Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-11-03

ON \ MOUNTAIN LEDGE.
.'Senorita, SSH. Scnorita.'' reached
in n low whisper the ears of Senorita
Mercedes Guulaloupe Grenados, rs she
swung lazliy in the hammock on the
wide %vcrandah.
WHO is it?' she asked in Spanish.
'Pablo!' came in the same low
whisper.
Good Pablo, come here"
A tall negro. showing in the slightly
coppcry hue OF the skin the mixture Of
Indian blood, stole cautiously across the
open space between the house and the
tnick bushes. and almost crawling,
reached the place where his young mis-
tre,S was.
"Wcil, Pablo. what news?' eagerly
demanded the young girl.
'All lost, ~senoria. All lost..'
And Don Enrique?'
.'Out IN dc bush dar, hidin' n de
canes
But why don't lie come in? What
does he want to stay there for?"
''Indians chasin' of him-de Canca-
nos" answered the peon grayely.
WHAT
Eyes, %scnorita. Fo' for DAYS now.
And Don Enrique he say mus get I
mountains now. quick"
What does he want?"
WANT some money, an some food,
an some clothes, senorita."
The young girl hesitated a moment,
and then said. sharply:
..lDn hln 0n To Don Enriunc and foil
him to 90 to the old hut down in the
swamp. I'll be there in halt an hour"
As the peon turned TO execute the or
der, the girl ran into the house. and
once more silence fell upon the place.
The revolution, one of those |unsuccess-
full revolutions of which the history OF
Columbia is full, was just over, and Don
Enrique Gonzales found himself on the
losing side.
Under ordinary circumstances he
might have surrendered; but when he
heard that the dreaded Indians of the
great Canca Valley had been placed
ppon his track. he kncwt there was moth.
ing to 90 but to fly. For these men arc
noted in the northern part of South
America for the fact that they never
give or take quarter. They are like hu
man b~loodhOunds; their one idea is Il
kill. Don Enrique had good reason tc
make most OF his time with the Canca
nos after him.
Down in the can swamp stood a.
old palm house. the sides made of up
right sticks split from the black palm
and dashed TO Cross-pleceS, and the roo
heavily matched. Here. sitting on
log in the shadow, was Don Enrique,
young fellow about twenty-seven, Will,
lying on the ground was the peon
Pablo.
Suddenly the Pcon raised his head.
'Somethin' comm. senor.''
The two listened for a minute, an,
then through the only path TO the hu
came "a large mule, saddled and bridled
followed by another one, upon whicl
was the scnorita.
Don Enrique had the girl in his arms
almost before the animal stopped NOV
inc. and the whispered words of en-
dearmcnt. the rapturous kisses an,
looks which the two gave each other
told the old, old story plainly.
''But. dearest, why have you got you
habit?" be asked at last.
observation-disclosures Oh Rique
you must let me 90 with you!' she said
trembling as she spoke.
Impossible! You do not know wha
this trip means
but | must! Today" she went on
with a blush. would have been on
wedding. and l cannot cannCtcle
you 90 alone.'
lin great perplexity, Don Enriqu
looked at peon for advice.
Pablo had served his father as well a
iimsclf. and Pablo's forefathers ha'
served the house. first as slaves. am
then rs freemen. ever since the tirs
Gonzales had settled in the valley. II
reply TO the look. the pcon gave 4 grunt
..i'ut-but, Mercedes said the youn;
man. turning to her, ''low could yo'
eros, the mountains?"
Pablo can carry me-can you not
Pablof'
Yes. scnorita," tho pcon answered
Very WE'LL" he answered in u re
signed tone. But we've got TO star
now. Come On. Pablo
Placing the girl on her mule again
Don Enrique mounted his, and. led b
the pcon. the party made their way on
of the cane into the main road. Ono
on this, they pushed ahead rapidly
Pablo keeping up without the slighte,
difficulty.
The road, which at first was goot
gradually got wilder and rouglier. ur
til, rs they went up the mountains. tn
mules would stop and pant every no,
and then before beginning one OF III
fri.hiful climbs, during which they ha'
10 almost spring from rock to rock
Still up, and up. the mules climbed
urged IN rs much rs possible by ihei
riders.
Suddenly Pablo, who had been look
ing back, said
Look. nor.
And Don Enrique. turning. saw IA
below q string of what seemed like lii
tie brown boys. carrying long sticks
crossing an open space.
Eight, nine. ten he counted, in
tone of some bitterness. well, if W,
must fight, we must" he went on, set
ting his teeth hard. and mechanical,
loosening his revolver.
mo fight here, s%enor," said the peor
earnestly. No good here. Up dcre,'
pointing as he spoke to . peak abou
J three miles from them.
ALI right, Pablo"