The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1880-05-19

ffOu Aottft
"a Mexican With shaggy hair
Sowing visage and crippled form
, bade me welcome, his voice sounding
i strangely harsh and discordant, as
! took seat 10 an angle Of the Ere
/ place His companion was q woman
sad of face, humble of mind, and moi
uDprepossessing in her general ap-
pearsnce.
Before the blazing FIRE nv clothes
were socn dried, aud having informed
my companion with the bushy head
that l was . soldier snroute to the
N aontain camp, /. excused myseli
from parsaking of the contsnss of the
kettle, prepared to stretch my tired
limbs on something, il no better than
q bare board.
"Mounting rickety pair of steps
mine host pointed out . pile of straw
as ne held flaming torch above bis
head. Ii was the best the wretched
abode afforded, 80 while the fellow
departed to look after Prince, i
placed the ssdd,e-bags under my
head, aud 10 Eve minutes was oblivi.
ous to everything trsnspiring about
me
II think / must have been . little
nervous, for / started up once with .
shiver. The storm had passed away,
the moon smiled down upon me
through numerous ehinks and crew
ices in the crazy old roof; not q
sound could / hear save the gentle
sighiag of the wind as it swept
throu I b the trees. and feeling resssur-
ed | composed myself again to Sleep
II do not know how long l slom-
bered, but / was aroused BY . very
decided grip on my shoulder.
"My eyes opened wide in astonish-
ment as they fell upon the woman
whom l had met on my arrival She
was carefully shielding the rays of .
pine torch. her fore6nger resting
warningly upon her pale lips.
"' Arouse yourself. stranger; you
are in a den Of thieves,' che said 10 Q
low, impressive voice. Depart quick
ly, and trust to the mercy of the
wolves and bears, for l promise you
you'll fad none under this roof You
are not the first traveller who has
sought this abode who never again
azed upon ,he light of day. Your
doom was sealed when Juan heard
the click of the coin in your saddle
bags He is too cowardly to attempt
the job himself, alone and unaidsd.
but be has departed to bring upon
you a gang of murdering cut throsts,
who will soon surround the boose
You may thank your sword aud re.
volver that you are alive now. 1t
was all that restraiaed him from
pouncing upon you as you slept
Look herel Do you see that?' Aod
she pointed to some dark stains on
the rough floor. That was q miner,
wanderer like yourself, lost on the
bills, aud he was slain with as little
mercy as you would mete out 70 8
serpent Money! Mop aud she
made gesture of scora as attempt
ed to reward her What do I want
with it here? My life has been such
that my wants are few and easily
satisfied. But we waste time Your
horse is Of the gate. Follow the trail
down the cannon, turn TO the left,
aad may the saints protect yon.
can do no more
well, now, gentlemen, it did not
take me long to pick my way down
the ladder, out into the air. and with
bound gain the saddle The old
rookery doomed up in the moonlight,
silent. dark and foreboding, snd
could not repress q shudder as /
thought of the narrow escape had
experienced.
with considerable satisfaction |
noted glow OF light in the east. and
81, esks of luminous color radiated
rapidly over the horizon as l swung
down the canon
"a peculiar pricking up of the ears
on Princes part attracted my atten-
ton, and, thinking it might indicate
the presence of a grizzly, halted to
reconnoi re- The faint grinding of
gravel beneath au advancing troop of
horses' feet fell distinctly upon nv
ear The gang whom Juan had gone
in quest of we're undoubtedly return.
ing, spurred on by the hope that a
golden harvest awaited them.
Quietly l rode to one side, drew
Prince up 10 clump of trees, and
withdrawing my revolver, awaited
their coming.
cat brisk gaIlop they passed by,
eight as villainous looking greasers
as ever cheated the gsllows out of it's
just dues. Juan was 10 their midst,
talking and gesticulating as he dis-
canted, probably upon the con tents of
my saddle-bsgs.
Little did the rascals dream of the
actual amount l did have, or l am
afraid there might have been a differ
ent sequel TO the adventure.
81 waited reasonable length of
time, the sound of the horses tramp
ling died away, and then clspplng
spurs to Princes sides, dashed down
the gully at brisk pace.
81 had not gone far. however, when
loud shout rang out on the still
morning air. Somewhat surprised, |
glanced over my shoulder, and there
came the whole crew, headed BY
Juan, barebesded, riding in advance.
By some route unknown to me, they
had cut of portion of the distance,
and being splendidly mounted, l felt
a little apprehensiye.
II was well armed, but Grearms
we're of no use with Prince, unframed
IS be was. Had not the fellows seen
very plainly that the high spirit of
my horse would not allow me to
shoot from bis back they never woulu
have dared to attack al American,
whom they fear and hate.
"My revolvc- and sword were no
match for their vicious. looking knives
and that terrible weapon in the hands
of an expert, the larist
Il might / have tried conclusions,
for my blood was up, but l consider
ed that had no right to risk in the
slightest the funds intrusted to my
care by the Government, 20 sinking
the spurs into Princes tanks away
went, with the Eressers in hot pur.