ng the little fellow. When the terrible message was
received by the general it is said that at last he inquired, "Is there
anything more to be told?"

Upon being assured that he now knew not only the worst but had heard
all, he quietly hung up the receiver and turned away. There was to be no
manifestation of his almost crushing sorrow. It was his own, and there
we too must leave it. There are few who can fail to understand. The
lines in his strong face were soon deeper, the graying hair became
lighter still, but General Pershing's suffering and sorrow were his own,
not even to be referred to except as one of the facts in the life of a
man who belongs not to himself alone, but also to his country.

It has been reported that the general requested that he might be sent on
the most dangerous service to which his country could assign him.
Whether or not he ever made the request the writer does not know, but
that he might have had such a feeling in his heart can readily be
understood by all. The little motherless lad, Warren, has been cared for
by the general's sisters, who now reside in Lincoln, Nebraska.

CHAPTER IX

IN PURSUIT OF VILLA

GENERAL PERSHING had been sent to the Mexican border in command of the
Southwestern Division early in 1915. In command of the El Paso patrol
district, he necessarily was busy much of his time in guarding and
patrolling the long thin lines of our men on duty there.

The troubles with Mexico had been steadily increasing in seriousness.
The rivalry and warfare between various leaders in that country had not
only brought their own country into a condition of distress, but also
had threatened to involve the United States as well. Citizens of the
latter country had invested large sums in mining, lumber and other
industries in Mexico and were complaining bitterly of the failure of our
Government either to protect them or their investments. Again and
again, under threats of closing their mines or confiscating their
property, they had "bought bonds" of the rival Mexican parties, which
was only another name for blackmail.

Raids were becoming increasingly prevalent near the border and already
Americans were reported to have been slain by these irresponsible
bandits who were loyal only to their leaders and not always to them. The
condition was becoming intolerable.

Germany, too, had her agents busy within the borders of Mexico, artfully
striving not only to increase her own power in