The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-09-24

MT my enemy with blow ofthe hand, which
taxing away his breath, wouli compel him
loose me. L struck a Use blow, the instar
after felt the barrel of revolver G ide alon
my ear, terrible noise stunned me. da;
zlIng light illuminat ed the woods, and to th
fearful shock which seemed to dislocate M
DelnS, succeeded sudden and beneficer
calm. l seemed to be res ing ON a soft bed.
opened my eyes. and saw myself sitting in tl
study of Perez, before his writing table. m
feet on the skin of a magnificent tiger whic
he believed he had hilnsef killed. At M
side stood the old servant n a mourning robe
linen, before me, wide open, the splendi
gothic characters standing out in black upo
the yellow paper, the precious folio, prnte
at Saragossa, in he year 1862 by A Milan
the first edition of Gomara!
CHAPTER ~.
when did really open my eyes-I was fla
on my stomach my nose plunged in the dea
leaves; my arms seemed almost paralyzed
and perceived that my arms were bound
Memory returned suddenly, and | trembIe,
at The remembrance of the revolver which ha,
| grazed my ear. L had heard the report O
the Teyover--then according to physca
| principles, my head was safe and concu sioI
alone had caused my fainting. L turned my
neck and felt soon pain in the shoulder; the
ball had touched there. But what had be-
| come ofmy companions; made an effort to
| change my position: having succeeded in
turning upon one side, l found myself face to
face with my murderer stretched like myself
on tue ground, the mouth contracted, eve.
fixed-d ad
seemed but half awake, my legs were free,
aid, after numerous efforts, sat up. Not
ten steps from me stiff, unmovable, lay two
Otner bandits. What meant this slaughter I?
What ha / ol r
attempted to free my arms-to remember. |
suffered from thirst, of all the enemies of
man tie most cruel. For glass of water 1
would have given Gomara.
faint cry was heard. | trembled and
watched the bandits-not one moved. I
turned ca efully, and upon the trunk of
tree hung the snowy form of Tomasf. The
young iady-her hair in disorder eyes closed,
head inclined, despoiled of her vestments-
was lied to tree whose rude bark must tear
her flesh.
Two bands of China Grape served to con-
hne her; one at her waist, the other at her
wrists. Never has sculpture lent to the cap
tive Andromeda a pose more touching
more marvellous beauty. 1 remained an in
slant, silent, captivated. AT NY right, his
forehead bleeding, his look fierce, perceiv-
ed the cavalier whom we had encountered in
the morning on our route; bending he leaned
upon his bloody sabre. What had happened ?
dared not move: would not this man 'x;ll
me-also, in my turn? l attempted to ,raa;i
my thongs. but convinced soon of tie vanity
OF my efforts, and my suffering Becoming in,
tolerable, L resolved to end it. 49,
HalIoa' Don JOSEF Cried in sharp
side. " NY
" .Hd the ne bones OF thy NEITHER" said calm
~ M ~ ho you s'l'Ee 6.iefenceless man?'
locked .. As haggy head disdaiutully, and
-, nv dead companions.
..They were armed be cried-then aided
with pride, am Acatl, my ia her COR ,maud-
ed an hundred warriors"
SHINE also,' l. answered, .'t.,ut when he
found himself at the head of his band. he
never lief; an old man boupd as 1 am
The Iudian approached. cut my cords, and
returned to place himself in front of Tomasi.
1 rose aud iell again. rubbed my elf with
energy, and perceiving a pistol, rolled near
the weapon and seized it. At this moment
Tomasi raised her, he ad, moved her arms, and
saw her struggle as if to break the bands
which held her prisoner.
Acatl watched me anxiously. 1 took up
the robe of the priHaG donna and went to-
wards her.
',Deliver her." said 10 the Indian in a
tone of authority.
He did not uelay in obeying me. To my
great surprise, he struck his forehead with
the palm of his hand, ran to the tree and cut
the bands that held the young lady.
She tainted, and the 1Ddan frightened at
the result cf his action, seized me by the arm,
THAT is notning'-I said, "you did not tie
her, then?'
He looked at me, placed his foot on the
breast of one of his companions-whose livid
face was lighted up by ray of sunlight-and,
pointing to the other with his finger, said,
"They wanted her-and they are dead! :,
called Tomasi by name, but like myself
she was overcome with thilst.
''Some waterr' l said to the Indian.
He ran to his Lorse, untastened the gourd
suspended to the saddle, and broke it on find
ing it empty:
''Come!' he called.
lean you walk p inquired of the primo
donna. She rose without answerin. me, but
scarcely erect; she trembled, and chung to
me to prevent falling. Weak as 1 was,
should have fallen with her to the ground,
when Acatl, quick as a flash of light, lifted
her as he would have taken a child, and rush.
ed rapidly away under the trees.
followed; unconsciously the young lady
clasped the neck of the Indian with her beau.
tiful white arms. One would have said that
il was nymph carried by satyr.
Sometimes Acatl gave savage cry, raised
almost above his head the marble body which
he carried, then bounded forward. l lost
sight. aud breathess, must stop, listen, and
, find again the trace. l found him, he haG
replaced his burden upon grassy spot ueaI
spring. Tomasi, with half closed eyes,
leaned her head upon the breast of the ban
dit covered with flood of golden hair.
made he drink. She revived little by little,
and borcalf int T hon ar
her.
What & fearful scene doctor! I believed
you dead"
/ recounted briefly my misadventure.
The singer said that after having tied bel
| to the tree dispute occurred between the
robbers; fainting she saw tn Indian we haC
met IN the morning fall upon his companions
! As in night mare, she heard the whzz OIL
the balls, and the yells of the savages-then q
profound silence. She opened her eyes ano
| saw Acatl crouched watching her. 'sThis
man is a true lion," she said, ending her
story. Shuddering she threw back her head
and half closed her eyes. / withdrew with
the Indian in order to allow the young LADY
to re-arrange her toilette. Her forehead bled
Il dressed the wound; it was a slight sabre
| cut. l then dressed mine. A bound of the
horse of my roaber had caused the ball to de
viate which else would have broken my head
/ escaped with slight wound. / bathed my
self with pleasure, endeavoring TO retair
Acatl, who wished to return to the spring
Finally she escaped me; SO fastened 10 dress
and inspect the weapon which carried; an(
l saw with pleasure that four balls only were
spent-thlee remained to hold at bay GU
new acquaintance. When l reached the
| spring, Tomasi was twisting her long hair
and endeavoring to arrange it. Acatl, stand.
ing not five steps from her, watched sur
priseI, without doubt. TO see how differen
were the manners of the Europeans from
those of his own race. The prima donna
understanding that we were at the mercy OF
the bandit, smiled at his obstinate scrutiny
Women are naturally diplomats.
''Do you feel able to wa'k?' l asked.
She rose, still trembling inquired Of the
Indian if there was any house near by.
'No,' he answered.
''We wish to depart"
"To-morrow.'
81 am hlugry," l answered jokingly, sand
| to-morrow''-He 10 ked around him, appeal.
| ing to reflect.
In fact. you know not where to go.'
He threw me his finder box, and disap
peared in the shade. soon 1 heard the moist
Of horse on the gallop.
| l sho Id not have known in what direc
ton to turn TO find again the main road.
! gathered some dry branches and ouckly