The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-01

but still strong enough for Seaton to pick
out his way. The keeping on the tortuous
and densely shaded road, for through all
this country the white and evergreen oaks
grow in abundance. Seaton left to his
horse.
One hour and half after his departure
from the camp of the hostiles, he drew up
at the little village of Jolon. BY this time
the moon was high in the heavens, and
the long, rambling street was as silent as
the grave. Away to the westward lay the
broad lands of the San Miguelito, watered
by the San Antonio and Naciemiento.
Then came the swell of the Santa Lucia
Mountains, and to the north and east
ward wooded plain once the roaming
place of countless herds of cattle.
But those considerations had not much
interest to the mind of James Seaton. as he
drew up mis- painting and exhausted horse
before the piazza of the store of Jolon-a
store which possessed possibly the only
safe within radius Of twenty miles, and
which was in one sense the depository of
the loose cash of the neighboring farmers
and sheep-growers, as well as the dis
tributing point of flour, frijoles and bacon.
Seaton leaped hurriedly from his horse
and knocked at the door. He not only
Knocked but actually stormed the panels
with a clamorous succession of blows.
"Quien esq" who's THEREBY came from
the inside in that soft Spanish information
peculiar to the Castilian race.
at is l." replied Seaton, in the same
language; let me in, sonora, quick.
Your casa is threatened"
.'Who are you, senior, and what do you
want at this hour of night? 1 am alone
here and | cannot let you in"
.sI am the friend of Charles Wharton.
You've got $1,000 of his money in your safe.
There is plot to rob you to-day, which 1
have overheard, and 1 have come here to
help defend YOU"
.sBut how do I know that you are not
the robber yourself, senor?" was the reply
from the inside.
'Madre de Dios," shouted Seaton, 'tI
hear their horses coming up now. For
heavens sake, sonora, just open the door q
little bit. will stand away from you, so
you can look at me and see I'm not rob-
ber."
There was something so impressive and
convincing in the appeal and tone of the
young Englishman that the Spanish
woman opened the door. When she saw
him she said:
Enter, senior; do not think there is
any harm in you"
There was dim coal-oil lamp burning
on the counter of the posada. As soon as
Seaton got inside he rapidly closed the
with which it was secured. His energy
and excitement seemed somewhat to
alarm the old Spanish lady, but that did
not concern him, as bis friends money
was in deadly peril. He was not a mo-
ment too soon, either, for hardly had he
barred the door when the cavalcade OF
brigands drew up and he could hear their
whispered conference. He crept to the
right-hand window of the posada, having
turned down the lamp so low and placed it
on the floor that it could be no guide to the
attacking party.
Then came mild tap at the door and
the voice of the leader demanding pleas
antly if the sonora could give him drink OF
mescal, or if she did not want to open the
place if she would pass it out the window.
| There being no reply the knock was re.
peated still louder and more peremptory
! demand for admission made. The silence
that followed this second request led to q
conference among the bandits, and Seaton
the solitary defender of the garrison, had
no doubt if they were refused admission
they would endeavor to carry the house by
| storm.
"That would never do" he reflected, as
alone and unaided, he could not resist q
| one by one seemed so like assassination
that he hesitated. But his hesitation wa:
short-lived, for again the leader of the gang
clamored at the door and said:
| Here, old woman, you let us in or, pol
| dos we will shoot the timbers out"
The wrath of battle filled Seaton's veins
at this. He threw up the window which
the assaulting party had never attempted
and fired along the piazza into the group
A yell of pain told that the shot had been
successful. Again he fired and this time