The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-06-16
allowed Prince to pick his way as bes, he

~ structed house surrounded by species of fence. with here and there a struggling tree. l had struck the herdsmans ssa- ton at last. more by good luck of prince's instinct than by any judgmen of my own !; and throwing my reins over a post l shonldered the saddle-bags, rapped al the door, and the nex. instan, stood be- ! fore blazing fire oi logs in the spacious chimney place. in the mids; of which swung huge iron kettle.
 A Mexican with shaggy hair. seowl- ing visage and crippled form bade me welcome. his volee sounding strangely l! harsh and discordani, as took a seat in an angle of the fireplace. His compan- ion was a woman, sad of face. humble of mind. and not unprepossessing ln her general appearance.
 Before the blazing fire my elo,h:s were soon dried. and having informed my companion with the bushy head that was a soldier en route to the mountain camp, 1 excused myself from partaking of the contents of the kettle. preparing Ia stretch my tired limbs on something. fl no better than bare board.
 Mounting a ricke,y pair of steps my hos, pointed ou, pile of straw as he held a flaming torch above his head. Ii was the bes, the wrc,ched abode afforded. so while the fellow departed to look after lrnce, placet. the ssddle-bass under my head and in hse minutes was obllS.ous 10 everything transpiring abou, them
 think must have been little ner- VOLS. tor started up once with ! shsyer. The storm had passed away. the moon smiled down upon me through numerous ch,nks and crevices in the crazy old roof z: noi sound could 1 hear save the gentle signing ot the wind through the trees. and feeling reassured composed myself again ta sleep.
 = do no, know how long slGmbered, but was aroused by very dccided grp on my shoulder
 My eyes opened wide m as,onIshmeni as they fell upon the wonan whom had met upon my arrival. She was carefully shielding the rays of aspine-toroh, her forehnger resting warningly upon her pale lips.
 Arouse yourself. stranger. You arc in l den of thieves she said. n low impressive voice. Depart quickly. and trust to the mercy ot the wolves and bears. for promise you you Il rnd none unde. this roof You are no, the hrsl traveller who has seugh, this abode who never again ga1ed on the lish; of day. \ our doom was sealed when iuan heard the cllak oi coin in your saddle-bags. He Is too oo~ardiy ;o at.eiap; the lot himself. alone agd unalhc3. but hc has departed 10 bring gper yea a gang o' murdcting eut-,hroa,s. who wiil >oor surround the house. You n4ay thank ,ou. sword and revolver that you aiS alive now. Ii was all sha, restrained hin from pouacing upon you IS he left. Look here Do you see that: And shs pointed 10 some dark S;ains upon the rough floor. That was d mines. van derer like yourself los; on the hills. and he was slain with as little mercy as you would mete out to serpent. Money No. And she made gesture os scorn as 1 attempted 10 reward her. What do want of il here: My life has been such tha, my wants are fe~ and easily satisfied. But we waste time. Your horse Is at the gate. Follow the trail down the canon. turn ;o the Jeff. and may the saints p!o,ee; yoa. Can do no more
 Well. now. gentlemen. II did no, take me long to pick my way down to the lad der. out into the aII. and w.,h d bound gain the saddle. The old rookery loomed Gp in the moonlight. silent, dark. and fcreboding. and could no, repress a shudder as though, of the narrow es cape had experienced.
 | l. glow of light Tn the east. and streak, of luminous color radia,e rapidly owe, the horizon as swung down the canon
 A peculiar pricking up of the ears or Princes pau attracted my attention. and thinking l; might indicate the presenc, of another grizzly. halted ;o reconnoi,re The grinding of fam, gravel beneath ar advancing troop of horses fee, fell dis tinetly upon my ear. The gang whom Juan had gone ln ques. of were andoub, edly returning. spurred on by the hop, that golden harvest awaited them
 Quietly l rode to one siee. dre~ Prince up m clump of trees. and. wlih drawing my revolver from the holster. awaited the.r coming.
 ~ Al br.sk gallop they passed by eigh, as v.llainous-looking Greasers a, ever cheated the gAllows of its just dues Juan was in their midst, talking and ze. ucula,ing wildly as he descanted. prob. ably upon the contents of my saddle. bags.
 Little did the Tascals dream of ,h. actual amount did have or am sfraIc there might have been diaeren. seque to the adventure
 - waited reasonable length of time the sound of the horses ,fampisng dIer away. and then. elApping spurs 70 Prince side, dashed down the gully a; a br!s. pace.
 had not gone far. however. when a loud shout rang out or the cool morning air. Some@hA, surpassed. glanced ovei iuy shoulder. and ;hsTs 1aisis ss..s who.; cres. headed by Juan. bAre-headed re.ng in advance By scne route un. knosn to me. they had e: os porto. of the distance. and. being splendid, mounted. fell little apprehensive.