Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-12-27

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his horse to q run, he came up to the
lieutenant and placed himself by his
side, saying: Give me a weapon, my
brave friend. l will stand by YOU"
Spoken like hospitaller. Take the
revolver on my right side, fathe-.. dc
not think the reds will show while we
cover that clump. Ortega's flight will
bring back the advance.
But even as he spoke there came q
third report. Glancing toward Teresa,
Raymer saw that her horse had been
struck and was staggering and plung-
ing, threatening to unseat her Riding
to her left, he placed his right arm
about her waist and lifted her in front
Of him as the horse fell At the same
instant the advance arrived and quick
ly got into line with the priest and lieu
tenant.
"Get under cover of those bowlders-
quick, menl Put your arms about me,
darling, and hold on. must have mine
free to hold my rifle" said Raymer,
danger loosening his tongue and in a
single word revealing all he had hither-
to concealed. Teresa's arms clasped her
protector, and her eyes met his with a
new light in their depths.
The soldiers had ranged themselves
behind mass of broken sandstone, from
which they could command the clump
Of cedar which concealed the Indians.
Corporal, said the lieutenant, ''you,
Hoey and Clary pass your reins to
Evans and climb into that cleft and
keep up fire into that brush until
those fellows show themselves. The
rest of us will reserve our fire until they
break. ="
Three rifles cracked irregularly, and
the crash Of the bullets among the
stones and foliage Of the hillsides was
soon followed by a thrashing and tram
pling, and nine mounted Indians and
three loose ponies galloped up stream,
screening themselves as much as posi-
Bile in the underbrush.
"Padre, now! They're running! Let
them have every barreln' exclaimed the
lieutenant as he and Clampet fired.
'Not at retreating foe, my son. l
fire only in defense, " replied the priest.
can Indian or two less now, father,
might make defense unnecessary at
some future time, remarked Clampet,
half cooking his rife. ,
With a few earnest congratulations
upon their escape and a muttored "cow-
ardly cur from the padre, a term
which could not be applied to any one
IF the little group present, the party re-
sumed its march. To the surprise of the
lieutenant, Father Gutierrez rode in ad-
vance with the soldiers, and for the
time being, acting perhaps upon gen.
arous impulse begot of his disgust at
0rtega's flight, abandoned the espionage
Of his niece
Raymer looked fondly into the eyes
Of the girl whom he held closely to his
breast All barriers We're for the mo-
ment forgotten. The despair of few
hours past was now swept away by this
tide of unexpected joy brought on by
wave of conflict and storm.
did offend when called you dar-
ling?" he asked
Teresa did not speak. He read his
answer in her eyes and slight pressure
of her arms. He ventured to kiss her
unshrinking lips and said
"You will not marry that poltroon
Ortega, Teresa mia?"
A moments pause, and then the an
swer:
Never, if I can avoid it,
"And if I can persuade your parents
to allow my suit will you be my wife,
dearest?"
Another pause, to Raymer an age.
Then came the reply:
"Yes," smothered in kiss.
"Yes, Philip-say it please" he
urged.
eyes, Philip. But think you have
difficult task before you. You do not
know how prejudiced mamma is against
Americans.
is she so very terrible, dearest?'
"Not terrible, Philip. She is the
dearest and best mamma in the world,
but she does dislike Americans, although
she made an exception in your case so
far as to wish you were Mexican once. I"
when was that, pray?"
'"The time you defended me in Santa
Fe and Ignacio ran away, DEAR She is
most opposed to marriages out of her
church :"
"'All things come to him who
waits, and if you will not marry Ortega
nor any one but me the field is open,
and shall try to win."
A pause in the march was now made
until the packs of the two mules ooulS
be consolidated into one. This was done
by distributing few articles among the
riders. The mule gained by this arrange
ment was turned over to soldier who
had been riding one of the bronchos, and
that in turn was saddled with the saddle
taken from the dead pony and assigned
to the young lady.
Everything arranged, the column
moved ON and in short time reached
the little village of Canoncito. There
they found the people in great excite
ment, preparing for an expected attack
by a large band of Navajoes, reported by
the flying Ortega to be coming down
the river after having killed or captured
all of his party except himself. That
youth soon made his appearance, but
exhibited no shame for his conduct. He
greeted all with earnest congratulations
at their escape and expressed much re-
gret that by the breaking OF his horses
curbstrap he had lost control of the ami
NAL and was carried away from scene
where every impulse of his nature
prompted him to remain. No one re-
piled to his remarks.
The remaining six miles to Jeme7
were soon passed over, and at nightfall
the travlers arrived at the house of Pa
Dire Gutierrez. The priest had resumed
his xUatchfnl oyersioht of Dona Taroco