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


instinctively comprehending and par
ticipating in his masters feelings.
sprang forward at the instant and
obeyed his slightest touch with an alac-
rity which BETRAYED his blood.
The plain is too wide for US, Pm
afraid, my good Fico.' muttered the
rider, and he retraced his steps. we
must take to the old road again; il is
longer. but safer, and, though l have
no fears for myself, the interests of
| others are involved in our mutual
safety, and we must reach Santa Rosa
by nlghtfall, or we may both chance to
catch it. So, down, rebellious stom-
achl for we must both fast together
now
Rapidly did Fico retrace the ground
which he had travcrsed during the pre-
cedlng morning; the earth seemed sud
denly to have become possessed of elias
tic qualities, so lightly did the good
steed bound over all Instructions.
Trees, mountains, landmarks, seemed
TO fly past him as he went. Occasion
ally their way was crossed by a tree
thrown down by some tempest's force,
but the steed cleared it with all the ease
| that thoroughly trained and high
mettled racer would have exhibited in
1 =
The rider was at last congratulatlng
himself that he had outridden pursuit.
| when loud peal of laughter aroused
| him from reverie into which he had
| fallen, and, looking around, he found
| that, instead of riding away from his
| enemies, he had only thrown himself
| into their tolls. In his abstraction lie
| had suffered his horse TO take a wrong
/ direction, and was aroused to a con-
| sclousneSs of the error into which be
had fallen by the sounds aforesaid.
'Outwitted, by all that's unluckyl'
he muttered, angrily. They have set a
snare for US, and like silly perch we
have glided into a net from which
there is no retreating. But I'll lend
them merry chase before they take
me-
Poor childl' we are too many this
time, it seems said one, advancing
from among his companions, and as he
approached, the young rider recognized
In him the grim-visaged parsonage,
whom he had used SO roughly. But
don't be downcasr. I'll forgive the
thump got from you this morning, 50
you'll get down and allow yourself TO
be taken like respectable gentleman,
for, (qulZzically regarding the others
clothes), although | have the advant-
age in years, between ourselves, amigo,
L think we are of the same trade
The unknown youth glanced at the
scowling faces about him, but they
were all of a pattern, and with what
grace he could, dismounted.
You have the game all to yourselves,
senors,' he said, fearlessly approaching
them. Il surrender myself freely into
Eaanfnn nd no ha },
such fare as you may see fit to give me,
provided, when you have sufficiently
amused yourself with my distress, and
ascertained, moreover, that my purse
Is as slender as your own, you will re-
turn EIco and my rifle TO me uninjured.'
'Tolerably well SAID for young
scamp whose beard is not grownl' ex-
claimed he who appeared to be the
leader of the band. DO you know
what it is in our power To do with you
if we choose?'
Il can imagine it; but the world-re-
nowned politeness and good faith of a
Mexican are sufficient guarantee that |
am in good keeping replied the cap
tive, ironically.
Satan himself could not take it more
coolly,' was the rejoinder. We'll,
never mind, lad; we like thy spirit. and
perhaps you are none the worse for youI
boldness. Thy requests are both
granted; but, first, to withdraw the
charge of thy rifle, whose bark Is far
more agreeable than its bite. What
no ammunition? well then, let us see
if there is anything concealed about
thy person
'Oh' said the stranger laughing,
that charge was expended before the
other
THIS operation, like the other, WAS
very quickly performed, when the
young fellow was allowed TO accompany
them. After a tramp of some minutes
they arrived at a deserted rancho to
the adobe dwelling of which they were
at once admitted.
The unknown adyenturer glanced
around him with an air of suspicion as
they entered this ill-omene abode,
with its small, deep dungeOn-like Will
dows, and walls six feet III thickness,
its hard earthen floors, Its rough clay
walls, its rudely constructed leather
seated furniture. In a subterIaneous
apartment, in which his eyes were
blindfolded, his captOrs turned him
several times around, and he was con-
Quoted forward.
immediately he became conscious,
from the change III the atmosphere,
which had become suddenly cold and
damp. with a strong current of un-
healthy air, that he was traVersing an
underground passage.
a dead silence for some duration
ensued, when his hands were unbound,
and he was told that lie might remove
his bandage and look about him. He
Obeyed the intimation with alacrity,
a 1t -
sight which met his gaze.
He found himself standing almost
upon the verge of ledge of rock, ele-
waited some fifty feet above the ground,
which formed the floor OF an extensive
cavern into which he had been con-
duc5e by his captors. An immense fire
was burning in the centre, lighting up
the walls and sides, which we're of mar
bic, veined and interlaced with brilliant
colors, retreating into inches and de-
pressions, with here and there a cavity
or statuesque projection, and myriads
of colorS reflected in the countless
stalactiteS which hung suspended from
the cavernous roof.
Around this fire a band of not less
than fifty persons was congregated,
variouSly engaged-some shouting forth
bacchanalian songs at a pitch of voice
which made the cave reSound; others
playing monte, and many making them
selves merry in the company of viva
cious female associates aud the influ-
ence of repeated doses OF aqua diente
of which there appeared IN this place
to be plentiful supply.
II was a scene for an artist to eXer-
else his talents upon. The various col
ored dresses of the outlaws, their
strongly marked swarthy features, the