The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-03-13
of the ranch proved that the storm had

of the ranch proved that the storm had
but recently passed away.
"'Do you notice the glitter of those
buttonsr remarked one of the four.
"'Curse the buttonsr broke in an
other, fiercely; of what value are
they? It's the glitter of gold I like tt
see; and we have already wasted toe
much valuable time; for one say kill
him. If the Yankee dog had dozer
lives they should be forfeited. He has
come here unasked; he shall not depar,
so easily
as Hush, Juan; you are too hasty
The question is, Will it pay better tc
dispose of him ourselves and share the
plumber, or take him to Canales? He
might come down handsome. Suppose
the fellow should prove an officer Of
importancee'
"'Bah! You talk like fool. Do you
not see he is too young TO have gained
any Importance. As for Canales, Car.
rajo! 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 1 was not dis
posed to make vacancy in the corps
without struggle, and especially after
undergoing what I had in escaping
from the lancers.
81 felt the blood coursing through
my veins with renewed vigor as
looked the situation square in the face.
My brain grew clearer as the immi-
hence of the peril was in grew more
apparent.
1.-The dying embers of the fire emit
ted fitful CLEANS which fell across the
polished arms of the scoundrels, piled
promiscuously together in the corner of
the ranch.
"At that moment, and as was
casting wistful chances at a carbine, the
beetle-browed rascal who had lighted
me into the den glided across the floor,
slipping a stout bar across the door.
CHOW, boys, finish the job, and then
share alike were the words 1 heard.
every nerve in my body Jared; the
blood rushed back to my heart as the
time l had not stirred or changed my
position, leading the scoundrels to
count upon an easy victory, no doubt.
The odds were fearfully against me,
and, as the four turned their wolfish
eyes in my direction, the clear ringing
notes of a bugle came rising and fall
ing, filling the air with its melody.
"a wild cry of Joy burst involuntarily
from my lips, thrill of hope pervaded
my whole being, as listened. 1t came
from my own gallant lads-a detach-
ment sent out in all probability in
search for their missing officer.
"My four friends here paused, I'M
certain 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 l
was in possession of the coveted cor
ner, with rifle to my shoulder, look
ing them. grimly in the face, while my
dog, his hair bristling with rage, stood
bravely beside me, displaying his
white fangs to the enraged gaze of the
greasy four.
"'Knife him, lads, before they are
atop of us. Put him out of sight, or
We'll all swing but not one Of them
stirred.
"That dark, death-dealing rifle bar
rel had wonderful tranquillizing ef-
feet.
"'Curses on ye,' shouted the leader,
foaming with rage, as he dashed for
ward, knife in hand. Are you all
afraid of the Yankee? I let him in
here, and this knife shall give him per-
mission to leave
"Perhaps the villain expected tc shake
my nerves and cause me to throw away
my shot, but l never felt firmer, more
determined in my life.
II covered his left breast with the
sight of the weapon, and with the re-
port the scoundrel fell headlong to the
floor.
Charging through the smoke the
remaining three rushed upon me, but
were met by the dog, who buried his
teeth in the flesh of one of them.
''Iremember striking out with my
dubbed rifle, of parrying rapid thrusts
and cheering on the dog, when by some
means, in the melee, 4 horn or canister
of powder must have fallen amid the
red-hot embers of the fire.
cit exploded with tremendous vio-
lence, blowing off the roof of the house,
rending the walls asunder, and hurting
me to one side half suftoc ated and near
ly insensible.
"When 1 fully realized what was
passing about me, my own troops were
removing the debris of the ranch from
my limbs, and the Newfoundland was
licking my face.
cit was, as l supposed, a party sent
out in search of my unfortunate self,
and they were returning from boot
less search, when the report of rifle,
followed by an explosion, and the
glare of flames attracted their atten-
ton.
"Of course, my friend, we made
short work of the three miscreants
who were dragged forth from the burn
ing wreck. They howled vigorously
for mercy, but that was not to be
thought of in their case. A swing from
the nearest bough terminated their ca
reer, and l rode back to Vera Cruz,
with my mind firmly made up that DUR
ing the remainder of the campaign
nothing should ever tempt me to wan
der alone among the hills of Mexico in
quest of game"
Water Drinking.