Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1878-02-07

my SSh ou tuc Coucu Vi SklnS. As
my eyes gradually closed, saw a
dim picture of Dick seated sternly
watching by the fire and the long
shape OF the half-breed stretching out
like a huge shadow upon the floor.
/ After what i could have sworn to
be three minutes doze, Dick woke
me and informed me that my hour
was out, and turning me out of my
warm nest, lay down without any
ceremony, and in few seconds was
heatily snoring. l rubbed my eyes,
felt for my revolver, and seating my
self on one of the pine stumps, COM
inenced my watch. The half. breed
appeared to be buried in a profound
slumber, and in the half-weird light
cast by the wood embers, his enor-
| nous figure seemed almost Titanic
in its proportions. / confess l felt
that in struggle tor life he was more
than a match for Dick and myself. /
then looked at the fire, and began q
favorite amusement of n.ine- shaping
forms in the embers. All sorts of fig
ures defined themselves before me.
Battles, tempests at sea, familiar IA
ces, and, above all, shone, ever re-
turning, the dear features of Bertha
Linton, my affianced bride. She
seemed to smile at me through
burning haze, and / could almost
fancy heard her say, ''While you
are watching in the lonely forest l
am thinking of you and praying for
your safety
A slight movement on the part Of
the slumbering half-breed here recall
ed me from those sweet dreams. He
turned on his side, lifted himself
slowly on his elbow, and gazed atten-
lively at me. did not stir. Still
retaining my STOPPING attitude, 1
half-closed my eyes and remained
motionless. Doubtless he thought
was asleep, for in moment or two
he rosa noiselessly, and creeping with
4 steaithy step across the floor, pass
ed out OF the hut. | listcned-oh :!
how eagerly. 1t seemed to me that
through the impertectly joined crew.
ces of the log walls ] could plainly
hear voices whispering. / would have
given worlds to have cFept nearer to
listen, but | was fearful of disturbing
the fancied security Of our host, who
l now felt certain had sinister designs
upon us. So l remained perfectly
still. The whispering suddenly ceas-
ed. Tue half-breed re-entered the
hut in the same stealthy way IN which
he had quilted it, and after giving a
Iscrntinizing glance at me once more
stretched himself upon the floor and
affected sleep. Ia few moments |
pretended to awake-yawned, looked
at my watch, and finding that my
hour had mare than expired. pro-
ceeded 10 wake Dick. As / turned
him out of bed / whispered in his ear,
Don't take your eyes off that fellow,
Dick; he has accomplices outside;
be careful" Dick gave a meaning
glance, carelessly touching his revolv-
er, as much is to say, Here's some
thing to interfere with his little ar
rangements, and took his seat on
the pine stump, in such a position 10
to command view of the sleepino
half-breed and the doorway at the
same time.
This time, though awfully tired, l
coult rot sleep. A horrible load
seemed pressing on my chest, and
every five minutes / would start upI
to see if Dick was keeping his watch
faithfully My nerves were strung
to frighttul pitch of tensity; my
heart beat at every sound, and my
head seemed to throb until thought
my temples would burst. The more
I reflected on the conduct of the half !
breed the more assured was that he |
intended murder. Full of this idea
l took my revolver from its sling and
held it in my hand, ready to shoot
him down at the first movement that |
at all dangerous. A haze
seemed now to pass across my eyes.
Fatigued with long watching and ex-
citement, i passed into that semi
conscious state in which l seemed |
perfectly aware OF everything that
passed, although objects were dim
and dull in outline, and did not ap-
pear so sharply defined as in ones
waking moments. was apparently |
reused from this state by slight |
cracking sound. started and rais-
ed myself on my elbow. My heart
almost ceased to beat at what l saw.
The half-bre had lit some species
OF dried herb, which sent out strong
aromatic odor as it burned. This
herb he was holding directly under
Dicks nostrils, who l now perceived,
to my horror, was wrapped In pro-
found slumher. The smoke of this
mysterious herb appeared to deprive
him of all consciousness, for he rolled
gently offthe pine-log, and lay stretch
ed upon the floor. The half-breed
now stole to the door and opened it
gently. Three sinister heads peered
N out of the gloom. / saw the long
barrels of rifles and the huge, brawny
n n = a