The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-03-16
AN ADVENTURE IN MEXICO.

Nightfall found me in the ''bush'' dis
tricts, overtaken by one Of the 6ercest
gales that had ever experienced; and as
it steadily increased, gave up the idea of
reaching the station, and concluded
that it would be wiser to turn little
from our course and strike out for the
grassy sections where possibly [ might
find, in the cabin Of some good shepherd,
shelter from the storm Of sand. So l
gave Bonerges few reassuring pats, and
scudded away before the blast.
The gale rushes through the evergrcens
the palm-like ferns snap. and the air is
full Of torn flowers. Here are the grassy
districts, and l ride on for about two
hours, when suddenly the baying Of dogs
announces that | am nearing a sheep
rancho.
eli, Senior Captain - calls out Span
ish-Mexican voice, and I bring Bonerges
vent his vaulting into the inclosure.
"Joaquin!' [ exclaim in establishment.
"Why, I thought that you were situated
little nearer the coast
81 arr; this; senior, is the upper rancho.
am here only once a month to look after
things
''Ah, that it. Can I find shelter near!
My beast is almost blown, and I am as
hungry as a WOLF
81 have hut on the other side, five
miles away. Fora is there; she came out
with me. i. Wen have broil and nog-
gin of coffee together
'And,' said ], as we struck across lots
toward the cabin of which he had spoken,
chow is the pretty Fora now?''
He cut his horse viciously with the
whip. ''No good, no good.''
had made false move it seemed, and
was somewhat abashed. I had been at
the other rancho several times, and had
there seen Joaquin's Mexican wife-never,
be it confessed, with any emotions of
envy; for, although she had the beauty,
perhaps, of Spanish houri, she also had
the vicious nature of Mexican fiend.
Besides, Joaquin was furiously jealous Of
her, and somehow imagined, in the few
times had seen her, that her fear of her
husband was only balanced by her hate.
There was no light in the cabin as we
came up to it. was exceedingly weary,
and that, no doubt, had mnch to do with
the dizzy, sickening sensation that took
possession of my brain, as l dismounted
and CROPPED my way inside the building
wondering that the usual loquacity OF
Joaquin had so suddenly changed. He
lighted candle and swept it about the
apartment; first high up, then lower
while his eyes burned and his face turned
yellow. Not word said he, as he kin
died his fire, and did not feel at liberty
to comment upon the matter. He soo1
had some large slices of meat sputterinf
in the huge skillet upon the Goals, tn
odor Of which, to half famished traveller
was more strengthening than meal O
dainties to satiated appetite. Iva
puzzled at two things, first, at the ab
sence of Fora, and next, at the taciturnity
of Joaquin; and the dreadful greenisl
yellow tinge Of the mans evil face. H
ate with the rapid greediness Of viii,
creature.
''What is the matter = I asked.
"Matter, Senor?'' and his s1aky eve
cleaned, ''matter? Death. He has fol
lowed her herein spite Of warnings
She has gone with him.
~Are you certain? may not some Out
law have dragged her away?''
"Dragged !? My horses were not led o
their tracks are too far apart for tina
No, senior, both were ridden fairly an
squarely."
"Still your wife,
1.-THE brown mare-Zora's animal
would neither be mounted nor led ava
i" bv other than herself, without curvetin
that would have plowed the earth I'M
pits. shall mount"
~Not now, Joaquin; the night is blackt
Al.,. Eroh,,s Won oou1d not oct On