The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-03-05

scattered prOmlscuOuSly saDOub on the
steep side of the mountain, until faint
glimmer Of light streamed tremulously
across my path. 1t swas a welcome
sight, and, prisoner or no prisoner,
made up my mind to risk life and liberty
and demand shelter from the terrible
storm, which still ragged, but gave signs
of abating.
st was unarmed; the only weapon 1
had sailed forth with had been aban-
doned on the edge of the precipice, GRE
vious to my attempting the perilous
passage. felt my neart beat faster as
1 neared the door of that tumble-d down
rancho, which loomed up, huge, shape
less mass, amid the gloom and solitude
of that wild spot.
"A moments hesitation, and knocked
resolutely at the door.
"Quiero ViUe 2 (who comes there p
and heard the click of a weapon.
"'I am an American, replied, bit
terly, in English; "a United States Off.
Ger, who has lost his way on the side of
this cursed mountain.
"With a jerk the door was thrown
back on its rusty hinges, revealing the
figure of man OF brawny proportions,
armed to the teeth, and of most villain
GUS aspect.
"He held tiaring torch on high, the
uncertain light of which fell across his
SCARED and scowling visage. Keenly
and deliberately he scanned the torn and
tattered remains OF my uniform; then,
in voice harsh and growing, he de-
manded:
"'What do you want here, and how
many of you are there?'
"I replied, in the best Spanish [
could master, that 1 was alone, and re.
peated my doleful story of being lost in
the storm.
cat that moment, to my surprise aud
astonishment, my faithful Newfound
land, who, by some keen instinct of his
nature had succeeded in scenting me,
burst from the surrounding obscurity,
testifying his Joy by leaping upon me
and baying in his deep, powerful tones.
I" 1t was welcome surprise to me. ]
felt that 1 had at least one friend upon
whom could rely in case Of an emer-
gency.
"The mans appearance was indica-
tive Of mixtured ferocity and cunning,
while his eye, wild and unsettled, lit up
with an expression 1 could not fathom,
as he babe me enter.
"Strange forebodings filled my heart
as gazed about the recesses of the
hovel. It was almost bare of furniture,
save table and two broken chairs. A
fire blazed cheerily in the fireplace,
before which were stretched three dark
forms wrapped in tattered and greasy
/ blankets. The CLEAN of firearms, as
| 10 in ha nt au
cape my attention and You may depend
l did not feel the easiest in my mind
as drew up before the fire, with my
dog coiled down at my feet.
In my exhausted state, despite the
danger 1 felt was lurking about me,
must have dropped off asleep. my head
finding support against projection OF
the chimney.
"The low, monotonous hum OF voices
fell upon my ear, and cautiously recon
noitering from beneath the visor of my
cap, found that the three sleepers had
aroused themselves, and were in deep,
earnest consultation with the gentleman
whom / had first accosted. -
"Straining 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
we're as promising candidates for the
gallows as ever care to meet again I'm.
der like circumstances.
"The howl and rush of the gale had
ceased but the occasional patter of rain
drops from the leaves and roof of the
rancho proved that the storm had but
recently passed away.
"'D Do you notice the glitter of those
buttons p remarked one of the four.
"' Curse the buttonsP broke in an
other fiercely; 'of what value are they
It's the glitter of gold like to see anC
we have already wasted too much valu
able time. 1 for one say kill him. L
the Yankee dog had a dozen lives they
should all be forfeited. He has come
here unasked; he shall not depart 81
easily.
"Hush, Juan; you ara too hasty
The question is, will it pay to dispos'
of him ourselves and share the plunder
or take him to Canales? He NIGH
come down handsome. Suppose the
fellow should prove to be an officer o
importanceP
"'Bah You talk like fool. Do yoI
not see he is too young to have gained
any Importance. AS for Canales, car
raiol you will get nothing for you
pains from him.
J can this heard distinctly, and mucl
J more which it is unnecessary to repeat
That my life was doomed was beyond
all doubt; but was not disposed t.
make vacancy in the corps without {
struggle, and especially after undergo
/ ing what had in escaping from thu
lancers.
: "I felt the blood coursing through
] nay veins with renewed vigor as look
} ed the situation square in the face. NJ
) brain grew clearer as the imminence o
{ the peril was in grew more apparent
! "The dying embers of the fire emit
. ted ftful CLEANS which fell across tn
! arms of the scoundrels piled promiscu
q ! OuaIv ko0afbar In tha 0OVpar nf thi