The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1892-08-26
The Mexicans grOwled, and .ullenlv

mad my doubts; but the prospect Of
staying all night with Mendez some.
"ha' treasured ms, and started off In
very good spirits. My road took me
through scene of bewildering beauty.
Inc tropical foliage round me glittered
WIN all the hues of the rainbow. I'm
known flowers of gorgeous magnifi-
eence and overpowering fragrance
frightened the roadside.
Suddenly came upon n pond OF clear
wafer IN an open space. Hot, dusty
ana travel-worn. l could not resist the
temptation. Without counting the con-
sequences fastened the mustang To a
saplinR and undressed In a hurry, Pine
ing my revolver under my clothes on
the edge OF the water. Then plunged
In aud enjoyed u refreshing swim.
One thing annoyed me. All along
the way ! mot with monkeys every
where. They were of oil sizes, and the
interest they took in my movements
amused mo not little. Sometimes
they chartered at me Indignantly and
shook their fists almost in my face. At
n wave of my hand, however, they fed
4 ~
| In precipitate terror.
AS soon as l entered the lake the
monkeys took fresh courage. They
scrambled about in droves and abused
me to their hearts content Among
them was one of species that had
not seen before. He was ferocious
| looking monster, fully five feet high
and as muscular as bear. Before
realized the situation this great long
legged fellow swooped down on my
clothes, and started with them for the
woods For moment was absolute
ly paralyzed. II was no joke to ride TO
Aspinwan in decent rig, but had no
fancy for the role of Lady Godiva
There was no time To lose. The
monkey had left my revolver, and as
soon as | could seize il fred. lie gave
howl of rage and dropped everything
but my coat. hastily jumped into my
recovered garments and gave chase. 1t
was useless. The thief scurried up into
the top OF n tall cocoanut tree, and in a
twinklinR of an eye put on my coat,
buttoning it round him, and then pro-
ceeded 10 hurl cocoanuts at me with
such precision that was glad to quick
| ly leap into the saddle and ride off.
But my troubles had just begun.
had reconciled myself To the loss of my
coat, as Jackson's money was in an in
side pocket of my waist but the mon
| key showed disposition to follow me.
After firing at him several times gave
it up. His tough hide seemed bullet
proof, and there was no chance to kill
him unless shot him in the eye.
The declining sun warned me that it
was time to seek shelter for the night,
and | knew that IN these tropical soli-
tudes there was no twilight ! saw no
cultivated fields, no houses, TO signs of
the hacienda OF Don Francisco Mendez,
The situation was growing serious.
Occasionally a stone weighing pound
or two was hurled at me from some
leafy covert, and then the gigantic
monkey would give horrible laugh
and scamper away. lie was. funny
looking chap in my blue flannel coat,
but was too angry to enjoy the comic
aspect of the matter 1t struck me that
If the brute caught me in the dark he
would make an end of me in no time.
1t was both horrible and liumiliating,
such death in the tangled forests of
this savage land.
Just then saw short distance off,
in a clearing, "a square stone hut
Here was shelter and protection. l
was not disappointed much to find 1t
uninhabtcd. 1t was strongly built,
nd
from which the door had long since
rotted away. A stepladdcr led to the
loft. Ascending, found small apart
ment dimlv lighted by round holes in
the wall, which had evidently been used
by sharpshooters ut some revolutionary
period IN the history of the country.
NV mind was made up in an instant. !
went back To my mustang and picketed
him about one hundred and sixty yards
from the hut in the bushes. Then re-
turned To my fortress just rs darkness
closed in upon me. and sought refuge in
the loft, pulling up the ladder after me.
| was safe here, even from the mon
KEYS. and lay down feeling u sense OF
perfect security.
II must have been late in tho night
when heard something moving IN the
room under me. Looking through the
opening in the floor 1 could see moth
ing. / struck u match, and by the flick
ering fame recognized the monkey.
The wretch still wore my coat, and in
the dim, uncertain light his appearance
WAS more repulsive than ever.
| lay down again knowing that the
beast could not get into the loft, and
commenced planning for his destruc-
ton in the morning. was satisfied
that tho animal belonged To species
OF mountain apes, OF great strength
and terrible ferocity. Their cunning, i
h~unun and fhaV did