The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-01-31
THE DEATH JOURNEY

tie enjoyed such distinction in this respect
that throughout all Dona Ana county,
whenever any special piece of devilment
was committed to which there was no clew,
it was placed ut once and by common con-
sent to Pete's credit. To be sure some
who knew him well said that Pete was not
as black as he was painted. Nevertheless
it was decided that he must 'go," prepare
tory to the firm establishment of IN orderly
and law abiding community.
"Mebbe Pete's square enough" admitted
Scotty Short, proprietor of the Jack Rabbit
saloon, but he makes lots of trouble He's
killed two men in my place, and it amt no
way to do"
They was mighty tough customers,
them two" said the storekeeper, land Pete
ought to had vote of thanks for wipin
'em out"
But public opinion on the whole was dead
against Ramantaro, and such little matters
as the above, which should have been
counted i'll his favor, were not made much
of. The community decided that it would
feel better if he were we'll out of it,
a bit of news will circulate about an
adobe village in the southwest in the same
rapid ana mysterious manner that it per-
colates through II New England hamlet.
So when Ysabel Manctta came to Dona Ana
that afternoon on Il combined errand of
business and pleasure-to buy some meal
at the store and to gossip awhile with
crony-she learned that matters of grave
import were afoot.
There will be trouble here this night"
said the Dame Maria Salgado, shaking her
head wisely They are not going to have
any more shooting and killing, and your
brave Ramantaro had better think twice
before he comes again and puts his head
int this lions mouth"
"Peuf," replied Ysabel tossing her head
and scornfully curling her red lips. "Do
you think Ramantaro would be ufraid?"
u know what | think" answered the
dame. IL think he would better keep
away"
The sun was yet high when ISABEL re-
mounted her patient little burro and took
her way home across the desert plain 1t
was good three leagues to the corral where
Vicente Manetta herded few goats and
haskcd i'll the sun all day, asking little III
life except to be let alone The way thithcr
was along IL sandy trail that wound be-
tween patches of cactus and Spanish bayo.
nets
Ysabel's home was low adobe hut
brown, like the earth from which it was
made. Beside it was the corral, inclosed
by dusty green cactus hedge where the
goats were kept at night; behind it piece
of dense chnparral, and beyond that the
terrible waterless desert-the very desert
OF the desert--the tornado del Muerte-the
Journey of Death.
The old man was lazly bringing the goats
nome When he had put them in the cor
raj he sQuatted down OH his heels and
watched the girl prepare the evening meal.
What do they say mt Dona Ana?" he
asked after waiting for the girl to volunteer
some speech.
She replied to this with another question
Has Pete been here today" she asked.
NO. He said he would not come until
tonight. Don't you remember:"
He could have changed his mind"
Then after II pause she added
He must keep away from Dona Ana"
"Eh!' said the old man, with Il quick
suspicion of one familiar with the scent of
danger. But how will you manage it!"
II shall find II way" answered the girl
briefly
You tell him TO hold, and he will he the
more fierce to co." grumbled Nfanctta.
The sun went down and the moon and the
stars came out and made the world white
with their light.
The two sat upon the ground before the
hut, their backs against the adobe wall.
their blankets drawn well about them. The
night was as still us it was white, except
for the faraway yelping of coyote or the
boot of an owl.
After /; time there was sound of distant
hoof beats. They drew nearer, and well
caparsoned rider halted in front of the hut.
You are glad to see me" he said sar-
castically, as neither the man nor the girl
stirred ut is worth riding far for such a
welcome"
I'VE are tired" answered Ysabel indif-
ferently.
"Yes, Ramantarol We do something be-
sides play-we," grunted Manetta
The horseman swung himself down be-
side Ysabel
Tell me-" he said
I'VE have lost the new goats"
Ramantaro muttcred an OATH
THE ones you got from the English
MANI"
Manetta chuckled silent assent, remcm-
bering how he had got them
Did he come for them?"
bah! No. He has not that courage
They have Straycd away up the arroyo"
Then they will come back?"
Yes, when the wolves have eaten them"
And you followed them?"
Until could go no farther"
The man arose and looked across the
plain
ne arroyo rs Il cursed place, he sald
but Juan Is sure of foot. Yes, | could
bring them back. But must he in Dona
Ana tonight"
Don't let our goats interfere with your
pleasures" said Ysabcl. Doubtless some
one will miss you if you are not at Dona
Ana"
The devils No, You know it is not that,
Ysabel. But there will be some good play
tonight must not miss it,"
"Oh. very we'll. shall go for the goats
again when have rested"
What! up the arroyo? Nonsense. See