The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-11-22
AN ADVENTURE IN A MEXICAN
RUIN.

AN ADVENTURE IN A MExICA
RUIN.
Riding leisurely along a delichtfr
highway of Mexico, one warm ate
noon some few years ago, saw in tn
distance the crumbling walls of an oil
ruin, relic of the days of Montezums
As rowing disposition had carrie
me to Mexico, was in no hurry to cor
tinue on my way, having plenty q
leisure, and therefore turned INV hors
across the hills to see the spot.
Wooed by the refreshing shade. tn
luxuriant carpet OF velvety grass. an,
the silent, hushed repose that seemed
to rest here, / dismounted, and pivin,
my horse mis- freedom to feed about IN.
rum, threw myself in the shadow o
Inc wall and soon sunk to rest.
Fatigued and overcome with the heat
did not wake for hours, and then wa,
startled 20 see that a storm was brewine
and night was almost upon me.
Well knowing that it was miles to the
nearest habitation, l determined Ia
MAKE virtue of necessity and seek
shelter IN the ruin for the night. for /
was well prepared with blankets and
had substantial lunch in my saddle.
roll.
Near by, my horse was still feedino
upon the rich grass, SO went in search
OF some portion of the ruin where I
could fnd "shelter for man and beast,
rom the storm, which was rapidly
coming up.
Soon ] came upon low archway that
led into a vaulted chamber, which at
one time must have been used "a a
tomb, but it was dry, had dirt.floorinc
ana rocky couch, that had evidently
served as the resting place after death.
OF some priest, for the ruin had been
an old monastery or convent, | iudped
Returning, lassoed my horse out in
the Enclosure, and taking from him the
saddle and bride returned to INV i'm.
promptu shelter, and at once spread
my blankets upon the long rock. and
sat down to eat my supper and watc:,
the storm. S-.
At length it broke in fury. and
withdrew my horse within n. rock.
pound chamber, and fastening him Sc.
cureiy, laid down to sleep, for night had
enveioped the ruin in darkness.
Inc Wild raging of the storm with.
out gave me an air of comfort within
my vauited room, and soon was dream.
ing the hours away.
a nose foreign to the raging of the
storm awakened me, and half risino T
listened, and distinctly heard the sound
OF human voices, and then a loud. ho;s.
ferrous laugh. ''
was at once upon nv feet. for 7
knew that l was in . dangerous neivb.
borhood, as highway robbers were vel,
known to infest that portion of the
country.
Standing erect upon my rocky couch.
GUNNER of light shone through the
wall, and IN an instant had placed INV
eye there, and discovered through a
window, that had been two thirds closed
, sight that did not reassure me "a to
my safety. "
The ruin had been built in the shane
d. cross, the upper end resting unon
The hillside, and approaching, as I aid.
rom that side, had entered the h,
closure or square formed by the two
upper ends. WV
The two corners of the cross, forming
he wings of the structure, had nre
'ented my seeing the longest and
Argest part OF the ruin, and the vault. !
q chamber, where was domiciled for
he night, was the very center: the
quare where the four wings met, hence I
trough the barricaded window, or
ather, small aperture. l could see into {
large room, and therein sat q dozen a
ough looking men engaged in a mid.
light carousal. |;
Arms lay upon the table, blankets /
Vere spread about upon the stone floor. h
nd the chamber was dimly lighted bv
lalf dozen small tapers, aided bv = h
ickly looking fire that burned in ono =
nd of the large hall. d
II want no LIQUOR say, have had /,
nough, and will have cup of coffee !
DELTA, Delita," the wild looking scamn y
vho was speaking as I gazed through
he opening, raped loudly upon the
'ottle before him with his dirk. !,
II an coming" answered a sweet q
oice in Spanish, the same language the q
nan had spoken.
Hasten, then; wish you to mako =
Office for mes" and as he spoke a GIRL I,
# fourteen came forward and stood
vhere the light fell full upon her. - n
A sweet, childish face, lit up by large. v
ad, lustrous eyes, and crowned by
masses of rayen-black hair, which were e
n strange contrast to the paleness of b
her coun'enance; girlish figure, neat. K