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.