The record-union., 1894-01-20

With her two hands she first made loud,
sharp clappings, gradually softening these
to a perfect imitation of the wing tiap-
ping of homing wild fowl. This would
be followed by her vocal call so like that
OF wild pigeon. that one seemed really
nesting there above their heads. To these
would come low, half-doubting answers
from the Interlacing branches of the
trees. Again the tremulous voice-call of
the girl and the scurrying and rustling OF
the delnded birds, when Juanita, with
outreaching head and lightful eyes,
would walk straight to the covert and re-
turn with the charmed pigeons poising
and trembling upon her head, shoulder
or hand.
Again, if they were athirst, she would
lead the Professor like helpless child to
the mighty stems of the para cimarona,
or wild grape, which like weird Moorish
tret-work was interwoven between earth
and overhanging branches beneath a
score of stately trees.
Here is Aaron's rod," she would
laughingly exclaim, as she fondled the
blade of the machete, 81 will give you TO
drinkw
With one stroke the huge, knotty
trunk would be severed, and from the
mouth OF the hanging tube they would
drink their fill of the winey, refreshing
sap.
In this idylic way passed the days and
weeks of summer. Every sunlit hour
brought the Professor some new and
precious specimen, not only from deep
woods and mountain Businesses, but from
the valley edges below, where war had
blasted wales OF peace and unkempt par
| narosas, granadillas and countless trop-
ical shrubs and flowers still grew in
rank profusion beside the ruins OF an
| cient plantation homes, for here host OF
singing birds, which loved the haunts OF
men, still came with plaintive, mourntul
songs.
Don Eduardo had made several at
tempts at departure. His donkey had
fattened upon the campside fare. His
pannlers were OverfioWing with specl-
mems. Every one had pressed him TO re-
main, save Tomasa and Jose. But each
time he looked in the face of the girl who
had been his sweet and loving compan-
ion in every waking hour OF this strang-
est experience of his life, his heart failed
him entirely. Her magic had seemed to
pass from her very self into, and become
a part, OF every specimen he had secured.
lt had wrought further still. 1t had first
taught this shrivelled specimen himself
that subtler wizard charm OF perfect hui
man companionship.
world OF aspiration, intangible, indefina-
BILE, but vaster and more ineffable in it's
glory than the dome above her which
held the glowing stars. She stood at the
threshold OF such world, longing, hun
gering, painting for entrance, and the don's S
going was as the closing back ward upon
her of some EDlis door for ever.
But at last the partings had all been
said. Felix viagei-felix Wage! Dios
lo haoy1 .b nil OH
to the departing naturalist, and at the
edge Of the camp the don, the donkey and
the bursting panniers were receiving the
last embraces and blessings OF the giant
framed, sunny hearted outlaw, Matagas.
Suddenly Juanita, machete at her side
and guiebrahaca stick in hand stood there
beside them.
1.-The don shall not return by Cienfue-
gos,' said the girl quietly. Il will show
him our path over the mountains to
Guines."
"Good!" answered Matagas heartily.
HE will not reveal it,
And so the outlaw and the naturalist
parted. Juanita turned the donkey's
head in the opposite direction; led it and
its burdens silently through the camp;
hesitated moment as the forest was en-
tered, and then, swiftly returning to Ma
tagas and Tomasa, who had contentedly
resumed their labors, kissed both impul-
sively with the parting words, 'Do not
fear If 1t be late when | returnr' when
she sprang again to the donkey's head,
and, with her companion set forth upon
their way.
But Jose was missed among the carbo-
neros in their work that day. Early in
the afternoon he came bounding like
some fierce animal into camp, and sought
Matagas' side. But a word or two was
spoken, when Matagas and Jose swiftly
disappeared. Never was such speed
made by Cuban foresters in shadoWy for
ests, through echoing canyons, across
sun bak ed llanos and through almost i'm
penetrable jungles as by these. Just as
the sun was dipping behind the western
mountains and flooding the valley of
Guines with waves of saffron and of gold,
they came to the top of the hills along its
splendid southern wall. Standing there
like Nemesis of vengeance, Mataga,
| looked long and Sternly at two specks
| trailing along the far, white valley roads
almost beneath the walls of the ancient
City of Guines.
What he really saw was donkey now
laden with panniers and the figure of a
woman, while a sprightly old man
walked beside them, his right arm rest
ing across the donkey's back and low
ingly encircling the form Of the one who
rode.
Matagas' face grew dark and darker for
little. Then it softened in the mellow
sunset glow. Soon his lips parted, first
with smile and then in speech, as
though he were thinking aloud.
No, no. josef So L once robbed To-
mas father of my wife. Let them 60
bugs, bats, birds and all; even if Don Ed
uardo has taken to his Havana collections
the finest specimen in Cubar'
Felix Wage, felix viage!-Don Eduar-
do and Juanita! Dios Ie compane," +"
shouted Matagas deafeningly but cheer
lily withal. And, without another word,
the outlaw stole turned his kindly face
toward TOmasa and his mountain hut.