the trains out of town, and march in."
"Oh no they won't--they will ride those trains into the heart of the
town, screaming and yelling and shooting at anybody that happens to be
in sight, at least that is the way they always have done, and Mex's
never change."
"I hope the rebels don't arrive before the funeral is over--that would
be awful."
"I'll say it would," as the car stopped. "Come on, here's where we
drink--come on, driver." They all went in.
"I'll have whiskey," said Pearl.
"So will I."
"Make it three whiskeys," answered the driver. "Say do you girls want me
to wait over here for you?"
"No, we are going to stick around here until time for the funeral. You
can go on back--oh, I almost forgot about paying you--here, take this,"
as she shoved a bill in his hand.
"If I were you, girls, I wouldn't waste any more time over here than I
had to, and if you say the word, I'll stay and see you through,"
answered the driver.
"That's nice of you kid, but we will be O. K."
"So long," as he went.
"It's going to take more than one whiskey to get me through that
funeral," said Pearl.
"Let's buy a couple of quarts, and go on out to the cemetery and wait
there," suggested Evelyn.
"That's the best idea of all," said Pearl, "Let's go."
They took the two quarts, and slowly walked up the street. Small groups
of people, talking near doorways, gazed at them curiously as they went.
Most of the bars and places of business were closed, and the windows
boarded up, caused by the expected battle, and knowing full well that
windows would be smashed if they were not somehow protected. As two
o'clock drew near, the hearse with the remains of Irene, started for the
cemetery, the driver looking like a cornered rat, and mad at having to
go out into the open when the rebels might arrive at any time, drove
slowly, but fearfully, through the streets, toward the cemetery.
Pearl and Evelyn were sitting on a fallen headstone, drinking and
discussing the injustice of life, to them in particular, and to all in
general. They had just killed the first quart when the first bunch of
girls, headed by Mickey, came into the cemetery--some were dressed as
though they were going to a party, others in street suits, but none in
mourning, as mourning could only be used once in a great while, so why
buy mourning for the one funeral, and be stuck with something you
couldn't wear to hustle in.
"My goodness," said Mickey. "How long have you been waiting here?"
"Oh, not very long--want a drink?" asked Evelyn.
"Yeah--we brought several pints along with us--there comes some more of
the girls," as she pointed along the road to about fifteen girls, all in
gay colors, coming along as if they were going to a picnic.
"This is one of them things I sure don't like to go through with it,"
said one of the girls.
"Me either," answered another.
"Well, it's near two o'clock--it won't be long now," remarked still
another.
"I think that's the hearse coming now," said Pearl, as she shaded her
eyes with her hand, looking down the road.
"We tried to get a taxi to bring us over, but not one of them would
come," said one of the newly arrived girls.
"Well, you know there has been some talk about a revolution going to
take place over here," said one of the other girls.
"So I'd heard," remarked the former, in a cutting voice.
"Yeah--that is the hearse all right--there is someone with the
driver--it must be the Padre," said Pearl, still watching.
The hearse drew up at the entrance, slowed down, then proceeded to a far
corner of the cemetery, where the freshly dug grave yawned as though
waiting for its toll, while the two Mexican grave-diggers lay sleeping
beside the fresh pile of earth.
The girls moved slowly over to where the hearse had stopped, as the
driver got out and kicked the grave-diggers awake, telling them in
Spanish to help earn their money by helping to get the Gringo's body to
the grave, which they did unwillingly. The driver, the Padre, and the
two grave-diggers brought the box with the coffin inside it, to the side
of the grave, sat it down, while the Padre began saying the service in
Spanish and in Latin.
Painted faces looked on, as tears began to streak their cheeks, each
thinking that this might have been her; some probably wishing it was
them, knowing that at least their earthly troubles would be over, no
matter what would be in store for them; other's minds went back to their
pasts, the others to their childhood. Soon there could be heard sounds
of soft weeping--the service was over, the four men slowly let the
coffin into the grave, jerking the straps from under the box.
The two grave-diggers began to shovel dirt into the hole.
"Can any of you sluts say a prayer?" asked Mickey.
