The Portland daily press., 1873-12-06
"Take care doctoro

SOuut.
81 should have regretted for my part to
have broken the head Of the poor man."
'sWhat do you mean?"
''Do you believe" said the colonel tran
gully, "that should have hesitated to do
tips heard him uncock pistol under his
cloak, and the way becoming rough obliged
me to watch my steIs. We entered a little
wood. the huts became rare, we had left the
houses behind us some time before. Some
cocks crowed, and dogs barked in the dis
lance, 1 followed the steps of my guide into
a ruined hut, and in corner, resting upon a
large mating, I saw young woman with
great feversh eyes clasping to her, two chill
dren who shivered.
was overcome; misery in Mexico. has
very rarely that fearful aspect which saw
there. They were hungry-exposed to wet,
and deadly vapors-I examined and ques-
toned the patients; the children looked al
me frightened, and the mother herself seemed
disturbed, turning her large eyes every mo-
ment on her husband who held torch light,
and followed all my movements. Nothing
serious" said to him, ''before week they
will be on their feet again."
The face of the colonel frightened, aud he
went forward to embrace his wife. l learned
tn at she had lived there for month. cared
for by two poor Indian women. Der neigh
bors. Twenty times day and nsght they had
surrounded this hut, thinking to surprise her
husband. endeavored to reassure her, to
calm her excited nerves.
"Make him 60 away, DOCTOR" she said to
me.
.'why did you not call me sooner,
Colonel?"
"You forget that am outlawed," he an
swered shaking his head.
We went out; he darted into the woods
where followed mechanically. From time
to time We had to break away the branches
in order to advance. The Colonel stopped
near an abandoned line-kiln. where he had
lived since the capture of the city by the lib
erals, stealing at night to the cabin inhabited
by his wife and children. -'. .l.-..
At daybreak, after a long discussion with my
host upon the best means to send to the sick
medicine and provisions of which they were
in great need, without attracting too much
attention, took leave of him. he wished
to guide me to the border of the woods, and
I could scarcely dissuade him from it. The
wood was neither large nor deep, and was
sure to find my way, Suddenly saw before
me two metis. What were they doing in this
place at such an hours | was tempted to
return, but if they were spiesp L bent down,
teigning to search for flowers, the two NETS
moved away and soon dsappeared-they did
uOL even tQFu dTOuuu. ulCW d iOuS OiCdeA
and gave joyful shout.
Among the plants which 1 gathered by
chance 10 di~arm their suspicious l recog-
nized a little valeran, described by the cele-
brated Hernandez. / lost a good hour in
searching for second specimen of the plant,
and came out of the woods near the Cerritos
of San Juan. mounds erected by the hand of
perhaps the Tolteos. As went out
of the woods to go to Orisaba, saw the two
metis sitting at the foot of gDava tree. si
They looked up and saluted me felt my
self grow pale as culprit and my heart beat.
The retreat of the colonel seemed to me very
easy to discover, and wished that had not
known it. A drove of cattle appeared, the
two men arose and throwing their lassos up
Oh the let shoulder, stood pear the drove.
explained their presence; they were guar
dams of the herd they watched them as they
grazed. Living doubtless at PichocalcO. they
crossed the woods to return to their post, and
shorten their route.
l went home treasured, to console myself
for my lost night had the valerian of Her.
nandez. t-..rr -r
CHAPTER Nv.
"Senor, said my Indian, assisting me to
dismount, the General has sent three times
for YOU
"What does he want?' N4F ~
"Who knows. think there may be some
one sick in the house: some one who is dy-
ing" y
hurried to take off my leggins and spurs !;
and wa, ready to go, when the native with
the phlegm of his race added,
''rhey left word that if you did not return
until after nine O'Clock, not TO trouble your
self"
The next morning about seven o'clock an
uJc u1tI of nav II
little disturbed to question the messenger.
''Another forced loan,'' inquired, smiling
'No, Senior"
"Some one sick?''
mo Senor."
"What then is it,
The alguazil placed his long cavalry sabre
under his left arm, raised his hat and taking
out red handkerchief rubbed his forehead,
replaced his heavy head gear, and answered
"NVho knows!' -a
When Mexican has pronounced these sa-
Ornamental words, any new questions are SUI
pelduous. l followed my guide in silence,
thinking of Col. Ramon. His wife and chill
dren that l had trusted-ostensiby-
well. Two days before, on entering the cab
In I found myself suddenly face to face with
the Col. himself. He had waited for me he
said he could not resist the wish to thank
me, and to clasp my hand. After blaming
him for his imprudence, joined my entrea-
ties to those of his wife. that he should leave
Orizaba and go to some other city occupied
by the men Of his own party. He promised
10 follow my councils; we said good bye and
he went away.
When 1 entered the mansion of the gener-
al, noticed an unaccustOmed disturbance.
A squad of armed soldiers occupied corner
in the court yard. Messengers were running
here and there. They introduced me into the
saloon of the general who sat before table,
dispatching vOluminous correspondence
and who rose on hearing my name.
SIN truth DOCTOR he said, without replying
to my salutation, "If you oblige your pa
tients to wait your pleasure, as you have made
justice, you should be made to suffer some
pen atty. We have sought you in vain since
81 sat at the hacienda de la Cruz" 1 an
swered cit happens SO rarely that absent
myself for "a hours, that chance alone is''-
"Answer me doctor, and do not seek to
if you value your liberty"
The blood mounted to my face, I was in
dignant. had nevertheless, the courage to
turn my tongue in my mouth seven times ac-
cordng to maxim of the sage, not wishing
to say anything unreasonable.
Sol. Ramon is still in the city," contin-
ued the general; care you ignorant that
make it principle to enforce the LAVISH"
Il know that you are an honest man, gen.
eral. so am surprised at the tone in whi.h
you address me. Lying under all its forms is
unknown to me. and the academy Of
"You know Col. Ramon?'
81 know him.
"Are you ignorant that price is set on his
head ?"
know" 1 replied, "that humanity has al
ways condemned, in politics above all, such
barbarous measures
"We will not discuss that point, senior; it
is crime against nation,-the fact of hid
ing culprit from the justice of the people;
one ought to reveal his place, to denounce"--
II arrest you in my turn; an honest man
denounces no person."
"You know the place where Col. Ramon
is concealed?"
YES" answered with assurance.
"He is in the city?'
"Who knews?''
'You forget doctor, that can order you
shot"
Certainly not"
Speak, theu; your revelations can pre-
vent the murder of my men,"
What would you reply to me, General, if
endeavored to compel you TO commit an
action which would dishonor you?''
Inc general turned his head, stroked his
forth. oN "'i'
Rome in her decadence countenanced
and encouraged informers,'' 1 REPLIED !. s.Do-
mitian urged on the cruel weakness ,yl;al,