Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-09-13

thc hIc, WitH my u'S Culleu pat my rect.
In my exhausted state, despite the dam
ger felt was lurking about, must have
dropped off to sleep, my head finding
support against projection of the chin
ney.
The low, monotorous hum of voices
fell upon my ears and cautiously recon-
noitering from beneath the visor of my
cap, l found that the three seepers had
aroused themselves, and we're in deep,
earnest consultation with the gentleman
whom had first accosted.
Sraining my ears TO the utmost /
could manage to catch occasional frag-
ments of sentences as they dropped from
the lips of the four comrades, who were
MS promising candidates for the galows
ms ever care to meet again under like
circumstances.
The howl and rush Of the gale had
ceased but the occasional patter of rain,
drops fiom the leaves and roof of the
raache proved that the storm had but re-
Gently passed away.
Do you notice the glitter OF those but.
| tons ?" remarked one OF the four.
Curse the buttons !" broke in anoths
or iercely. "Of what value are they ?
It's the glitter of gold like to see and
we have already wasted too much valua-
BILE time. for one say kill him. If the
Yankee dog had dozen lives they should
all be forfeited. Hehas come here unmasl<-
cd he shall not depart so easily"
Hush. Juan you are too hasty. The
question is will it pny TO dispose of him
ourselves, and share the plunder, or take
him to Canales ? He might come down
handsome. Suppose the fellow should
prove to be nm officer of importance ?"
Bah You Talk like fool. Do you
not see he is too young to have gained any
Importance. As for Canales, carrejo |!
you will get nothing for your pains from
him."
All this heard distinctly, and much
more, which it is unnecessary to repeat.
That my life was doomed was beyond all
doubt; but was not disposed TO make
vacancy in the corps without struggle,
and especially after undergoing what l
had in escaping from the lancers.
felt the blood coursing through my
veins with renewed vigor as looked the
situation square in the face. My brain
grew clearer MS the immnence of the
peril | was in grew more important.
The dying embers of the fire emitted
htful CLEANS which fell across the arms
Of the scoundres piled promiscuously to-
gether in The corner of the rancho.
At that moment, and as / was casting
wistiul glnnces at n carbine. the beetle
browed rascal who Ind lighted mo into
the den, glded across the floor slipping. a
stout bar across the door.
" Now, boys, finish the job, and then
share alike" we're the words heard.
Every nerve in my body jarred the
blood rushed back to my heart us the de-
cisive moment arrived. Up to that time
| had not stirred or changed my position,
leading the scoundrels to count upon an
easy victory, no doubt. The odds were
feariuIly against me, and as the four
turned their wollsh eyes in my direction,
the clear. ringing tones of n buglo came
rising and falling, filling tho air with its
melody.
Ny four friends paused, their hands on
their murderous knives, uncertain and
undecided how to act. They turned for
an instant toward the door, leaving me to
take advantage of their stupidity.
When they again confronted me, was
in possession Of the coveted corner, with
rife to my shoulder, looking them
grimly in the face, while my dog, his hair
brioting with rage, stood bravely beside
me, displaying his white fangs to tho en-
ragged gaze Of the greasy four.
Knife him, lads, before they are atop
Of us. Put him out Of sight or wen all
swing" but none OF them stirred.
That dark, deatb-deaiing. rife barrel
had IL wonderfully tranquilizing effect.
Curses on ye !" shouted the leader,
foamng with rage, ms he dashed forward,
knife in hand. Are you afraid Of the
Yankee L let him in here, and tais Knife
shall give him perm ission to leave"
Perhaps the villain expected TO shake
my nerves, and cause me to throw away
my shot, but | never felt flrmer, more dc.
termined in my life.
On he came brandisbing his knife,
closely followed by his adherants.
I onuarad III I.ft h..aet ,.;,l A. a
of the weapon, and with the report the
scoundrel tell hcadong to the floor.
Charging through the smoke the re-
naming three rushed upon me, but were
met by the dog who buried his teeth ia
the flesh Of one OF them.
l remember striking out with my club,
bed rifle, parryiDg rapid thrusts and
cheering or the dog, when, by some
means, in the melee. horn or canister of
powder mist have fallen amid the rcd
hot EN- bers OF the fire.
1t exploded with tremendous violence,
blowing of the roof of the house, rendng
the walls asunder, and huring me to one
side half suffocated and nearly insensible
When / fully realized what was pass
ing about me, my own troops were re
moving the debris OF the rancho from
my linn sand the Newfoundland was lick
ing my face.
1t was, as | supposed, party sent out
in search OF my unfortunate self and
they were returning from a bootless
search, when the report of rifle follsw,
ed by an explosion and the glare OF flames
attracted their attention.
Ofcourse, my friend, we made short
work OF the three misereants who were
dragged forth from the burning wreck -
They howIed vigorously for mercy, but
that was not thought OF in their case. A
swing from the nenrest bough terminated
their career, and rode bncls to Vera