Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-05-01
abating.

was uuul uiCu ' the only weapon
I had sailed forth with had been
abandoned on the ed re Of the preci-
pict, previous to my attempting the
perilous passage. l felt my heart
beat faster as neared the door OF
that tumble dowed ranch which
loomed up, huge, shapeless mass,
amid the gloom and solitude Of that
wild spot. .E- E.
A moments hesitation and I
Knocked resolutely at tie door.
""Queiro vjve l' (who comes
there) and l heard the click Of a
weapon.
81 am an American" I replied,
bitterly, in English. IA United
States officer, who has lost his way
in the side Of this cursed noun
tain"
"With a jerk the door was thrown
back on its rusty hinges, revealing
the figure Of man of 6rawny pro-
portions, armed to the teeth, and Of
most vlllainous aspect"
"He held daring torch on high,
the uncertain light Of which fell
across his SCARF ed and scowling Wis
age. Keenly and deliberately he
scanned the torn and tattered re-
mains of my uniform then, in a
voice harsh and growing, he de-
manded;
"What do you want here and
how many Of you are there ~
81 replied in the best Spanish
could master that was alone and
repeated my doleful story of being
lost in the storm.
AT that moment, to my surprise
and astonishment, Fay faithful New
foundland, who, 6y some keen in
stlnct of his nature, had succeeded
III scenting ME, burst from the sur
rounding obSculity, testifying his
JOY by leaping upon me and baying
Ill his deep, powerful tones.
II was a welcome purprise to me.
felt that had one friend upon
whom could rely in case of an
emergency.
! The mans appearance was indiea-
tive of a miXtured ferocity and cum
ming, while his eye, wild and unset
! tied, lit up with an expression |
could not fathom, as he bade me en-
! ter
Strange forebodings filed my
heart as l gaZed about the recesses
of the hoTel. 1t was almost bare of
furniture, save table and two brok-
en- chairs. A FIRE blazed cherily in
the fire place, before which were
stretched three dark forms, wrapped
in tattered and greasy blankets.
The CLEAN Of firearms, as they lay
piled in corner. did not escape my
attention and you may depend |
did not feel the easiest in my mind
as drew mp before the fire, with
my dog coiled up at my feet.
In my exhausted state, despite
the danger l felt was lurking about
me, l must have dropped off to
sleep, my head finding a support
against projection of the chimney.
The low, motIonless hum of voices
fell upon my ear, and cautiously re
connoitring from beneath the visor
of my cap I found that the three
sleepels had aroused themselves,
and were in deep earnest consulta-
tion with the gentleman whom l
had first accosted.
StrainiDg my cars to the utmost
could manage to catch occasional
fragments of sentences as they drop
ped from the lips of the four COM
radeS, who were as promising can
didates for the gallOwS as ever
care to meet again under like cir.
cumstances.
The howl and gush of the gale
had ceased. but the occasional pat
ter Of rain drops falling from the
leaves and roof of the ranch proved
that the rain had but recently pass
ed away.
DO you notice the 81 liter of those
buttons remarked one of the
four.
Course the buttons 7" broke in
another. fiercely "of what value
are they ? It's the glitter of gold /
like to see and we have already
wasted to much valuable time. |
for one say kill him. If the Yam
kee dog had a dozen lives they
should all be forfeited. He has
come here masked /; he shall not
depart so easily"
Hush, Juan you are too hasGy.
The question is will it pay better to
dispose of him ourselves and share
the plunder, or take him to Ca
males =? He might come down hand
some, Suppose the fellow should
prove an officer of Importance ?"
"Bah ! You talk like a fool. Do
you not see he is too young to have
gained any Importance ? AS for
Canales, Carajo ! You will get no.
thing for your pains from him."
can this I heard distinctly, and
much more which is unnecessary to
repeat. That my life was doomed
wat beyond all doubt but 1 was
not disposed to make vacancy in
the corps without a struggle, and
especially after undergoing what l
had in escaping from the lancers.
IT felt the blood eoursing through
my veins with renewed vlgor as
looked the situation square in the
face. My brain grew clearer as the
imminece of the peril 1 was in grew
more apparent.
The dying embers Of the fire en-
mitted fitful CLEANS which fell
across the polished arms of the
| ScOundrplS. Dilpd Dr0niScuouslv tn
gether in the corner Of the ranch.
At that moment, and as I was
casting wistful glances at carbine,
the beetle browed rascal who had
lighted me into the den glided
across the floor, slipping a stout bar