The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-03-29


gave up, and gave up to die. Listening in.
tently he heard what seemed like human
voices, and this once more gave him heart.
Crawling in the direction from which the
sounds came, he at length reached a point
from which he was able to look into vast
rotunda, fitted up in barbaric splendor, and
lighted with pine knots and sputtering
lamps, and there, reclining on a couch of
bear skins, he beheld Inez Romuldo talking
with an old Indian squaw, who apparently
was her jaier.
"At length the old hag withdrew in an
opposite direction, and Joe speedily made
his presence known to the fair captive. A
hurried consultation followed, and the whole
situation was taken in.
"Inez explained that she was held prison.
er by the chief of the tribe, Red Eagle, who
was half-blood his father being Spaniard.
The entrance to the cave was narrow, well
concealed, and its existence known only to
few of the Indians. They still swarmed
in the mountains, but in two weeks were GO
ing south for raid upon the settlements,
and only a small guard we're to be left in
the cave.
"All this.Inez hurriedly explained to Joe,
and it was agreed that he was to lie conceal
ed in the uDexplored portions of the cave to
the rear, recover from his wounds, and wait
till the Indians left before attempting res
cue, while Inez was to furn ish him with
provisions from her own allowance.
"The chief, Red Eagle, in the meantime
treated her with distinguished consideration
offering her no indgnities, and orde ring that
she should have whatever she called for. AZ
ter three weeks Of weary waiting Inez learn
ed from the old woman that Red Eagle and
braves, had gone, that four had been left to
guard her night and day. They took up
their places in the far corner of the great
hall, and Joe waited impatiently until they
should go to sleep. Day and night were the
same in the cave, but finally the braves
stretched themselves out one after another
to sleep. That sleep was their last, for four
shots from Joe's revolving carbine fred in
rapid succession killed them all before eth
, er was aware of his danger.
"The old woman was forced to guide them
. to the entrance of the cave, which was found
after many windings, and Inez and Joe
l emerged from their living tomb just after
4 sunrise. Joe then saw that he had passed
y entirely through the mountain.
4 "Romulo and his friends had long given
them both up for dead, and their feelings
q may be better imagined than described wher
they returned safe and sound after their mir.
It aculous adventures. Ever since then Jo'
o has ridden that pony and has been pefectl,
e happy"
a "But you don't'mean to tell me colonel
n that Joe got no other reward than that mis-
A cradle little piece of horsehesh. He married
;. Inez, of course"
4 That's the way story writer's would f,
things" said the colonel, "but they neve
~ deal in facts as l have done The Seno
" was as good as his word, and got the survey
a. or to divide the ranch into two equal parts
and showed Joe about fifteen cart loads O
:, gold and silver bullion as his share.
q. "'No, sir said Joe, Il want none of these
it I want that sorrel pony. Here are the s6(
Ill and want to know if you will trust me 70
y. the other 80
ed IN give you the pony and auythin
in elac you want, said the Souor. You deserS
anything you viii ask for
rd But with all that the Senior could say {
ut do, Joe made him take the $50 and let hil
nv have the pony with IS due on it."
ny to wonderfully romantic story l ev
H. heard. Col. Fitz Roy, there is somethiI
i'd wrong with the sentiment and civilization
Tuscon."
"a. snow don't deceive yourself there again
mt put in the colonel Mountain Joe al
m, Inez Romuldo are to be married next wee
up and we will both go to the wedding"