Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-12-20

no chants, no 6reA As still as dealt
they lay, peering stealthily over tn,
cliff, waiting, watching, for theil
prey. Great rocks. pried loose from
their beds, almost hung over the cliff
suspended or held In check by ropes o
twisted grass These were the deadly
weapons with which the cowardly In
dians would crush their foes,
A small band Of Mexican soldier
struggled up the mountain side. Al
unsuspecting Of the hidden danger
they entered the pass. The massacre
OF the Sierra de Bacatel was soon Il
commence.
On their weary horses or mules they
toiled upward, great walls Of rock ris
ing high on each side Of them. The
pass was not more than hundred feel
wide. What chance for escape Wal
there?
Suddenly . blood-curdling war ory
rent the cir. 1t seemed to come from
the sky. 1t 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 powerless to
strike blow In their own defense.
Not a quarter Of = mile away, com
Ing through tho fated pass, was a
wagon. The greut black horses stepped
briskly along with their load, and the
heavy covered wagons used by the trav-
elers in the mountains were no light
load. Senior Castero drove them, and
whipped them Into greater speed. He
was hurrying homo to his daughter.
I'VE will soon be on the level road"
he said to companion, who lay on
cushions inside the wagon. Then we
can make better speed. Does the
roughness Of the road hurt you?"
Not much I could stand more to
hurry to the side Of Jusnita."
Again the lash. Again the horses
started up. Ahl II Senior Castero knew
what was being done Just ahead.
A great rock loosened by the fends
on the cliffs, bounded out over the
heads Of the soldiers and crashed down
among them, crushing two Of the poor
fellows into the earth.
Cries OF CONSERVATION came from
the soldiers. Like Gagged rats, they
turned one way and another, firing
their rifles fruitlessly into the air,
shouting, crying, shrieking, as one
after another the cruel rocks came
down upon them, always with death.
dealing certainty. And into this
maelstrom Of death Senior Castero was
driving.
But what Is that flying up the noun
tain side? A horse, once black as coal,
now white with his own foam, for no
had Travelled ata killing pace Tor many
miles without a break. Faithfully he
plunged along. On his back Juanita,
fearless, holding the bride with q
drmgrp, while she urged her magniA-
cent stced to further efforts.
"On, on, Satanl Another mile, and
we shall be beyond the the passl On,
on!"
And on he went.
Not even when they came In sight of
the panic-stricken soldiers did horse
or rider falter. The girl knew that
her Lie might pay tho 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, we're her
father and her lover, and she was q
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 a prayer to an Almighty
Power to guide herand her horse safe
ly through the storm Of death.
1--WE are past the dangerl On, Satan,
on" she cried
Before her she saw the horses and
wagon she knew SO well. Her ia.
ther, bewildercd, saw the rushing
steed, unacceptable save by his
gait.
Back Backl The Yaquis are on the
cliff II is death 10 proceed Back
Turn back!' Juanita cried.
Jesus have mercy" muttered Senior
Castero, as he hurriedly turned his
horses around. God in Heaven be
thanked for giving mo q daughter that
can do this thing"
"Juanita, my angel" murmured Zal-
varcdcs, rising from his cushions and
gazing rapturously at the girl who
had risked her life for his and saved 1t.
Flying Satan reached the side OF the
wagon, and with n great convulsive
sob that shook his mighty frame,
knalt first upon his knees, then, with
a pitiful, appealing look at his mis-
tress, lay overhead.
Come; there Is no time TO loseI"
Juanita leaped into the wagon, and
again the horses were whipped into
great speed, but this time 1t 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 breathed prayer OF thank
fulness to the sustaining Power that
had brought her safely through the
Pass Of Death, but with it went q sob
of grief, for in her service her noble
horse had sacrificed his life.
They reached Fort Yuma and their
lives were saved.-N. Y. Ledger
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