The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-13

OF m0u0te0 monsters. lnen tney DeRau
their magnificent ride, flying like falcons
around our camp in . circle which With
every second was becoming smaller and
narrower. When they were near enough
they slackened their speed for an instant,
and Unexpectedly sent cloud Of arrows,
which however, did not do rs any damage.
"Fuegol" sounded the voice Of Morino.
and five shots saluted the hostile band.
But when the smoke dispersed we saw
that only one Indian was lying on the
grass. The Caribs watched us closely and
as soon as they saw that We were ready to
fire they changed their course rapidly and
dispersed in all directions in such q manner
that it was impossible to take . good aim.
Hence, this unfortunate result.
And, again, they began to ride in circle
nearer and near. repeating the former tao
tics.
But this time they were bound to be dis
appointed,
II tell you what. Amigos" said Don
Rafael. I'VE have repeating rifles. conse-
quently. when say fuego, let us fire in
quick succession"
"Bueno," we answered. waiting for the
signal.
The Caribs were again approaching very
near, but before they could discharge
their bows. Don Rafael Numbered:
"Fuegol'
One, two, three, four, five times in sue
cession we fred in the crowd of astonished
savages, who did not know anything about
the repeating rifles. We had the grim
satisfaction to see many dark bodies
writhing on the grass in mortal agony.
The Indians profited apparently by this
lesson, for they did not try to surround us
any more, but withdrew to a certain dis
distance, where. as we could judge, they
held q consultation.
81 suppose they will leave us in peace
now after the reception they received"
said /.
No, senor," answered Matagalpa. these
demons never give up any thing until they
are forced to do so. know them too
well. Mire, senior, they send messenger
to u.s."
In reality the prediction of Zambo was
soon fulfilled, though in q different man.
ner than / expected. From the ranks of
the Indians rode out a Carib of immense
stature and mounted on q horse which
could carry even an Hercules. His naked
breast aud his face were painted
red and black, and on his
head be had crown of hoco's (crax alec
tori feathers. In his hand he carried q
large twig of jicaro-an emblem of peace of
the Caribs.
eff the senior will allow, / will go and
ask what does this demon want" SAID Mat
agalpa.
Every well," answered Don Rafael, Ego
and see what he has to say"
Matagalpu put down his rife, broke q
twig of jicaro and went TO meet the mes
senger.
The conversation of the two ENJOYS
lasted not very long. In about aquarter of
an hour Matagalpa returned with smile
of satisfaction on his grim face.
"Ino cosa es 2" asked Don Rafael.
"Senor." answered Zambo, 'the devil of
an Indian proposes duel The
Caribs intend to send the most
renowned warrior from their ranks
to fight with anybody from our
party. If we lose, we have to surrender
our ammunition and return home. without
proceeding any farther; if we win. the
| Caribs will not modest us at all, and we can
| proceed toward the mountains.
Nonsense" said Moreno, with our
arms we can defy them. Who would fight
| duel with q savagef"
Dispense Usted," said Matagalpa
slowly, but accepted the duel and will
| fight"
| "What?n
| ISL. senior, accepted the challenge"
| "Then you must be crazy or q fool, ("
Numbered Don Rafael.
| 'Senor," spoke Matagalpa implor-
ingly, 81 served you and your
house for five years like slave.
never committed myself, and never will!
| / never asked you favor, and you must
| remember that l saved your life once on q
| hunting expedition. Do me this favor, it
| is the first and will be the last. Give me
| permission to fight that savage"
Moreno looked in my eyes as if to ask
| for an advice. | smiled.
"Esta bueno," said my friend, "you can
| fight
"Gracias senor," said Zambo simply.
"But how will you fight?" / asked.
"With lassos, senor."
"With lassos? But you have none"
mo. senior, have one, }" answered Mata-
| galpa as he took from his travelling bag a
magnificent lasso prepared from the skin
| of tapir."
Are YOU going to fight on horseback or
| on foot" asked farther.
ION horseback, senor.''
"Then you had better to take my horse ("
said good-naturedly, for my horse was
| the best of all.
Matagalpa gladly accepted my offer, and
| as sign that everything was ready for the
| combat he unfurled long piece of white
| sheeting.
| We had not very long to wait. Out of
| the midst of the Indians rode a Garth of
| gigantic stature, mounted on a powerful
bay horse. On his head the warrior had a
crown of black hoco's feathers, the upper
| part of his body was naked and painted red
and black. According to the agreement
he had no arms, but lasso.
| The sun shone brightly and in its golden
| rays we could admire the graceful,
| yet full of manly vigor, movements Of the
savage, as he rode slowly, yet fearlessly to-
| wards our camp. Arriving within about
half of the distance between the band of
| the Indians and our camp, he halted his
horse and remained motionless like a cen.
| taur.
| Now it was Matagalpa's turn to ride for
| ward; but TO our great surprise the Zambo
did not move from his position. As
| if in q trance our peon remained
motionless, his mouth wide open, his eyes
shining with strange light. the veins on
his forehead visible like cords.
| "What does it signifyf" we asked each
| other in establishment, for 1t was impossi-
BILE to think that our brave, courageous
| Zambo should show the white feather.
"Adelante, Matagalpa," said Don Rafael.
get Caribo esta esperanto"
| Matagalpa shuddered and SLOWLY rode