Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-06-28


that the men were trying to lift the ap-
parently helpless woman into her sad
die. 1t was not difficult to comprehend
that La Sonora Vieja had fallen VIC
tim to the cold, searching gale. Ray
mer at once determined to go to her as
sistance. Walking down to Sergeant
Cunningham's cabin, he ordered a de-
tail made to 60 to the rescue.
II think, sergeant, we have use for
our new sled which we did not antlcl-
pate. Send word to the teamster to
hitch the mules to it and place the
wagon body Oh the runners. Tell Cor
poral Sullivan to throw in O lot of
straw and at least dozen blankets,
and have Clary pry out some hot stones
from the back of the kitchen fireplace.
Wrap them well and take them along
Have everything move lively"
These directions were carried out
while the lieutenant was dressing for
the trip. When ready to start, he told
Cain to have la senora's quarters warm
and in order against her return.
The wind had already swept great
part of the snow from the more level
portion of the valley, leaving but few
inches in the matted grass, and where
it had not drifted and packed the team
moved at brisk trot or gallop. But
now and then the men had to leave the
sled to tramp path through a ridge of
snow before it could go ON. The lieu
tenant rode in advance, and when at
the end of all hour he reached the trav-
elers found them stalled i'll big drift.
La sonora, dressed in a long riding
habit and swathed in extra wraps, had
found it impossible to maintain her seat
as her pony plunged and struggled in
the drift. She had repeatedly fallen and
had remounted with great difficulty, re.
curing the aid of both her attendants
After her last fall she had attempted to
wade through OH foot, but the snow and
fierce, searching wind had chilled her
struggling limbs, and she had become
quite helpless.
When the officer reached her, she gath
cred the cape of her cloak about her
face to shield herself from observation,
as she had always done since he first
met her at Los Ojos Frios. With the
assistance Of the soldiers he bore her to
the sled and placed her i'll the blankets
and straw, with the warm stones dis
posed about her. He was gathering the
blankets about her shoulders when he
heard half suppressed sob and felt her
form tremble with emotion.
81 am sorry for your disappointment,
senora," said Raymer. "You will have
to be my guest for little time longer,
and then I will myself see that you are
safely out Of the valley"
Raymer then ordered that the lug
gage be placed on the sled and the re-
turn to camp begun. The wind was now
in the faces of the detachment. The
snowy needles cut the flesh exposed to
them, and before the ride was ended the
frost had nipped a few noses and ears
Arrived III the parade, the lieutenant
dismounted and proceeded to offer as
sistance to the lady, but she held the
blankets about her face and called:
"Antonio! Where is Antonio?"
The officer looked around for the two
Mexicans and noticed for the first time
that they were not with him.
"Where are the lady's men, Corporal
Sullivan?" he asked in some surprise.
"They did not return with US, sir,
replied the corporal. "They went in the
opposite direction.
"Why did you not tell me what they
were doing:'
II beg pardon, sir, but I thought the
lieutenant saw all that I saw, was the
reply.
Raymer turned to the lady, who was
still buried in the depths of her blankets.
"Senora," he said, II regret to tell
you that both your attendants have left
the valley and have taken your animals
with them. You will be obliged to re-
main alone short time unless you will
accept the service Of one Of the laun-
dress daughters. You shall have the
attendance of my servant also, and l
will send you to Jemez with an escort
the first pleasant day"
No reply was made to this, only
silent effort to rise, to which the lieu
tenant lent his aid, and the Sonora Vie
ia moved slowly and feebly into her
cabin, and her luggage was passed III
after her. Later in the day she address
ed q note to Sci Senor Teniente, Ell
Comandante de Los Wales Grandes.
Translated it read as follows:
"DEAR SIR-Pardon me for not ex-
pressing in person my thanks for the con-
tinued kindness you have shown me dur
ing the past few days. Iassure you that
appreciate it and am grateful. hoped
to have succeeded in leaving today and
thus relieve you of further care on my
account. 1 accept your offer of attend
ance, but request that neither the laun-
dress nor her daughters shall visit me.
If your servant will leave at my door
food and such other articles as l may
need, it will be all that require.
Should I need anything more l Will
write to you. I think my attendants
will reach Jemez tomorrow, and my
relative, Ell Padre Gutierrez Of that
place, will come for me Immediately.
There was no signature. Raymer was
puzzled by the writer's persistency IN
refncino all aid eycnnt what WAS barely