The Monticellonian., 1894-12-14

no chants, no fires As still as death they lay, peering stealthily over the cliff, waiting, watching, for their prey. Great rocks. pried loose from their beds, almost hung over the cliff, suspended or held in check by ropes of twisted grass. These were the deadly weapons with which the cowardly In- dians would crush their foes
 A small band of Mexican soldiers struggled up the mountain side. All unsusPectng of Che hidden danger, they entered the pass. Tine massacre of the Sierra de Bacatcl was soon to | commence.
 On their weary horses or mples they toiied upward, ercat walls of rocl; ris- 1 ing high on each side of them. The pass was not more than hundred feet wide. What chance for escape was there?
 Suddenly hlood-curdling war cry rent the air. 1t seemed to come from the sky. It rolled above them like thunder. They stood still appalled,, knowing that danger threatened them, feeling the beginning of their doom, yet seeing no foe, and power1ess to strike n blow in their own defense.
 Not n quarter of mile away, com ing through the fated pass, was a wagon. The great black horses stepped briskly along with their load, and the heavy covered wagons used by the tray elers in the mountains were no light load. Senor Castero drove them, and whipped them into greater speed. He was hurrying home to his daughter.
 We will soon be on the level road" he said to q companion, who lay on cushions inside the wagon. 'Ehen we can make better speed. Does the roughness of the road hurt you2"
 Not much l could stand more to hurry to the side of Juanita." ;"
 Again the lash Again the horses started up. An! If Senor Castero knew what was being done just ahead.
 X great rock loosened by the fends on the cliffs bounded ont over the heads of the soldiers and crashed down among them, crushing two of the poor fellows into the earth.
 Cries of consternation came from the soldiers Like eaged rats, they turned one way and another, firing tfit4l iIIlNo IT hi1iGs9N4N li4oO LAt hlit shouting, crying, shrielling, as one after another the cruel rocks came down upon them, always with death dealing certainty And into this maelstrom of death Senor Castero was driving,
 But what is that flying up the mourn, tain side? A horse, once black as coal, now white with his own foam, for he had travelled ata killing pace for many miles without q break. Faithfully he plunged along. On his back Juanita, fearless, holding the brdle with q firm grip, while she urged her magnif- cent steed to further efforts.
 "On, on, satan! Another mile, and we shall be beyond the the pass. On, onlg
 And on he went.
 Not even when they came in sight of the panic-striclen soldiers did horse or rider falter The girl knew that her life might pay the penalty for her daring. She knew the Yaquis. She knew their tactics, their bloodthirsti ness. She knew that not one of those stricken soldiers could escape alive Yet she did not falter, for, coming toward that certain death, were her father and her lover, and she was a woman whose love was her life, and the loss of her love was worse than death.
 "On, Satan, on! she cried.
 And over the dead and dying bodies of the soldiery the great horse bounded jumping from side to side to clear the fallen rocks, his heroic rider breathing prayer to an Almighty Power to guide her and her horse safe ly through the storm of death.
 We are past the danger! On, Satan, 6ni' she cried.
 Before her she saw the horses and wagon she knew so well, Her fla ther, bewildered saw the rushing stecd, unrecognizable save by his lightning gait.
 Back! Back! The Yaquis are on the cliff! 1t is death to proceed! Bacll Turn bacl<!9 Juanita cried.
 "Jesus have mercyl" muttered Senor Castero, as he hurriedly turned his horses around. God in Heaven be; thanked for giving me a daughter that can do this thingla
 "Juanita, my angel!' murmured Zal- varedes, rising from his cushions and gazing rapturously at the girl who had rislled her life for his and saved it.
 Flying Satan reached the side of the wagon, and with a great convulsive sob that shook his mighty frame, l<nelt first npon his knees, then, with pitifui, appealing look at his mis- tress, lay over-dead
 Come; there is no time to losei'
 Juanita leaped into the wagon, and again the horses were whipped into great speed, but this time it was back over the track they had come, from danger into safety.
 Juanita rested upon the cushions that her lover made her take from him, and breathea prayer of thanil- fitness to the sustaining Power that had brought her safely through the Pass of Death, but with it went a sob of grief, for in her service her noble horse had sacrificed his life.
 They reached Fort Yuma and their lives were saved.-N. '. Ledger.
 \ Human Mortgage.
 There is story told of Lemaitre, the great French actor, which is char acteristic.
 Lemaitre was always head over heels