Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-12-20

hAAaeeA ANdtAANe "a tiAln AckAuit CuuCIuuCu
that the girl and her escort were snow
ed in here or had persisted on the road.
After a night Of anxiety we got ready
for the trip and left yesterday noon for
the valley, hoping TO find the party as
they were when they took leave Of the
sick aunt. had no idea of the child's
actual predicament until she told me
| Just now. think the two men, Antonio
and Manuel, stole everything in their
possession and left for the Rio Abajo T"
Miss Valencia seems to have fallen
into the hands of a set of thieves from
the start" observed the lieutenant.
Ramon was the only honest one. But
you need have no anxiety for transporta-
tion. i will furnish it and an escort.
THANK you, my friend" said the
priest "And now about that boy, Ra-
mon Vaca After supper will see him,
and tomorrow morning will say mass.
Please notify the men and let me have
the largest room possible"
"You can have the mems dining
room, and Mrs. Sullivan will assist you
in arranging and decorating"
Cain and the cook now appeared with
slipper, and the two Mexicans sat down
to it with the keen relish induced by a
long ride and sharp atmosphere.
The meal ended, Padre Gutierrez WIS.,
tied the wounded boy and spent an hour
with him. He called on Mrs. Sullivan
to arrange for linen for an altar, then
returning to the officers quarters, went
to bed.
The next day, Immediately after re-
veille, mass was held and generally at
tended by the Catholic soldiers. The
lieutenant, Ortega and Dona Teresa
were present. Breakfast followed, and
then preparations for the journey to
Jemez began.
Two mules were packed with the Ia
dy's luggage, and Ramon's pony was
saddled for her to ride. Four mules and
the bronchos were made ready for cor
poral and five men, and Raymer's horse
was brought to the door. When Ortega
saw the lieutenant preparing to go, he
could not conceal his vexation, and
presently he said:
81 see no reason for your accompany
ing US, sir. :"
Had you not arrived, answered the
officer, sit was my intention to go in
charge of the escort, and know of no
reason for changing my plans, particu-
larly as the animals belong TO the camp
and the escort is military"
''But the padre and l can take few
necessary articles with us upon our sad
die horses and send party of Pueblos
for the rest of the luggage later" in
sisted the Mexican, evidently determined
that Raymer's acquaintance with Dona
Teresa should not be prolonged.
THAT would make unnecessary de-
lay" returned the lieutenant 81 notice
that while you are extra we'll armed the
priest carries no weapons. You are
hardly sufficient escort for two defense
less persons in times like these"
"Vaya! There are no Indians about.
We saw no signs as we came here"
my four months residence in this
valley has witnessed five collisions with
the Navajoes, and I do not propose to al
low woman to travel through such a
country without proper protection, " and
the officer left the irate Ortega and went
to attend to some details of preparation.
He found no opportunity to speak to
Teresa. From the time of the PADRES
arrival Mexican usage had hedged her,
and she had gone to and from mass in
the conventional manner without rails
ing her eyes or betraying any conscious
ness of Raymer's presence. When all
was ready, she came from her cabin, ac
companied by the priest and all the Sui
livan womankind. Taking an affection
ate leave of the pretty Irish girl, she
was helped into the saddle, and the par
ty began its journey.
The weather was warm for January,
and the snow grew soft and damp in
temperature little above the melting
point. A mild southwesterly breeze blew
across the snow white surface. of the
valley, bearing promise of a pleasant
winter day. The lieutenant rode in ad-
vance, closely followed by the soldiers
and pack mules The Mexicans rode be-
hind in the order Of maiden, priest and
youth.
When the column entered the timber,
the snow was found to be Of uniform
depth and not difficult to pass through.
The animals moved in file along the
path made by the priest and Ortega on
the preceding day, up and down many
hillsides and through many windings.
A few hours after entering the forest
the giant pines Of the valley borders
had diminished in size to the dwarf
pine,, or pinon. The foliage was less
dense and the glades more open, while
the snow had shoaled to few inches
At last the trail stretched across dead
and treeless level, terminating at the
crest of a slope that descended at an an
gle Of 45 degrees 1000 feet to the
.Temez river below Through a thick