The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-01-31
THE CHILIAN'S OATH.

Lille UHlLIANS ) UAlH.
The city of Valparaiso is one of the
most important upon the Pacific coast.
Take them altogether the people of Chill
show the most enterprise and seem the
best adapted for republican government
of any in South America, yet the COM
mon people are of dark, revengeful
nature, and few foreigners find favor in
their eyes. But with the dark eyed
maidens of Chill it is different, and Yam
lee sailors always like to run into ''Val-
paraiser" for a cruise on shore, and a
happy time they have generally.
Ned Wilton landed from the brig YES
per, which had sprung a topmast and
stove in her quarter in a storm in the
South Pacific. 1t was two weeks job
to refit, and as Ned was man to be
trusted the "old man" gave him free
run on shore. Ned wasn't much of a
man to drink, and most of his time was
spent in rambling about on the beautiful
mountain slopes, getting acquainted with
the dark eyed beauties of the city and
country, and enjoying himself generally
One day while exploring the country ten
miles to the north and east of the city,
he was attracted by the sound of voices
loud in dispute, and then came a woman's
cry for help. Dashing through the bushes
Ned came out in a little open space,
where he saw q beautiful girl, whom he
had met at a fandango in Valparaiso,
IN 1,o of IL, L.
ing Chilian, who, if he was not a villain,
ought to have had quarrel with his
face.
''See here, my man. said Ned, "you'd
better drop it, or you may chance to get
yourself into trouble"
''That advice might be as we'll applied
to yourself, senor," replied the man,
with a dark, savage frown. "If you
will take my advice, given in the most
friendly spirit, you will take yourself
off and attend to any business of your
own which you may chance to have on
hand. No man ever interfered with
Manuel Godena who did not repent it. -
"Ill have to leave it to the young
lady," said Ned, quietly. ''If she says
say, but not before"
"No, nor cried the girl. ''Do not
leave me alone with this man."
''That's all right" said Ned. "You
see that the sonora claims my help,
Manuel Godena, and I'll have to trouble
you to get up and travel"
The man drew knife and made dash
at him. Ned knocked it out of his hand
and then and there gave him such a
thrashing as he had never received in
his life. Then, stripping him of his
weapon, he kicked him in1ustriously
down the slope, for it "riled' him to
have man draw a knife.
The Chilian at last took to his heels,
and when once out of reach of Ned's No.
s boot turned and shook his hand at him
in menacing manner.
''Hear me, Americana" he hissed, 81
vow to the saints not to take rest or sleep
until have revenge on you."
Ned answered by a contemptuous
laugh, and whirling on his heel went
back to the lady, who was trembling
with fear.
''Let me escort you safely from this
place. he said. "You are hardly safe
here"
"Thanks, senior. That man is my
cousin, and this morning he undertook
to escort me to the house of my uncle,
who has cattle ranch over yonder But
when we reached this place he seized
me and swore that he would carry me
to the haunt of the bandit Rosas and
there keep me until promised to marry
him."
''He is a land pirate" said Ned, ''and
deserves keel hauling if ever man did. u
Il do not understand that, senor," said
the girl, with a merry smile 'But !
shall be your debtor forever if you will
| go with me to my uncle's house"
81 am quite at your service" said Ned,
gallantly; "but don't know the way
| you wish to CO."
This way, senor."
She struck into forest path after a
| glance at the manly face of the Yankee
sailor. That glance was enough, for it
| showed her that she was absolutely safe
| with him, no matter where she might
choose to go. An hours ride brought
them to an opening, and on the slope of
the tablado before them they saw fine
ranch surrounded by buildings and cor.
rails for cattle.
"This is the place, Senior Americana .
she said. "Will you not come to the
house and let my uncle thank you?"
81 don't want any thanks for an act
which no man could have refused to per-
form, but l will go in. Willy give me
your name? Mine is Edward Wilton, and
lam second mate of the brig Vesper."
"And mine is Isola Mendez. Iremem-
ber you, senior. l danced with you at
the fandango in Valparaiso last week"
They entered the house and were met
by Senior Mendez, the uncle of Isola. He
heard her story and thanked the young
American warmly for the part he had
performed. But Ned stopped him.
at annoys me to be thanked for SO
slight a service" said Ned. please do
not say anything more about it."
Il will try and thank you in some other
way, senor," said the ranchero, warmly.
Snow you must make a stay with me, if
your business will allow it, and l will try
! to make it pleasant for YOU"
81 have week of liberty on shore, ~
said Ned, land then l must be off. l
accept your invitation with pleasure,
senor."