The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-07-29

silver bell buttons. His linen was fine,
and his jewelry rich, but simple. Of
course, | was Indifferent to personal
danger; but my curiosity was excited, as
[ thought it possible he might have
something to ask at my hands, rather
than any intention to offer me violence.
accordingly turned, and asked in the
language Of the country:
"'Why do you follow meY
"'It is because you are foreigner
"I am Frenchman.'
"'Are you man of courager
"T am not afraid Of you.
"'Are you poor?'
"'Not very rich.
"'Do you wish wealth p
"'I came to this cursed country 10
to gain wealth. So far, 1t has not ar
rived.
"'Would you risk your life for
wealth 2
"T have risked it for thirty confines
day
"'You are a soldier?'
"I have been
"'f need your services
For what purpose
"'Not for assassination, or for rob-
berry,
"'For what then 2
"1 can not tell; but if you wish to
risk your life against the certainty of
wealth, go tomorrow to the garita on
the western road. You will find man
with a mule saddled and fitted for a
journey. He will accompany you days
journey. You will be received at the
venta (tavern). The day after you will
find another guide and mule. He will
carry you another days journey. You
will stay at tbs venta, where you will
find another guide, who will accompany
you on the journey of the third day.
Ask no questions, either of your guide or
at the venta. You will receive no salts
faction. All you want will be supplied,
and you will be safe from any danger.
Do you fear?'
81 may lose my contract of passage
to France?'
"'You had better do so.
"I CONSENT
"All this occurred as intended. NV
journey was into, and through the forest;
it passed estates of sugar, coffee, and
fruits. We crossed streams on rude fer
ries and rugged fords. It rose through
the luxuriant trees, and vines, and flow
ers, with the parrot, the parroquito, and
the .monkeys-once there was a serpent
and once sight of Brazilian tiger.
"' In tigre royal?'
Variment, naeSseurs, Wne tigre
Oeritable aUec les rage noir.
cat the end of the third day our
course was into the heart of the mount
aims. We arrived in the night at a
venta, in solitary place. My guide
spoke a few words to the proprietor, who
ordered the mule to be taken. Ny bag.
gage was carried into room, and had
rest and refreshments. [ remained in
that venta for two days All my wants
were supplied, but no one asked me
any questions. I had become tired OF
this uncertainty, when one day an In
dian rode across the prairie, and up to
the door OF the venta. [ heard him ask
Is there Frenchman here?
There is an estg an nege'
" Senor,' the Indian asked, are you
Frenchman?
Z" Yes
Then you will follow me-
" paused and reflected.
You will follow me- he repeated
if you wish, or you will return. It is
with you 1t is the message of the
Padron.'
=" Why should fear for my life? OF
what value was that to any except my
self?'
'' Feste! Dtaoic: En- auo,at!'
"And SO we departed. During the
day the guide halted and said:
Senior, we must now bandage your
eyes,
Decidedly this was becoming more
mysterious; but my curiosity and inter-
est in the case put aside all fear, and I
rode with the guide, with my eyes as if
| had been playing cache cache! for a
treasure. So, again cried, en- 0Vdpat!
and we rode until I heard a great noise
of shouting and of instruments of the
country. This was fete and fandango
My bandage was taken off, and was in
a camp. There we're hundreds of miners
and people of the country. There were
many blacks who 1 have now no doubt
were slaves, who had escaped from the
| royal mines. There were fires of lumi-
nous and resinous wood which made the
camp as light as day. There were tables
of monte and other chances, at which
the natives played with all the noncha-
lance of Spanish gamester. There
were booths of goods and trinkets, piles
of native food and fruits, sandals and
earthenware. The merchants were chiefly
natives, men and women. Silver was
abundant, and brokers were there to
deal in diamons, of which there had been
lately a considerable distribution from
the mines worked in that neighborhood
| was led to tent, in which I found
food, wine and water for repairing the
fatigue of the journey. In an hour a
messenger said:
:" You will go to the tent of Ell Pad
ron Joaquin
1t was then midnight. On entering
the tent | saw the same man who had
accosted me on the shore at Rio.
You have comet?
"FI promised
"'Listen. I am Joaquin, the con-
traban der en- diamants. The people
whom you have seen are my friends and
my soldiers. This camp is guarded like
fort. It cannot be surprised. My
people obey my orders, whatever they
may be. I have paid their part of our
gains out of my own share I have for
years put apart the most valuable jewels.
The vigilance of the Government renders
it impossible for me to send them away.
To be found in possession of diamond,
without satisfactory explanation, is death.
These diamonds are of no value to me.
Ii IN Europe, they would be fortune.
Not a fortune as you French deem, a
few thousand francs, but fortune for
me, Joaquin, upon which I would live in
/ Europe like prince
edo you fear?'
81 felt the peril. On one hand it was
to die. On the other, to return to
France. AUec de quot viure de mes
re,ates. repeated that I was ready.
"a strong mule stood ready with a
guide at its side. / received from the
hands of Joaquin a small sack of leather,
which was concealed under my cloak
after had mounted. The man gave me
a large knife with pistolet, and purse