The final organizational matter to be taken care of by Comandante Karl Jager and Sub-Comandante Santiago Gomez was to select leading vengadores for each team. The two chosen would serve as noncommissioned officers to establish a more convenient chain of command.
After discussing the candidates and considering their individual advantages and disadvantages of integrity, leadership and reliability, the choices were made. In Jager’s team Roberto Sulivan was chosen while the selection for Gomez’s team was Jaime Rayan. It was also decided to give these two vengadores the rank of sargento.
Since there was now a chance for battle casualties, Jager decided to encourage maximum dedication to their cause of not only the vengadores but their families as well. This would reduce the possibility of undue grief and anger in the kinfolk of the dead and wounded. The German decided to hold a ceremony in which everyone in the village could witness the award of the promotions.
The next evening both teams were marched out to the center of the plaza and Jager stepped up on the same box used by Tim Harrigan in his farewell speech. “Good people of San Patricio,” the German began. “These courageous young men who stand here are the direct descendents of the Batallón de San Patricio as you know so well. They are trained and experienced fighters, ready to avenge their fathers and grandfathers!”
Applause and shouts of “Olé!” erupted from the crowd.
“We will now begin our campaign that will draw the yanquis to the border where the Mexican Army will destroy them, and send them running northward to escape our wrath. The massive land mass stolen from Mexico will be seized and rejoined to the fatherland. During the long preparation, Sub-Comandante Gomez and I have determined which two individuals are the best vengadores. This was a difficult task since all these fine young men are excellent soldiers. However, we did decide on two.” He paused, then raised his voice. “Vengador Roberto Sulivan! Vengador Jaime Rayan! Step forward!”
The two young men, happily surprised, obeyed.
Jager continued, “I now promote you each to the honored rank of sargento. You will now assume the responsibility of noncommissioned officers of the San Patricio Vengadores.”
The new sergeants saluted, performed faultless about-face movements and stepped back into the ranks. The crowd cheered while Jager silently contemplated which of those brave young men would be the first give his life in this struggle.
~*~
It was two nights later that Jager led the vengadores in a westward trek along the Rio Grande toward the town of Sumter Landing Texas. When they reached the objective Gomez’s team ordered his men to halt. They took up positions in the brush along the riverbank directly across from the warehouse. They lay in the thick cover, their Berthier carbines locked and loaded as they kept their eyes focused on the dock area.
Meanwhile, Jager and his team continued on to a place where they could cross over to the American side. After gaining the northern bank, he called a halt. Sargento Roberto Sulivan detailed Vengador Jorge Calahan to stay with their hobbled horses hidden in a copse by the river. Jorge had been disappointed with the chore, but Jager reminded him that good soldiers obey all orders without complaint. The young vengador was soothed somewhat when the German assured him that everyone would take turns doing unpleasant or unpopular assignments.
Commandant Jager quickly aligned his men as skirmishers. Within minutes they were moving soundlessly through the community’s shantytown, emerging only a few yards from the warehouse.
Jager went alone to the building while his vengadores watched out for anyone who might be approaching. The German crossed the dock and went into the warehouse. He stopped and grinned. A night watchman of sorts was asleep on top of a bale of clothing. Jager raised his carbine up and brought it butt-down on the man’s head as hard as he could. He repeated the blows three more times, then walked out on the dock. He motioned for the team to join him.
When they arrived, Jager led his men to where the kerosene was stored. Numerous canisters of the flammable liquid were neatly stacked in the rear of the building. Everyone began grabbing containers and unscrewing lids, pouring the contents across the floor.
As soon as Jager felt there was enough spillage, he ordered the team back on the dock as he dribbled a stream of kerosene out to where they were located. He dropped the empty canister, then reached in his pocket for a match. A quick strike and it was thrown into the combustible liquid.
Fire leaped up and raced back into the warehouse as Jager led his team back through the shantytown and down the river bank to the horses.
Across the River Sub-Comandante Santiago Gomez and his men saw the first flicker of fire lighting the scene. Within a few seconds the structure exploded into flames.
“Get ready, vengadores!” Gomez ordered.
Shouts could now be heard coming from the shantytown area. People appeared in the firelight, yelling and backing away from the intense heat. It was obvious the growing flagellation was out of control.
“Fuego!” Gomez hollered. “Fire!”
The vengadores picked out targets and began a routine of aim, pull the trigger, work the bolt…aim, pull the trigger, work the bolt…aim, pull the trigger, work the bolt…
The victims silhouetted against the flames collapsed as the bullets flew into their midst. The screaming and hollering increased as the fire spread to the cantina next door. A moment later a loud explosion split the air as the entire structure blew up. Sparks, embers and whirling pieces of burning wood flew across the site.
At that point, Gomez’s team withdrew toward their hobbled horses. As soon as they emerged from the brush, they saw Jager and his men riding up. Everyone looked at the reflection of the flames off the clouds in the night sky.
“Mission accomplished,” Karl Jager announced. “Let us return to San Patricio.”