Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-11-25

oS4o"theeu3 ohd uGfiHe lOdl uCu tiio Iout0,
aud refreshed myself, was soon again on
my travels.
"The American looks Wild" said the
good natured Spaniard, as he looked after
me, "and I would rather him than I for
tie journey before him tonight"
"You are right, Juan" said his com
panion, villianous looking specimen OF
humanity, who, from the moment [ en-
tered the cafe seemed anxious to learn if
| were really going alone, and who rolled
his eyes in holy horror when foolishly
told him was-''You are right, for the
murderous gang who robbed the Santa
Rosa last night cannot be far off and
Marie may help him if they should be on
his trail y
These remarks did not add tony hap
piness, but they gave me little concern,
when compared to the delirious fancies
which now had possession Of my heated
brain. asshnryi the rowels in my pony's.
sides dashed madly along. My road
for some miles lay along a beautiful
valley, from the summit of the hills sur
rounding which | was informed, | could
see the Pan of Matanzas, high cone like
hill, which I was enjoined to keep in
view, as kind of North Star, until [
struck the Havana road, when turning
east, I was to follow such to the eud of
my journey.
1t was near ten o'clock when I reached
the top of the hill and dismounting seat
ed myself to wait the raising Of the moon,
the better to observe the road, and es-
pecially the mountain which was to be my
guide. My pony was grazing few feet
from me thousand maddeniag thoughts
were passing through my mind, when
suddenly sense of the solitary position l
occupied began to steal over me- What
if were attacked, aye, and murdered !?
Then I would think of the mysterious let
ter, and was all myself again. I had
been seated half an hour when I fancied |
could hear a slight noise listened at
rentiyey; in few minutes could dis
tinct'y hear tue approach of horsemen as
they came at gallop up the side Of the
valley Quick as thought was along
side my pony, and drawing him into the
tall shrubbery so as to conceal US both, |
waited the approach Of the strangers, de-
tcrmincd TO learn something Of their char
acter before scraping an acquaintance. =
That there was more than one it was now
evident, and as they neared me they slack
ened their pace, their horses being appar-
emily blown.
The moon was just peeping from be-
meath its bed, throwing rich and som6re
light on the most bewtching fairy-like
picture it were possible for eyes to look
upon, made ten times more lovely by the
Stiffness Of night As the horsemen, three
in number, passed me at walk, convers-
ing hurriedly in loud tone:-
Y9a mggt hags hssp u miat88k he a RRq:
we'll knit pony, rode a'little in advance.
You must have been mistaken no man
is such fool as 10 pass this road after
sunset, alone, especially stranger"
mo mistake, replied the other, sharp
", who did not seem to relish the doubt
Of his companion.
did you notice if be was armed" said
;he third party, turning around in his
saddle, revealing features anything but
prepossessing.
Il cannot say as to that" said the
fellow addressed as Pancho, ''but be APP
peared to be half crazy, Or probably
drunk"
LET us push on said the party Oh
the white horse 1--WE will soon see, for he
cannot be far ahead" And breaking in
to IA smart canter, they were soon lost to
my view.
My position was not to be envied: foi
it was evident those cut throats were upon
my trail not that I had anything worth
stealing, but | had learned enough to con-
vince me those gentry were not particu
lar whether they killed you before or af-
ter robbing you True, | could return tt
the village, but that would not only spoi
nv calculations, bat would amount tC
something very like cowardice. Sucl
were my thoughts, as tightening my
girths, | sprang into the saddle and rode
forward, my plan being to outride them
possible, aud if attacked. defend mysel
while I could, and having placed my re
volver in a convenient position, | lighted ;
cigar and pressed forward, keeping s
bright lookout for my knights of the road
though hoping piously | would not SET
them
had proceeded some distance, anf
was eoDgratulating myself on my ucky
escape, when coming to a turn of the
road, through whtch rivulet run, anc
over which ic was necessary to walk,
looked forward and directly in my front
about ten yards distant stood my chief
tain of the white charger.
Riding up quickly he placed his hors
alongside mine, and salutlng me mos
blandly asked for light. Seeing h'
was alone, | returned his salute, an,
passed him my lighted cigar, never for !
moment taking my eyes off him. lie wa
muscular fellow, of medium height
dressed in the garb ola farmer, and wear
ing the long. Straight sword of that class
Having lighted. he passed me the cigar
and iu voice unnecessarily loud, of whlcl
[ guessed the meaning remarked
'.You are going to Matanzas z
/ replied, Finishing the sentenc fo
him
Aud, as I am hurried, I must pus
on
So saying. ! drew my revolver an
gathering my pony under me, aew pa
him. ln an instant he was alongside me
and drawing heavy horse pistol trol
+ his holsters. he shouted to halt.
Reiniag in as if 70 obey. he forged