Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-11-08

I'VE can pun through a tolerable
siege fairly WELL" observed Sergeant
Cunningham, but these horses will not
do as we'll There is nothing in the way
of forage but the stale straw and pine
plumes in these old hunks.
'They will have 10 fast, said the
priest, until we get away or die. We
must not turn them loose to become the
property of the Indians +"
''No; should prefer to shoot my horse
rather than have him change to such
! ownership" said Raymer. II think.
| however, he added, lit will not come
to that. My men at Jemez will reach
camp day after tomorrow and find that
the sergeant ana L nave NOT arrived.
Search for us will at once begin, and as
we were known to take the cut off they
will come this way. We are sure of be-
ing rescued within four days"
'We have food enough to last that
time, and our animals can manage on
the straw, but these copper skinned fell
lows are going to attack Us in the dark
ness, fear" said the padre.
1--WE might keep fire before each
door, SIR" suggested the sergeant.
''Thcse old hunks could be broken up
for fuel. F"
II am afraid they would prove OF as
much advantage to the enemy as to us,
sergeant" replied the lieutenant. II
wonder if this fiat roof is covered with
earth?"
The sergeant went to the wide mouth
ed chimney, and easily ascending the
fues by stepping on the projecting ends
of the rough stones Of which it was
built looked out of the top and reported
that the roof was covered with two feet
| of earth.
':All right, then. We can keep a
small blaze going there, which will il
Illuminate the space about US and not
confuse our sight, but will confuse that
of the enemy"
The men set to work and pulled down
all the hunks. breaking the puncheons
and posts of which they were made into
fragments with large stones taken from
the hearth. Then the sergeant once
more assembled the chimney, and by di-
rection of the lieutenant pulled down
one side of the part projecting above
the roof, the side looking in the direc-
tion opposite the precipicc. This would
enable man standing i'll the top Of the
chimney to feed the fire upon the roof
without being exposed to the shots of q
foe on his right and left, the only points
of attack.
These preparations went slowly along,
and the October afternoon was entering
its last half when Vic arose from her
bed by the veiled lady, and approaching
! the sergeant's canteen shifted at it.
"Poor little VickyP' said Cunning
ham. Does she want a drink? Well,
she shall have one" and borrowing the
Mexican's s sombrero he placed it on the
floor, dented the top into the semblance
Of saucer and filled it with water. As
the setter Tapped it up the lieutenant
stood watching her, and making a sud-
den start he exclaimed:
"Why, sergeant we need not stay
here "a hours"
The sergeant, standing erect, looked
with smiling intelligence into the face
of his officer and replied: "That is so,
sir. wonder we did not think of it be-
fore" "
II cannot account for it. Perhaps be-
cause she has been asleep with her new
friends iE the corner, and we were so
busy about other matters. ;"
Here Raymer became aware that a
sweetly modulated voice was addressing
the priest in Spanish, and, listening,
heard the young lady interpreting what
he and the sergeant had just said in
English. So the mysterious maiden be-
meath the veil must be accomplished!
"You must explain to the rest of us, +"
said Padre Gutierrez, what you have
just discovered. We can see no improve
ment in our prospects, What has hap
peued?"
Simply that we have an intelligent
messenger to send to camp" replied the
lieutenant in Castellano. 'Victoriana
is a very accomplished doggy'-stoop-
ing and fondling her head and ears.
"She has had great pains taken with her
education and can do many things.
Among others she can carry messages.
How far is it to the camp, father?"
mine miles"
'Then Vic can do it. Sergeant, whit
tie out a stick which she can carry in
her mouth, and l will write letter.
Father Gutierrez please stand guard at
the window"
Gould we not send her back to
Jemez, sir?" asked the sergeant. "The
distance is much less"
No; I hardly think I could make her
understand our wishes in that direction.
There is little doubt but she will go to
CAMP"
Tro DE rONTTNTrEn I