Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-12-24

the straw, but these copper skinned fell
lows are going to attack US in the dark
ness, fear, said the padre.
Eve might keep a fire before each
door, sir" suggested the sergeant
"Thcse old hunks could be broken mp
for fuel"
II am afraid they would prove OF as
much advantage to the enemy as to us.
sergeant" replied the lieutenant. II
wonder if this fiat roof is covered with
earth?"
The sergeant went to the wide mouth
cd chimney, and easily ascending tho
flucs by stepping on the projecting ends
Of the rough stones Of which 1t was
built looked out Of the top and reported
that the roof was covered with two feet
Of earth.
"All right, then. We can keep q
small blaze going there, which will IL
Illuminate the space about us and not
confuse our sight, but will confuse that
Of the enemy.
The men set to work and pulled down
all the hunks. breaking the puncheons
and posts Of which they were made into
fragments with large stones taken from
the hearth. Then the sergeant once
more assembled the chimney, and by di-
rection of the lieutenant pulled down
one side Of the part projecting above
tho roof, the side looking in the dircc-
ton opposite the precipice. This would
enable man standing III the top Of the
chimney TO feed the fire upon the roof
without being exposed to the shots Of q
foe on his right and left, the only points
of attack.
These preparations went slowly along,
and the October afternoon was entering
its last half when Vic arose from her
bed by the veiled lady, and approaching
the sergeant's cantecn shifted at it.
Poor little Vickyp' said Cunning
ham. Does she want drink? Well,
she shall have one. I" and borrowing the
Mexican's sombrero he placed it on the
floor, dented the top into the semblance
of saucer and filled it with water. As
the setter Tapped it up the lieutenant
stood watching her, and making sud
den start he exclaimed:
why, sergeant. we need not stay
here "a hoursl'
The sergeant. standing erect, looked
with smiling intelligence into tho faco
of his officer and replied: THAT is so,
sir. wonder wo did not think Of il be-
fore.
II cannot account for it. Perhaps be-
cause she has been asleep with her new
friends in the corner, and we were 50
busy about other matters.
Here Raymer. became aware that o
sweetly modulated voice was addressing
the priest in Spanish, and, listening.
heard the yonng lady interpreting whas
he and the sergeant had just said In
English So the mysterious maiden be-
meath the veil must be accomplished
You must explain To the rest of Us, v
said Padre Gutierrez, what you have
Just discovered We can see no improve
ment in our prospects. What has hap
pened?'
simply that we have an intelligent
messenger to send to camp" replied the
lieutenant in Castellano "Victoriana
is very accomplished doggy"-stoop-
ing and fondling her head and ears.
''She has had great pains taken with her
education and can do many things.
Among others she can carry messages.
How far is IL TO the camp, father"
Nine miles. "
"Then Vic can do it. Sergeant, whit
.le out a stick which she can carry in
her mouth, and will write letter.
Father Gutierrez, please stand guard at
.he window.
Gould we not send her back TO
Jemez. sir?" asked the sergeant The
distance is much less
mo; hardly think could make her
understand our wishes in that direction
There is little doubt bat she will go TO
camp"
Vic, released during the preparation
Of the message, went back 10 her couch
In the corner, where the two beautiful
hands received her into gentle en-
brace, and face bent down and nestled
in her silky ears with no intervening
veil One nun demonstrated in an un-
dertone, but the other turned and added
other caresses 10 those OF the girl.
1T will not do TO send her until after
dark. said Raymer, 'for the Navajoes
might see her and kill her, but We will
make our preparations by daylight. "
A letter was written upon leaves torn
from notebook and addressed 10 Ser
geant Mulligan at the camp, telling the
story of the party's predicament and or
dering him 10 send detachment to raise
the siege. Upon the fiat stick prepared
by Sergeant Cunningham was written
in plain characters Examine her col
lar" 1t was intended that she should
carry the stick in her mouth, as she had
always hitherto carried messages and
articles. for fear she would not under
stand she was TO go upon an errand un-
less all the conditions of her education
were observed.
During the latter part of the afternoon
the Navajoes had withdrawn into the
edge Of the forest and showed them
selves rarely in the opening. Once the
rapid strokes of an AK were heard for
some time, causing the inmates OF the
cabin to wonder what was going on. IL
was by no means unusual for this tribe
to fell trees, and the white mans ax
found ready sale at their Indian trad
sr's.
The Navajoes seemed disposed to wait
for night before beginning operations,
whatever might be their Intentions AS
dusk began to settle Raymer called Vic
to him and attached a note wrapped in
his handkerchief to her collar.
"Now, little girl" he said fondly as
he knotted the package, you have a
chance to help US out Of bad scrape.
You are to 90 to camp to the sergeant
and deliver him this stick, placing the
chip in her mouth Then opening the
eastern door, the one by which the par
ty had entered, Raymer pointed to the
north and said: Nov, little Vic, take
that stick to the sergeant. Cor
The setter hesitated moment, looked
questioningly into her masters face,
turned, and walking across the room
dropped the stick at Sergeant Cunning
hams feet The sergeant stopped, and
placing his hand under her chin raised
her head upward, saying:
"WelL vicky, there Is but one SER
geant in all the wide world to you, and
he is here, isn't hey'
THAT is true. never sent her to any