"I ain't never prayed in my life," said one of the girls, "But I'll try
it," as they all bowed their heads, as hard lumps of dirt and rock fell
with a hollow sound on the box.
"Oh, Lord, I ain't never asked you a single favor in my life," began the
girl slowly, "But Irene is a good scout, and if she ever comes into your
place of business, don't turn her down--she always paid for her drinks,
poor kid--Amen."
"Come on, kids, let's get going from here," said Evelyn, as she wiped
her eyes.
They all walked slowly to the gates of the cemetery--those in front
waited for the rest to catch up.
"Let's all have a drink," suggested Evelyn, as she began to open the
quart she still had.
They all gathered around, passing the bottle, talking in low tones,
starting to repair the damage done to their make-ups by the tears.
"We had better be getting back to town," remarked Pearl, and they all
started down the road, towards town, walking in little groups.
"Just think--that might have been any one of us," said Mickey, "It
wouldn't have mattered who was with Juan Moros when Negro Noche came
in--she would have shot anyone she found with him."
"Yeah--you're right, Mickey--it might have been any one of us. Juan was
a nice fellow to everyone, but Noche is a bad bitch--don't let anybody
fool you about that, but she won't get away with this--his people will
see to that," answered Evelyn.
Pearl, Evelyn and Mickey were the first to arrive on the Sixteenth of
September Street--the rest of the girls had split into the usual groups
that they usually ran in, and came straggling along behind.
"Let's go on down to the Central, and have a few drinks and rest awhile,
and let this wear off," suggested Evelyn.
"O. K." said Mickey, as they were nearing the railroad tracks.
"Jees--look coming," said Pearl, pointing down the tracks.
In the distance a train was coming--Mexicans were hanging all over the
engine, and on the roofs of the box-cars, the whistle was blowing, guns
were firing. "It's the rebels."
"Here, we better get off the street--quick, let's run in the Rio Bravo,"
said Evelyn, as she grabbed Pearl's hand and started for the hotel.
The few people that had been standing in the street, ran for shelter.
Four of the Federal Cavalry who had no chance to be disloyal, decided to
make a display of their bravery by wrecking the rebel train, by riding
four abreast into the locomotive, therefore making history, for Mexico,
as well as being heroes themselves, but never considering that they
would not be present to hear of it, they spurred their poor, bony horses
on to the tracks, one in command gave the order "Forward"--and down the
tracks they rode, the engine meeting them at the crossing of the
Sixteenth of September Street.
Men, horses, legs, arms, heads, blood, manure, and guns were scattered
and strewn for blocks, the engine whistling, bell ringing, men
screaming, groaning, dying, the Federal troops running to meet the
rebels, the engine derailed in the middle of the street, the hissing of
escaping steam, rebels pouring out of box-cars, running into the fight,
screaming "Vive, La Mexico."
Both sides began to run behind buildings, firing from behind, at anyone
they saw, whether it be friend or enemy.
"We have to make that river somehow," said Evelyn.
"My God--what do you think has happened to the other girls?" asked
Pearl.
"They are probably in as bad a fix as we are," answered Mickey, as a
stray bullet shattered the windows of the lobby.
The rebels began to drive the Federals towards the river, amidst much
shouting and shooting and excess bravado.
"I'll tell you what we will do," said Evelyn. "As the shooting moves
toward the river, we will try to get out of here--I'll take my drawers
off and put them on a pole like a flag of truce, and we will try and
make it."
"My God, what is that awful odor?" asked Pearl.
"That's horse manure, mixed with blood, that splattered on the side of
this building when the train hit those horses," explained Evelyn, as
she was pulling off her underthings, putting them on the end of a yard
stick she had found behind the deserted desk.
"Will we run for it, or how shall we try it?" asked Mickey.
"We'll ease out into the street, holding this flag up, then we will go
up the middle of this street to the corner, and down that way to the
bridge," said Evelyn.
"Do you think they will shoot at us?" asked Pearl.
"Possibly, but I'm willing to bet that the only ones that have been
killed in the fighting are the ones there in the street, that were
killed by the train."
