Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-03-29

furious Kissing OF the wind, to which
no human sound was added.
Somewhat relieved by this silence
and solitude, i determined to go around
the old fortress; my investigation had
no result, only 1 found q kind of old
shed, in which I put MY horse. Then,
convinced that, for the time ut least,
1 was the only inhabitant Of the
tower, and consequently had nothing
to fear, / re-entered the ball. but wish
ing not to be taken by surprise, i re-
solved to ascend to the top story.
As far as / could judge in the midst
of the darkness in which / wa plunged
the upper hall was exactly like that i
had left; the same decay. the same
heap Of filth. and the same staircase
leading to a higher story.
Not TO be surprised without defense,
/ examined the caps Of my pistols; then
wrapping myself In my cloak, after a
fervent prayer, ! lay down nea the
staircase, resolved to keep awake, but
tired rs I was, my eyes closed in spite
of myself, my ideas became confused,
and l was dropping asleep, when all
at once the sound OF footsteps ringing
in my ears suddenly reused IN from
my torpor and restored me to myself.
A dozen persons had just entered the
tower. From the place where / was
lying. by advancing my head slightly.
it was possible to see them without be-
ing seen myself. They were men with
taned skins. dark faces, and stout
limbs, dressed in the rich and striking
Andalusian costume, and armed to the
teeth. They were seated around the
blazing fire, and talking earnestly,
while they threw covetous looks on two
large Golfers they had placed in a cor
ner.
The first words / heard did not per-
nit me to preserve the slightest doubt
as to their profession. They were high
way robbers, and belonged to the band
of FL Nino. a famous bandit chief, who
had succeeded Jose Maria, whose name
had become the terror Of Andalusia,
Their gestures were animated; some-
times they had their hands on their
weapons. / thought | understood that
they differed about the division OF the
booty contained in the chests. The
dispute finally became so hot that |
thought the wretches would Stay each
other.
They rose unanimously, drew their
knives, and glared at each other fierce
". when their chief suddenly appear
ed.
FL Nino was at this period a man OF
forty, tall and strongly built; his broad
shoulders and muscular arms denoted
uncommon vigor; his features were
harsh. and his expression savage; the
fantastic fire-flashes playing on his
face, gave his physiognomy n character
rendered yet more strange by the jroni-
cal smile which scanned his thick and
fleshy lips.
.'Quarrels and disputes again. he
said. in a stern, decided tone. Can't
you live in harmony, like honest rob,
bers?"
The brigands attempted a justitica-
ton which he instantly cut short.
''Silence" he said. Il won't hear
ANYTHING. Good Heaven! you were
squatting around the fire like idiotic
monks, without thinking any more OF
our common safety than if we were
alone in the universe. Luckily, am
always on the alert. Where did the
man go TO whose horse / found in the
shed?'
At these words an involuntary shud-
derran through me, and | reflected
with terror on the perilous position in
which chance and my evil destiny had
placed me. 49,.
| was literally in a trap from which
there was no escape, and | commended
my soul to Heaven, while resolving to
sell my live as dearly as possible tc
these bandits, whose ~ferocity l knew
too well to entertain the slightest
doubt as TO the fate which awaited me
should / fall into their hands.
Meanwhile the bandits, startled b.,
their captains words, had seized theiI
carbines.
I'VE do not know where the maj
YOU speak ~ is " said m of the men
Whom we came mere ..c ,o"et 49,
empty"
Possibly" replied Ell Nino. I'll
any case, two of you must search out
side the tower. He may be in hiding.
The men went out, and the captain
began striding up and down the hall
while awaiting their return.
They came back in a minute.
"Well?" asked the chief.
I'VE have not seen him" replied tn
two bandits. The horse is still in tn
shed. but there's no trace of the rider
"Humphr and the captain resumed
his tramp.
In "a moments time the captain
halted.
Has the inside of the tower beer
searched?" he asked.
No" replied the bandits. "Nt
man would be insane enough to rusl
into q VOLTS deu."
who knows?" muttered the captain
shaking his head. Perhaps the mai
We seek was here before you. ant
hearing YOU coming. knowing whom
he had to deal with. and findinl
his retreat cut off. has gone into tn,
upper stories. Let us search them. Ii
our trade W. precautions are bette
than one"
And followed by his men, Ell Nin'
went toward the staircase.
Immediately went up to the secon
story. ! soon heard the racket mad
w tue Dtuults ds thCy ScaiShON au'
rummaged in every corner.
You have seen no trace OF him?"
heard the captain say. Search highe.
up"
The tower had but two stories ant
ended in a platform, which reached
gasping, n prey to the profoundest ter
ror. TO me it was evident that no hu
man power could come to my rescue
| went back and forth and round ant
round like a wild beast. Below tn
platform was aprecipice of a hundre'
feet. My teeth chartered as If the,
would break. a coh Precipitation
bathed my face, and q conyulsiv
tremor shook my whole body. hesr'
the bandits on the stairway, springins
like blood-hounds in pursuit of ms. an
l shuddered as / calculated how many
seconds were left 10 me.
Finally, maddened by terror, | re
solved 10 spring off the tower rathe
than fall alive into the hands OF these
Villains.
Mechanically. before accomplishin:
this desperate act. / leaned my hea'
over the abyss, doubtless to measur
the chasm at the bottom OF which
would soon be crushed.