Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1875-09-21
M = - II q n xg
Or, Experiences Of Life in Cali.
fornis by . Female Pioneer Of
1850.
BY CYNTHIA ANN.

MT. f8rCOu ulu uOt SeeIu ulSpoScu
to be very communicative on any
thing but the state of his senti-
ments. These he spoke of freely,
and finally induced Miss He.ty to
admit that matrimony was most
desirable to woman lone as she
seemed to be at present, but press
ing his vantage ground no farther,
he changed the subject. fell into
silence, and was soon fast asleep.
Hetty was alone, wide awake.
with the two black oarsmen, NUT
tering their patois, and feeling
almost horror-stricken at the power
over life that seemed to be intrust-
ed to these Misunderstanding
specimens of humanity, who had
apparently been appointed their
gnardians. as well a. oarsmen, by
the party who had employed them.
She wondered if the stories she
had heard of the murders of
Americans, by native boatmen, on
this same passage up the Chagres,
was true, and if even now they
might not be plotting to destroy
and rob the unwary sleepers, who
seemed so defenceless.
Hetty was not courageous. She
had spirit of adventure, which
would have been cowed at the out
set had not circumstances seemed
to have favored her, and feeling
very much incliued to awaken Mr..
Parton, had not even the thought
of sleep. An unarmed sentinel
she felt herself over these passen-
gers, and with shndder, she saw
their approach to another village,
and the evident intention on the
part OF the boatmen to make ano-
ther halt.
Mr.. Blandford was awake in
moment. and commenced in jar
gon of English and patois to make
the boatmep continue on their way.
1t was useless to expostulate, and
another stroll on the arm Of Mr..
Parton. along the banks of the
river, for this time they did not
seek to rest, reassured her.
"Miss Hetty," said the gentle
man, 1--WE are alone. Could you
love me?"
Hetty, without preparation, could
not answer. At the moment, any
man protecting her from the ter
rors of her position she felt worthy
of love, but to marry q man of
whom she knew nothing, she knew
was not the part of wisdom. "Per-
haps could love you if I knew
more about you," was the answer
her cautious heart might have
made; but she said, Mr.. Parton,
i am too old to treat love lightly.
! don't know; if I can 1 will"
This was sufficiently satisfactory.
apparently, to the gentleman, who
pressed her hand tenderly, and
said, "Old? you are not old; and
II you were, the heart is always
young, where love can enter.
Dear. dear Miss Hetty, I am so
happy"
in another I am. I have taken q
great deal upon myself in under
taking this journey, and you know
1t makes o woman old to feel re-
SpOnsibility. I feel alone in the
world with you, at present, and
would be glad to love you. I don't
know If I do, but am very happy
to be with you"
Mr.. Blandford was looking for
them, and hastily approached.
Those black rascals are as sullen as
the devil; they have been induced
TO go on by the promise OF cham
pagne, if they get us to Gorgena at
. certain time, SO now they are
ready. There is no use trying to
get anything to eat till morning,
and that devilish ham with which
we have regaled ourselves, has
made me rs thirsty as the devil.
Claret don't seem to have satisfied
the intolerable thirst, and I was in
hopes 10 have got tea or coffee.
However, it is not long till day
break.
Long" said Mrs. Blandford;
lit is but an hour after midnight.
I don't know what you gentlemen
were thinking Of not to have
brought fresh provisions"
Thinking of how long do you
suppose anything fresh would be
eatable in this heat. Don't be un-
reasonable; but there are the boat