The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-01-22
"Oh, dear. what can the matter be,
Oh, dear, what can the matter be,
Oh. dear, what can the matter be,
lnlnnN 20 lnnn ut the fniEZr
hnny 50 long at the falr.


And Mary Fernald sitting ut her
kitchen door, rocked her baby-boy in
his cradle, while she searchingly gazed
down the path which led to the dusty
road.
The day had been the first on which
Mary had been left alone, for John
Fernald had always taken her with
him the few times he had been to town
since two years before. when Mary,
fresh from her New England home,
had come to live at his ranch in the
San Benito.
Little John was, of course, too small
TO travel, and SO with many good-bys
and good wishes. biz john had gone
for the day to San Juan Bautista, some
twenty miles away, to bug needed
farming tools.
Though Mary did not expect him
until after dark. she found herself be-
ginning 10 look down toward the San
Juan road long before the sun had cast
western shadows under the madrona
before The house.
If do not reach home by9 o'clock, y
John had said you may know that
have staid in town"
1t was twilight up to S o'clock. and
Mary waited ut the door until the last
colorS disappeared from the sky
before she lighted the lamp. Once the
sound OF wagon wheels made her heart
beat joyfulIy, but the wagon passed.
She was not timid woman. bu, the
idea of being left for the night in the
lonely ranci house without John was
not pleasant. The desperate and
bandit. Nasquez. was then in full
power. and though he was last heard
Of in the Santa Cruz mountains. his
marches were so swift and in such un-
thought-of direction that his very name
carried fear through large tract of
country where he had not as yet APP
peared Johns rifle hung in the
kitchen. and Mary. who well under
stood its use, took it down aud care
fully examined it; then placed it in a
convenient position. while she lay
down. dressed. on the bed by the now
sleeping baby.
John made his purchases, not for
getting one of Mary's orders, and add
inc TO them Il neat woolen gown and
a cart for little John. The horses were
weary. for the distance from San Juan
Bautista was ali up hill, so John drove
slowly along, as he had scarcely mile
farther. and it was not $50.
And fare thee weel. my only luxe,
Aud fare thee wecl for awhile;
And will come again. my luye,
Tough it were ten thousand mile"
Had Johns thoughts not been at the
end of the journey with Mary and the
baby at that moment he had surely
heard the step of Il horse behind him.
as he drove into the wiiow-shaded
stretch of road by the Arroyo Seco.
The last words of the song had hard
" been uttered when he was violently
seized from behind, his arms tied. a
gag pressed between his teeth, and a
dozen men were soon around the
wagon, all speaking in undertones
and in the Spanish tongue.
WHO is he ?" asked one.
The American who has the Guade.
loupe rancho was the reply.
Search him and leave him here in
road and take the horses; they are
good"
These orders were quickly obeved
and John, as helpless us little John,
was rolled iuto the reeds by the road
side.
Shall we 60 to the ranch house?'
asked one.
Yes; but one of you win be enough
There is only a woman and child
there. You 90. Jose, and bring us al
/ the food on pack-horse."
With all his strength John tried tc
break his bonds, but to no purpose
and the gag kept him silent. 1t was ;
/ time of agony to him rs the party
drove away as silently rs they hao
come. John had expected them Il
shoot him or carry him away captive
| for without doubt the baud was that o
| the notorious Nasqucz.
| riaEeCv- - S-'S Sr,aren. ana IN NJ