Louisiana capitolian., 1880-05-22

I crouchsd close to tho saddle to avoid
being swept of BY some projecting limb,
and relapsing into reverie BY no meana
complimentary to tho country, allowed
Prince to pick his way - best hs could.
Suddenly he stopped the next fash
oflightning revealed rudelv construe.
ted house, surrounded by species Of
fence, with here and there straggling
tree. had struck tho herdsnan's sts.
ton st last, moro by good luck Q,
Princes instinct than BY any jadsmsn,
ofmy own, and throwing ny rsins oves
. post ! shouldered tho saddle -bsgs,
raped at the door, and tho next instant
stood before blazing FIRE Of logs in tn
spacious chimney place, in the midst oi
which swung . huge iron kettle.
"A Mexican with shaggy hair, seowl.
ing visage aud crippled form bads me
welcome, his voice sounding strangely
harsh and discordsnt, ~ l took . seat
in an anglo Of tho fire place. HE CON.
panion was . woman sad of face, hunble
ofmind, and not unprepossessing in be,
general appearance.
Before tho blazing fire my clothe,
wore sooD dried, and having informed
my companion with the bushy head
that l was . soldier On route to the
nountsin camp, excused myself from
partaking of the contents Of tho ket,le,
preparing to stretch my tired limbs on
something, ifno better than . board
Mounting rickety pair Of steps, my
host pointed out pile Of straw % be
hold flaming torch above his head. 1t
was the best the wretched aboard affor.
ded, 60 while the fellow departed to
look after Prince, l placed the saddle
bags under my head, aud in five min
utes was oblivious to every thing
transPiripg about me.
II think must have been a little
nervous, for ! started up once with a
shiver. The storm had passed away,
tho moon smiled down on me through
numerous chinks aud crevices in tho
crazy old roof; not i sound could l hear
save the gentle signing of the wind
through the trees, and feeling reassured,
l composed myself again sleep.
4 DO not know how long ! slumbered,
but ! was aroused by very decided grip
on my should.
MY eyes opened wide in astonishment
as they fell upon the woman had met
on my arrival. She was carefully shield
ing the rays of pine torch, her fore
finger resting warningly upon her pale
lips.
''Arouse yourself stranger; you are
in den of thieves she said in low.
impressive voice. Depart quickly and
trust to the mercv Of the wolves and
bears, for promise you, you'll find none
under this roof. You are not the first
traveller who has sought this above who
never again saw daylight. Your doom
was sealed when duan heard the clink
of the coin in your saddle.bags. He is
too cowardly to attempt the job him
self alone and unaided, but he has de-
parted to bring upon you gang Of
numbering cut-throats, who will sur
round the house. Yon may thank your
sword and revolver that You are now
alive. 1t was all that kept him from
povncins upon you as he left. Look
here. Do you see that :" and she
pointed TO some darY status of the floor.
That was miner a wandercr liE0
yourself, lost OH the hills, and he was
slain with as little mercy as you would
mete out to serpent. Money! No"
And she made gesture of scorn as ]
attempted to reward her. What do l
want of it here My life has been such
that my wants are few and easily salts.
fed. But we waste time. Your horse
is at the gate. Follow the trail down
tue cannon, turn to the left, and may
the saints protect you. l can do no
more
We'll, Low, gentlemen, it did not take
me long to pick my way down down the
ladder, out into the air, 'and with
bound gain tie saddle. The old rook-
cry loomed up in the moonlight, silent,