The Arkansaw traveler., 1882-12-03


 gredient of sorrow none of them could know.
 We had returned to the czntonment only to re-provision. give our horses a short rest ard again go of. had no thought of giving up the pursuit of the savzges till had recovered key, if alive or. if dead, avenged her.
 It was night. and had lain down upon my leathern oafve, if possible to ge, a snatch of sleep. We were to stan by early daybreak- It was close upon mid night, and my men were all abed. save the sentries-one stationed outside the door of my quarters. tried to sleep. but could not. Both heart and brain were too much excited: the latter giving way to wierd fancies- Among them was that strange apparition of the prairie-spirit or woman, whichever Y may have been. {! could not help connecting her with the affair now before us: though in what way she could be concerned with maraud- ing band of red Indians 1t was difficult to perceive. Trse. 1 had seen her in Indian garb: but for all that she was not an In- dian. Who were the Spirits of the Iraine: Might il not be the very band that had baffied us. Ah. might not Ra- mon be the ravager:
 ]; may seem strange only though, of this after returning disappointed, and that l had not gone back 10 the place where the woman had been encountered. I The explanation ts. we had trusted to traekers-guides of grea, experience ard - skili-who led us in different direction.
 had now made up my mind to seek the spot where had seen the prairie ap- partition. and fancied could easily ind 1t. The hill, the copsc of timber. the clump of palmillas--these. with the di- rcc,ion of the setting sun. would give me guidance. would go that way now. ] While astretch on my camp bedstead. thus cogitating, became aware of a slight disturbance outside. l. was an exchange of speech between the sentry and some one who had come up. and in- terupted him on his rounds The colloquy was short, only few words: and could perceive that those spoken by the intruder were in feminine voice.
 ! had no time to give way to wonder. Soon the sentry stood in the doorway of m. chamber. After saluuns. he said: { -t "ptAoA- 1aPNatu. "iSHCS to SDCdk with you on business sofimporance-very pressing she says. else shouldn't-s show her in the next room," said without waiting for the man 10 finish his <, apologetc speech.
 Springing to my feet. and hastily dress ing, passed into the apartment that ] sensed as my sltting-room. There light was still burning. The woman was be- fore me, standing just inside the door. She was Mexican, judging by her dress: and, by the same token. of the class called bo6ka,1d. She wore the short-skirted en- agna, with rebo.o over her head, cov- enng her face. almos, to the complete concealment of her features. The Hash of tiery eye was alone visible. She was of tall stature. her form approaching em- bonboint. wighai indicating graceful contour under the drarery that shrouded II.
 had no tune to make more minute observations. Almost on the instant of my appearance she said:
 ..Senor captain, you have los, your sweetheart:
 Surprise al the interrogatory prevented me from making reply. She did not wai, for it. 0ut went on:
 What will you give to recover her?
 Anything eveything-my whole for tune fl need be-
 "Carydmba.' 4 gallan, speech, And he who makes it deserves to be rewarded Come with Tre, then. and you shall once more sec your nos',a.
 .Safe.:'
 That depends on time. She is safe as yet. Tomorrow might not answer for her Once am missed- But come, If you would rescue her. there's no, an hour-nay. no, a moment-to be lost How soon can you have your troops Tn the saddle."
 In twenty minutes al most
 That will do. Give the order at once"
 ...santisima, Don't stay to question. What matters who does you service. so long as i, is done: Ha. you still hesi- tate. Then look. Now do you remem- Der mel"
 She tossed back the yeGo-o. discovering eountenanoe no one could look upon and ever again forget. l. was tha, had seen upon the prairie: the profuse fhes'e- inye that framed it no longer hanging loose under oirclet of painted plumes. but ''olubbed" and confined by comb.
 Quick. oaptain,'' she cried. T tell you there's no time to be lost Do you still hesitate?"
 What proof have that you are not going to lead me into an amburh?"
 "Raya," she exclaimed with a scornfal toss of her head. What proof do you requires Were you not in my power three days ago? And did I no, then re- lease you. Look at the locket-which l percieve still hangs on your breast There you have the proof of my hdelisy-the key to all my actions. If you want more l will give it. On the prairie mis,ook you for a man named Ramon. You re- member that: All lies in one little word jealousy. Now do you comprehend me.-
 @l think do.-
 There is no time for talking. If you don't act at once she will be lost-your sweetheart, and, what is swee,er s,iu-to