The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1894-02-24

rOts am 10 leave THESE snug quarters
and go into camp o dozen miles away
what then is to become of your lady
ship"
MY ladyship will go likewise" she
replied, smiling
Remember" / argued, "that the
burro is the only means of inland trans
portation. the trail is dangerous If one
is not used to riding, and you will find
these cool nights very uncomfortable
In camp" But the spirit of adventure
was rife. Lily clamored to go, and
finally gave in.
During our conversation Mercedes
had remained silent, but l noted the
wistful look in her eyes.
II think Mercedes would like to go
with u.s." said |.
mo doubt it would be treat for
her. poor girl" my wife responded.
"Come here, little one!" reckoning the
child TO seat by her side do you
never get lonely here by YOURSELF"
"Ah, no, sonora! have always this, :"
stretching out her hands with tender
gesture toward the sea 1t had MUIR
INJURED her cradle lullaby, and she knew
and loved its varying moods.
''Then there are many people here In
summer, and often they speak with ME;
when they come no more l gather my
shells and help mend the nets"
Have you no playmates?"
II had sister once-she died,
softly.
II will be your sister, Mercedes, "
cried Lily, impulsively.
$50 you shall, dear" said l. "Ah!
there is Pacheco homo ward bound with
. fine string Of fish," and waylaying
the child's father, told him our plans
respecting Mercedes, to which he gave
ready consent
There was quite gathering OF ma
tives about the hotel In the morning to
wish US ''Buenos dias' as our cavalcade
set out, led by Mexican Joe, Q vener-
able islander, who was to act in the CO.
pacity of cook and general utility man.
We were to make the trip by easy
stages, stopping over night at the In
dian mounds, place had long con-
templated visiting.
Joe assured me that he knew the
mound locality we'll, and confident that
o rich harvest would reward the dill
gent explorer-for stone implements,
beads, bits of wampum, and even the
skulls and bones OF departed warriors
had been unearthed by the islanders
added pick and shovel to our camp
ing outfit.
The trail, following the coast, was
ascending and sometimes wound peril
OF sly near the edge of the cliff. Look
ing down q hundred feet or more, one
could see the foaming breakers dash
ing on the rocks below. Everything
delighted the children; they laughed
and chatted and sang until we caught
their merry mood, and gay party we
were. indeed.
The sun was high In the heavens
when we arrived at the mounds, so
with appetites made keen by the long
ride in the bracing morning air, we set
about preparing the midday meal. Old
Joe li,nped away to gather frewood;
my wife summoned the children, who
were culling the golden peoples that
grew in profusion along the cliffs edge,
to help unpack the lunch, while /, Jug
in hand, made for > canyon near by in
search OF water. I found trickling
stream dripping from the moss-clad
powders, and the jug was soon filed.
II might have been fifteen minutes be.
fore left the canyon; as soon as came
In sight Of camp knew that some
thing was amiss. Old Joe ran toward
me, shouting and motioning wildly; on
the verge of the cliff saw my wife
Mercedes beside her, but
where was Lily?
In an instant realized the worst
Lily had fallen from the cliff. My
brain reeled with the horror Of the
thought and I called to my wife be-
seeching her to leave that awful place.
Why did she still kneel and gaze down
upon the mangled form lying ON the
cruel rocks?
''Senor," the old Mexican was say
ing, ''the child not hurt-she cling tc
The ledge. We must have ropesl'
Alive! grasped sturdy root and
swung myself over the abyss Far be-
low, upon narrow. crumbling ledge.
Lily lay, her fall arrested by q dense
growth OF brush.
''Quick! the ropes!" shouted to Joe.
Those used In flashing the burro's
pack in place were all we had. Joe
was rapidly knotting them together.
"Prsy God they may not be too shortr'
gasped the child's mother.
"Ahl" the Mexican exclaimed. "the
rope too old. II the senior 20 down it
break"
'Listen!'' cried Mercedes 1.-THE rope
will hold me. will 90 to her.
Even as she spoke we slipped the
moose under her arms, and, as we
grasped the rope, swung of the rock.
would not live those moments again
for wealth untold.
Would the rope reach Lily? Would
it bear the weight Of both?
These were the thoughts that almost
stopped my heart beats, while inch by
inch was lowered the brave child, per-
haps to her death
At length the strain on the rope
ceased.
''She has reached the LEDGE" breathed
the trembling mother. "She slips the
moose from her body and fastens it un-
der Lily's arms. Pull! Pulll'
And we pulled, slowly, steadily, un-
til loving mother arms reached out and
drew the unconscious child from the