St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-18

anda with his family, chatting as much
as my limited powers as linguist would
permit. Miss Juanita entertained me
by singing several old Spanish and
Mexican baIlardS in way that thrilled
music the dilapidated guitar lacked was
made up by her really fine voice and
our romantic surroundings. was
charmed, and, though tired from my
days travel, it was with regret that L
heard Don Tivurcio's polite offer to
show me to my quarters for the night.
My room was one somewhat removed
from the others, aud furnished,
as well as l remember with a
broken stool, jar of water,
and BULBS hide; the latter. l knew
from experience, was my bed, so,
spreading my blanket upon it, l lay
down, but sleep could not. The night
was sultry, the apartment poorly
ventilated, and there seemed to be
thousand creeping things on my body.
then Selling my blanket, rushed out
into the open air. After walking about
for a while l spread my blanket under
stunted palm some distance from the
house, and, diSrobing, | gave each of my
garments good shaking, and having
donned them, lay down, determined
to sleep as much of the night as
possible. ~
Here" said. sit is cool; can sleep
now" The thousand voices of a tropic
night seemed to invite to Slumber, and
my feet were already on the threshold
of dreamland when there came breezy,
WhiStling sound, and what / took to be
large night bird swept past me, actu-
al tx, lr., hi To- I CT
was rather startling, but looking about
me and seeing nothing l lay down
again. Scarcely were my eyes closed
before the ruStling noise was heard
again. Though this time its wings did
not touch mo, the creature passed quite
near enough to bring decided GOODNESS
to my face. l am not superStltiOuS, but
am ready to confess that just theneyery
wild story and legend of ill-omened
birds that I have ever heard
OF read came back to me with
remarkable force, and for the
moment was as much terrified as a
child listening to blood-curdling ghost
story. l lay still. however, for what
else was left me? sit will never do"
/ said, "tO 60 back to the house, can
wings again! They came as regularly
as the movements of a clock. Yes.
with even fascinating precision; and
fascinating is the word, for those wings
now had an interest for lie akin to mag
netism. The regularity with which
they came and went seemed analogous
to the Well-timed passes of meSmerlst.
Once more-they are here and gone!
was waiting anXiously now each time
for their coming, and l remember think
ing that the failure of my aerial visitor
to put in an appearance at the proper
moment would render me wretched
Now" said, II can Sleep" and l
slept.
To MY mind there is nothing we'll de-
fined as regards the remainder of that
night. l have faint recollection of
placing my hand on my neck, and be-
ing startled when it came in contact
with large, living something-a some
thing that struggled in my hand and
was glued to my threat. There was an
other creature fastened to my cheek,
near the left temple, and yet another
was clinging to my breast, which [ had
left barred, owing to the warmth of the
night. Even in my seml-conscious
state l was aware that these Great
ures were drawing the life tide
from my veins, but | had neither the
strength nor inclination to rid myself of
biTIus All utLCI lilulllCICliCO W oil
things came over me. My mind was
troubled by no regrets as to things past
or misgivings in regard to the things OF
the future; for once in my life. at least,
/ experienced sense of absolute rest.
Another moment and sleep was upon
me. Not dreamlesS sleep, though.
1t seemed that was prone at noontide
within some shady grove, while the air
was heavy with the breath of countless
rare and beautiful flowers. Strange,
shadowy forms, borne on huge piniOns,
circled about me, but their ever-restless
wings cooled my fevered frame, and
felt no dread of them whatever.
But at last awOke. | was aroused
by the frightened cries of Juanita. She
was holding my head in her arms, and
l remember hearing her say: Awake,
sir! awake! You should not sleep
My God! The blood! the bloodI o
mother, come at once. The poor Amer
lean has been killed by the vampires.
My God, what can do? He is deadI"
Then [ felt one of her hands as she
placed 1t over my heart. l remember
hearing her say joyfully: mo; he yet
lives. God, thank theeE And then
| lost consciousness.
1t was five weeks before / recovered
sufficiently to continue on my journey.
Never in my life was l treated with
more kindness than by Don Tivurcio,
his wife and daughter.