The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-12-07

tubu BEuuut ho tld AuEn VI U luhu lel
within the shadow Of the wall OF the
corral. he then heard Sanchez say,
"Into the saddle, senior, quick for
your lifeN r. and he dashed away across
the plains, Stratford mechanically fol.
lowing him. AS they rode at . gallop,
Strattord said
"For Gods sake, Sanchez, what was
the matter :"
"Neyer mind asking questions now,
senior" said he. "If / had waited just
now TO ask questions, should be rid.
ing home alone. ! did 1t to save
you."
"That jnckanapes who threatened
You for dancing with Panchita. He
won't threaten you any more"
SHOW did you know he threatened
me 2"
az heard every word he said. fol
lowed you when I saw the villain call
you; even then / was ready TO pre-.
vent him from putting his knife into
"How did the affair happen Just
now2"
"You were Just in the act OF getting
into your saddle, when he crept rsuxd
the corral and had his knife ready to
strike you in the back, when I caught
him by tho throat and buried mine in
his heart. The sooner we are in Colonia
the better. You will have all the
blame, Don Ricardo. I know these
people, and every one OF his kinsmen
willbe abroad early to avenge the deed.
We must go straight on"
"You push right on, Sanchez; 1
must go TO Welshford's again for the
dispatches. I left them in his Charge"
dNo, senior, I will stay with you,"
said Sanchez "the body fell right in
the shade Of the corral, and may net
DO found until daylight. II that is the
case, We will have time"
"Well, We must try II. my brave
fellow" said Stratiord; "with fresh
horses, ten leagues is no. far"
"Far? CdrTGioi I should think not,
but we must not let them catch us at
Welshiord's."
They arrived at welshford's at about
four o'clock, and, without delay, in.
formed the host Of the tragedy, and i'm.
mediately got fresh horses, and were
on the road as daylight broke over the
plains.
The estancia was about thirty miles
from Colonia, and the rancho where the
tcrtulia had been the night before was
about the same distance; and, as tho
reader knows, the rancho was three
leagues, or nine miles, from Welsh.
ford's. AS they rode, they looked anx.
iously OF the eastern horizon for traces
OF any pursuers; nor had they long TO
look, for the light revealed o cloud OF
horsemen pushing rapidly on for where
they had just left.
1Here they come" said Sanchez,
"but they don't sec yet"
He had hardly spoken, when the
whole body, Numbering eighteen or
twenty, turned their horses heads for
Colonia.
"You spoke rather soon, Sanchez"
said stratford; "they SEQ us only too
we'll"
The pursuers were about two miles
10 the right OF the pursued, and not
more than three.quarters OF O mile TO
their rear, and both were heading for
the same point, 80 that IL became moth
ing more than race.
At about haif the journeythe 0auohOS
were about the same distance astern
but they had lessened that between
them, SO that they were now almost
directly behind them.
Stratford had hopes that, when they
came in sight OF oolonia, some OF the
lancers would see them, and come to
their assistance; and 80 they did, but
not until very close to their pursuers,
in consequence OF the horse OF Sanchez
having stumbled over m ant.hill /; but
the nimble gaucho was quickly in the
saddle, and returned the yells Of his
foes with wave OF defiance as he again
overlook Stratford ; but, unfortunately,
his horsewent dead lame, and the situa.
ton was becoming very precarious, as
the foremost Of the horsemen was near.
ly close enough to use his lasso on poor
Sanchez. When within about o league
OF the town, fortunately, squad Of
Uraguayan cavalry, who were exercis.
ing on the plains, saw them, and came
securing to their assistance. II was
now nip and tuck whether Sanchez
would bo caught before the lancers got
up; but that point was quickly set at
rest, as o howl from that individual
told Stratford that he was in the tolls.
He Immediately tnrned TO his assistance
and rode on the gaucho, who was haul.
ing In on the lasso TO knife the poor
fellow.
a well.directed shot from the officers
revolver went crashing through his
brain, and two or three more completely
checked the impetuosity OF the fore.
most Of the pursuers.
Sanchez was soon free from the lasso,
and, with the instincts OF his class, i'm.
mediately appropriated the horse Of the
dead gauoho, as the lancers dashed up
and attacked and dispersed the despera.
does. .'....i....
The ride for life was over, and
short time saw Stratiord and Sanchez
on board the English irigate; where
the thrilling adventure was told by the
officer. s
Sanchez was greatly elated at the
fact OF the other gaucho being killed,
as he found that he was the brother OF
the one who had received bis quietus
the night before ?; and ho philosophi.
cally remarked that cousins did not
follow up ieud but for little while,
but the brother weuld have pursued
him TO death.
Three weeks again saw them at Welsh.
fnrd,a. bnt Tint time they attended no