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


pointed, and under the arch of the wide
coach gate stood Henrique holding his
horse by the bride and bidding farewell
to Mathilda
"Oh, Henrique." said the girl, envy
heart fails me; this constant anxiety, this
everlasting shedding of blood makes me
shudder. BE careful for my sake. If
duty calls you do not be rash. Remem-
her that in losing You I viii lose all.
Daily. at the altar, 1 will offer my pray
ers for your safety"
Heprique's knit brow showed how
hard it was for him to control his feel
ings he seized the girl in his strong
arms, imprinted an impassioned kiss on
her forehead, and vaulting in his saddle
he beckoned me TO follow. When over
took him the traces of tears were still
on his face.
Our passports being duly vised, we
were soon beyond the causeway leading
to the capital. and on our way toward
the West of Mexico. My companion
was in morose hhmor, and spoke but
little. At each post he showed his
passport with indifference, and as soon
as we were out of hearing he would
mathematics the foreigners. Every
now and then a passer-by and he ex-
| changed signs of recognition. We
passed the first night in regular wood
/ house.
The second day Henrique became
more loquatcous, spoke OF his intentions.
of Mathilda, of the war, and he entered
into details of the organization of the
/ guerrillas. We had been on the road
nearly all day, constantly ascending
| toward the summit of the table-lands of
Mexico, when, at turn of the road, q
Mexican stood up from the bushes he
was dressed like peon, breast and legs
bare, wearing sandals. He uttered a
word, TO which Henrique answered, the
latter dismounting, giving me his horse
! to hold; after while Henrique re-
/ turned, and said
"The roads are all patrolled and it
would be unsafe for me to pass through
Queretaro. If you wish to proceed you
can go through unmolested. We
separate here, as l have to take a by
road.
"Byno means" answered. You
and l will proceed together, and what
ever dangers may be encountered L will
share them with you"
He seemed pleased with my determine
ton to go with him and he grlsped my
hand.
"You and / will then be friends" he
said "but what il we should be taken?"
If we are captured" / replied, "we
will then take the chances of escaping or
being shot.
Henrique called the Mexican, ordering
him to lead the way. The sun was slow
ly losing itself behind the high peaks of
the table-lands and the shadows of the
fast. advancing darkness were making the
mountain paths almost invisible. Leav-
ing the main road we descended into a
mountain gorge by path SO narrow that
we had to dismount and lead our horses,
our guide in the lead motioning when to
stop and when to go forward. Our steps
were guided only by the dim twilight
reflected from the overtowering mountain
tops and by stream, whose gurgling
clatter as it sped on its rocky bottom
guided us to light ahead the light
proved to be small adobe hut.
"Give your horse to the man." said
Henrique, "and follow me-"
We went down to enter the hut in
which were two men and woman the
men were lying down on their blankets,
the woman was leaning over a charcoal
furnace preparing supper. Two or three
stools were lying about.
"Ramon! What news?" said Hen
rique. addressing one OF the men.
"Signor, the roads arc alive with
troops. Senior Cristoval has been cap
tured, with ten of his men. They were
executed at Queretaro this morning."
"Were you there ?" asked Henrique.
eyes, Signor and they all died like
men, shouting Viva the Republic y
Ramon, 1 must be off before day.
You sha have to precede us and see If
the road to Toluca is clear in case of
any danger, retrace your steps to meet
us"
CHAPTER III.
Before day, OH the call of our peon
guide, we mounted our horses held by
him at the door. Without word he
started, followed by Henrique and my
/ self. We were ascending q regular
road the dark outlines of the
mountains were plainly delineated
/ Ou tue CicdI uOilAOll, DcSpduBiSu Will
its myriad Of stars and as the approach
ing daylight began to peep over the
towering head, each peak seemed decked
with a luminous crown. When we
reached the summit the sun was slowly
emerging from the mass of mountains, and
as its spreading rays illuminated the
valley, the uncertain, increasing light
appeared to dance from dome to dome
and roof to roof of the city of Queretaro,
lying directly under us. Just then the
sharp blast of bugle, accompanied by
the roll of drums beating the reveille,
warning MS to hurry up on our march,
and, leaving our guide, we then started
on brisk trot toward Toluca.
It was some two hours by sun when
the sound of a gallon behind us made
Henrique stop. A Mexican soon ever
took us, his horse in foam and painting
from the swiftness of the run.
"In gallon for your lives" he ex-
claimed, "the French are after you. By
speed you can reach hacienda and
hide for the night. You have been be-
trayed by your peon guide"
1t was no time for words a lash OF
the whip and both spurs in the TANKS Of
orr horses sent MS whirlinp on our road