"You're right, there," said Mickey, as they moved toward the door.
"Oh, God, what a horrible sight," said Pearl as she shivered and put
her hand over her eyes.
"Get hold of her, Mickey, she never saw anything like this before. I
guess it is kind of a shock to her to see all these Cholos laying around
here in pieces," exclaimed Evelyn, as she stepped over what had once
been a man, but was now only mangled flesh.
"If you don't want to look, you just keep your hand over your eyes,
dear, and I'll keep hold of you until we get by this," said Mickey,
softly, as she put her arm around Pearl, and helped her along.
"Come on here," called Evelyn.
They moved past the crossing, then into the center of the
street--bullets whizzed overhead while toward the river there was a hot
battle raging.
On the American side the banks of the river were lined with people
watching the fighting, as though it were a baseball game, oblivious of
the bullets that fell all around them. As the fighting came nearer the
river, two huge armored cars, with French 75's mounted, rolled near the
International Bridge, muzzles lowering menacingly, toward Mexico.
A scream came from down to the left of the bridge, as a mother grabbed
up her little one in her arms, running toward the street. The child had
been killed by a stray bullet.
Phones began to buzz at Fort Bliss, saying that the bullets from the
fighting were falling thick and fast on the American side, and that one
had already found its mark.
Five minutes passed--soon the screaming of a siren could be heard,
coming toward the bridge was the large dark brown car with the American
flag flying from the front, and it drew up at the foot of the bridge.
General M---- stepped from the car, face red with fury.
"Fire a warning from one of those 75's," commanded the General, as he
walked toward the center of the bridge, as the voice of the 75 roared
across the border.
Firing on the Mexican side stopped immediately, as one of the Federals
came running toward the gates on the bridge.
"Open these gates," commanded the General, and the aides ran to do his
bidding.
"What is it, Senor?" said the Federal, as he came near the General.
"I want the Commander of the Rebels and the Commander of the Federals at
the foot of this bridge in five minutes--be on your way."
The Federal ran back to the group of soldiers, they all began to talk
excitedly, running in several directions.
Truck loads of soldiers from Fort Bliss were unloading, all ready for
action.
General M---- stood, legs spread, looking at his watch, tapping his
riding boot with his stick, as the Federal Commander came to where he
was standing.
"You have sent for me, Senor--I have come," as the sound of a horse
galloping down the street was heard.
"At your command, I have come, Senor," said the rebel General, as he
swaggered up to the General, looking at the Federal as though he were
the lowest thing on earth.
"Yes, I sent for you both," said General M----, "I want to tell you that
if you saddle-faced bastards let another bullet fall on the American
side of the river, I'll wipe the whole goddamn lot of you, and this
town, off the map," as he turned, giving an order to close the gates
again, as the armored cars once more came into position.
The General of the Rebels rode away, to his own troops, who in the lull
of the fighting had moved up on the Federals.
The fighting began again, with renewed vigor on the side of the rebels,
who had drawn their bayonets, while the Federals ran for the river,
wading in and making for the American side, wasting no time in doing it.
Evelyn, Pearl and Mickey were coming down the middle of Lysol Lane,
Evelyn still holding the drawers on the stick, showing she was a
non-combatant, when she spied about fifty girls huddled on one side of a
bar, some peeping around the corner. There were all the girls who had
been to the funeral, and others, who had been to Juarez on their usual
business, and all together, wondering how they were going to get to the
American side.
"Hey, Gang," called Evelyn, "What do you say if we all make a run for
the river--once we are in the river, we will be safe."
"How will we do it?" asked the girls.
"Here's the way," explained Evelyn. "We all get in the street, and start
to run--the rebels have their backs this way--they won't see us until we
are almost in the river--because from what I can see they have already
driven the Federals into the river and are already throwing rocks at
them. Well, we run as quietly as possible and burst right through the
rebels, and into the river--take the right side of the bridge, it's
better--now, do you all understand?"
The girls nodded that they did.
