The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-08-11


fast as our faded steeds would permit.
Darkness had then fairly covered the
mountain and dale.
Once on the summit, ready TO de-
scend, Henrique dismounted.
"Dismount |" he ordered. Each
one fasten his reins TO the pommel of
his saddle 80 as not to interfere with the
horse; and hold the reins with one hand
and your whip with the other. At my
signal, on the French drawing near, let
go the reins, lash your horses, and fall
back on your face some distance from
the road. My horse knows the roads,
yours will follow. and the French can, if
they will.
We did as ordered, and waited il
silence on the deciivity of the mountain
for the approaching of the French.
Nearer and nearer came the sound of
the horses feet, the voices of the sol
diers becoming more and more distinct.
They seemed to be almost upon us, so
close that Ramen and L held on nerv-
ously to our reins. Henrique was as
immovable as statue. Seconds counted
as minutes; we could hear the painting
of their horses.
go Lash u He rolled back from the
road. Ramon and followed.
The three loosened steeds, IN one
bound. were laundering down the de-
scending road and the echo being
caught up by the yelling French, who
swept by us in whirling mass.
When the rumbling sound of the pur-
suing host had almost died away in the
distance, Henrique called us TO him,
and we CROPPED our way to where he
was.
4" Friends" he whispered, "we must
retrace our steps to the capital. Let us
reach the hacienda of Rinaldo, and there
decide what road to take"
Feeling sure that at this time of night
the roads were secure, we started on
our way back, thankful for our escape
and hopeful of meeting with no more
mishaps.
We walked on in silent mood. with
our hands on our weapons, retracing
every step we had just been over, each
one intently peering through the dark
ness of the valley in which we now
were; darkness rendered still more i'm
penetrable by the shadows of the mount
aims to the right and left Wearied by
the march and the excitement of the
day before, we soon became list,ess, half
nodding and mechanically marching on
In the beaten path of the highway,
Henrique being some twenty feet in adj
vance of us.
All at once cry of "Halt p the flash
of musket, scuffle of many men, and
found myself dragged on by Ramon.
scrambling up the steep ascent of hill.
and running, Ramon stopped.
"Where ?" started to ask. Ramon
struck his hand on my mouth.
"Silence," he whispered; "the French
are below us, and Henrique is either
killed or prisoner. We must make
our way to Queretaro ; l know the paths,
follow me, day will soon break"
/ found afterward that we had fallen
in with French company of the line,
who were resting on the roadside until
daylight should appear.
Ramon took the lead. and soon struck
by-path which he appeared 20 know.
1 followed. The stars were shining in
all their briiliancy, and the horizon to the
east was now and then hecked with in
definite streaks of reddish hue, which
announced approaching day. was cer-
tainly dreaming Henrique, Mathilda,
passed and repassed before my eyes;
when suddenly Ramon seized me 10y the
arm and brought me bac,- or my knees.
Hist I" lie almost Kissed. "The
French Not step forward p
Sure enough the French were within
two gunshots of Us they had retraced
their steps, and our path Was Leading us
exactly on them.
"They are on the road TO the capital,
said Ramon; "they must be taking
Henrique there. He is not killed.
We waited. The steady tramp of the
escort, the metallic click of the arms of
the soldiers, keeping time to the regular
step of the company, sounded to me as
the death knell of Henrique. So young
and yet so true TO his cause
As soon as the sound of the passing
French was far enough away TO make 1T
safe for us to proceed, Ramon started at
a rapid rate, and, after n long, weary
march, we reached the hut we had left
the day before.
care you not afraid of the peon who
betrayed us" / asked.
Ramon smiled CHASTITY smile. He
is where tongue never tells and eyes
can't See" pointing to the ground.
Having regular American passport,
1 fastened to Queretaro 10 take the
stage and be at the capital to try and
help Henrique, if such a thing was pos
sible.
CHAPTER V.
Once in the City Of Mexico, 1 be-
thought myself of q DR.. Bertalli, who was
n large contractor, and in favor with the
Government. L hastened to his resi-
dence, and, fortunately, found him
alone.
doctor, have called on you for q
service which you can render"
My FRIEND" he answered, "I am at
your service, provided it is neither a
conspiracy nor an elopement.
/ entered at once into the details of
Heurique's misfortune, and entreated
him to see for me if anything could be
done.
"I must hasten then" said the doctor,
"for you know French court-martials are
not ceremonious, and the execution fol-
lows Immediately after the conviction.
DIT tbo,o -. ..o.x, I%tlo Io-o nt,aaa m 40