Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-05-02

Paul nodded an assent, but no sound
came from his white Ii ps.
Elsie Benton and her cousin Inez stood
upon the broad veranda looking north
ward across the narrow inlet, that
sparkled within stones throw of the
house. Beyond this small, rock walled
bay, stretched miles and miles of sandy,
rolling hills, over which the burning
sunshine lay like a sheet of flame. A
quarter Of mile to the east, large
orange grove, where a number of Mexi-
cans were at work, could be plainly
seen.
"IGez," said Elsie, pointing to the
northeast, 'what mountain is that with
a top like haystack2"
ooh, that is what is called San
Perrigo's Peak, answered Inez, land it
was named after one of the missionary
priests that came from Spain to Sonora
over a hundred years ago"
''Did he live on that mountain?" asked
Elsie
Ono; but his cabin was situated at its
base. He was killed there by the savages
about year after his arrival, and was
buried on the mountain side. There's
big marble cross standing over his
grave?'
''How I should like to visit the place!''
cried Elsie. ''Is it very far?"
''Twenty miles, answered Inez. "But
wait-Ill 60 get fathers field glass,
and she disappeared into the house, soon
returning, bringing a beautiful instru-
ment with a powerful lens.
Elsie took the glass, and adjusted it.
Then, pointing it at the mountain, she
cried:
''Why, Inez, it looks as if it wasn't
half mile away. There, IGee the cross!
1t doesn't look bigger than my finger,
though. You must tell me all about it,
Inez."
''Father has book that gives the full
history" replied Inez.
ooh, [ should like to read it ever so
much," declared Elsie, 'and-perhaps
uncle will take us to visit the mountain
some time"
''I'll ask him." answered Inez. ''But
I'll 90 bring the book and We'll read the
story" And again she entered the house
while Elsie continued to gaze with alb
sorbing interest toward the distant peak.
Presently she let the glass sweep the
broad table land lying west Of the mount
ain range AS she did so little cloud
of dust attracted her attention. Then,
as she looked more closely, she discov-
cred two horscmen galloping furiously
toward the hacienda. The second glance
convinced her that the two hOrsemen
were Don Miguel and Paul.
Suddenly little agonized cry escaped
her lips, and the glass almost fell from
her hand, as she discovered a gang of In
dams, with steel pointed lances cleaning
in the sun, flying swiftly in pursuit.
Turning about, she called loudly for
Inez, but no answer came in response.
Again she glanced across the inlet far to
the north, but only faint speck was
visible to the naked eye. The advancing
horsemen were fully four miles away.
With a trembling hand she again lifted
the glass. This time the pursuing
savages were plain to the view and with
a feeling of anguish she recognized the
awful peril in which Paul and her uncle
were placed What was to be done?
There was no time to summon the men
who we've at work in the orange grove;
but she must raise the alarm. There
might yet be hope.
Perhaps the fugitives would distance
the Indians and arrive at the hacienda in
time to bring the fruit gatherers to their
assistance. But sudden sickening fear
took possession of her. There was the
inlet, and with no boat on the far side
the fugitives could not cross it. They
might be butchered under her very eyes.
There was no time to be lost. At the rate
they were riding it would only be few
minutes till they would reach the opposite
shore of the inlet, and then if the boat
was not there
The glass dropped from her hand, and
with a cry of agony upon her lips, she
turned and fed through the house, down
the stairs and out into the yard. She
glanced quickly about her. There was no
one il sight.
"Inez, Inez, Inez."
She half shrieked the name, but Inez,