The Negro world., 1892-07-23


the hacienda of Don Francisco Mendez.
The situation was growing serious.
Occasionally stone weighing q pound
or two was hurled at me from some
leafy covert, and then the gigantic
monkey would give 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 II struck me that
If the brute caught rue IN the dark he
would make an end of me in no time.
Il was both horrible and humiliating.
such death in the tangled forests Of
this savage land.
just then | saw a short distance of,
in clearing, q square stone hut.
Here was shelter and protection. l
was not disappointed much to find 1t
uninhabited. It 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
ment dimly lighted by round holes IN
the wall, which had evidently been used
by sharpthooters 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
l was safe here, even from the mon-
keys, and lay down feeling u sense of
perfect security.
II 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 a match, and by the flick.
ering flame recognized the monkey.
The wretch still wore my coat, and in
the dim, uncertain light his appearance
was more repulsive than ever.
l lay down again knowing that the
beast could not get into the loft, and
commenced planning for his destruc.
tion in the morning. / was satisfied
that the animal belonged to species
of mountain apes, of great strength
and terrible ferocity. Their cunning.
heard, was almost human, and they did
not scruple 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, l was about drop
| ping into doze. when heard voices
outside the hut l 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.
Now, by all the saints. Juan. was
the reply of Pedro, you are coward.
ly fool. The Englishman, like all hii
countrymen, has his eyes open, ano
may get the drop on us"
recognized the voices. Pedro ano
Juan had followed me all the way from
Jaekson's camp. What 10 do was the
question. 1t was hard to decide, and
waited further Developments. The two
robbers conversed in low whispers. ane
all could hear was their final agree.
ment to rush in and oyerpower me.
Wonder what they'll do with the
monkey" l said TO myself with 6
chuckle-
Il hear the Americap moving" sale
Pedro.
II was the monkey. The monster
was walking in the circle all the time,
and the dead leaves that had drifted
into the hut rustIed under his feet
There was another whispered consulta
tion, and the Mexicans rushed into the
room below. The outlaws saw dark
form and charged with their long mur.
derous knives
heard two dull thuds, aud knew
that Pedro and Juan had been dashed
headlong against the walls
Mother of Moses!" gasPed Juan
knife him.
'Idiotr' cried Pedro; "knife him
yourselfl'
The robbers ma de 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 demonF' groaaed Juan. ''Hs
is pounding my head against the wallr
A volley Of yells followed and then
chorus Of groans. Through It all ]
heard an ominous dull thud. At length
silence prevailed. and knew thai all
was over.
Ny last match was gone. but to my
great delight II was almost morning
With the 6rst rays of daylight peereo
through the hole in the floor. II was
ghastly sight that met my gaze The
two Mexicans lay ON the floor quits
dead. Their heads had been smashed to
jelly against the walls and thek throats
bore dark blue marks
Sitting In the corner was the monkey.
He was bleeding profnsely and was
evidently seriously hurt At first
thought would spare him. lie saved
my life and was grateful But wheu
I fixed the ladder and descended the
untamable beast prepared for q spring. /.
and there was such evident malice iE
his eyes that I aimed at his eye snc +
fred One shot did the work. He rolled I
over dead
It was no place for me after such an
adventure. and at once went in search 1
Of my mustang. To my great Joy he 4
was all right, and ] was soon in the
saddle and on my way TO Aspinwall
Depositing Jaeisson's money in the /
bank when ! arrived, ] immediately
boarded the steamer kEew that IL /
would not be prudent to speak Of the i
two Mexicans. aud I had . suspicion 4
that statement Of the part the monkey
had borne in the tragedy would Be re-
aFare4ed he tha arsshuxzffaa - a ee.e1r i