Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-05-10

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place for an American with twelve thou
sand dollars in gold in his possession TO
stay-even long enough to bait his horse.
AS sat in my saddle debating what was
best to do under the circumstances, a
mounted horsemsp rode slowly past. We
exchanged quick glances. l saw at once
that he was a / lropean born-a dark,
smooth, keen visagei man, with pair OF
intensely black and glittering eyes, which
seemed to bore one through like gimlet.
Refining up his horse, he lifted his wide
brimmed hat cautiously. 81 beg your
pardon, he said, "but see you are an
American and stranger as well. Else"
Lowering his voice-''you would bard
/ IL be seeking refreshments for man and
beast in this hole, where the brigand
Manuel Sperros makes his headquarters
whenever he happens this way"
Now, had heard of this Manuel since
coming, to Mexico, and as you may be as
sured, had no desire to meet him, par
ticularly with such a sum of money in my
possession. And, as briefly as possible, l
explained the situation, giving my new
acquaintance, who introduced himself as
John Gordon, to understand that l was
taking an equestrian trip through this
particular section simply from freak Of
my own.
E'You will come home with me, =" he
said at once. F'My hacienda is small, but
I can at least make you comfortable, and
countryman of my own is perfect
godsend."
Overriding my protestations, which [
confess were rather faint, Gordon, with
gentle insistence, led the way; and as we
rode slowly through the outskirts of the
village, he told me by snatches something
of his personal history, which found ex-
tremely interesting, though of course far
too long to give in anything like detail.
1t is sufficient for the purposes of this
story to say that after decidedly check
cred existence he had drifted to Mexico,
where he wooed and won Spanish lady
of impoverished family, owning a small
estate in the suburbs of Tampasca, which
he had inherited at her death.
By the time MIR. Gordon had
concluded what he had to say
concerning himself we had reached
his home-a small adobe building, COM
pletely empowered in the foliage of a
tropical climate. A ragged half breed
took charge of our horses, and after the
usual meal of frijoles, with salad, and a
peppery stew prepared by the old crone,
who acted as Gordon's housekeeper, we
repaired to the veranda with our cigars.
Without any exaggeration, | think my
host was one of the most entertaining
men I have ever met before or since. He
would seem to have been everywhere and
seen everything during decidedly varied
life. And he told story after story of
wild adventure, which might or might
not have been true. I believed them i'm
plicitly, for [ was comparatively young
then, and had not the lack of faith in
human veracity which has come with adj
vancing years. Gradually he changed
the conversation to myself and my own
personal concerns. And so skillfully did
he do this, that before I knew it he drew
out of me not only my real business but
the nature Of my errand to Pachuca, as
we'll as what were the contents of the
small valise Twas so jealousy guarding.
'"Twelve thousand dollars is more
money than I should care to travel with
in these parts, especially when Manuel
Sperros is in the vicinity" he said,
Struggling his shoulders. ''But Of course
you go armed. It is a duty you owe to
both yourself and those whose money
you have in you, Neeping."
With what I no fancy was something
of flourish, I pr..ed out a serviceable
double -barreled pistol.
Il keep this always within reach by
day and night, " was my reply, with the
| lofty manner peculiar to youth.
Gordon nodded approvingly, and I
went on: - -. - .>:.+.:=e.
what sort Of a-a-person, in looks
more particularly, is this bold highway
mana" asked, half scofingly. For, to
tell the truth, I regarded the stories had
heard of the exploits of the then cele-
brated bandit as being highly colored af-
! ter the true Mexican fashion. And, in
fact, had no great amount of faith in
the courage of the Mexican highwayman
any way.
Gordon tossed away the stump of his
cigar and lighted another before reply
ing: 49,. -.--~-.-ss..- -.
"Well," he said slowly, II suppose
gave seen hIn III disguise hanging ABOUT
the pulqueria in town-in fact, am per-
fectly sure l have. He is man about
my size and build, with a heavy beard
and mustache and rather sharp black
eyes. He speaks both Spanish
and English fuently, and I be-
lieve prides himself On never having shed
human blood during rather remarkable
! career. in which he has set the Mexican