The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1890-10-17

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fore; Don Walter Arroyo Is not at tn
Norte; he is in this country. He is YER
bold about it, too, and l have just see
him."
J "Have you, indeed? remarkable, ism
it, considering he returned by the steam
er some days ago." indulging in a sal
casm which was very rare for him.
The informant was quite chapfallen a
this II have been up the pass for som
time" said he, "and didn't know wha
was going on here"
mo, I'll warrant you didn't, nor any
where else either. Awhile ago you toll,
me you had seen peon you suspected Il
be Don Walter. At the same tim
another of my men had heard peol
who seemed to be something more thar
peon talking with Dona Beatriz. Be
tween you, you made out that it mus
be the same one. set q watch for hin
ON your recommendation at Dona Bea
triz's house, but he has not turned u,
there. Ifyou can tell me anything usefu
about that mysterious person, and wher,
and when he is going to dig up the num-
treasure, 20 ahead, In Gods name. 4
you can't, be off with you before l warn
you with this whip. Don't give me an,
more prophecies of Peregrullo."
He half raised his whip, but, relent
ing, went on:
"What fine pair you were, anyway
to let your interesting individual give
you the slip and vanish out Of sight en-
tirely, while you took time to refresh
yourselves and bring back the news oil
his presence to me"
lit was the earthquake, your most ex.
allied excellency, that broke up every.
thing. The man seemed to be swallowed
up in it, and we were all terribly alarm.
ed, because it was the worst known in
many years"
cam / one to be talked to of your
alarms-I to whom fear is absolutely un.
known"
81 don't know how it is, but somehow
still think 1 was right about him."
"About whom?"
"Don Walter. He's coming down the
mountain now with lot of men carry
ing off heaven only knows what, though
he will probably affect not to belong to
them"
"What is all this to me, you? What
have to do with your Don Walter OF
Don devil, anyway"
"He is man who ridicules your ex.
cellency," responded Pablo, artfully,
seeking sting.
"Caramba! I am not person to be
ridiculed, and have noticed the young
sprig is much given to ridiculing people.
Well, then, what do you say he is carry.
ing OFF,
Being on the mountain again, with
my eyes about me, a few days ago, saw
Don Walter come up with Trinidad
Jose. l had followed them to Cruce
Vivo, and thence to the Barranca of
Cimarron. had much difficulty, on &C.
count of many men who seemed to be on
guard, but still had an opportunity to
Gee that some mysterious operations were
going on at the Barranca Numerous
persons came up carrying heavy bags.
I managed to mingle with them at Ell
Jasmin, and found that they were the
same ones that had been engaged in the
procession. They had brought back the
statues, and they now pretend that there
is scarcity Of provisions at Rio Frio,
and they embrace the chance to carry
there what is needed. But it is my
opinion that this is only bind and they !
are taking away something valuable
from the Barranca."
"But you have told me yourself the
Barranca is an utterly disagreeable,
useless place. 1t is because he forced
you to go there that You hate him."
eyes; but l have sometimes thought
since that he might have found some
thing worth while in it."
"Then why the devil didn't you 60
down and see?''
"The Yellow Snake is very unlucky,
your illustrious excellency."
"Ah, bah. Well, I'll take look into
the baggage of these worthies-at your
risk, do you understands; if l find you
have been deceiving me it will be worse
for you. Just now, you observe, have
other things to do"
"But they are only just behind me.
hurried on in advance to warn you.
They may get off with their plumber if
you do not look well to it."
At the junction of the main road with
that to Las Delicias and the mountain
path lay group Of roofess buildings,
the vestiges of a country house ruined in
former wars. Fortunately for Senior
Corcovedo, who could not fully make up
lis mind to change his plan of going to
)lay the ruffian and tyrant at the haci-
,nda, the small cortege of the del Prado
amily was approaching, and already
lear this point. Corcovedo drew up his
orce across the road and intercepted
hem.
Almost at the same moment Capt Pc
ez dashed up, on his way to rejoin Wal.
er. This was the first semblance of dan
er he had fallen in with, but he felt it
night have been much worse when he
anne to learn the intention of the Jefe
'olitico. Though he had no great inter-
st in Gen. del PradO, he had not little
4 Amy on Walters account. With an
polite way he well knew
ow to employ at need, he begged to
fer his mediation, but this Senior Cor
ovedo brusquely rejected.
81 demand your passport" he had i
aid, roughly, to the general, on hating I
i'm. =
"My passport? What need have l of :
passport, who am so well known to 4
ou?" I
II have received orders that all persons q
aveling without passports are to be ar
,sted, and the laws concerning conspir-
~ applied to them" I
'sSuch a law was indeed talked OF q.