Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-11-28

quin's has struck such terror into Dacre's
horse that the animal has become entirely
Interchangeable: fact seen and acknowl-
edged BY Fora with wild, despairing
scream. First backward. then forward.
then sideways the frightened animal whirls
in q mad waltz; yet, foot by foot, he is be-
ing pushed towards the crumbling edge of
the precipice.
Suddenly my nerves become as firmly
strung as steel. The principle that has
guided me through life--to defend the
yanquished-returns with such force that
every other reflection is lost sight Of
for the time. and / bring my rifle TO bear
upon the figure of the Mexican. But on
the instant the programme is changed.
With a sharp scream the scaet tune
dashed past me, straight on toward the ra-
vine. followed, thinking that the move
ment meant self destruction; but | soon
discovered its true aim. Extending some
distance over the chasm was a pointed
shelf of rock, and on the other side sim.
liar narrow projection, as if a thin crust
had shrunk in cooling and snapped in
twain. Upon the narrow shelf Fora
refined up her animal, meanwhile signal
ing Dacre's horse with a clear Spanish cry.
they should both leap the chasm.
1t was done too quickly for me 10 utter
my horror, in gasp. too quickly for Joa-
onin to interfere. / saw the two animals
hustle and scuffle a moment on the Shelf
hauling their feet well for the spring then
they leaped abreast. Will they-will they
cross the abyss believe they would have
done so safely; but on the instant plume
of white smoke curled up from the nearer
side, and sharp report ensued. 1t came
from the light musket which joaquin wore
fastened to his saddle. Dacre was shot
mid-air. like bird upon the wing.
He threw up his arms, toppled back
wards, and his horse struck the farther
shelf -idcrless The brown mare stumbled.
rolling back under very feet. My heart
tragedy; but the faithful animal held
mistress had regained her safety.
As the animal so lately ridden by Dacre
found himself masterless. he sprang for
ward some distance away from the chasm.
Without moments waiting, Joaquin
pressed his own steed to the leap. He
cleared the fearful gorge, made few
SI&uiuCout kCoeuACSs cWOtC oOiuC tctIiDlc
Spanish Mexican oaths, and drove Fora
once more across to my side of the gulf
following her instantly himself. and after
wards whistling to the other horse. He
then descended the steep, conical hill,
holding the brown mare by the bride.
Having the idea well established in my
mind, that Joaquin had seen my move
ment, some moments before, against him
self, no sooner reached the lower plain
than / touched my hat to the ill-starred
couple, and shaped nv course toward the
station; seriously specializing upon the
probable manner in which this unhappy
affair would end.
Two months later, small party of US,
out on hunting expedition, CHANGED to
cross the sheep rancho ofJoaquin. There
were neither sheep nor shepherds visible;
and some three hundred yards from the
buildings, in clump of closely. matted
shrubs and vines, my dog found something
to occasion him much excitement and dis
NAL bowling. Dismounting and parting
the bushes, we discovered skeleton, the
flesh mostly decomposed; and bending
closer recognized with strange, creep
ing horror, the belt and hat of Joaquin.
"The work of outlaws" said one and
another; but as l picked up shred of
scarlet cloth, where 1t had fallen from the
figures hand, concluded that it was an
illustration Of the law He had reaped as
he had sowed. Soweway. in the dread
full game of life and death that had en-
sued after leaping the chasm, the Spanish
bride had shown the winning hand.-Cap-