San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-04-02

prised me was to hear dull, moaning noise
very regular and disquieting, that sounded
from the interior OF the hut. l listened and
hit on the exploitation. Twas the sound of
snoring.
Drawing nearer with caution, noticed, in
that end Of the hut which stood over the
stream, a gap, or window hole. The sound
issued through this like the whirring of a
dozen looms He must be an astonishing
fellow, =" thought |, that can snOre in this
fashion. I'll have a peep before l wake him"
| waded down till stood under the sill, put
both hands upon it, and, pulling myself up
quiet as q mouse, stuck my face in at the win
dow, and then very nearly set back into the
brook for fright.
For 1 had gazed straight down into the up
turned faces of Capt. Settle and his gang.
How long | stood there, with the water
rushing past my ankles, and my body turn
ing from cold 70 hot and back again, can
not tell you But twas until, hearing no
pause in the sleepers' chorus, found courage
for another peep; and that must have been
some time.
There were but six raScals besides the cap
tain $50 that Jacques must have died hard,
thought h, and such rattle of arms and legs
and swollen upturned faces as they made
defy you to picture. For they were packed
close as behring's, and the hut was filled up
with their horses, ready saddled and rubbing
shoulder TO Ioin so narrow was the room. 1t
needed the open window to give them air;
aud, even 50, twas not over fresh inside.
had no mind to stay; but before leaving
found myself in the way of playing these vii
lains pretty trick. To right and left of the
window, above their heads, extended two
rude shelves that now were heaped with
what | conjectured to he the spoils of the
larder of the Three Cups" Holding my
breath and thruStng my head and shoulders
into the room, | ran my hand along and was
quickly possessed Of boiled ham, two CaponS,
a loaf, the half Of cold pie and a basket
holding three dozen eggs. All these prizes |
fllched one 10y one, with infinite caution.
| was gently pulling the basket through
the window hole, when | heard one of the
crew yawn and stretch himself in his sleep
So, determining to risk no more, | quickly
packed the basket, Slung it on my right arm,
and with the ham graSped by the knuckle in
my left, made my way up the stream.
Twas thus laden that | entered the dingle,
and came on tie sad sight therein set down
the ham a thing to be ashamed of, and
barred my head. The girl lifted her face, and
turning, all white and tragical, saw me-
MY father is dead, sir"
| stopped and piled a heap of fresh snow
over the blood stains. There was no intent
in this but to hide the pity that chOked me.
She had still to hear about her brother, An
thony Turning, as by a sudden thought,
took her hand. She looked into my eyes, and
ner own filed with tears. Twas the human
touch that lOOsened their flow, think; and
sinking down again beside her father she
wept her fill
Mistress killigrew,' | said, as soon as the
first violence of her tears was abated, Il have
still sonic news that Is i'll hearing. Your
enemies are encamped in the woods, about a
, half mil" h"lo" this'-and with that told
my story.
''Ihey have done their worst, sir"
"No."
She looked at l"o with question on her
lin.
Said l. 'sYou must believe ne vet a short
while without uuestioning.n
Considering for moment. she nodded.
You have a right. sir, to he trusted. though
know not so much As your name Then we
must STAY close in hiding." she added, very
sensibly. though with the last word her voice
trailed off, and She began again to weep.
But in time having covered the dpad barO-
nets body with SPRAYS of the withered brack-
en-, drew her to a little distance and pre-
vailed on her to nibbIe a crust of the loaf
Now. all this while, it must be remembered,
was in nv shirt sleeves and the weather
bitter cold Which at length her sorrow al
lowed Ter To- notice.
..Wby. Won are shivrriur sorern She said
and. running. drC-y NV buff coat from her
fathers bJdy. and nanI it out to me,
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