Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-03-31

I The two traitorous natives still lay mo
tionless, as though they were sleeping
soundly, yet / knew they were alert and
watchful God knows it was moment
of agonizing suspensel :,
With despairing energy rallied all
my strength and skill and norve for in.
slant action. Most fortunately / had
employed my saddle for pillow, with
the leather skirt rolled and placed under
nv head Two well-stuffed pouches lay
beside it. Rolling noiselessly from my
couch, very carefully drew these latter
toward me, and adjusted them under my
blankets, in the position had just been
occupying. 1t was done much sooner
than | am telling it, and think without
sound to draw the attention of the
watchful natives.
"Then, with wildly beating heart, !
began cautious retreat, by rolling along
the ground, which providentially de-
scended slightly away, and thus greatly
favored the difficult movement. Fifteen
or twenty PAGES distant low ledge broke
down, perhaps two feet, almost abrupt
| as step, to lower bench, which in most
parts receded toward the mountain trail,
Il reached this ledge in safety, unob-
served and it gave me cover. There was
vet no sound of the stealthy advance OF
the murderers. Fearing they might ap-
proach from this direction, which was
certainly the most favorable for the move.
ment, and thus come upon me here, l
crept along the low ledge, in the direc-
ton of the trail, yet drawing still nearer
to our smoldering campfire.
"On this side of the camp was a semi
circular hedge of thorn shrubs, peculiar
to these mountain slopes, growing in
tangled thckets here and there, like a
group of islands, and stretching out their
threatening arms across the narrow
spaces that intervened between them.
Behind this barrier l placed myself,
TO await the inevitable attack. | was no
more than ten yards from the spot where
Luis and the woman lay. | could have
easily snapped a pebble in the face OF
either. Every part of the camp was
plainly reviewed from this position. The
line Of moonlight was rapidly drawing
near across the open plateau, narrowing
the broad belt of shadow and lighting up
the gloom that hovered around US.
"At length, as my quick eye swept the
scene, creeping figure was observed
stealthily approaching the spot had SO
lately occupied. A second form ap'
peared above the low ledge on the lower
side, to my right, and advanced in like
manner. The first and nearest hgure
halted for an instant only, and seemed tc
reconnoiter. 1t moved on, then up tt
the position where / was supposed to be
still peacefully sleeping,
"The dim, uncertain light disclosed
rounded form beneath the covering, and
the assassin was certain of his victim
His companion was at his elbow. dc
raised his keen edged blade and plunged
|, it deep into the object before him. II
was the signal for action. Instantly
houted cry of alarm, that must have
$, artled the murderers themselves, and
ca lied upon my servants to rise and de
fen d themselves against the attack OF the
enemy that was upon us.
"IIuis, awake and alert, of course,
spran to his feet, and the woman was
instan tly beside him. They were evi.
IDENTIFY crazed and confounded, between
surprise and guilty fear. They lodged
wildly here and there, with ill-feigned
apuearauce of alarm for their personal
safety. Finally, in obedience to my
urgent admonitions, they broke to the
thictet at my left, though not so promptly
but that both would have fallen before
the weapons Of the assailants, had the
latter desired their destruction.
THE euemy betrayed even greater
astonishment. At the first cry of alarm
uhey were seen to recoil, as if they feared
BETRAYAL into an ambuscade by Luis. But
1ome unguarded exclamation of surprise
rom the latter, which | did not under
stand. apparently reassured them on that
point. and they rallied again.
"The foremost villain advanced once
more to nv couch, bent over il an in
slant then, with howl of rage and dis
appointment, both charged together
toward my position among the thorns'
following closely upon the heels OF my
traitorous servants.
"I was fully prepared to receive them,
and only awaited favorable moment to
draw ON one or the other. One, the
most daring of the two, pressed close up
10 the border of the thorny barrier which
intervened, muttering at the same time a
string of Spanish marine oaths, as famil-
lar TO my ear as the notes Of the boat
.swain's whistle at first watch. ! recog-
nized my old enemy on the instant, and
understood the motive that urged his
hand TO my destruction.
"In the ferceness Of his rage he flew
at the bristling hedge, 10 surmount Il at
a leap. He caught upon the sprangling
branches above, and brought down the
whole mass Of goading spines upon me
where crouched. He fell beyond me,
roaring with pain and passion.
Il struggled to my feet, still clutehed
BY the savage thorns, and though keenly
tortAred BY their lacerating thrusts, yet
reta:hed possession OF my revolver. l
felt-for i could not sea cropping form
forcing the barrier aside before me, so
near that the swaying branches brushed
and tore my face. Il was the last
moment Of possible salvation
Il thrust my weapon forward, at halt
arms length among thu thOrns and fired
upon the villain AZ :o=ching distance.
As did SO a well-aimed spear went
Whizzing past my head, hurled BY the