The Forrest City times., 1893-08-11

The Mexicans growled and sullenly retired.
 ''They are two of the worst men in camp" said Jackson, "but they are not likely to bother you"
 had my doubts; but the prospect of staying all night with Mendez some what reassured me, and started off in very good spirits. My road took me through a scene of bewildering beauty. The tropical foliage round me glittered with all the hues of the rainbow. Un- known flowers of gorgeous magnifcence and overpowering fragrance frightened the roadside.
 Suddenly came upon pond of clear water in an open space. Hot, dusty and travel-worn, could not resist the temptation. Without counting the con- sequences, fastened the mustang to a sapling and undressed in hurry. plac- ing my revolver under my clothes on the edge of the water. Then plunged in and enjoyed refreshing swim. One thing annoyed me. All along the way I met with monkeys every where. They were of all sizes, and the
 
 amused me not a little. Sometimes they chattered at me indignantly and shook their fists almost in my face. At a wave of hand, however, they fled in precipitate terror.
 As soon as l entered the lake the monkeys took fresh courage. They scrambled about in droves and abused me to their hearts content. Among them was one of species that l had not seen before. He was ferocious- looking monster, fully five feet high and as muscular as bear. Before I realized the situation this great long, legged fellow swooped down on my clothes and started with them for the woods For moment was absolute | ly paralyzed. It was no joke to ride to Aspinwall in decent rig, but had no fancy for the role of Lady Godiva. There was no time to lose. The monkey had left my revolver, and as soon as l could seize it I fired. He gave howl of rage and dropped every thing but my coat. l hastily jumped into my recovered garments and gave chase. It was useless The thief scur- ried mp into the top of a tall cocoanut tree, and in a twinkling of an eye put on my coat, buttoning it round him, and then proceeded to hurl cocoanutS at me with such precision that l was l glad to quickly leap into the saddle and ride off.
 But my troubles had just begun. had reconciled myself to the loss of my coat. as Jackson's money was in an in- side pocket of my waist, but the monkey showed disposition to follow me. After firing at him several times l 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 the night and I knew that in these tropical soli- tudes there was no twilight. saw no cultivated fields, no houses. no signs of the hacienda of Don Francisco Mendez | 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 funny 1 looking chap in my blue flannel coat.
 but I was too angry to enjoy the comic aspect of the matter. 1t struck me that 1 if the brute caught me in the dark he would make an end of me in no time. It was both horrible and humiliating, such death in the tangled forests of this savage land.
 | Just then saw a short distance of, .,, n. hut was shelter and protection. was not disappointed much to find it uninhab- ited. It was strongly built, with no windows, and one entrance, from which the door had long since routed away. A stepladder led to the loft. Ascending | found small apartment dimly lighted by round holes in the wall, which had evidently been used by sharpshooters at some revolutionary period in the his tory of the country. My mind was made up in an instant. I went back to my mustang and picketed him about | one hundred and sixty yards from the hut in the bushes. Then returned to my fortress just as the darkness closed in upon me, and sought refuge in the loft, pulling up the ladder after me. l was safe here, even from the monkeys, and lay down feeling a sense of per feet security.
 It must have been late in the night
 when heard something moving in the room under me. Looking through the opening in the floor l could see noth- ing. struck match, and by the flick ering flame recognized the monkey. The W retch still wore my coat. and in | .lo l;,,, ,,rcarta;r l;oht his apnaarapea