Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-01-25
LIE Don PROFESSORS
SPECIMEN
Tales OF Fen Travellers" Series.
BY Edgar L. waseman.

nv Hld1 Slh NHb llAh
Uttered the invocation and the little
ray old donkey beneath him, were
orry looking objects in the wondrous
ummer night moonlight which poured
through the riffs of the giant forest
rees, there in the almost unknown
mountain district of southern Cuba.
The very radiance of tho moonlight
Idded years in appearance to the woe
,egone face of the rider, despite his deep
Ind almost sparkling black eyes. 1t sill
rered the white of his hair, the gray of
lis travel-stained clothing and ponder
,us patched panniers; while what little
IF the shaggy hair of his donkey, whose
head was already touching the ground
with slumberous intent, could be seen,
;ook ON the same weird and spectral
appearance.
Stranger still in the moonlight was
the figure confronting them. 1t was of
bareheaded and barefooted man, clad
in blackened linen and the skins OF
wild beasts. He was almost giant in
height, huge of frame, and his great
round head, curiously begrimed, was
nearly covered with a wiry beard and
ihocky, glossy black hair.
Though his left hand was extended
with a gesture of friendliness, in his
right was grasped a Cuban machete at
least three feet in length, whose two
edged blade was broad as its owners
tremendous palm. The arm that held
this savage weapon was mighty and
corded, and the timorous rider suddenly
reflected that, despite the mans hearty
welcome, this arm and blade could in a
twinkling sever his own and his dom
keys heads at one swift stroke.
"Hagame ell favor de condo Y refu.
| giar Z" MAY crave food and shelter y
iskeo the rider in quayering tone OF
duplication.
"Desmontesen y tomen los dos
tmbos y (Dismount and receive both y
. responded the immoyable figure with
the machete.
The little old man was not vet sure
Of his strange host. He looked anx-
ously about him upon the blinking
night-fires of weird and unaccounta-
BILE camp. He seemed about to turn
Ind plunge down the torturous way he
aad come. Then with a glance at his
aided beast, he began, without dis
mounting and as if completely dis
Taught, a stream Of personal explana-
sned tone of voice.
'Good sir, am Don Eduardo Com
tales-Professor Gonzales of the Royal
University of Havana. am sometimes
known among my fellows as IA
naturalist. More often am known" he
concluded as if recollecting his present
forlorn and helpless condition, and as he
aw the man before him was grinning
broadly, "by the merry youth Of
Havana, as foolish old ass. They are
right, sir; they are right. l am COM
pletely lost, and without your generous
aid shall never return alive to dear
Havana with these priceless specimens I"
The little old man here broke down
entirely, and after affectionatelv and
whimperingly patting the ragged pam
liners, wiped tear or two from his
dusty eyes, gave his donkey a vicious
dig with his heel, as though that patient
animal were the cause of all his mis-
fortunes; and turned to the huge forester
with an air of supreme resignation.
which plainly said: professor or ass
my race is run. l am ready for food and
shelter, or drawing and quartering at
once. Whichever 1t is to be, make no
delayp
IA sad history!" said the forester
still smiling. 81 am also feared and
hated by some; called fool by others.
But l am free and happy here in the
mountains with my comrades; while
you-Bien !-caramba !-you are still a
4 Blavel"
Don Eduardo drew himself UP as
haughtily as his sore limbs would per.
NIT, but the other continued, scarcoly
noticing the unconscious assertion OF
Y professional dignity as he threw the
panniers over his arm and began lead
ing the donkey and its rider into camp,
You have heard of Matagas?n
'Jesu Maria You are not Matagas
the outlaw"
Isl, 81, senior; none other"
The old don trembled violently, and
\ would have fallen to the ground had
not Matagas supported him.
And worth, that is, my head is
worth, 10000 pesos to any one who will
present it safely with his compliments
o his excellency, Governor General
;abas Marin"
The professor groaned outright.
Have no fear; have no fear. We are
II honest carboneros here" continued
Iatagas soothingly. "Look there be.
ido that choza. Do you seer There
! my wife, Tomasa. There is INV
aughter, good-for-nothing, bird.catch
ig Juanita."
Treasured the don peered sharpl,
mong the camp fires and huts. He saw
yellow Old crone DOING in the shadow
hut door, and beautiful girl o
plendid stature sitting beside her, softl,
drumming a guitar, while u score OF
orange birds flew in and out of rudt
willow cages, hanging against a nea
ree-trunk, now and then posing ant
lifting about her head, her arms ant
&C.. Fear instantly departed from TIN
don's face, and his dark eyes lightet
3 5riously.
'Six-seven-nine " he broke fortl
almost boyish glee, land not one il
collection p
atagas turned quickly and almos
u, avnSely, but observing the naturalist
X yes alone gloating upon the twitterin
NJ iirds, he smiled again and nodding hi
VI cad little said sadly and rumina
v yely, Yes, yes. l understand it some
that. l was once in the Royal Uni
A ersity;" and then, aloud to the dor
I'M You see you are as safe with US as i
our own bed. Even Matagas coul
apt harm guest where these are, Do
& Eduardo?"
p I1No, no, no P' responded the professo
n ntpetuously, as though the ou.la,
ehbught only of the birds, and alightin
+ frhm his donkey with youthful alacritl
4 pray you take me at once to Juanit
Pnd the birds"
rI "Manana l--manana Tomorrow
X fenor. Juanita and the birds will wal
4 Iou shall first have food and rest"
In few moments more mestizos o
- the call of MafaOas had tatharad a.