Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-05-05

1t was wide, whltewashed room, with
bar at one end, and an elevated plat
form at the other, on which the music
ians sat close to the wall, and extending
around the room was row of benches,
which were oc cupied by Mexican girls,
in dresses conspicuous for color, and GER
tainly becoming, if they were not fash
ionable. A score of couples were on the
floor, whirling away in the mazes of q
Mexican waltz, n peculiar and graceful
dance, where at certain stages the part
II ers disen,angle themselves, and stand
facing each other, while they sway their
arms and bodies in the very poetry Of
motion.
The moment entered, saw was an
object of attention to all, particularly to
the dark eyed men, who watched me
like hawks, and discussed me from a dis
tance in groups.
Telling me to make myself at home,
the captain, who could no more resist the
opportunity to dance than a child could a
sugar plum, disappeared, with his arm
encircling a dark -browed senorita.
The better to observe the dance and
avoid the crowd, took n position in a
corner near the door, and from this van
tsge ground began my favorite study of
human nature. My scclusion did not les
sen the attention at first attracted, for
the men still stared at me, and | found
myself the target for whole batteries of
black eyes, as the senoritas swept by me
in the dance.
could not complain to the captain of
this rudeness, and not wishing to inter
fcre with his pleasure, determined to go
back to the hotel. This resolve made, |
buttoned up my coat, and walked out,
undetected | hoped, but | was mistaken.
| had just got out OF the light, when |
felt hand on my shoulder, and turning
| saw tall man beside me.
"Why do you detain me ?" | asked,
not little surprised at the mans man
ner, for, though still keeping his hand
on my shoulder he did not speak.
"Ah, the voice-the same voice Doe
tor Pleasonton, you are not good at dis
guises. We have caught YOU"
As he said this, saw he was right in
using the plural pronoun, for there were
four Mexicans around me, and dark as it
was my eyes caught the CLEAN Of their
knives. ! protested that | was not Doe
tor Pleasonton-that had never seen the
gentleman and demanded to be per-
mitted to go on in peace to the hotel.
They laughed at what they considered
my falsehood, and in concert sprang on
me and bore me to the ground. | was
unarmed, but | Aatter myself four such
men could not have overpowered me had
| suspected their purpose. did not lose
my presence of mind, but tried to call for
assistance. Ny cries were smothered by
gag, my legs and arms were bound,
and the four men picked me up like n
hand barrow and carried me of.
| They must have walked an hour, when
they stopped before house, that in the
darkness looked not unlike Il big pack
ing box. The door was opened, and
was thrown on the floor, while one of
them struck light and then removed
the gag.
again protested against this treat
ment, and asked them to send for Cap
tain Hammond, or any OF the Americans
in San Diego, and pledged myself to re-
main their prisoner ii my statement was
not corroborated.
"Al the Americans lie for each other
We know you, and will keep you here
till Senior Carlos Costillo returns from
Tucson. He will pay you back, ard
wash out in your blood the disgrace you
have brought on him"
"And when do you expect this Senor
Carlos CosLillo to return ?" i asked.
"IIe will be here to night. We have
sent swift rider to tell him you are
caught.
This information was not consoling.-
The perspiration stood out in beads on
my forehead, and my tongue grew thick,
and my throat hot. ! asked for drink
of water, and as one Of the men put the
gourd to my lips, he pously expressed
regret that it was not poison.
complained about the tightness Of the
ropes, and the same smiable abductor
threatened, if l said another word, to
transfer the cord to my neck. From
these gentle replies, saw he was getting
mad, and so wisely became reticent.
Leaving me bound, the four men went
out, and soon after the door opened, and
one OK the most beautiful beings | ever
saw entered, bearing light.
"Oh, my brother-my dear brother,
why did you act so rashly ?" she asked,
RS kneeling down she kissed me again
and again, keeping up cross FIRE Of
questions about her "sister Isabel"
This was not disagreeabe, but in hon
or ! could not accept those kisses as the
brother-in-la Of my pretty visitor. !
was about to enlighten her when found
her cutting my cords, and so l deemed
it wisest not 10 undeceive her for awhile.
"Senor Costello will soon be here
You must fly, as you value your life I"
she said leading me to the door and ex-
tinguishIng the light.
was not slow TO avail myself OF her
advice, and, in a spirit of heartfelt. graft
tude, let aer kiss me again and ] am
not quite sure that | did not return it, as
something that did not belong to me.
Being confused | am not SO certain about
this.
/ hurried back to the hotel, and there
found the captain, who, alarmed at my