The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-08-07
wanted her, senors, would soon pos

Hcar tne Saliant OOaSter. why, neI
would have us believe that he can show
US this beauty of the Gran Chaco this
side La Paraguay"
Don Miguel's eyes flashed at these ex
clamations, and he threw his cigarette
upon the ground.
"Tll wager thousand pesos d'oro
that can .....
The challenge startled the loafers, who
we're not long in feeling that the beau
was not joking.
Il accept the wager, senor," said Es.
tevan, coming to the rescue of his com,
panions. rs...
"Good!' responded the don, well
pleased, and the bet was witnessed in
the shade VS. Of the fountain.
/ Bidding his friends adieu, Miguel rode
slowly away, gazed upon by the group,
who wondered il he had not lost his
senses. He was the handsomest beau in
Paraguay, the best shot with the pistol,
and rider whose exploits in the saddle
the centaur OF Chaco himself might en-.
Ivy.
Would be break from his conquest OF
senoritas' hearts and ding his life away
on a wager Of few pesos d'oro2 Would
he attempt to abduct the queen of Chaco
society from the midst of her people, the
best horsemen in the world, and the
lprinces OF the lance2
My story will answer.
News of the dare DEVILS wager spread
rapidly through the town. 1t created no
little excitement, and groups lettering in
the shade speculated upon it to their
hearts content.
| 1t looked to all that the Portuguese had
lsuddenly become tired of lite and was
about to fling 1t away in that country
which no white man ever explored in
safety.
| The sun was sinking behind the roof
of the little cathedral of Rosario when
Don Miguel left mass and mounted his
liihelimbed steed. ..f-
He was dressed like dandy his long
Icurls were well oiled and glossy, his face
vas powdered, and his eye.lashes show
ed that be had bestowed time upon them
His garments we're elegant aud lifted his
well formed person to nicely, while his
horse had been groomed With the great
est care.
| His arms had not been neglected; they
told that he would prove match for
more than one yellow centaur Of FL
Gran Chaco.
| He forded the river just above the vii,
Ilage, and waved his friends adieu with
his embroidered scarf of rich crimson
then touched his steed with the spurs
and galloped westward.
Ten miles from the stream the Indians
had erected temporary village of pre-
tentious dimensions, to which they re,
turned for rest after foray. 1t boasted
Of regular formed streets, and dense
population, for the Chaco;s family is u.s.
uslly large.
| Therefore, what must have been the
surprise of the inhabitants of the vii
lage when they saw the daring Portuguese
beau among the lodges? AT first some
supposed him to be q renegade with
whom they had had dealings; but when
| they had clustered about him and gazed
upon his habiliments they discerned his
real character. He was one of the ac-
cursed foreigners east of the river, and
II his errands could not be made product
i've Of good.
!. Don Miguel learned to his satisfaction
that the male population of the place
we're absent on a forsy; but he was In.
formed that they might return at any
moment.
1 He resolved to act boldly and at once
The beauty of the Chaco belle had
never ravished his eyes; but he haG
heard of it and yearned to possess. And
he was daring enough to carry of wo
| man who had never even heard bis
name. .esfs,.f.. ......s s,..r.,.,
n And all for his love, and thousand
i pesos d'oro.
, He urged his horse through the curl
!, GUS crowds that blocked his way, guided
to the bellies abode by the Indians, an6
!. soon found himself face TO face with tht
i. adored one.
q Don Miguel bit his lip with disappoint
ment, and for the first time cursed biz
expedition, for the belle was but mer,
9 child-a girl of fifteen, with soft blacf
). eyes, and skin no darker than bis own
a She did not fear him, for she came for
|. ward and ran her hand through the sill
O yer fringe OF his leggings
q "Caramba!" !" thought the Portuguese
n ls'I NAV as well ride back and let the ne
!. sos d'oro 60"
But at that moment series of distau
8 cries rent the air, and long barbed ar
a row fell at his horses feet.
ell He started and noticed the commotiol
i caused by the shaft.
The centaurs of the plain were return
Ming.
b A flash Of anger lit up the DARN
: Miguels eyes, and with something o
i. his lips which the Indians did not com
a prehend he swooped upon the Chac
10 belle like On eagle upon his prey.
i. There was shrek Of horror from th
throats Of the amazed spectators, as tn
N Portuguese lifted the girl from the groun
4 and dashed through their midst.
The twang Of bowstrings followed th
W devilish action; but they were handle
,e by boys and the sharp shafts few wild
al Of their mark. @ @gt
Don Miguel headed for the river, te
he miles distant. He did not ride fast ,
an first, for his horse had but lately trave
ed the plains, and needed breathin
ht spell.
But be was compelled to bloody II
ur rowels with the silver spurs, for in lei
ve time almost than can pen page, tt
an Portuguese discovered that the Arat
be of the Gran Chaco were after him.
ed Now commenced race for life, u
like Of which had never before BET
,e- witnessed in that wild land
nd A new moon sailed serenely throuI
IS the sky and showed the pursued to Il
er. ranks that swarmed after him, with bo,
on bent and lances poised by arms that 8,
on dom hurled them amiss. The count
was plain with nothing to conceal 4
ng child-stealer, and afford him escape
ry eluding his pursuers. alst
ed Safety lay beyond the Paragua