Part 23 (1/2)
”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 d.a.m.ned 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 h.e.l.l of a nerve--we're American citizens, and I demand that you let us through.”
”Sorry, sister--but orders is orders.”