The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1895-10-29

in pretty colOred prints, their CLOS
sy black hair loosely braided an6
reaching to their waists, their eyes
big with innocent curiosity, they
formed as pretty a picture as a
man s heart could desire. / felt the
color rush into my cheeks, and q
queer sensation of pleasure pass
through my whole being. Off came
my hat as the buggy stopped with a
spirited jerk, and the next moment
/ was bowling with all the grace ]
could muster, which was not much,
and offering my revolver, knife and
beaded belt to the little sonora,
whose dark eyes flashed with graft
fication and who thanked me with a
great courtesy which would have
become the queen of Spain herself.
The sun was low in the horizon
when / sat down with Jose to our
evening meal We demolished it in
solitary state, waited upon by the
senora's sister, an exceedingly pref
ty girl of Ia, with the bearing of a
woman of four and twenty.
The errand that brought me to the
Ponil was the buggy in which we
had driven thither. Jose had bought
it from my partner, but having no
horse to convey it home had borrow
ed our mare, which I was to ride
back on the following day. Thus /
lad still breakfast to get through
at Ponil and 40 miles to ride after
ward under burning sun. The
probable nature of this breakfast
was serious anxiety to me as / ate
my supper, and the meal was dis
posed of in solemn silence. When
it was finished, we adjourned to
grassy bank outside the house to
smoke quiet pipe. The sun had
disappeared now, and the dusk was
creeping up swiftly from the east.
In less than an hour night would be
upon US. lay back at my ease and
drowsily watched the girls, who
were sitting together little way off
busily sewing. Jose was with them
piece of stuff-presuma-
bly, new dress-which his wife had
placed upon his knee for inspection.
1t was pretty, homelike scene, and
l smiled to myself as remem bered
the absurd hesitation / had felt at
relinquishirg my revolver. Revolv-
ers! Could anything be more out of
place in such an atmosphere as this?
So thinking, turned to knock
the ashes from my pipe, which had
gone out, nd was about to relight |
it when my attention was caught by
an odd pattering sound, the distant |
tramp of galloping horses. Some
body seemed to be in a hurry this
evening. sat up and called to Jose.
He was smiling at the time, playful
~ pulling his wife's hair. At my
words and gesture he sprang to his
feet with a startled look and ran
quickly to place from whence the
road to Cimarron was visible for two
miles.
He stood there nearly minute,
shading his eyes with his hand, then
ne ran back to us, and such change
lad passed over the mans face that
stared at him in amazement. His
Ups, naturally loose, were now COM
pressed into a thin, blue line; his
,yes were strangely dilated; he held
/ knife in his hand. I sprang to my
eet, half believing that the knife
vas meant for me. But Jose only
ouohed my arm and gasped be.
ween set teeth, pointing toward the
vest:
"Vacheros oome--vacheros from
failed to see the point. Indeed,
owboys-"vell, what's the matter?"
Jose stamped and swore aloud.
Matter! Carrambas You no
abe! Desperate cowboys, these.
De know horses. All, vacheros dia-
'olos! vamos, you"-turning 10
he women and still speaking in
roken English-"in casa. P'r'aps
hey no see you there. P'r'aps no.
md you, senior, run - run fl t
way" pointing to the river. go
cry smart, and cowboys no catch
GU at all.
/ looked around without moving
s bewildered as ever. The women
ad scurried into the ranch like rab-
it's into a hole, and from two neigh
oring houses three Mexicans were
earring up to us at full speed, their
aces as anxious as Jose's.
What are you afraid off" I ex-
laimed shortly, feeling strongly in
lined to laugh. 1--WE are five to
wo."
Jose shook his head impatiently
nd swore again.
Isl, 81, 81. But we have not one
istol, and you are boy. They