Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-07-17
THE BANDIT OUTWITTED.

IL u Dh ~ III w w l. l. L LII.
The atmosphere of California, playing
forever IN golden sunlight about the
crests of pIne-clad trees, and over vast
natural gardens nursed into ever
blooming life by the mists OF the Pa
ciic, IS just the elixir to feed the TO-
mantle element, and it is for this rea-
son, especially, that it has been selected
as favorite field by the young and the
adventurous.
1t was on one of those delightful
autumnal mornings so common to the
foothills that a traveller, handsomely
mounted, entered from the unrelieved
solitude of long stretch Of primeval
forest upon road leading through fields
of chapparal and dusty shrubbery to
the then sparsely populated districts of
Goldenvale. 1t was no bearded or
hardy veteran who thus, almost un-
armed and entirely unaccompanied,
pursued his weary journey through one
of the most dangerous districts of the
coast, but a slender though well-formed
youth not more than twenty, whose
regular features, marked with an un-
conscious air of determination, pro-
claimed him a native of a more eastern
CLINE.
He was very poorly clad, and some
xhat strangely, for the faded Spanish
costume was blended with the garb
peculiar TO the border, and the crimson
sash with its frayed edged was slung
jauntily across the left shoulder, instead
of being worn about the waist, while
the threadbare jacket was undeniably
the offspring of American industry. a
broad sombrero, in rather dIlapidated
condition, covered his handsome feat
ures, and from beneath its shade there
struggled forth upon his shoulders
profusion of glossy hair.
The only weapon of defense upon his
person was a rifle, to which Its owner
seemed to cling with a pride that is
easily comprehended by those who have
passed portion of their lives upon the
outskirts of civilization.
Having entered narrow pass at the
foot of the declivity, the wayfarer very
incautiously jumped from his horse,
and throwing his rifle over his shoulder,
while he passed the bride loosely
through his arm, he suffered the animal
to assume more leisurely gait, pausing
occasionally when a fresh patch OF
herbage appeared to invite the nostrils
of his faithful companion, who, by his
onstrations, testified that lie WAS not
insensible to his masters kindness.
Poor Ficol' soliloquized the youth.
in his native dialect, gazing in an af-
fectIonate manner upon his horse dur
ing one of these brief pauses; go where
he may, he Is always sure of an ample
meal, while L, his master, have passed
twelve weary hours without finding
food enough TO satisfy the cravings of
hunger. Well, it's all one. l am used
to roughing it, and can wait better than
Fico, whose only pleasure lies in the
filling of his stomach. Soho, Ficol' he
added, patting him, 'what has scared
you?'
This exclamation was caused by
sudden swerving motion made by the
horse, and, looking up, the young fel-
low found himself In the presence of
rough-looking customer, whose air and
attire left no room for doubt as TO his
occupation.
Itwas in the day of Joaquin Mariata,
the noted bandit, and every hour that
passed brought its record of outrage.
The intruder was attired like most
native MeXicans; his hair, of inky hue,
hung in disordered masses about his
leathern-hued face, from which peered
two coal-black eyes, and everything
about him was in the most filthy con-
dition. A revolver and knife peered
from his belt, and his hands carried d
rifle.
Halo. amigol you are taking it very
coolly, this fine morningp was the un-
expected salutation of the stranger, who
was leaning idly against a tree, at the
roots OF which the horse had stopped TO
Craze.
One had need to take it coolly, with
the thermometer about ninety-hve, and
the atmosphere like furnace replied
the youth, without exhibiting the
slightest indication of fear or irresolu-
ton.
Il will take you where you will find
it cooler said the other, advancing as
he spoke, and seizing the horses bride,
as If TO lead him away. You have
followed your own inclinations long
enough, my dainty senior; suppose, by
way Of variety, that you now follow
mine.'
The young fellow leaped suddenly
into the saddle. and grasPed his weapon
firmly.
Out of my way, ladrone, or it will
be the worse for theel' retorted the lad
in the Spanish tongue. Il am no
'greaser,' like thee, but an American,
born and bred. The blood of a warlike
and dauntless people flows in my veins,
and tell thee l will set my mark upon
thy villainous carcass in characters too
indelible to erase, if thou dost not let
90 thy holdl'
The only reply Of the ugly customer
to this burst of patriotism was rude
aud insulting laugh; but before he had
heard its echo, blow from the stock of
the SPEAKERS rife, for want Of better