Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-12-12

hO"S llO oAhC0 HuiNhAJ1 why JCNA ANSN
has seemed so familiar to me. sawyou
the other day in Guadalajara."
"That is likely have been there
lately Now, Senior Derwent, make as
little effort as possible and let us lift you
into your saddle There"-as half
dozen ready hands did the work-"that
is accomplished; but if you are to stay
there you must take more brandy"
The deadly faintness that almost over
powered him warned Derwent that this
was indeed necessary. He took the
stimulant willingly, and, thankful for
the deep Spanish saddle which afforded
hin some support, they set out.
He perceived, now that he had gathered
his senses a little, that the party formed
quite a cavalcade. There were six or
eight riders besides himself and the man
who, having had to resign his horse to
Senior Ormond, walked with long stride
and 1.-the bearing in advance of them.
All, with the exception of the stately
Irishman, were Mexicans of the purest
type, and all seemed to be his attend
ants.
AS they proceeded down the mountain
Derwent looked about for some time in
the expectation of finding the bullet rid
died bodies of Fernandez, Amanda and
the mozos. But, since no sign Of them
appeared, his wonder increased over the
remarkable fact that they had apparently
not concerned themselves in the least
about his fate.
IL cannot understand this" he said
presently to Senor Ormond. ''It is in
credible that my companions should have
deliberately abandoned me-"
eff you will tell me who they are" said
that gentleman, Il can better tell you
whether or not it is incredible"
lone of them was a man from this
part of the country, Senior Amanda" -
81 know him. Who elsey"
"a man who accompanied me from
Guadalajara to show me a mine. His
name is Fernandez. And two mozos."
II know also-by reputation, at least
the Fernandez of whom you speak.
May ask what mine he brought you to
see?"
1.-The Buena Esperanza. Do you know
itY'
Eyes" replied the other, smiling, 81
know the Buena Esperanza. Did you,
while there, see or hear anything of one
Senor Barrera?
81 saw him yesterday at the mine. He
came and had fierce alteration with
Fernandez. What passed between them
do not know, for, unfortunately, have
little knowledge of Spanish; but l per-
ceived that there was trouble, and l de-
clined to buy the NINE You do not
think"- he looked at his companion with
a sudden, startled glance-''that it could
have been Barrera who shot me?'
"No," was the decided answer. "It
certainly was not Barrera He is man
of fiery temper and dauntless courage,
capable of killing an enemy on sight,
without reckoning consequences, but alb
solutely incapable of shooting him from
an ambush. Besides, what quarrel had
he with you? No, senior, do not even in
your thoughts do SO great injustice to
one who is in all respects a true gentle
man."
Il was favorably impressed by him."
said Derwent. "But the whole thing is
so strange. Why should | have been
picked off, and why have my compan-
ions made no search for me?"
'You were probably picked off be-
cause you were lingering in the rear of
your party-a foolish thing to do had
you been aware of the danger-and so
offered an excellent opportunity to the
robber. Why your companions have not
returned for you is more than | can an
swer. | advise you not to trouble your
self further about it now. | consider
myself fortunate in having found you,
and really think it is fortunate also for
you. am the only English speaking
resident of this part of the country, and
my hacienda is near at hand, where you
can rest and recover your strength"
"You are more than kind" said Der
went. Il put myself entirely in your
hands. 1t was the greatest good fortune
that brought you along this road"
"It was lucky chance, certainly"
said the other cheerfully. 81 have been
for several days visiting the outlying
ranches of my estate, and am now home
WdIu UOuIlu. OuI IOtu lul us Oll tI luo
foot of the mountain, and we will reach
Mirahores in about two hours"
Two hours! If he had said two days
Derwent could hardly at that moment
have felt more dismay. With the terri
BILE pain of his wound and the deadly
faintness from loss of blood how was he
possibly to maintain an erect position in
the saddle for that length of time? His
companion must have read his thoughts
in his paling face, for he said quickly:
"Whenever you feel too weak to go
on we will stop and rest. know that
you are suffering horribly. All, have
thought. Antoniop He turned, and
as young Mexican came forward spoke
at some length in Spanish. Isl, senor,"
was the reply when he had finished, and
touching his horse with the spur the
young man rode on in advance SO rapid
ly that he was soon lost to sight.
81 have sent him to the hacienda with
orders to bring carriage to meet u.s."
his master said to Derwent. I'VE shall