Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-12-17
NUMBER 81.


| sergeant return at once 10 the valley.
Taking leave Of the priest he went TO
the house Of the governor Of the pueblo
to pay his respects and make arrange
ments for the delivery OF grain at the
camp for the use Of the animals.
The governor desiring to show the
lieutenant through tho pueblo. and his
courtesy being accepted, over two hours
elapsed before he returned TO his wait
ing horse and threw himself into the
saddle. As he did so he asked the gov.
ernor if there was not a shorter road TO
camp than the one he had recently
! passed over.
"Oh, yes, replied the chief; ''you
came by the bowl You can return by
the cord.
How much can | saver"
"The cord is six miles shorter than
tine bow"
A careful description Of the short cut
was made by the governor, and few Of
the chief men gathered about, and Ray
mer, concluding that it would be i'm
possible to stray from the trail, babe the
Indians goodby and left the plaza by
the northern side, Vic bounding aud
barking at his horses head.
The general direction OF the road was
straight and led through country over
which the soldiers in the valley had not
scouted. The FIST six miles was through
land cultivated by the Pueblos or used
by them as grazing ground for their
stock At the end Of that distance ii en-
tered a forest ard ran along the side Of
small brook for several miles and then
rose gradually to the side of a range Of
hills.
As the two hOrsemen turned tho spur
of "A foothill they suddenly perceived five
persons riding a short distance in adj
vance, two men and three women. One
of the men wore the cassock of Catho-
lie priest, the other the garb Of n civilian.
Two of the Wumen seemed 10y their dress
10 b. Of the sisterhood in charge Of the
convent school at Santa Fe. The third
woman was dressed in a green riding
habit
When the lieutenant and sergeant APP
preached, the party in advance detected
10 the right 20 allow them 10 pass. As
they did so one Of the sisters said some
thing to their companion and threw her
a shawl and veil, which she used 10
conceal her face and figure. The priest
turned anil revealed the features OF
Padre Guiierrez, the missionary Of the
pueblo they had just left
"Ah, Father Gutierrez, " said Ray
mcr, why did you not let me know
you intended going TO my valley and al
low me to be your escort!
'For two reasons. my gallant son
because am not going 10 the valley and
because thought you were going tho
way you came. "
Il did intend taking the other route,
but the governor persuaded me 70 try
shorter one Am already astray!'
"You are in the right trail, " replied
the priest Ny route and yours are the
same until We reach La Roca Grande.
There we turn OF 10 Pena Blanca
Are you not inviting attack to travel
without escort:" asked the officer.
"The Pueblos report no Navajoes III
this part Of the country. These sisters
and their charge are on their way 70
Santa Fe and will find carriage await
ing thcm OH the river.
While this conversation was going on
the party was walking the horses along
the side ot the accliyity before men
toned. at considerable distance above
the eastern side of the brook, their hoofs
making no noise in the soft, black earth,
when the Lieutenant and his companions
were startled by the braying Of "a don
key somewhere in the valley. All the
men sprang quickly from their saddles
and seized the horses by their curbs 10
prevent them from answering their
humble relatives greeting, for IN such
u region it was safest TO take no chance
of meeting All enemy. The priest and
his attendant helped the women 10 the
ground, and the whole party Withdrew
into a dense clump Of frs.
Leaving the sergeant in charge Of his
horse, Raymer crept down the hillside
TO point from which he could plainly
see both sides OF the brook. Looking
across the ravine, he saw party Of In
dians a couple of hundred yards beyond