The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-24
HIS REVENGE.

1t was a midsummer night In COLORADO.
The great white full moon shone directly
down on the rough border town, touching
every shanty and tent and pretentious
business block" into tender. silyery
beauty. 1t frosted the tree tops and glls-
tened on the little river, and touched with
white radiance the high peaks Of the dis
tsnt mountains. The high bluffs surround
ing the town stood out boldly in the sheer
light, studded with dark patches, where
the Mexicans had dug out the holes In
which they lived. like rats in a river bank.
lying all day at The entrances, as those
rodents do beside their holes. They were
curious sight, these homes OF human be-
iDgs, freckling the bluffs fully hundred
feet up above the streets Of the town.
reached by steps cut in the rocky earth, by
winding ways along the lodges, and even,
the uppsrmost ones, by rope ladders Sc
cured 10 the stony facade; and In the
weird, uncertain moonlight their resem-
blanee 20 the homes of water rats was
more marked, even, than by daylight.
Down in the streets Of the town every
body had come out to enjoy the cool, deli
ei0us night air, after the burning heat OF
the midsummer day. On the veranda of
the Washington Hotel group of Americans
were eagerly discussing corner lois, the
new courthouse and pl oJected electric
road for the town WAS having a boom.
Along the river edge half a dozen pairs Of
lovers strolled, each couple obliyious to all
the world besides; on corner near the
Hurdy Gurdy saloon two or three soldiers
of the Salvation Army were leading q for
Torn hone against that stronghold OF the
prince Of darkness. a block or two below
a lot OF Mexicans, men and women, were
dancing in the open air to the music of a
guitar and O violin.
Out on the outskirts Of the town a band
of cowboys had organized a race in the
moonlight, and presently came tearing up
the main street. yelling like demons and
firing their reviewers in the air as they gal
Hoped along. The leader made a detour
from the street 20 the sidewalk aud Jumped
his horse over the dTnking-tTOugh that tile
ladies of the Women's Christian Temper
ance Union had erected on the corner near
gang followed suit, much TO the discontinue
of the blonde haired, specialized young d.
yInity student in charge OF the rooms. who
rushed 10 the door and demonstrated vol
ubly, until the las Of the riders changed his
complaining tone to q yell OF terror by
gathering him up bodily with a sweep Of
one sinewy arm and bearing him along with
the eaValcade 10 the next corner, where he
deposited him on the sidewalk, with the in
Junction TO run home. Down upon the Saliva
tiOnists charged the gang. putting the army
of righteousness completely 10 TOnt, and
then onward, directly into the midst OF the
dancing MeXicans, scattering the distracted
couples In every direction.
Gray Brent was one of this reckless band
of riders Gray Brent, the cOOlest-neaded
haliback Harvard had ever had, the best
boxer, the best runner, the best jumper,
winner Of half-a-Sc0Te Of elias steal prizes
Gray Brent for whom the whole college world
had prop lesied q brilliant future-BTent,
the cowboy. the toughest rider, the hand-
est TouDder-up that ever gripped q cow
pony between his knees and rushed head
long over the prairie after a fleeing heifer.
Ii was Gray Brent who, when sn Infatuated,
great-horned Texas steer had given chase
at Big Jimmie's clever little pony and
was just on the point Of imDaling
the animal on his wicked horns, had deity
let slip his la5so in time TO catch the steer
BY one hind leg and throw him Just one
second before he could manage to let day.
light through the fleeing horse. 1t was
Brent who mad played so roughly with the
guardian Of the temperance shrine, and il
was Brent who. riding down among the
dancing Mexicans, bent down and with
quick fash Of his knife severed from among
its fellows long. shining, blue-black curi
from the head Of Mia Garcia. the prettlest
OF al the dark-eyed bellies. AS he rode off,
waving his trophy tTiumphantly. Jose
Galindo, Nita's fance, with whom she had
been dancing, fired random shot at him,
which went wide of the mark. The round
Mexican curse that accompanied it, how
ever, found its billet in Brents ear. and,
turning, Gray rode back to lean over and
snatch kiss from the maiden's olive cheek,
where the warm blood surged up at the
touch OF his lips. "Pll bring you your curl
tonight. Mia" he shouted back as his
horse gaIloped of IN the moonlight.
Like most If hex race, the girl was a born
c0quette. and fattered by the attention of
the wild-rdlng American, king Of all the
cowboys IN that section, she was far from
dispIeased al the liberty Brent hal taken,
and even snubbed her fiery attendant as ne
cursed forth bis rage and most dire threats
Of vengeance.
Two hours later the moon was Just dip
Ing down behind the bluffs, when. carefully
picking his way up this precarioas steps
and along the narrow lodges. man crep
softly. lie was not Mexican evidently
too tall and slender aud 1.-THE for one of
that stun ted race. Behind him and keeping
along ledge just above the one where the
first one tr0d followed another man-step-
ping with eat-like tread, his head bent for
ward aud holding in one hand something
that glittered as he stepped across a bit Of
open where last CLEAN from the fast
disappearing moon still fell.
Up In one OF the ratholes, on the very
last row, lived the Garcias-as lived the
res, of their kind A rough, wooden plat
form, braced by hinge beams. had been built
out before the entrance to the dugOut ana
from it suspended the rope ladder, by which
II was reached from the ledge below. GRAY
Brent, f1r il was he, reached the ledge, and
selling hold OF the ladder began the ascent.
In another minute ne would gain the plat
form. But the eatike Mexican, who had
followed him, was already there. Follow
ing another ledge, up above the dugout. he
had swung himself down by his hands.
grasping projecting rocks and roots on the
face OF the cliff, uatil be dropped safely
upon the platform. The cleaning some.
thing he had carried in his hand had beer
transferred to his teeth. Grasping IL agar
he leaned forward over the platform. GRAY
Brents head was not three feet from the
top. A long black curl blew and tossed In
the light wind about his broad hat
brim. The Mexcan's right hand stole for.
ward. There were two swift passes, and in
an instant Brent was dashed down the bluff
to the loose rocks below.
The Mexican leaned over and strained hi:
ears to catch the dull. crushing sound of tht
falling foim when it struck. A single low
moan reached him from below. He waited
for repetition Of the sound, but non;
came.
After little time he picked his way dowr
TO the level and tore the lock of hair from
Gray Bfents iron banded hat as IL la,
where it had fallen, not far from the DEAF
man.
Written for The CALL BY ADELINE E. KNAPP