Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-11-22

Anu NANto EAOOd ~ AONAA NoSNAANA NhaN NAAS
trail made. frequent turns between the
trunks and rose and fell over the undu-
lating and gradually ascending ground,
making it impossible to proceed much
faster than a walk.
The soughing Of the wind in the
pines added gloom to the night. In the
forest 'the voices of the night" were
unlike those CT the open valley. There
were mutterings and whisperings, sighs
and groans, cluckings and chatterings
and scampering of feet, suggestive of
the supernatural, but caused by the
moving foliage and branches or disturb
ed animal life.
The darkness increased as the distance
to Los Ojos Frios lessened, and the
foliage became so dense that Raymer
could distinguish no objects beyond his
horses head. Depending upon the ami
mails better vision or instinct to keep
the trail, he rode on, followed closely
by the men, when suddenly his horse
stopped short and became so restive that
it was with great difficulty he could be
controlled. Turning to the men, the
lieutenant commanded:
"Halt! Dismountl Hold your animals
as still as possible and listenW
With the silence of the marching
party there broke upon the stiffness the
sound of scampering footsteps, moving
to the right and left, accompanied by
the rustling and cracking of dry twigs
and leaves. After the sound had ceased
there arose the unmistakable chorus of
the gray wolf. With this positive evil
dence that something had frightened the
horses and mules-for all had become
restive-Raymer ordered Cain to light
pile of dry pine spines and twigs, with
which the ground was covered.
A fire was quickly kindled, and when
the officers eyes became accustomed to
the light he peered into the darkness
and saw an object lying across the path
few rods in advance. What it was he
could not make out, but he determined
to ascertain its character.
A few moments later splinters cut
from dead trunks of the pitch pine were
blazing in the hands of the lieutenant
and three Of the men advancing to ex-
anime the object III the road 1t proved
to be horse lying across the trail. 1t
was dead and much lacerated by the
teeth of wolves. The body was still
warm, and Mexican saddle and bride
attached to it indicated the nationality
of the missing rider. The wolves,
grouped at safe distance ON each side
of the trail, now and then broke into a
chorus of howls and snarls, accompanied
by fierce swapping of jaws.
Corporal Coffey, have you any idea
where we are?" asked the lieutenant of
a soldier who stood by his side holding
q torch.
II think, sir, from the sharp turn we
made few rods back, that we have
passed seven mile pine. "
''Then we are still three miles from
the springs Go back to the bend, cor
poral, and see if you are right. You
know the tree?"
Eyes, sir. It has a cross cut Ont the
west side, and sandstone bowlder leans
against the opposite side
''That is right Whileyou are gone /
will look for the rider of this horse }"
The corporal went back, while tie
officer and soldier continued in the op.
posite' direction. A few steps brought
Raymer to the body of a man lying dead
in the road His dress, features and
complexion were Mexican. An arrow
wound in the back had caused his death.
His arms, ammunition and large par
Gel enveloped in blanket still remained
intact. He had evidently been wounded
some distance from where he fell, and
his enemies, thinking him unhurt, had
not pursued.
Upon examination the bundle was
found to- contain food, tobacco and a
rich silver inlaid mahogany jewel case.
Opening the case, Raymer was astonish-
ed to find a rosary Of gold and jet and a
Maltese cross of Mexican filigree-exact
duplicates of the ornaments worn by
Dona Teresa when he first saw her at
the windows Of the governors palace i1
Santa Fe. In another compartment were
rings, bracelets and other ornaments,
richly set with gems. No initial, mono
gram or device by which the owner
could be identified was found on the
oasket or it's contents.
Raymer examined the features of the
dead Mexican more closely. He was un-
doubtedly a griso and bore no resem-
blance to the caballero whom the wag.
oner punished in Santa Fe.
The thought had flashed through
Raymer's mind at sight of the tr.n!;ct,
that Teresa might be one of the ladies
shut up by the Naxajoes in the cabins
at Los Oigs, Frios- A portion of it was
either hersDor exact duplicates of hers.
Of this there could be no doubt.
1t was; BY NO means impossible that
Miss Valancia might have been visiting
relatives, in the rio ariba. That such
journeysswere not unusual in New Mex
leo had been proved by his adventure on
the Jemez trail in October, The posi-,
bility of again meeting her renewed
hopes he had i'm vain been attempting
to Danish and aroused resolution
which lent new tension to nerves anc
muscles, preparing him for any struggle
necessary to rescue the girl whose
image filled his thoughts. Closing the
box, he returned to his horse and depos
tied tine treasure in pouch attached tt
his saddle.
DiHScting the men to throw the enc
of tha lariat over the limb Of tree. thai