, 1890-01-25
THE CHILIAN'S OATH.

must important upon tho Pacific coast.
Take them altogether the people of Chilli
show the mos enterprise and seem the
best adapted for republican government
of any in South America, yet the COM
mon people are Of a dark. revengeful
nature, nj few foreigners find favor in
their eyes. But with the dark eyed
maidens of Chill it il different, and Yam
kee sailors always like to run into val
paraiser" for a cruise on shore, and n
happy time they rave generally.
Ned Wilton landed from the brig Yes
per. which had sprung a topmast and
stove in her quarter in n storm in the
South Pacific. 1t was a two weeks Job
to reft, and as Ned was a mar to be
trusted the "old man. gave him a free
run on shore. Ned wasn't much of a
man to drink. and most of his time was
spent in rambling about on the beautiful
mountain slopes, getting acquainted with
the dark eyed beauties of the city and
country, and enjoying himself generally.
One day while exploring the country ten
miles to the north and east of the city,
he was attracted by the sound of voices
loud in dispute, and then came woman's
cry for help. Dashing through the bushes
Ned came out in a little open space,
where he saw a beautiful girl, whom he
had met at a ~fandango in Valparaiso,
struggling in the grasp of a dark look
ing Gillian, who, if he was not a villain,
ought to have had a quarrel with his
face.
See here, my man" said Ned, you'd
better drop it. or you may chance to get
yourself into trouble"
"That advice might be as we'll applied
to yourself, %senor," replied the man,
with a dark, savage frown. IF you
will take my advice, given in the most
friendly spirit, you will take yourself
of and attend to any business of your
own which you may chance to have on
hand. No man ever interfered with
Manuel Godena who did not repent it"
"In have to leave it to the young
lady" said Ned. quietly. "If she says
that I'm in the way III walk off, as you
say, but not before"
mo, nor" cried the girl. do not
leave me alone with this man."
That's all right" said Ned. You
see that the sonora claims my help,
Manuel Godena, and FL have to trouble
you to get up and travel"
The man drew a knife and made a dash
at him. Ned knocked it out of his hand
and then and there gave him such a
thrashing as he had never received in
his life. Then, stripping him of his
weapon, he kicked him industriously
down the slope, for it 'riled' him to
have a man draw a knife.
The CHILEAN at last took to his heels,
and when nee out Of reach of Ned's No.
8 boot turned and shook his hand at him
in a m~enacing manner
clear me, Americana" he Missed, II
vow to the saints not to take rest or sleep
until l have revenge on you"
Ned answered by a contemptuous
laugh, and whirling on his heel went
back to the lady, who was trembling
with fear.
Let me escort you safely from this
place" he said. you are hardly safe
here
Thanks, senor. That man is my
cousin, and this morning he undertook
to escort me to the house of my uncle,
who has a cattle ranch over youder. But
when we reached this place he seized
ME n swore that he would carry me
to the haunt of the bandit Rosas and
there keep me until l promised to marry
him."
"He is a land pirate" said Ned, land
deserves keel hauling if ever a man did"
II do not understand that, senior" said
h girl, with a merry smile. But l
shall be your debtor forever if you will
go with me to my uncle's house"
81 am quite at your service" said Ned,
gallantly; but don't know the way
you wish to CO."
This way, senior"
She struck into u forest path after a
glance at the manly face of the Yankee
sailor. That glance was enough, for it
showed her that she was absolutely safe
with him, no matter where she might
choose to go. An hours ride brought
them to an opening, and on the slope of
the tablado before them they saw a fine
ranch surrounded by buildings and cor
rails for cattle.
This is the place, Senior Americana"
she said. will you not come to the
house and let my uncle thank your"
81 don't want any thanks for an act
which no man could AVE refused to per-
form, but will go in. Will you give me
your name? Minei is Edward Wilton, and
l am second mate of the brig Vesper."
And mine is Isola Mendez. Iremem-
Der you, senior. l danced with you at
the fandango in Valparaiso last week"
They entered the house and were met
by Senior Mendez, the uncle of Isola. He
heard her story and thanked the young
American warmly for the part he had
performed. But Ned stopped him.
1T annoys me to be thanked for so
slight a service" said Ned. Please do
not say anything more about it."
Il will try and thank you in some other
way. senior" said the rauchero. warmly.
"Now you must make a stay with me. If
Jour business will allow it, and l will try
o make it pleasant for you"
81 have a week of liberty on shore"
said Ned, land then l must be off. /
accept your invitation with pleasure,
senor."
Three or four days passed pleasantly.
the ranchero doing his best to invent
new pleasures for the Young American.