The Arkansaw traveler., 1882-12-03

Some other time, perhaps she said, inteuupting me: not now. You must go-you Dfass.'
 Reluctant to part from her wifhou, fur ther explanation disbelieying in the dan ger-mystifed-ine still ln- gered.
 Seeing il, she sprang to the head ofmy horse, grasped the rein. and turned his face towards the setting sun. l noticed that she had knife in her hand-for what purpose could no, di- vine.
 Just then the horse gave snort, and sprans fofward-his first bound almost shaking me from the saddle.
 clutohed at the reins-hitherto out of my hands. and resting over the saddle bow got hold of them. and hastily drew back They came. but not to tighten along the neck of my steed. Instead, l held but piece of loose strap. The bri- de on both sides had been cut.
 The horse kep, on in wild career, for had now no control of him. With my voice cndeavored to stay him, but in vain. The animal seemed maddened. as if stung 5y tarantula.
 The pieces of severed bridle were dang ling down from the bii-rings. Stretching forward, tried .o grasp them but could not. 20, hold of the headstall, ;.ow- ever. and with this brough, the horse to halt.
 bismounting. looked back. Urea, God. where was the woman. Since parting with her could no, have ridden more than two hundred paces. The sun was yet shining clear upon the plain. could see i,s surface for miles in every direction. Again l was alone upon it.
 Surely il Is dream-all a dream ?'
 This was my reflection. uttered aloud. But. while listening to the echo of my own voice. l saw tha, which caused me to say No" held in my hand the proof of reality-ihe broken bridlc-rein. And also saw what had startled my horse. forcing him into that furious gallop. Blood was yelling from his side. Be tween his ribs could perceive a pune tured wound remembered the knife held in the hand oi,he girl.
 Quickly knotting the severed reins, l sprang once more into the saddle. and commenced riding back. As near as 1 | could, headed toward the spot where had parted with the woman. rode al first Tn straight line. But soon uncci- tain, took 10 zigzagging, and was at length lost again. My brain was beoom- ing bewildered. and l began to have thoughts of insanity.
 To escape the weird fanoies fast thick ening around me. once more faced wcst~ard-where the sun was still visible. as also the clump of palmillas.
 Heading my horse towards them. l gave him the spur Tn earnest and m an hour after tied my bridic-rein around one of the trees.
 IL was now night too dark to sec [, C other trees of which the woman had warned me. So kindling a fire made supper on steak from the prong-horn. and lay down to sleep under the shade of the ralmillas.
 Next morning at sunrise. desoried the second copse. and rode on to il. There ssw the hill and arriving at the summit, perceived. ,o my great grat- ifoa,ion. that was upon known ground.
 i,etore midday reached the canton ment, where found my brother officers among them my late hunting compan- ions-anNious about my safety. They were now curious 10 know the cause of my staying so long out, and overwhelmed me with inquiries. was not in the mood to satisfy their curiosity. To say ,he truth, l was still under sort of superstitious scare Besides, feared relating an ad- venture savoring So much of the marrel- ous- It might be discredited and myself made mock of
 Soon. circumstances arose that drove all such thoughts out of my mind. re- placing them by others more painful.
 About an hour after my arrival at the Fort. party of mounted men made their appearance on the parade-ground. They were settlers of all classes. armed and equipped for hght. By their gestures. 1t was evident that some event had arisen greatly to excite them.
 IL was soon communicated-ae calamity such as is frequent upon the Texan from tier. \ band of Indians had been mak- ing maraud upon the settlements. and these men were starting in pursuit. They had come to claim the assistance of :" the soldiers.
 Where had the savages shown them- selves was the question put to the leader of the irontiersmen.
 At the hacienda of Mexican. about fifteen miles from the Fort.
 The name 7 asked, in trembling apprehension.
 '.Don Lorenzo Zavala. They've stripped the place of ofeverythins, murdered Don Lorenzo himself. with most of his domestics. and carried of his-r
 ~Oh, God '" groaned, in agony, with out waiting the word. lknew 1t would be " daughter"
 It was-she whose likeness was in the focket borne upon my breast.
 l felt cowed, crushed, weak almost to fainting. Only for an instant. Then, anger overmastering, reused me to the energy of action.
 l stayed for no further details. but at once ordered - Boots and saddlesw to be sounded. In ten minutes after. we were on the trail of the despoilers.
 At frs; there was trail, easily taken up. Fast we followed it-l with saddened heart and brain half maddened. My heart fel, yet more sad. my brain madder.