Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-02-07

ing me through and through. Prince,
sinking to his fetterlocks at each plunge
bore me bravelY on, | knew not whittier
for had long since given him the rein,
preferring to trust to his instinct in
preference to my limited knowledge.
Drawing my cloak closely around me
I crouched closely to the saddle to avoid
being swept off by some projecting
bough, and relapsing in a reverie by no
means complimentary to the country, al
lowed Prince to pick his way as best he
could.
Suddenly he stopped the next flash
Of lightning revealed a rudely construct
ed house surrounded by a species of
fence, with here and there a struggling
tree. I had struck the herdsman's sta
tion at last. more by good luck or
Princes instinct than any Judgment of
my own; and throwing the reins over
post shouldered the saddlebags, rap
ped at the door and the next instant
stood before blazing fire of logs in the
spacious chimney place in the midst of
which swung huge iron kettle.
A Mexican with scowling visage and
crippled form, bade me welcome, his
voice sounded strangely harsh, and dis
cordant. as l took seat in the angle of
the fireplace. His companion was a
woman, sad of face, humble Of mind,
and not prepossessing in her general ap-
pearance.
Before the blazing fire my clothes
were soon dried, and having informed
my companion with the bushy head
that | was soldier en- route for the
mountain camp, excused myself from
partaking of the contents of the kettle,
preparing to stretch my tired limbs on
something, if no better than bare
board.
Mounting a rickety pair of steps, my
host pointed out pile of straw as he
held waving torch above his head
1t was the best the wretched abode af
forded, so while the fellow departed t.
look after Prince, placed the saddle
bags under my head, and in few min
utes was oblivious of everything trans
piring about me.
l think | must have been little ner
vous, for | started up with a shiver
The storm had passed away, the moo
shone down upon me through numerou
chinks and crevices IN the crazy oil
roof, not sigh could hear, save th
gentle signing of the wind through tn
trees, and feeling reassured, compose
myself again to sleep.
l do not know how long l slumbered
but was aroused by very decide
| grip on my shoulder.
My eyes opened wide with astonisl
ment as they fell upon the woman wbo1
had met on my arrival. She was car
fully shielding the rays of pine torcl
her forefnger rested warningly upon he
pale lips.
"Arouse yourself stranger you al
in den of thieves" she said in 10
impressive voice. depart quickly an
trust to the mercy of the wolves ar
bears, for | will promise you you'll fiji
none under this roof. You are not Il
first traveller who has sought this abot
who never gazed again on the light
day. Your doom was sealed when Jus
heard the click of coin in your saddl
bags. He is too cowardly to attem
the job alone and unaided, but he b
departed to bring upon you gang
numbering cut throats who will so'
surround the house. You may thar
your sword and revolver that you a
alive now. 1t was all that restrain,
him from pouncing on you as he le
Look here |! Don't you see that - Al
she pointed to some dark stains on t
rough floor. "That was a miner, a wa
derer like yourself, lost on the hill
and he was slain with as little mercy
you would mete out to serpent. Mo
ey Mol" And she made gesture
scorn as | attempted to reward ht
"What do want of it here? My Ii
has been such that my wants are fl
and easily satisfied. But we was
time. Your horse is at the gate. E.
, low the trail down the canon, turn
the left. and may the saints protect 20
!, Can 40 no more.
Well now, gentlemen, it didn't ia
me long to pick my way down the Ia
der. out into the open air, and with
i, bound gained the saddle. The old roc
cry loomed up in the moonlight, sileI
] dark and forboding, and 1 could not
! press shudder as thought of the n;
Z row escape | had experienced.
! With considerable satisfaction I 1
ted a glow of light in the east, a
streaks of luminous color radiate rap
. ly over the horizon as | swung down
6 canon.
g A peculiar pricking up of the ears
d Princes part attracted my attention a
thinking that it might indicate the pr
ence of another grizzly, / halted to