The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1895-12-26
..He was a tall. remarkably hand

lHdb L SuOuIu nOb nave ItSOS iIlLcu
him, had he not come up TO me and
giving ne nis hand with much evident
satisfaction at the meeting, addressed
me by name and reminded me that he
had once been my patient.
Seeing. on the following morning.
that my horse was saddled, and my
servant as if preparing for a journey,
Don Gregorio approached me, and in
4 very gentlemanly manner, and at
the same time with a tone that eX-
pressed the great interest he took in
my answer, inquired:
. SenOr Doctor, may | make bold to
ask which way you are travelingP
"Most certainly, my friend [ au-
swered: my road leads me back to
Monterey
The Mexican shook his head, and
said he was extremely sorry for that.
bat, really my good Doctor, you
do do not intend to travel without an
escort. do you?"
Yes / replied we are familiar
with the road: and we know from the
reports Of our scouts that there is little
danger from your people to appre-
hend.'
Your scouts are not tobe depended
upon;I was the answer, for | assure
You that the mountain passes are at
this moment occupied by Canalles'
guerillas, whom he has recently order
ed to occupy all the available passes
between here and Montery. There
fore, my friend, take the advice of one
who owes you, perhaps, his life-at
least, health and sound hmb-and'de-
fer your journey till your general will
grant you sufficient escort to prevent
an attack
"'But, Senor,' said l, my business
will not admit of delay; for it may be
the life of dear friend depends upon
my arrival at Monterey as soon as
possible;' and then l explained to the
Mexican the nature of the dispatch I
had received from my colonel.
=" This is really bad said Don
Gregorio; but take my word for it
you will not pass the mountains to
day without being robbed even if you
escape with life
You forget, perhaps nay good
friend, that | am mounted on a swift
and sure footed animal, and, besides,'
said J, showing him a pair of six
shooting pistols, that never missed
fire, these lite barkers are better than
a dozen body guards
again the Mexican shook his head
and for some moments remained silent
seemed to be musing himself.
Il now called upon my servant, and
bade him mount; and after riding to
the outskirts Of the city to await my
coming at certain point which | in
dicated
Not yet, Senor-not yet, if you
please Listen, and [ viii tell you
what occurred to me once-in fact it
was but few days ago on that very
same road that you intended to travel
to said my companion. My basi
ness, like yours, was urgent; and even
then the mountain passes were held
by guerillas, who on occasions act only
as robbers--for its only your people
whose lives they Will take; to their
credit be it said, they re neither COW
ardly nor bloodthirsty. Well, [ had
but little money, and | said they
would be welcome to that, so that /
was moi detained in the road; so | sal
lied forth alone. But as [ left the
city gate a solitary horseman rode up
to me, and inquired which road I i'll
tended to travel on. His manner was
frank and honest, and so | pointed out
the direction | meant to go,
But you cannot travel that road,
said he; It's beset by robbers
81 know it but / must run the risk,
said l.
"'Well them said the stranger.
there was once time when L did the
captain Of that same bard a signal
service. In fact, I saved his life, so
he was pleased to say, and be gave
me a pass. which, he said, would com
mand me the respect Of the bandeleros
and protect my person aud property
as if 1t were under the lock of the
blessed church. This pass, he said,
would enable me, and whoever might
chance to travel with ne, to pass all
the occupied points Of the road in per
feet safety; no one would offer me the
least hindrance."
"'Oh, Don Gregori,' | said, that
must have been a wonderful talisman,
Equal no doubt, to the signet rings
Of old kings we read Of in ancient
stories, Pray. what could 1t have
been? | asked laughingIy; and did
it carry you safely through the rob
hers since you admit your guerillas
are nothing more?
Nothing offended by this interrup
ton, the Mexican put his hand into
his pocket. and after searching fo1
some moments drew from the corner
of it a small silver coin. on both sides
Of which had been stamped certain
curious initials, which it was difficult
to decipher, This be placed in my
hand saying:
There it Is. Senor Cerrigano, JUS
as | received it from the hand of the
strange horseman. Be careful of it
and preserve it as you would your owl
life. Should YOU be arrested by The
people YOU will be sureto meet on tn
road, present 1t 1t IS all you re
quire.
My curiosity was excited, and
asked:
"'Were you really attacked on you
| journey. Don Gregori 2"
The Mexican could not refrain
smile. as be answered.:
1.-The coin was respected by all
met, and / am certain | came IN con
tact with the entire band. at variou
passes in the mountains. Today, M
! friend. YOU viii see that the bit of sil
yer has not yet lost its charm S
now. my friend, adieu, and may yor
90 in a good hour, and the saints kee
you in their hands, and warmly en-
hracing me, my whilom patient left N
standing alone by the side ofmy hors,
Il dropped the piece of money int
my leaIhern purse; and settling wit
the landlord Of tie cafe. mounted an
rejoined my servant. In few mil