San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-01-21


Secundra, in the midst Of threats and cruel
ties, stuck to it with extraordinary 10y atty
that he was quite ignorant of his masters
plans which might indeed be true, and Of
tho manner of his escape. which was demon
straby false Nothing was therefore left TO
the conSpirators but to rely entirely Oh the
skill of Mountain. The night had been frosty,
the ground quite hard, and the sun was 10
sooner up than a strong thaw set in IL was
Mountains boast that few men could have
followed that trail, and still fewer even of
the native Indians) found it, The master had
thus a long start before his pursuers had the
scent, and he must have travelled with sur
prising energy for a pedestrian so unused,
since 1t was near noon before Mountain had
a view Of him.
At this conjumcture the trader was alone,
all his companions following, ct his own re-
quest, several hundred yards in the rear; he
knew the master was unarmed: his heart was
besides heated with the exercise and lust OF
hunting; and seeing the quarry so Close. 50
defenseless and seemingly 50 fatigued. he
vajugloriou.ly determined to effect the cap,
ture with his single hand step or two
further brought him u one margin OF Il li1tle
clearing; Oh the other, with his arms folded
1t is possible Mountain may have made
rustic, it is certain, at least the master raised
his head and gazed directly at that quarter
of the thicket where his hunter lay. Il
could not be sure he saw me- Mountain said
The just looked my way like man with his
mind made up, and all the courage ran Out of
me like rum out of bottle" And presently,
when the master looked away again and APP
he had sat immersed before the traders com
ing, Mountain skunk Steathily back and re.
turned to seek the help of his companions
And now began the chapter Of surprises,
for the scout had scarce informed the others
of his discovery, and they were yet prepar
ing their weapons for rush upon the fugi
tive, when the man himself appeared in their
midst, walking openly and quietly, with his
hands behind his back.
"Ah, men!n says he, on his beholding them.
Here is foI tunate encounter. Let us get
back to camp"
Mountain had not mentioned his own weak.
ness or the masters disconcerting gazs upon
the thicket, So that with all the rest his re-
turn appeared spontaneous. For all that, a
hubbub arose; oaths few, fists were shaken,
and guns pointed
LET us get back to camp" said the master.
81 have an explanation to make, but it must
be laid before you all. And in the mean
while would put up these weapons, one Of
which might very easily go of and blow away
your hopes of treasure. | would not kill"
says he, smiling, 'the goose with the golden
eggs"
The charm of his superiority once max.
triumphed; and the party, in no particular
order, set off on their return. By the way,
he found occasion to get a word or two apart
with Mountain.
"You are a clever fellow and bold" says
he, "but [ am not so sure that you are doing
yourself justice. would have you to con
slider whether you would not do better, ay,
and safer, to serve me instead of serving 50
commonplace a rascal rs Mr., Harris. Con
slider of it," he concluded, dealing the man a
gentle tap upon the shoulder, land don't be
in haste. Dead or alive, you will find me an
i'll man to quarrel with