The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-11
A RIDE FOR LIFE.

Il hlOh EOh LIZ Il.
Early one bright summers morning,
not many years ago, young laval Off
Ger named Stratford rode out of Monte
videO on his way to Colonia. He was
carrying dispatches to a ship-of-var at
the latter place, and being thoroughly
acquainted with the country, had been
singled out for the service.
He had not ridden far on hIs Journey
before he met three gayiy- dressed ga1t-
chOs, and, being we'll known all over
the 0dHlpGS, he was speedily recognized
by them, and was glad of the services
Of Cne of them, Sanchez, as a compan-
ion on the journey. The intention was
TO push on to Welshford's estancia by
way of San Jose and Santa Lucia, and
there pass the night, pursuing the jour
ney in the morning.
Nothing of particular interest oc-
CURED during the long ride, and, at
about the expected time, Welshford's 3
was reached. and the hospitalities of the
DGHapQs afforded them. Dinner was
being eaten by Stratford and his host
when Sanchez, who had been wandering
among the poems, came into the dining
room to inform them that there was to
be a teTtuLiG, or dance, at a rancho
about three leagues away, and that, if
they would go, there were to be grand
doings. Welshford excused himself on
the ground of fatigue, he having been
arduOusly employed for several days in
experimenting the shearing of his
sheep but he said to Stratford, d" If you
wish TO go with your man, will have
fresh horses saddled for you at once"
The offer was Immediately accepted,
and soon the officer and gauchO we're
again securing over the plains, and in a
short time found themselves at the
scene of festivities. The dancing was
conducted outside, and the gayIy-
dressed gGUchOs and the mai ems formed
"A picturesque scene as they went into
the intricacies of the 6OLerO.
Stratford was introduced byi iSanchez
as Don Ricardo, and Immediately be-
came lionized by the ladies and, as he
was the same as most naval officers, hav-
ing a keen eye to beauty, he was not
long IL picking out the bestIooking
maiden in the assemblage, and she
seemed to be Immediately fattered at
the attentions of the cabdlleTO inqleSG.
She told him that she learned to
waltz while at Buenos Ayres, and asked
him if he understood the accomplish
ment. OF course he did ; and the two
shaky old guitars, which gave forth
very doubtful kind of music, struck mp
n " tim tGH1' to Walt2-time, and the
English lieutenant and the gdUchO girl
went whirllng III the mazes, the rest of
the assemblage forming circle round
them, and madly applauding the per-
formance, as the dance to most of them
was a novelty.
Sanchez seemed to think that the per-
formance of the Lieutenant whom he had
introduced to the company was such a
success that it reflected great credit on
him, and, Immediately after they had
tinished, rushed over and embraced
him, after the fashion of his country.
Shortly after this little episode, STRAIT
ford was lighting a cigar, when he was
approached by a handsome young gau-
chO, III a gay pOnchO and chGripa, and |
showing himself to be first class dandy |
by the prOfusion of silver ornaments |
and heavy silver spurs that he wore;
ard, tapping him on the arm, said :
g One moment, SenOr Inglesa have |
word to say to you"
Stratford finished lighting his cigar,
aud then followed him to a distance of |
about fifty yards from the party.
- May l ask what you want with me?"
said he.
Yes, scnor; that young lady that
you have been dancing so much with is
my nOrja" (sweetheart). care you
aware of it ?"
81 did not have that honor" said |
Stratford- ." am glad to hear it-she |
is a very pretty girl"
- called you out, senor," said the
gGUchO, "tO.r-Rrn you that l do not |
A., I, L
Now do you understand ?"
- am sorry" said the EngIishman, |
"that you will have to make an excep- |
ton in my favor, for 1 have already |
promised to dance the next dance with |
her."
''Then, if you do, remember, senior.
Won do it at your peril-you under
stand ?'
Enough of this insolence, fellow"
slid Stratford, haughtlly. Il shall /
dance with her as often as I please"
"Then beware !" growled he between |
his teeth, rs Stratfori strobe toward the
dancers, and the next instant he saw the
lieutenant, with his arm around Pan
chita's waist, and whirling her in tha
dance.
Sanchez had been a witness of this
ecene, and had overheard everything
that had been said by the young qauchO,
who received his particular attention
during the TEST of the night, but he
never told Stratford that he was &C
Quainted with the fact.
At length is became time for them TO
take their departure, and Straiford and
Sanchez went to the corral to get their
horses, that were already hitched wait
ing for them.
Sanchez had been, as we have said,
closely watching the young gduchO af-
ter his threat, and was not slow in OBJ
serving him, as they left the company,
also leave, and steal round to the other
side of the corral, and, in the shade of
the wall, approach the officer and him.
self.
Stratford was just in the act of get
ting into the saddle, not knowing of the
danger, when he heard Immediately be-
hind him a scuffle, a dull thud, and
then a grOan, as tine form of a man fell
within the shadow of the wall of the
corral. He then heard Sanchez say,
50 Into the saddle, senior, quick for
your life !" and he dashed away across
the plains, Stratford mechanically fol-
owing him. As they rode at gallop,
SratfOrd said
For tod sake, Sanchez, What was
he matter?"
I, g Never mind ssking questions now,
enor," said he "If had waited just
now to ask questions, should be riding
lome alone. did it to save you"
''Who was il p
"That iackanapos who threatened you
Dr dancing with Panchita. He won't
hreaten you any more"
" How did you know nc threatened
ne ?"
Il heard every word be said. fol-
owed you when l saw the villain call
'ou; even then I was ready to prevent
nm from putting his knife into you"
" How did the affair happen Just now?'
g You were Just in the act of getting !
ntO yOur saddle, wien he crept round the
'orral and had his knife ready TO stiike !
,ou IN the back, when / caught him by
he throat and buried mine in his heart.
The sooner we are IN Colonia the better. j
You will have all the blame, Don Rica-
10. / know these people, and every one
e -. L. L.