The Shasta courier., 1866-09-22

1
roro wav and with shower of small stones
end broten fragments of the rocks, l, the
| b,sb and the debris, rolled down to the very
| eoat of tbe foremost wolf-the she-wolf.-
With an angry growl it grined at me, show
;no its bideous fangs and teeth, while its hot
breath came over my face. | held up my
bands before nv throat and face as it rush
| ed at me open-mouthed. | have a faint
recollection of hearing the report of a pistol
lust as all seemed to swim dizzily away from
me. and lost all consciousness of what fol-
| lowed.
| had tainted away.
Slowly consciousness returned to me. and
as it came back. the last few moments
seemed to me a hideous dream l found
myself seated on stone by the road side,
and Jose standing over me, attempting to
pour little wine down my throat from a
bottle held in his hand.
''Do not fear," were the first words |
could understand u have killed two of
wolves, and the third one turned and fed-
You have had narrow escape; but a miss
is as good as a mile | would recommend
you, however, for the future, to keep your
pistol about your person."
After a few more minutes rest I once
more mounted, and we proceeded on our
journey, and without any more adventuers
reached the Quinta just before nightfall
The sonora was at home, and gave me
hearty welcome. She was fine specimen
of Portuguese lady, about twenty two years
old, and somewhat inclined to obesity fine
figure, however. and dark, liquid eyes, full
of fire and passion, gave animation to her
countenance. | spent a very pleasant eve.
ming. and enjoyed it all the more from my
recent narrow escape, the which | gave her
a history of after we had had dinner. She
invited me to stay some days with her, and
agreed to do so.
In the middle of the night, after had re-
tired to bed. | was awoke from my sleep by
hearing a stealthy footstep in my ROOM
Startiug up in great alright, | seized my
pistol, which | had taken the precaution of
placing under my pillow, and asked what
was there.
1T is I, senor," answered the voice of
Jose. g You must get up Immediately. -
The Sonora d'Oliveira and her brother are
welLknown Carlsts, and your letter for
them has been discovered, as well as your
bringing it for them from Madeira. How it
has been found out | don't know but
feared so before we left Lisbon, which made
me uneasy on our journey here"
hesitated for moment, and tried my
best to think what was best to do.
Jose spared me all thought on this matter.
Selling hold of me, he pulled me out of bed,
and then hurriedy helped me to Dress
Almost before | had gathered together my
wandering senses, he had me out of doors,
where | found the two mules already sad
died. Making me mount. he quickly did
the same, and galloped off toward a forest,
some short distance behind the Quinta. 1t
all seemed dream to me, so quickly had it
all passed. We had scarcely reached the
edge of the forest, when, looking around, |
saw lights flashing about from window to
window of the Quinta behind US.
. We were just in time" said Jose. g
don't think you would have much liked the
interior of Portuguese prison. They cannot
find you now, for in an hour or two | hope
to place you beyond all reach of pursuit
Exceedingly perpexed at all taat had
taken place, and cursing My friends in Ma
deira for the predicament they had placed
me in, unhesitatingly followed Jose. After
two or three hours hard riding, we came to
some rocks piled up in heap in the heart
of the forest. Striking one of these with his
heavy whip. the echo of the stroke had scarce
died away when | saw two men come from
some place among them. Jose bade me dis
mount and follow them, whilst he himself
went off with the mules to place of safety.
did so, and they led me into sort of cave,
partly natural, and evidently enlarged by
human means. Here | found warm fire
and breakfast awaiting me.
Jose soon rejoned US, and there, in the
heart of cork forest, well cared for, well
fed, and safely housed among half civilized
tribe of these outcast, wandering Zngari,
for fortnight dwelt safely and securely.
At the end of that time Jose after staining
my skin with walnut juice, and dressing me
in one of their gypsy dresses, carried me safe
ly to Lisbon, whence, embarking on an Eng
lish steamer, arrived-thankful for rly es-
cape, and ever retaining grateful sense OF
gipsy's honor and f1elty-after a few
days steaming, safe on English ground at
Gibraltar.