The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-06-02

GEL gallo" and "Co]ea de %toros," and had
ever laid his trophies of the sport at the
feet Of the bewitching Ysabel. At a
"gallo' in December, four months before
the arrival of Escamilla, Ysabel was
wooed and in a measure won by the
presentation Of the remains of a gallant
rooster at the hands of Juan Maria, who,
his offering being we'll received, from
that moment looked upon the beautiful
girl as his sweetheart.
When, however, Escamilla took up
his abode at the hacienda again, he, too
much of al exquisite to work with his
brothers and father in the great pas
lures, finding plenty of time on his hands
for counting. %supplanted Juan in the af-
fections of the young girl. AS Juan's
nature was superior in frankness and
open heartedness, he refrained from
forcing his suit, and the affair was con-
cluded by a day being set for the mar
rage of Ysabel and Escamilla.
In honor of the occasion it was deter
mined to have a grand bull fight, at
which all the neighbors within a radius
of 100 miles were to be present. The
morning before the ceremony was to be
performed sci Coxo," with all his sons,
excepting Escamilla, who remained be-
hind to attend upon his affianced Ysabel,
started out into the great pastures for
the purpose of driving in the immense
black bulls required for the sport, while
other neighboring rancheros busted them.
selves in building stout corrals in which
to secure them until the time arrived to
lead them into the arena.
Toward evening, while the mesquite
grass lay cold and gray under the shad-
ows of the mountains, Escamilla and the
happy Ysabel left their hammocks on
the wide gallery of the house, where they
had been resting during the sultry hours.
to take q walk along the main trail lead
ing toward the rocky hills.
When they reached a point half a mile
from the gate of the hacienda, where a
thicket of chapparal bounded each side
of the road. suddenly there arose a cloud
of dust in front of them.
Here come the bull fighters" cx-
claimed Ysabel, as she withdrew her
waist from the encircling arm of her
lover; 'let us go back to the house."
ooh, no." replied Escamilla, perhaps
they are my father and brothers. Yes.
there are eight; look!
But what the poor girl really saw, with
her eyes almost starting from their sock
cts and motionless with fear, as she rec
ognized them now only a few hundred
yards away, was a band of Comanches,
naked to the waist, painted horribly and
brandishing their lances. In a moment,
needless of the helpless maid at his side,
the coward Escamilla turned and fled
down the trail toward the rancho. shout.
ing as he ran: Los barbaros! Los bar
baros."
In IL few rod a lorseman met him. II
was his brother Juan Maria. He had
caught a young antelope with his lasso
and was riding ahead of his party to pre-
sent it to Ysabel. The exclamation Of
the frightened Escamilla and one glance
up the road showed him the danger the
poor girl was in. He threw the animal
he was carrying to the ground, and
plunging his spurs into the tanks of his
horse dashed furiously to the rescue.
Alas. the savages were already upon her!
ISABEL, covering her face with her hands
as if to thwart the impending blow and
recognizing Juan, shrieked out to her old
lover, SALIVA me, Juan Maria. por Dios,
saliva me!' AT that instant the lance of
the nearest Indian pierced her heart, and
in another her reeking scalp was swung
exultantly aloft by the incarnate fiend.
Short was his triumph. Almost bornd-
ing through the air, with ever ready
lasso swinging above him, Juan Maria
threw the open coil from his expert
hand, and it fell over tho Indians head.
AS the skillful thrower pulled up his
bride reins, heavily the savage tumhied
to the earth. Then Juan had fearful
odds to contend against. Received with
a flight Of arrows and unarmed except a
short, rusty sword, regardless of every
thing but to avenge the murder of the
girl he deeply loved, he attacked the
nearest Indian, and bringing him within
reach Of his arm cleft his skull by a
master stroke.
The others, terrified at the fierce look
of the brave Mexican, keeping at a re-
spectful distance from him, assailed
him with IA shower of arrows. and in an
instant he was bleeding from a score of
terrible wounds. Still the gallant Juan
fought bravely, hoping against hope, and
was soon encouraged by the shouts of his
father and six brothers, whose horses
We're on the dead run to the rescue. The
old man and his SOILS rode up in time to
see Juan fall from his horse, pierced by
a feathered shaft just above his breast.
'El Coxo" and his boys fought with
desperate courage to ayenge the murder
of Ysabel and Juan. Half Il dozen of
the Comanchcs Were soon made to "bite
the dust" but two Of the Mexicans also
lay dead upon the now redeemed sod.
The rancheros came up in a short time
from the hacienda in force, compelling
tho Indians to retreat, but as night was
now upon them the Mexicans were
obliged to abandon pursuit.
On the ground lay the still guivering
body Of the unfortunate Ysabel andnear