The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-21
Ghe Don pro
fessor's Specimen.
(copwfsn, 1894 Al Rights Reserced0

n ~S~~ >e~~>~
fThe peace OF God be upon your housed
"Y yenga con voz," Come you with
that blessingD
The little gray old man who had ut
tered the invocation, and the little gray
old donkey beneath him, were sorry
looking objects in the wondrous summer
night moonlight which poured through
the riffs OF the giant forest trees, there
In the almost unknown mountain district
of southern Cuba.
The very radiance of the moonlight adj
ded wears I'm appearance 10 the woe-begone
face OF the rider, despite his deep ana
almost sparkling black eyes. 1t silvered
the white Of his hair. the gray OF his
trayei-stained clothing and ponderous
matched panniers; while what little OF the
shaggy hair of his donkey. whose mead
was already touching the ground with
slumberous intent. could be seen, look
on the same weird and spectral appear
ance.
stranger stlll in the moonlight was the
figure confronting them. 1t was OF
bareheadcd and barefooted man, clothed
IN blackened linen and the skins OF wild
beasts lie was almost a giant III height,
hinge OF frame. and his great round head,
c,rriously begrimed. was nearly covered
with a why beard. and shocky, 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 the owners ire
mendous 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 twiDkling
sever his own and donkey's head. at one
swift stroke.
'IIagame el favor de condo Y refugiar?"
(May l crave food and shelter) asked
the rider In quavering tone of supplica-
ton.
"Dismontesen tomen los dos ambosr'
Oismount and receive bothD responded
the immovable figure with the machete.
The little old man was not yet sure Of
his strange host. He looked anxously
about him upon the blinking night fires
OF a weird and unaccountable camp. He
seemed about to turn and plunge down the
torturous way he had come. Then with
glance at his jaded beast, he began
without dismounting. and as If completes
~ distraught, stream of personal ex-
plantations In n most lugubrious and dis
heartened tone of voice
Good sir, am Don Eduardo Gonzales
Professor Gonzales. of the Royal Uni
versity of Havana. 1 am sometimes
known among my fell ows as IA natural
ist. More often / am known" he con-
cluded as If recollecting his present for
lorn and helpless condition. and as he
saw the man before him was grinning
broadly, "by the merry youth Of Havana,
as a foolish old ass. They are right, sir;
they are right. am completely lost. and
without your generous aid / shall never
return alive to dear Havana with these
priceless specimens"
The little old man here broke down en-
tirely, and after affectionately and whim-
peringly patting the ragged pannlers
wiped tear or two from his dusty eyes,
gave his donkey q vicious dig with his
heel, as though that patient animal We're
the cause OF all his misfortunes: 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 draw
ing and quartering at once. Whichever
II Is TO be. make no delay"
"A sad history" said the forester still
smiling. II am also feared and hated by
some; called fool by others. But am
free and happy here In the mountains
with my comrades; while you-Bien!-
caramba.-you are still "A slave.'
Don Eduardo drew himself up as haugh-
tily as his sore limbs would permit. but
the other continued. scarcely noticing the
unconscious assertion of professional dig
nifty as he threw the panniers over his
arm and began leading the donkey and
its rider into camp, "You have heard OF
MatagasT
"Jesu!-Marial You are not 'Matagas.
the outlaw
Isl, 81, senior: none other.
The old don trembled violently. and
would have fallen 10 the ground had not
Matagas supported him.
And worth that is, my head Is worth,
twenty thousand pesos 10 any one VINO
will present 1t safely with his compli-
ments 10 his Excelency, Governor GEN
erai Sabas Marin"
The professor groaned outright.
s.IIavc no fear; have no fear. We arc
all honest carboneros here" continued
Matagas soothingly Look there beside
that choza- Do YOU seer There is my
wife. Tomasa There is my daughter,
Rood-Sor-nothing, bird-catching Juanita'
Reassured. the don peered sharply
. among the camp fires and hus. lie saw
yellow old crone doing In the shadow
Of q hut-door. and "A beautifui gTt OF
splendid statue sitting beside her, so!ty
thrumming a guitar. while score OF
arrange birds few In and out OF rude Will
low cages, hanging against a near tree
trunk. now and then posing and fitting
about her head. her arms aud face rear
inntantiy Departed from the old dons face,
and hi. dark eyes lighted gloriously.
ssS,x-seyen- he broke forth In
almost boyish glee, land not one in my
collection
Matar,,s turned quickly and almost saw
arely bat observing the naturalists eyes
alone FLOATING upon the twittering BIRDS.
he smiled again and nodding his head
a little. said sadly and ruminatively. Yes.
YES. / understand II somewhat. was
once In the Royal University and then,
aloud to the don, ''You see you are safe
with us as IN your own bed. Even Mat
agas could not harm a guest where these
are. Don Eduardo
mo, no. no. responded the professor
impetuously. as though the outlaw thought
only OF the birds. and alighting from his
donkey With youthful aiacrity. II pray
You take me at once to Juanita ana the
birds.'
''Nanana '-manana! Tomorrow. Eenor.
Juanita and the birds viii wait. You shall
nrst have FOOD and rest"
IN . few moments more mestizos at
the can OF Matagas had tethered and fed
the donkey. ana Matagas had conducted
the professor to comfortable hut.
Water and wine were first brought. and
then some substantial food As the don
pavonoueiy began his meal, the outlaw
Started "a withdraw: but his guest, now
that the genial influence OF wine ana un-
of4Goipe hospitality was upon him. beg
~ HIN patronisinsiy 70 remain.
INN misal ~ bel Hov many folk