The record-union., 1892-10-08

! !. !. ! ]
sanguinary young
IL II gentlemen rode on
I - | ward, side by side,
SE fsE4SA but in silence, for the
E SI : souls of those who
..,AsE ~ sl21 have resolved to slay
MsEsssx%$ W each other find small
EEpTEl#GSSyKgsa delight in vain con-
FHg<A5%a versation. More
ZHag over, there is that in
W. the conscious proX-
k unity of death which
stimulates to thought much more than to
speech. Bat Freeman preserved an out
ward demeanor of complacent calm as
one who doubts not, nor breads, the
Issue, and, indeed, this was not the first
time by many that he had taken his life
IN his hand and brought it unscathed
through dangers. Don Miguel, on the
other hand, was troubled in spirit and
uneasy In the flesh. He was one soon hot
and soon cold, and this long ride to the
decisive event went much against his
stomach. If the conflict had taken place
there IN the garden, while the fire of the
insult was yet scorching him, he could
nave fought 1t out with good will, but
now the night air seemed chiiler and chill
Ter, and its frigidity crept into his nerves.
lie doubted OF the steadineSS of his aim,
bethought himself that the darkness was
detrimental to accurate shooting, ana
wondered whether Freeman would think
Unnecessary II to light across a handkerchief
lie could not help regretting, too, that
the quarrel had not been occasioned by
some more definite and satisfactory
Notwithstanding which merely
to think of would steel the heart to ire
vocable murderousness. But no blow
had passed; even the words, though Bit
ter TO swallow, had been wrapt in the
phrases OF courtesy, and perhaps the
whole affair was the result Of some mis-
apprehension. He stole a look at the
mi md 70 of q y
OF confident and cheerful serenity made
him feel worse than ever. Was he being
brought out here to be butchered for moth
1ng-he, Don Miguel de Mendoza, who
had looked forward to many pleasures in
this life? 1t was too bad. 1t was true,
the fortune of war might turn the other
way; but Don Miguel was aware of a sem
sation in his bones which made this hope
weak.
AT length Freeman drew rein and
glanced around him. They were in a
lonely and-Don Miguel thought-a most
desolate and unattractive spot. An open
space of about half an acre was bounded
on oneside by a growth of wild mustard,
whose slender stalks rose to more than the
hight OF mans head. On the other side
was grove of liveoak, and in front the
ground fell away in a rugged, brush
grown declivity.
at strikes me that this is just about
what we want,r remarked Freeman, in
his full, cheerful tones. I'VE are half q
mile from the road; the ground is fairly
level, and there's no possibility of our
being disturbed / was thinking this
afternoon as l passed through here what
an ideal spot it was for just such little
affair as you and l are bent on. But
didn't venture to anticipate such speedy
good fortune as your obliging condescen-
sion has brought TO pass, Don Miguel.''
"CaTamba!" muttered the senior, shiv-
! q 10Th loI1t
was unwilling to trust his voice, or to
waste nervous energy.
Meanwhile, Freeman had dismounted,
and was lettering his horse. 1t occurred
TO the senior that it would be easy to pull
his gun, send bullet through his com
panion and gallop away. He did not
yield to this temptation, partly from ira
ditional feeling that it would not be suit
able conduct for a De Mendoza, partly
because he might miss the shot or only
inflict wound, and partly because such
deeds demand a nerve which, at that mo-
ment, was not altogether at his command
Instead, he slowly dismounted himself,
and wondered whether it would ever
be vouchsafed him to sit IN that saddle
again.
Freeman now produced his revolver, a
handsome, silver mounted weapon, that
looked buSinesS-like.
What sort of a machine is yours?" he
inquired. pleasantly. "You can take
your choice. Pm not particular; but
can recommend this as a sure thing, if
you would like to try it. 1t never misses
at twenty paces."
Twenty paces?" repeated Don Miguel
with a faint gleam of hope.
"Of course we won't have any twenty
PAGES tonight added Freeman with a
laugh. 81 thought it might be good
plan to start at. say, fifteen, and advance
firing. In that way one or other of us
oI N tn a ,afI
later. Would that arrangement be agree
able to Senior De Mendoza?''
"Nalga me Dios! | am content" said
the latter, fetching deep breath and set
ting his teeth. Il will keep my weapon"
"Muy buen," returned the American.
$50 now let us take our ground; that is, if
you are quite ready?"
Accordingly they selected their sta
tions, facing respectively about north
and south, with the plant of love between
them, as it were.
"Oblige me by giving the word, senor."
said Freeman, cooking his weapon
But Don Miguel was staring with per-
turbed visage at something behind his
antagonist.
''Santa Mariar' he faltered. "What is
yonder? 1t is a spiritr'
Freeman had his wits about him, and
perhaps entertained a not too high opinI
ion Of Mexican fair play. So, before
turning round, he advanced till he was
alongside his companion. Then he looked
and saw something enigmatic.
Among the wild mustard plants there
appeared moving luminosity having an
irregular, dancing motion, as of will-o'-
the-wisp singularly agitated. Sometimes
1t uplifted itself on high, then plunged
downward and again jerked itself from
side TO side; occasionally it would quite
vanish for an instant. Accompanying
this manifest tation there was clawing
and reaching of shadowy arms; altogeth-
er. il was as If some titanic spectral grass
hopper, with a heart of fire, was Writh-
ing and kicking IN convulsions of phan-
tom agony. Such an apparitIon, in an
hour and place SO lonely, might stagger
a less superstitious soul than that of Don
Miguel de Mendoza.
Freeman gazed at it for a moment in
silence. 1t mystihed him, and then irri-
tated him. When one is bent heart and
soul upon an important enterprise, any
interruption Is an annoyance. Perhaps
there was in the young Americans ma
ture just enough remains of belief in
witches and hobgoblins TO make him
feel warranted in reSorting to extreme
measures. At any rate, he lifted his re-
volver and fired.
1t was long shot for a revolver; new
ertheleSS it took effect. The luminous
object disappeared with faint explosive
sound, followed by shout unmistakably
human. The long stems of the wild mus
tard swayed ana parted, and out sprang
figure, which ran straight toward the
two men. Hereupon Don Miguel, hiss
ing out SIN appeal to the Virgin and the
saints, turned and lied.
Meanwhile, the mysterious figure con-
tinued its onward career, and Freeman
once more leveled his weapon, when a
voice. which gave him such a start of sur
prise as well nigh caused him 10 pull the
f.,.at- of calf -asNa1l Il