The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-02-12

IN A MocKISG TONE HE ASKED AFTER
THE HEALTH OF MIR. HUsTLY.
was coming upon him.as. indeed. it
was The priyatlon had been too much
for him, and to that, along with his
unnatural surroundings Of accumulated
filth, he finally succumbed- Before
another day dawned he was in de-
lirious fever, and all that his captors
could hear him cry was: ''A-mida!
Armida!'
For days did no lie in this terrible
state. attended only by Gaucho who
profcssed a knowledge of medicine, and
who was the person always called upon
to administer to the sick whenever
such were found about the place.
Percy possessed q strong constitution,
and, fortunately. pulled through. with
the assistance OF tho Gaucho doctor.
But he was sad wreck Of his former
self -haggard in appearance and about
half his normal weight. Certainly,
none Of his friends would have known
him. 1t was several weeks after he
passed the critical stage Of his fever
before he was able to walk about, and
then his guardians would not permit
him to stroll far beyond the door.
A rude bench had been constructed
Just outside the hut upon which he
would sit for hours at a stretch, ponder
ing over tho exciting adventures no
was passing through and wondering
how it was all going to end lie did
not know where hc was and could not
eli nht nct In
her of littlo islands which lay in tho
river he saw running through tho val
Icy about mile away he judged it must
be Rio dc Ia Plata. or River Plate as 1t
Is better known to English speaking
people. Still, he could form no dcfn-
ito opinion, but though. that in case he
was fortunate enough to make his es-
cape 1t would probably provide the
means OF carrying him back to Bucnos
Ayres. There was not an hour during
which little steamer or craft OF some
kind did not pass.
Thus did no spend many a weary
| hour until his strength began to return,
and he commenced to display moro en-
crgy in looking for means Of escape.
But before he could find one cloud
was thrown over his prospects ly tho
appearance Of tho tall Spaniard who
had acted as Emerick's second at the
duel.
1t was carly in tho afternoon when
that unwclcomc visitor arrived and he
at once camc to Percy. In mocl.ing
tone he asked after the health Of Mr..
Ilnnilcy, and said that lc regretted to
hear that he had been Ill. To al his in
quiries and remarks Percy paid but lit
tie attention and made but brief replies.
After awhile tho Spaniarl asked
Percy what he'd become Of tho suit Of
clothes he wore when he came north,
and to this question Percy rcplicd:
These beasts whom yon placed in
charge OF mo took them and with them
they took all the money and valuablcs
possess
"Ah, yes, that Is so,'' said tho Span
lard. I'VE needed that suit to put on
another dead Englishman who died a
few miles below San Pedro a short ti...c
since. According to my contract with
your estimable friend, Mr. limerick,
you were to have floatca down that
river, but ! humancly decided to spare
your life. and have resolved to make
nsc of you on this farm. You will, no
doubt. make yourself handy when you
recover, and these handsome gentlcme n
by whom you arc surrounded will take
caro- that you do not escape"
IL would almost rather have floa,ed
out TO sea, down that river. than be
compelled to make my homo among
such set of cvil-looking villains as
there are here. Even my life viii
never be safe in their hands," said
Percy.
Never fear, they will not hurt 20,
as long as you behave YOURSELF" re
sponded tho Spaniard.
TO EE CONTINUED.