The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-11-29

supply of mescals, and was not adyers,
to joining his guests 10 frequent liha
tons, and a game of cards as we'll
After they were gone my remaining
guard found it rather prosy work keep
ling watch over SO taciturn prisoneI
as myself, and took frequent strolls t'
the retreat of his companions, linger
ing there ioDgingly.
What mattered it 10 me, tbs Legiec
of my guards? My fate was sealed
terrible fate, surely. knew how idle
l. was to aope for any mercy from the
demon, Cuchora, and | also knew
would only waste my strength III pur
poseless effort, and raise stronger
yearning for life in any attempt to es
cape from this strong duogeon.
| was rot regardless of the value oi
life. / could not face my fate without
q shiver. / was not brave enough to
look unfiinchipgly toward the coming
of the morning light, but in all my
yearning for lifs. 10 all 10y terror oi
my coming fate, | was not fool enough
to hoLe agairst all conviction aid
against the strength of rli Sc prisons
walls and bars
Suddenly, while ia this mood OF
mingled despair and resignation. a low
''bist" sounded just outside the grated
window. I stopped abruptly in my
excitement
"Senor Americana, are you unhurt7' n
q soft voice, seeming to tremble with
emotion, asked.
"Yes. What wish your 1 asked
suspiciously.
BE quiet" the voice answered hur
liedly. 1.-The guard is drinkiDg with
his comrads; aud if you are cautious
you may escap'.''
Was this treachery-some trap set
by my guards to torture lie by some
unsuspected method? 1 hesitated.-
Who was this mysterious friend2
ClutchiDg the ledge of the grated
opening, Idrew N yself up to tne level
with it, and psered out, dropping back
with an excIain ltiop of amazanent.
1t was female figure that | beheld,
dressed ia somber robes, and closely
veiled, but, nevertheless, delicate,
slight figure. ~
While l gasped and puzzled over
this discovery. she. with nervous haste.
was busted, by meaus of short lever,
in pryiog off the clamps that secured
the iron bars. After this silent exertion
she passed the lever through the
grating.
"You have only to insert this be.
tween the bars, and pry carefully to-
ward you," she said; ''they will drop
out"
With all the energy of a newborn
hope of liberty l clutched the weapon
and placed it in position but ere 1
could throw my weight upon it 1 heard
a sharp cry from the woman.
"Beware"
And she had fled, where, 1 knew
not; but intutively threw down the
bar, and lay full length upon the floor,
personating sleep. 1 had scarcely
done so when the ringing step of the
guard sounded outside. A cold per-
spiration oozed out of every pore of
my body as l listened for the death
cry of my unknown female friend
But all remained silent outside. Had
she really escaped detection! 1t tssem-
ed impossible. After q few minutes
the guard came and peered auspiciously
into my dungeon; and then, as if
satisfied, walked away, muttering:
Its very strangel l could have
sworn saw a dark object here, NOV
ing .abont in the shadow of the wall,
and wa. positive heard voices. My
fears have been playing trick upon
me.r -
Ten minutes-that seemed ages of
agony and despair to me-passed, and
still the guard fingered near my dun
geon with no apparent intention to
return again to his companions. Ihad
just siyen myself up as lost when a
call came from one of bis comrades;
and, half hesitating. yet unable to
withstand the temptation, he went to
join hun, casting several glances back.
But once within the apartment where
his comrads gambled and drank, his
fears seemed to vanish and his duties
were forgotten.
Scarce was he concealed from view
before my unknown friend was again
at the barred window.
Hurry, as vou value libertyi" she
cried, pleadingly. ''The guard may
tStofa any luOtucut.
With the strength Of Hercules, /
wrenched out the iron grating, and
then, by mighty effort on my own
part and by the exertions of the tender
hands of my preserver, I managed to
struggle through the narrow aperture.
Free again, and standing face to face
with my unknown deliverer, 1 began
to pour out flood of gratitude to her;
but, beckoning me to be quiet. and
grasping my hand, she hurried me into
the shadow of the building. and then
stealthy from house to house and
through narrow lanes until, unper-
ceived, we had got half dozen blocks
away from the prison. Hating me in
an isolated orange grove, she pointed
to rather uninviting mustang, saying,
"He was the only animal l could cap
ture without arousing suspicion.
Mount him, and hasten away; but
ride cautiously until beyond the hear
ing of the village At the forks take
the trail on your left, and you will be
safe. The other leads to Cuchora's
camp" -
"But you3" 1 protested.
81 am in no danger, she answered,
quickly. Il beg you go at once; the
guards may discover your escape"
Seizing her hands, and pressing them
again and again to my lips. exclaim-
ed, "I will not leave until i learn to
whom l am indebted for my liberty.
| Something in my tone convinced
her / was 10 earnest. and after q shori