The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-03-01
Selletf sSt.olrsp,
D r U GGED

The portion of Texas that lies lie-
tween the hesGuad&lupe and San Anto.
MO, and through which so many tra-
ders, semigrant and adventurers nee
lessardy pass in their route from the
Eastern States was at no very distant
date the scene Of many a perilous adj
Y ensure, ole of which tits my purpose
| to relate. and for5the veracity OF which
II caae personally svotseii.----s--. - --.--
ItD was at the close of an October
day that pair of wdll -mountedf ri.
ders pulled up before one of the Mex
ican ranches that dot the country here
and there. At the adcor of tile build
ing, Which was long and low, sort of
double cabin, the landlord louuged
carclessiy against post. i.---a"'17 -
a forbidding looking fellow enough !;
but one cannot pick his company on
tho plair s !. ami cur travellers rsaiuted
frank ly and asked tor u nights lodg'
ing.i q s.'iI esSissEsga1 nIiiIiu dt5-
You can pay, nors, ell ?" was the
somewhat inhospitabie query of the
''Gertainly /; we are pot beggersl''
7 1t was the younger of thu travel srs
who, spoke - ataIl, trinity man
of about six ur eight and tweu ty, with
blonde ruddy complexion,Sa a clear,
gray eye, crisp auburn hair, and Il
long tair mustlche, that rlrooped over
a firm, weIl-shaped mouth-a face
aud figure denoiing strengths, courage
and high Gu ulture.7, His companion was
~. OIL 81, I'll IL
and -rnuscular,g with black eyes, hair
and beard "a, man that " would pass in
a crowd for Il blunt, well meaning fet-
low. but one at waoma close observer
,w.nld lonk twice before tuFniug his
back once. tss7-raEzT asif g-e-rs; III
AS the light haired stranger made
the rather haughIyi repIyINeAbaye qaoi
ted, the dark one laid Il hand upon
his arm, whispered SOM thing in his
ear, and Sueceeetedein bringing a smile
to the eyes tlat had begun to darken
at the Mexican's insolence Yielding
to the others remonstrance he DIS
mounted lightly frem his horse, and
said, pleasantly, "You need have NJ
fears, my friend; we p;y our way,
even in advance, if required. Give
us and our horses nights lodging,
and name your own price.
AT this the surly host frightened
up; beekoned ragged urchins from
the rear OF the house, and gave him
an order In BAG Spanish. $50 ,i-'-
TbeOboy led / he ssgearieds horses to q
dikIpitiated shed elose.at aiasd.s Hatf,
er the light haired stranger followed; !;
d.tache;t a pait. of we'll filed istddie
bags from his horse, and, tossing the
boy small silver coin, walked lcis-
urely back To the ,house. He seemed
/ to have forgotten his mementary an
noyance, and whipped the shrubs care
.iessly with his riding switch as he
walked, lumming the end of an old
tune with an air OF perfect ease aud
security. .-T.,-.
Both the travellers We're damp and
chilled, passing shower having given
themja sharp Asprinkling an hour or
two before and the fair enc expressed
q desire To change his upper garments,
was shown, into a small ,side room
formed by an elbow Of the building--: ::
q room comparatively detached from
the rest OF the house, being connected
with it only by a short, dark, and dir
ty passage. Ityyas measerly furnish
ed, containing little more than a bed
and two. rickety articles of furniture
that might pass for Chairs or, stools
While he is removing hiswet cloihing,
we will take a view Of the two men
\ left # t together in the front part Of the
cabin. sz.'-..I = -.E..''5 = - :.
The Mexican was the FIRST to speak;
he looked .cpVertly after the retreating
stranger, then turning to his compan
ion said -coolly, and-expectanfly-
Well senior ~ .aoiGJ boa ssfc72 ~
What t1do:you want7''g said the dark
stranger. 81 said nothing" o. .Ir al.l
5 The Mexican eyed him a moment,
then shrugged his shoulders, and NUT
tered sullenly, "You looked some
thing, scnor.'