Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-11-17

I
he, perhaps my companion, wal
thinking of the home he had aban
doned, OF the exile he had incurred
by an error. 1 tried TO reauimatC
the conversation, but he did moi
respond, absorbed as he was in his
] sad reveries. The old woman was
already in bed in a corner of the
room, behind a ragged cover stretch.
ed upon cord. The little girl had
followed her into that retreat re.
served for the fair sex. Then my,
guide, rising, asked me to follow
him to the stable, but at this word
Don Jose, as if awakening out of
his sleep, demanded where he was
going.
'tTo the stable" replied the guide.
"What for? The horses have
enough to eat. Sleep here. The
gentleman will permit it."
81 fear that his horse is sick.
would like to have him seeit may
be he will know what is necessary
to do for it,"
1t was evident that Antonio
wished to talk with me alone, but
did not care to arouse the suspicious
of Don Jose, and at the point where
we were it seemed to me the better
plan to take would be to show the
greatest confidence. l replied then
that knew nothing about horses,
and that wanted to go to sleep.
Don Jose followed him to the stable
from which he soon returned alone.
He told me that nothing allied the
horse, but that my guide thought
him so valuable that he rubbed
him with his vest to make him per-
spire, and that he intended passing
the night in that pleasant Occupa-
ton. In the meantime | had
stretched myself upon the blankets,
carefully enveloped in my manteau
so as not to touch them. After
having begged my pardon for the
liberty he was taking in placing
himself near me, Don Jose lay down
before the door, not without having
first renewed the printing of his
blunderbuss, which he carefully
placed under the gay which served
him for pillow. Five minutes
after, having mutually desired a
good night, we were both sound
asleep.
/ had believed myself to be tired
enough to sleep in such place, but
in about an hour very annoying
itchings snatched me from my first
nap. AS soon as | understood the
nature of them | arose, fully per-
suaded that it would be better 10
pass the rest of the night under the
stars than under that inhOspitable
roof Walking upon tip-toe | gained
the door, climbed over the PROSTATE
form of Don Jose, who was sleeping
the sleep of the just, and did so well
that l got out of the house without
awakening him. Before the door
was large wooden bench. | lay
down upon it and arranged myself
as comfortably as possible for the
night. l was closing my eyes in.
sleep for the second time, when l
seemed to see passing before me
the shadow of a man and horse,
both " WaIking without making the
least noise. l raised myself to a
sitting position, and thought l
recognized Antonio. Surprised to
see him out of the stable at such an
hour, rose and went to meet him.
He had stopped, having perceived
,ne at first.
"Where is hep" asked Antonio,
in whisper.
''In the tavern; he is asleep; he
is not afraid of the bugs. What are
you doing with that horse 2"
| noticed then that to avoid max
ing any noise in going out of the
shed, Antonio had carefully muf-
fled the feet of the animal with
pieces of an old blanket.
Don't talk so loud, for Gods
sake! You don't know who that
man is; 1t is Jose Navarro, the
most noted brigand in Andaiusia.
The entire day / have been max
ing signs to you that you would not
notice."
"Brigand or not, it is the same
thing to me- He has not robbed
us and I'll wager that he does not
want to-"
"That is all very WE'LL" he re-
piled, "but there is reward of |
two hundred ducats offered for his
arrest. l know post of lancers d
league and half away, and bOfore
daylight | will have some of them
here. / would have taken his horse,
but he is so vicious that no one but |
Navarro can approach him."
"What in the deuce is the matter
with you ?" / exclaimed. "What |
has the poor fellow done to us that |
we should denOunce him? Besides,
are you sure that he is the brigand
you are talking of?"
Perfectly sure; just short time
ago he followed me into the stable
and said to me: You have the air
of knowing me; if you tell that
gentleman who am | will blow
your brains OUT Please stay with
him you have nothing to fear; as
long as he knows you are there he
will distrust nothing"
While talking we had already
left the tavern far enough behind to
prevent the horses steps from be-
ing heard. Antonio in the twinkle
of an eye had freed his feet from the
rags that enyeloped them, and was
to jump into the saddle.
| tried entreaty and threats to pre-
vent him."
81 am poor man, SenOr," he
sad, "and two hundred ducats
ought not to be lost, especially when
it would free the country from such
vermin. But look out; if Navarro
awakes he will jump for his gun.
Take care of YOURSELF! l am too far
advanced now to back out"
The rascal was in his saddle; he
put spurs to his horse and l soon
lost sight OF him In the darkness. ] /
was very angry with the guide, and
a little apprehensive concerning
myself. After an instant of ref1ec-
ton / decided toreturn to the house.
Don Jose was still sleeping soundly,
without doubt for the
and fatigues of several ad-
days. l was obliged to
shake him rudely to arouse him.
will never forget his fierce look and
the movement he made to seize his
gun, which, as a precautionary
measure, had placed some dis
Lance from his couch.
"Senor, L beg pardon for having
awakened you, but have a foolish
question to ask you; would you be
glad to see half dozen lancers come
here ?"
He jumped to his feet, and in a
terrible voice - "Who told you of
it 2"
"It matters little where the news
came from, if it be true"
"Your guide has betrayed me,
but l will pay him for it. Where
ho oJJ