The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-09-20


twinkling Of an eye put on my coat,
buttouing it round him, and then pro-
ceeded 70 hurl cocoanuts NJ me with
such precision that was gladto quick
IL leap into the saddle and ride of.
But my troubles had just begun.
had reconciled myself 70 the loss Of my
coat. as Jaclxson's money was in an In
side pocket Of my waist. but the MON
key showed disposition 70 fnllpw me
After firing at him several times ] gave
it up. His tough hide seemed bullet
proof, and there was no chance to kill
him unless shot him 10 the eye.
The declining sun warned me that II
was time 10 seek shelter for the night,
and 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 serions.
Occasionally n stone weighing a pound
or two was hurled at me from some
leafy covert, and then the gigantic
monkey would give n horribie laugh
and scnmper away lie was funny
looking chap IN my blue flannel coat.
but was too angry TO enjoy the comic
aspect Of the matter. Itstruck me that
II thc brute caught me in the dark he
would make an end Of me in no time.
II was both horrible and humiliatiDg,
such death in the tangled forests Of
this savage land
just then ] saw short distance of,
in clearing, square stone hut.
Here was shelter and protection.
4. At.I
uninhabited II was strongly built,
with no windows, and one entrance,
from which the door had long since
rottcd away A stcpladder led tothe
loft. Ascending, found small apart.
ment dfmly lighted by round holes in
the wall, which had evidently been used
by sharpshooters NJ some revolutionary
period in the history Of the country.
My mind was made up in an instant.
went back TO my mustang and pickctcd
him about one hundred and sixty yards
from the hut in the bushes Then res
turned TO my fortress just as darkness
closed In upon me, and sought refuge in
the loft, pulling mp the ladder after me.
was safe here, even from the mon
keys, and lay down feeling 4 sense Of
/ perfect security.
II must have been late in the night
when heard something moving in the
rootrl under me. Looking through tile
opening in the floor could see moth
ing struck d match, -and by the flicls-
ering flame recognized the monkey.
The wretch still wore my coat, and in
the dim, uncertain Light his appearance
was more repulsive than ever.
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 ~ q 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
4 him in one OF his eyes Having set
/ tied on this plan, was about drop
/ ping into doze, when | heard voices
outside the hut, listened with alert
ears.
IF, as you say, Pedro, this American
!
shoot him when he comes ont in the
morning.
Now. by all the saints, Juan, = was
the reply Of Pedro, '.you are a coward
~ fool. The Englishnan, like all his
countrymen, has his eyes open, and
may get the drop on us.
Wonder what they'll do with the
4 monkey2'' | said to myself with a
chuclslc.
Il hear the American moving" said
Pedro.
1t was the monkey The monster
/ was walking in the.circle all the time,
! and the dead leaves that had tlrifted
1 into the hut rustled under his feet.
There was another whispered consulta
| ton. and the Mexicans rushed into the
room below. The outlaws saw dark
form and charged with their long, muir
4 derons knives.
heard two duh thuds, and knew
i that Pedro and Juan had been dashed
headlong against the walls.
Mother Of Mosesl' gaspe1 Juan.
knife hint"
The robbers made another rush.
''Ahi ahl" yelled Pedro. Where are
you, Juan? This hog Of an American
has me by the throat, and have lost
my knife. :
i 'lIe is a demon" groaaed Juan, He
Is pounding my head against the WALL"
A volley of yells followed and then a
chorus Of groans. Through it all !
heard an ominous dull thud. At length
silence prevailed, and / knew that all
wassover,
My last match was gone, but TO my
great delight it was almost morning.
With the first OF daylight peered
through the hole in the floor, Twas a
ghastly sight that met my gaze The
two Mexicans lay on the floor quite
dead Their heads had been smashed to
jelly against the walls and their Threats
bore dark blue marks.
Sitting in the corner was the monkey.
II He was bleeding profpsely and was
evidently seriously hurt At first
thought would spare him lie saved
my life and was grateful. But when
Il fixed the ladder and descended the
uatamablc beast prepared for a spring,
and there was such evident malice in
his eyes that | aimed at his eye and
fred One shot did the work lie rolled
over dead.
x j n -I.a n