"All right, then let's get going," as they all started down the street
at a trot. They neared the river very quietly then amidst screams and
yells they burst through the rebels, leaping into the river like rats
from a sinking ship, grabbing at each other, helping each other through
the quick-sand, and cold water, some holding on to their bottles of
whiskey that they had brought along to give them courage. The few
Federals who had not reached the American side, turned back to help the
girls, amidst laughing, screaming, cursing, and splashing of water.
The American soldiers were rounding the Federal troops up the way a
Texas cowboy rounds up cattle, herding them into one bunch, while the
girls pulled themselves out of the river without the aid of anyone
except themselves. When they were out of the river, they went in a body
to the street where the General and his aides were.
"This is a hell of a note," said Evelyn. "A bunch of good American women
should have to wade that damn river, and no one to even help them up the
bank--you don't seem to realize that once in a while a lady needs a
little help."
"You had no business on that side," said the General, curtly. "You knew
there was to be a battle--the papers carried the news, and all Americans
were warned to stay away from there," he continued.
"Well, just the same, it's a hell of a way to treat ladies," answered
Evelyn, as she sat down on the curb of the sidewalk.
"Senoritas--Senoritas," came the voice of the Rebel General, who had
climbed up on the side of the bridge.
"What's the matter with that guy?" said Mickey, as she moved toward the
foot of the bridge to hear what he had to say.
"Senoritas--can you hear me?" he called across the river.
"Wait a minute--all right, spill it," called Evelyn.
"Senoritas--we do not fight with women--you are perfectly safe."
"Hell's fire--we know that now--ain't we over here?" answered Evelyn.
"A thousand pardons, Senoritas--but we want you to come back and drink
with the victorious--to be our guests for the evening."
"Now, you see," explained Evelyn, "that's what I call a gentleman, a
real fellow," as she walked over to the American General. "Say old top,
would you mind having them gates opened and let us go back on the other
side?"
"No, those gates remain closed until this trouble is settled."
"O. K. brother," as she went back to the girls, who were waving at the
rebels. "Come on, gang, we'll go back the way we came," and they started
off in the river, with much more enthusiasm than the first time.
"Come back here," yelled one of the American officers. "You can't cross
that river."
"The Hell you say," called Evelyn, who was already in the water,
leading the procession. "At least, these guys will buy us a drink."
"Do you think it's safe to go over here now," Pearl asked Evelyn.
"Sure, and profitable--these guys will open every safe in the town, and
all the champagne you can drink. I been through these things before,"
explained Evelyn, as the rebels were wading out to help them.
"You see," said Mickey, "these guys will drink so much they will just
pass out all over the place, and you can go through their pockets right
and left, in perfect safety, and how I'll go through them is nobody's
business."
"It's all new to me, but I'm with you," answered Pearl.
"Sure, honey, that's the way--get all you can--you can't never have too
much."
The rebels were throwing their hats in the air, shouting at their
victory, with only one thought in their minds--to do all the looting
possible, and drinking as well. They started with the nearest bar, the
girls in their midst, singing, laughing, and looking forward to a
hilarious time. They didn't wait to open the bottles of champagne--they
broke the necks off and poured it over each other--they were wet from
the river, so why not be wet with liquor.
The Federals of Mexico were taken to Fort Bliss and quartered until they
could be sent back to Mexico--they weren't prisoners--they were more
refugees than anything else.
The rest of the day and night was spent in drinking, dancing, singing
and general hilarity. Juarez was never more gay or wild--looting was
indulged in--in a big way; every safe was opened. The rebels needed
gold, and American money, whether paper or silver, was gold to them--the
girls getting their share of the loot.
"I've stood about all of this I can," said Pearl, as she tried to get up
from the table.
"Do you want to go home, honey?" asked Evelyn.
"Home or anywhere, but I've got to come out of this--I've been drinking
too much--I'll go nuts if I don't get out of it for a while."
"O. K. dear, I'll take you home," said Evelyn, staggering to her feet.
"Do you think you can manage it all right without me?" asked Mickey.
"Sure--I can get Pearl home all right, but ain't you had enough yet?"
"I've had plenty to drink, but I haven't got all the money I can use
yet."
"Well, how much have you got?" asked Evelyn.
