Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-02-19
After Morengo.

Early one merning, III the month o.
June, l started from camp, mounted or
one Of the toughest California mustangs
that ever climbed a mountain trail.
was the leader Of a party engaged by
the stage agent to ferret out and bring
within the grasp Of justice, if possible
notorious gang of road robbers. We
all entered into the spirit of the enter
prise with a will, for we had been long
ing for some kind of adventure, as fully
a month had passed since the dry sea-
son had set in, and. on account Of the
scarcity Of water, we were obliged to
abandon our claims until the winter
rams. SO 1t was with JOY we embraced
the opportunity that now presented it
self for consuming at least a portion OF
the long, tedious interval. We had
been engaged in this most agreeable
work for some weeks without any fa-
vorable results; and. on the morning
referred to, decided to try my luck un-
accompanied by the other members OF
the party. So l started out day in
advance and in the afternoon, at the
time mentioned, was winding my way
along a narrow trail having LETT the
stage road far behind-and from the
fresh imprints in the trail l was con-
vinced it had been traversed but a short
time before. ! had never, at any pre-
vious time, penetrated so far into the
forest Of chaparral and inciplent oaks ;
it was the dcnsest had ever seen. and
the trail that led into it was the most
tortuous and serpentine | had ever tray-
eled. But, as l had never before strucl;
a trail that did not lead to some place,
concluded that this one led somewhere
also. This conclusion was soon veri-
fed, when a sudden turn brought me
into a natural clearing Of some five OF
six hundred yards in circumference, in
the center OF which stood house and a
barn. Now, thought, my efforts have
been rewarded with success here is the
rendezvous of the notorious Morengo
gang. at that moment my mustang,
whose hest feelings were evidently
aroused by the sight of the barn, gave
vent to a spirited and prolonged whln-
nv. | had net sufficient time to turn
and get under cover Of the chaparral
before a dog-a most savage and fero.
cious looking brute-made his appear.
ance, and, taking in the situation, was
making a very straight line IN my d.
rection, when to my great relief, and
not less TO my surprise, the door Of the
house opened and lady appeared,
whose quick order:
Tiger! Tiger! come back here, sir
accompanied with an emphatic stamp ol
her foot, brought the enraged animal
covering back.
'Won'tycu come in. sir?' she said,
addressing me; you must be very
much fatigued.' And, in almost the
same breath, cried: 'Ah, Toy! Ah,
Toy! come and put the gentleman's
horse away
immediatelj dismounted and hand
ed my horse over TO the gulleless ant
notwithstanding Mongolian, who re-
sponded TO the lady's call.
Walk right in, Sir she said. en-
/ tered and thanked her for her kindness
'You will please excuse me for mo
ment, slr,' she said, gazing down at be-
soiled apron: Il hardly expected any
one here to-day she continued, dis
playing just the least confusion while
contemplating what she doubtless
thought her unpresentable appearance
She withdrew into an adjoining
room, and l took advantage of her alb
sence by surveying the one in which
was sitting. 1t was furnished in a man
ner uncommon TO this section Of tn
country. Everywhere there were evl
dences Of the delicate taste possessed b.
its fair mistress. The floor was car
peted; the walls were covered wit
white muslin on small table in tn
center of the room was a pile Of books
and IN one cornsr was an open secreta
ry.
How remarkable thought l, to fin
such house and so lovely creature
for such she was-presiding over 1t il
this isolated spot. But my thought
were soon disturbed by the reappearanc
of the principal object of my wonder.
Pardon me, please, for leaving yo
so long alone she said, as she settle
into a chair and smoothed dswn th
waves of the rich dress which she ha
donned in her absence, and added
you must have travelled a long disianc
to-day
Yes said 1, 'Ihave come all tn
way from C--ville.'
'Why, you must be exhausted sal
she. and at the same time rising an
~o,,o IN n door. sAh Toy, All Toy