The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1881-03-12


| hogs"
! The owner Of the suffering hocks shook his
/ head drew in his breath between his shut teeth.
and struck the pommel of the saddle forcibly
with his fist. As the rancherO and the men con-
tinued TO talk, they observed whale boat
in shore and land a passenger who did not
delay long on the sands, but trudged up hill on
the road towards the party on horseback
The near approach of the stranger presented
young man Of well formed, we'll knit frame of
body, with handsome fresh tinted features yet
in very rough costume, Of coarse corded
pants, heavy wOOen shirt, broken brOgans,
and limp straw hat, with breaks, through
which peered some locks OF rich blonde hair,
whilst the remainder Of his wardrobe was IN
bu ndle on his shoulder. And yet with all this
roCghness and poverty Of exterior IN his general
make up, he had his hands covered with pair
Of kid gloves Of good quality.
The young stranger. who appeared about
twenty three years Of age, addressed the ranchero
in rather imperfect English, He said, he was
adventurIng a little to see the world. Had land
ed at Honolulu with an empty purse, and had
managed 70 work his way TO this place, to which
he had been directed to come. lie was not
mechanic, artist or professional, but knew some
thing about sheen, as he had lived on a large
sheep estate in Europe. lie was ready and will
ing to work for food and lodging only If he
could find a considerate employer, and a decent
home where he could rest awhile. And his name
Louis.
The rancherO who had not changed his easy
lJunging attitude in his saddle, at the approach
Of the young man, and during bis discourse;-at
It's cl Sc, Strengthened up IN his stirrups, and
addressing the younger Of the two natives, said,
'' kimO, let the haOle (fOreigner) have your
horse and you can 90 across the hill To the
station Then addressing the stranger he said,
- see you are an estray from friends and home.
You have been playing prOdigals but you seem
fitted for good work. Help me and will help
you
The young man had meanwhile received the
line or haa cord IN his hand, that held a restIye
and iretted mustang, taught to buck and prance,
and exhibit every uneasy style Of horse gait.
When the wild looking sweated brute lelt the
strangers hand on his name, preparing to mount,
he reared up, and struck out his fOTeOOt furious
ly, and the two native men looked on amused, /
expecting to see the strange haole (foreIgner) |
either thrown hurt, or badly scared, and |
obliged to decline the steed. The ranchero look |
ing on quietly and with an air OF critical Obser-
yatiOn.
The young stranger, who had handed his .
bundle to the native himO, held the struggling .
fretful brute with his right hand, calm and as
sured. With his left he drew in n rawhde .
lariat, trailing from the saddle tree bow. He
readily formed slip moose with the loop strap
at the loose end Of the lariat, and throwing it
dexterOusly caught one Of the plunging hOOfs.
lie then passed blight Of the lariat through the
strong iron ring Of the horse hair scinch, and
pulling on the line drew the fOrelOot up to the
animass breast. The animal continued its
struggles and plunges, but with difficulty having
only one fOrefOOt in play, and was now easily
held by the cord binding his jaw. He struggled
and trembled with impOtent effort. The young
man placed both lines in one hand and with the
other he patted the irritated animal on the
neck he rubbed his nose, he strOked him gently,
and murmured some words in soothing tones
and after little while the horse becoming calm, he
released the foot disengaged the noOse and whilst
zrrI nat nd he yras
the saddle tree rim. sprang easily into his seat,
and after little prance and fret, the animal was
Obedient his hand
e. Akamai IOa'-very smart-exclaimed both
natives, with unaffected expression of admira-
ton And the rancherO, he turned the
horses head, to lead the way, said " Mr..
Louis, you AXE good start for a ranch, and
see You 90 , t oIe- our hills with our un-
broken ,
.eplied the young man, as be
TO- -..s stIll curyetting courser with graceful
ease once handled wild horse from the
Carpathians, and rode him at Sadowa."
The rancherO made quick turn in his seat,
Glancing curiousy at the youth, and remarking;
.. What Il soldier of the Eastern Empire And
what has sent you estray, 60 far away here
Anything your head, or on your hauds ?"
- No sir, replied the youth, he turned his
head, and met the rather stern suspicious gaze OF
the ranchcrO, with u calm assured look from clear
grey eyes. - am not fugitive from justice
though a wanderer to expiate some folles. Ac-
cept me. >Ir, poor exile, who will strive to
make himself Of some value. Whilst 1 acknOw-
ledge l am disguised, my disguise means no
imposition. Accept me for what my hand and
eye, and service may be worth. You may en-
terrain a better man than you think. Receive
me, sir, continued the youth with smiling
expression 80 a. Admetus did Apollo, who offer
ed TO herd hs fOcks, and if l do not out
god IN disguise, will strive like that ancient
divine shepherd to bring a blessing to your
island.
The ranchero looked around at the youth, with
a somewhat surprised. yet pleased expression, at
this classical MISUNDERSTANDING laughingly
II dare say ,Admetus had troubles and losses with
hIs hOcks IN old Thessaly, as have here, and |
shall be glad TO have an AppOllO to aid me but
there is no Alcestis on this lonely island -
=. But, you cannot call 1t lonely, with such n
landscape - exclaimed the youth with enthu-
siasn, stretching out his right hand before him
and pointing towards the lovely verdant wales,
that now burst on their view, they reached
the crest Of the ridge, aud began to descend to
the interior plains which formed the vast crater
floor Of the island.
The rancherO cantering gently down the easy
grade Of the slope, and careessly untwisting a
witch lock in the name of his horse, spoke IN an
undertOne, as it were communing with himself.
- No, it Is not lonely here. Friends, in the busy
world abroad commisseraIe the burial of a man
IN such u retreat. But such hills and glades
are companions and instruction; and such a round,
smooth green smiling valley, gladdens the heart
like the speaking, kindly expression OF a good
sympathetic woman. ''But here, we at
iyIoe." Exclaimed the ranchero, as they APP
preached neat white painted cottage on the
edge of the sweet valley, with sheep pens, shear
ing house, and other evidences of a sheep
station.
Some natives along with two young white
men were grouped together in a lane leading to
the dwelling. One of these young men,a slender,
well formed youth, dressed IN full vaquero cos
tune heavy corded sOmbrero, woolen shirt,
scarlet silk sash, cord pants, tanned sheep-skin
ieggngs and heavy spurs with rowels an inch
and a half long, that clanked at his heels, as be
walked. had made a critical. severe, and silent
survey of the stranger, and going close to the
ranchero. said in an undertone.