Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-08-26

y
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 thG night,
and knew.that in these tropical soli-
tudes there was no twilight. saw no
cultivated fields, no houses, D. signs Of
the hacienda of Don Francisco Mendcz.
The situation was growing serious.
Occasionally stone weighing pound
or two was hurled at me from some
leafy covert, and then the gigantic
monkey would give a horrible laugh
and scamper away. He was a 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 humiliating,
such a 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. |
was not disappointed much to find 1t
uninhabited. 1t was strongly built,
with no windows, and one entrance,
from which the door had long since
rotted away. A stepladder led to the
loft Ascending, found small apart
mcnt dimly lighted by round holes in
the wall, which had evidently been used
by sharpshooters at some revolutionary
period in the history of the country.
My 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 as 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 sense of
perfect security.
1t must have been late in the night
when heard something moving in the
room under me. Looking through the
opening in the floor could see moth
ing. struck match, and by the flick
cring flame 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 dcstruc-
tion in the morning. was satisfied
that the animal belonged to IL species
of mountain apes, of great strength
and terrible fcrocity. Their cunning,
heard, was almost human, and they did
not scrliplc to attack men and rend
them limb from limb. concluded,
when the morning light appeared, to
draw the brute's attention and shoot
him in one of his eyes. Having set
tied on this plan, was about drop
ping into doze, when | heard voices
outside the hut, listened with alert
ears
IF, as you say, Pedro, this American
is inside, we should ambush him and
shoot him when he comes out in the
morning.
Nov, by all the saints, juan" was
the reply of Pedro, you arc coward
ly fool. The Englishman, like all his
countrymcn, has his eyes open, and
may get the drop on u.s."
"Wonder what they'll do with the
monkey" said to myself with a
chuckle.
~ hear the American moving" said
Pedro.
1t was the monkey. The monster
was walking in the circle all the time,
and the dead leaves that had drifted
into the hut rustlcd under his feet.
There was another whispered consulta-
tiun, and the Mcxicans rushed into tho
room below. The outlaws saw dark
form and charged with their long, muir
derous knives.
heard two dull thuds, and knew
that Pedro and Juan had been dashed
headlfng against the walls,
"1iother of Moses" gasred Juan.
''Nnffe him!"
The robbers made another rush.
"Ah! ah!" yelled Pedro. "Where are
you, Juan? This hog of an American
has me by the throat, and have lost
my knife"
"He is demon!" groaaed Juan. "He
Is pounding my head against the wall!'
A volley Of yells followed anc then a
chorus of groans. Through It all
heard an ominous dull thud. AT length
silence prevailed, and | knew that all
was over.
My last match was gone, but to my
great delight it was almost morning
With the first rays of daylight peered
through the hole in the floor. 1t was a
ghastly sight that met my gaze. The
two Mexicans lay on the floor quite
dead. Their heads had been smashed to
jelly against the walls and their throats
bore dark blue marks.
Sitting in the corner was the monkey.
He was bleeding profuscly and was
evidently seriously hurt At first |
thought would spare him. He saved
nv life and | was grateful. But when
fixed the ladder and descended the
u1tamable beast prepared for spring,
and there was such evident malice in
his eyes that aimed at his eye and
fred. One shot did the work. He rolled
over dead.
1t was no place for me after such an
Il
of my mustang, To my great joy he
was all rights and was soon in the
saddle and on my way to Aspinwall.
Depositing Jackson's money in the
bank when | arrived, ! Immediately
boarded the steamer knew that il
would not be prudent to speak of the
two Mexicans and | had suspicion
that n statement of the part the monkey
had borne in the tragedy would be re-