Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-08-30

/ had very misty NOTIONS AZ TO our des-
tination, but took 1t for granted the
bakers dozen of natives | had with me
knew what they were about. Snow was
everywhere, aud we were mounting up,
up, up, on wheels, but l supposed the
highest altitude was only four or five
miles away, and that the down grade
would be easy until we reached some
snug inn where we would fluid shelter
for mnu and beast Then an early start
by daylight and our novel jaunt would
como to nm end in civilization and a
railway. But | did not know Spauinrds,
their country, tho Pyrenoes, or what
Billiards can blow in sunny Spain.
Myself and my servant Num- tudgcd
on alongside the cart with the women.
1t took an hour to get ont Of sight of the
fonda, and then we struck fine, wide
military road that wound in and around
the mountains, but always up aud deep
in snow. Three, four o'clock came, and
still no sign of the summit, but with the
road winding in and out for miles
ahead. Tho sky began TO dnrken, and
without warning down came the snow,
iA'H AlNlhtuN MUS VI Auo NitlNau Ntto
taken to rest the cattle
Deeper grow the snow, and as the
darkness began to settle down realized
tho responsibility / had unwittingly
talion on my shoulders. had four deli
cate women and very sick man under
my charge, and we stuck fast in the
midst Of snowstorm, / recognized one
blessing, however, and was profoundly
gratoful--tho air was calm-and though
tho snow fell thick and fast it was not
driven by storm.
Mum proved to 10 thoroughly rolia-
BILE. helpful and full of cheer. Between
Ms we kept up the spirits of the party.
But all hands began to grow hungry.
Fortunately had in my baggage largo
patio de Soie Rras--,hat is, fat goose
liver pio-and it was fat, happily so, us
It went further Then l got rugs and
wraps out Of my trunks for the women
and couple of bottles Of brandy and
administered liberal doses all round. l
soon Ind them happy and full Of cour-
ngc. II was certainly better TO hnvo them
full Of Dutch courage IN FOOLS para
disc than TO have them awake to their
position, for l quite expected it would
end In night camp out in tho snow and
sending an empty cart for supplies
Two hours after dark we camo to dead
halt, and my guides-they were beauties
said they could go no farther; the
oxen could not pull the carts. There
was o fonda, they said, two miles away,
but did not show any disposition to holp
TO got thorc, and for that matter did not
soom to caro- whether we did or not. |
ordered them to leave tho middle cart
behind and divide the teams, ono team
to DO added TO the front cart and ono to
DO hitohod in front Of the mules. Our
interpreter was ono OF tho Portuguese
women, but We did not get ON very
we'll, tho Spaniards objecting to any
thing boing done, all Of them apparent.
ly waiting for the Virgin or some Of the
saints to come 20 our aid
Mum and / wore exasporated and
finally took the matter Ia our own
hands. BY my orders despite the ener.
gctio protects Of the driver, no unhitched
tho oxon from tho middle team, and be.
tween US We got them 10 tho mule cart
hlNVncu tllohh III lfOnV vi kne mules anu
pulled out and past tho other carts.
Hero tho Spaniards halted us, and after
an angry alteration in the dark, and Il
was dark, they agreed to go on So,
taking yoke Of oxen from our cart,
they were put In front Of tho four Of the
FIRST cart, and of We started.
Mum volunteered to stand by and
guard tho stranded cart, so giving him
two blankets and littlo brandy we
drove Off IN the darkness, but not until
In sight Of all l had given him 10.
yolyor and each OF the lnlucky 10 q
good nip OF brandy, My anxiety about
serious results was overas soon US we
started, and IN ! Y hours we halted in
front Of "a wretched inn. patronized by
muleteors, with the first story for d
stable, but none of us was disposed to
be particular A supper Of Spanish
beans was soon ready, and then bed
was made mp ON the floor, and the WON.
en- were soon asleep. After seeing that
the mules and oxen were led took hall
! a. k1sS nap. Thsn, with WV dri, ers