Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-03-08

moment a group or lS women ana near ly twice as many children, who had been reserved. as tho officer afterwa-d learned, for later execution, ran into the space and chung to his feet, stirrups and the mane and tail of his horse, entreat- ing with eyes and tongues for protec- tion. What their eyes said needed no interpreter, but Raymer did not under stand a single spoken word. The warcries had ceased, and the Dominicans had gathered ill an angry and gesticulating group, when Sergeant ! Cunningham and the rest of the men appeared on foot, running into the plaza from a side street and formed in line be- fore their officer.
 The massacre ended with the death of the old men. After much earnest and noisy consultation three chiefs of the Pueblo war party separated from the rest and advanced. to the group of sol diers. One of their number, using the Spanish language. asked by what right the white chief had interfered to pre- vent the punishment of their enemies.
 By the right the strong have to pro- tect tho weak, for one thing" 7" replied the young officer, "and by the right of the great government to protect his children.
 But in other fields the great father is punishing these same people for the faults they have committed against us, " urged the Pueblo
 l ''True, but in open, manly conflict against men with arms in their hands not against unarmed and defenseless old men and weak women and children. Go back to your homes and Do ashamed of the deeds of today-doeds that tarnish the fame of your bravo forefathers. Col"
 Tho chiefs turned, joined their party, and shortly aftorward tho whole caval cade moved silently out of a corner of the square, crestfallen and ashamed.
 Raymer sought tho house of the Cath plic priest and became>his guest for the night. Early the following morning he held an inspection of the mules. He found the unusual service and the forced gait to which they had been put the previous day had so broken them up that they required days rest before making the return march.
 His own horse and tho broncho whicE Sergeant Cunningham rode being ill fair condition, ho decided to leavo the men ill charge of corporal. and with tho sergeant return nt once to tho valley. Taking leave of tho priest, he went to the house of the governor of tho pueblo to pay his respects and make arrange ments for the delivery of grain at tho camp for tho uso of the animals.
 The governor desiring to show the lieutenant through the pueblo and his | elapsed before Inc returned to his wait ing horse and threw himself into the saddle As ho did so ho asked the gov ernor if thero was not shorter road to camp than tho ono ho had recently passed over.
 "Oh, ycs," replied tho chief; you came by the bow! You can return by the cord. "
 "How much can l savC?"
 "The cord is six miles shorter than the bow.
 A careful description of tho short cut was made by tho governor, and a few of tho chief men gathered about, and Ray mer, concluding that it would be i'm possible to stray from the trail, bade the Indians goodby and left tho plaza by the northern side, Vic bounding and barking at his horses head.
 The general direction of the road was straight and led through country over which the soldiers ill tho valley had not secuted. Tho first six miles was through land cultivated by the Pucblos or used by them as grazing ground for their stock At the end of that distance it en- tered forest and ran along the side of | hraNl- fn Sox-np.al YAilo and fhpn rose gradually to tho side of a range of hills
 As the two horscmen turned the spur of a foothill they suddenly perceived five persons riding a short distance ill ad- vance, two men and three women. One of the men wore the caSsock of a CathO- .. lie priest, the other the garb of a civilian. Two of the women seemed by their dress ] to be of tho sisterhoOd ill charge of the convent school at Santa Fe. The third woman was dressed in q green riding habit
 When the lieutenant and sergeant ap- preached, the party ill advance detlected
 to the right to allow them to pass. As
 they did so one of the sisters said some thing to their companion and threw hel
 a shawl and veil, which she used tC
 conceal her face and figure. Tho priest
 turned and revealed tho features of Padre GutierrcZ, the missionary of tho
 pueblo they had just left.
 "Ah, Father Gutierrez, said Ray. mcr, "why did you not let mo know 2 ? you intended going to my valley and al low mo to be your cscort?"
 For two reasons, my gallant son ! I f.N thp v1llpNy because I thought you wcre going tn, : way you came.
 II did intend taking the other route but the governor persuaded mo to try { shorter one. Am already astray?'' "You are in the right trail, replied the priest My route and yours are thu
 same until we reach La Roca Grande
 There we turn off to Pena Blanca.
 "Are you not inviting attack to trave U without escort?'' asked the officer.
 "The Pueblos report no Navajoes Il this part of the country. These sister u and their charge are on their way tt 2 Santa Fe and will find n carriage await ing them on the river"
 While this conversation was going ol u the party was walking the horses aloni the side of the acclivity before men
 tioned, at a considerable distance abov !, the eastern side of the brook, their hoof u !. making no noise in the soft, black earth ," when the lieutenant and his companion
 were startled by the praying of don 2 key somewhere in the valley. All tn 7 men sprang quickly from their saddle D and seized the horses by their curbs t
 prevent them from answering thei ;. humble relative's greeting, for in sue v region it was safest to take no chanc u of meeting an enemy. The priest an o his attendant helped the women to tn E Cround. and tho whole marty withdre,