"I don't know, but I've sure been going through these lice. I've got as
much as I dare put in my stockings, and I got wads in my waist, and
some pinned in my step-ins."
"Well, we'll be seeing you,--come on, Pearl--give me your arm--we'll
make it some-how," as they staggered toward the door.
"Do you think we will have to wade that damned river again?" asked
Pearl.
"I hope not--we'll go to the gates, and I'll try and argue those guys to
let a couple of ladies through."
Once again the two staggered toward the International Bridge. The
streets were deserted, not a person was to be seen, only a small group
around the foot of the bridge. Day was just beginning to break over the
horizon.
"Where are you Senoritas going?" asked one of the Mexicans.
"Home," said Evelyn.
"I'm veer sorry, Senorita, but the Americans will not let you through
the gates."
"Well, we will see about that," as they neared the huge wire gates.
"Hey--you--how's to let a couple of ladies through--we want to get
home."
"Sorry, sister, we got orders to open these gates to no one," came the
answer.
"Well, you got a Hell of a nerve--we're American citizens, and I demand
that you let us through."
"Sorry, sister--but orders is orders."
"Well, you louse, do you mean to tell us you are going to make us wade
that river again today?"
"If you want to get to the American side, you'll have to wade it."
"That's our good Americans for you," said Evelyn in disgust. "I'm damned
if I know which is the worst, these Goddamn Mexicans or that lousy
American scum that tries to be so damn important."
"Come on, Ev--we've waded it before--we might as well do it again--at
that the cold water may wake us up."
They walked back to the Mexican foot of the bridge, and over the levee,
holding to each other once more as they started again through the chill
waters of the Rio Grande.
"Halt--who goes there?" came the challenge from the U. S. side, as they
neared the bank.
"Who the Hell do you think?" asked Evelyn, as they climbed out of the
water.
"Say, woman--ain't you got any more sense than to come across that river
that way? We will have to hold you now for investigation."
"Oh, yeah? Brother, that's just too bad--we asked you to open those
gates, and let us through, and you wouldn't do it, now if you want to
really start some trouble, just try and hold us for wading across."
"Well, you will have to come up on the bridge, and do some tall
explaining."
"O. K. I'll do some explaining--you're damn tooting," as they all three
started for the foot of the bridge, where the commanding officer was
waiting.
"These two women waded across the river, sir," explained the soldier, as
they walked up.
"Would you mind explaining," began the officer, "what you two are doing
at this hour of the morning, wading across the International border?"
"Oh--for Christ's sake--what's the big idea?" asked Evelyn.
"Just this--you women think you can get away with this stuff because you
are women, and possibly because you think it's smart. Well, you
can't--you will have to be detained, and taken in front of the
Commanding General."
"Well, you get a load of this--you low-born, half-witted, self-inflated
with your own importance, shave-tail Bastard--you ain't detaining me or
my girl friend for no investigation--see--you, or your men refused to
open that gate to let two American citizens through, and we had to wade
the river, and it's scum like you that has managed to get into office in
this country, and run it with stuffed uniforms that wouldn't know the
meaning of the word MAN if it was drawn in blue-print for them--you
stand and tell me what you are going to do--why, Goddamn you, when I get
through telling the General what I think, as well as the American
Consul, you'll be a buck private again--you've got a gall--you impudent
little runt."
"Just the same, I'm sorry, but the General will have to give his O. K.
on your crossing."
"Then, by God--you'll call him on the phone right now," said Evelyn.
"It isn't customary to disturb the General at this hour of the morning."
"That's too bad for the General, that he has to be aroused out of his
beauty sleep."
"I will call him, even though it is not the ordinary routine."
"And how you will call him," exclaimed Evelyn.
"Well, I'm not quite used to the ways of the border yet, but it seems to
me to be rather against one to be an American down here," said Pearl.
"The fault ain't with America--it's with the ignorant bastards that's
allowed to run it," answered Evelyn, as the Lieutenant was calling Fort
Bliss.
After much delay the General was finally reached. "What the Hell are
you calling me for at this time of the morning?" he roared over the
phone.