The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-01
THE DEFENSE OF JOLON.
by DANIEL o'coNNHLL.

grass without giving himself any
further concern regarding the new equlnes.
When the odors of an asada, or broiling
ribs OF beef, saluted Seaton's nose he was
almost inclined to take chances and intro
duce himself to his companions on the
gone SO far as to approach few PAGES,
when their appearance, now thoroughly
shown up by the blazing logs, made him
hesitate. He saw that all three were
armed with pistol and knife, and also
made up his mind from the villainous ex-
preston of their faces, belonging to the
lower type of native Californians, that
afterward their conversation most unmis-
takably convinced him of that fact.
How far did you say it WAS to Jolon ?"
asked one
"Oh, about ten miles," rejoined the
older member of the crowd. 1.-THE, we'll
knit fellow, wearing one of the genuine
Mexican hats, with leather band around 1t.
''Are you sure there'll be nobody in the
store but the sonora ?" resumed the first
person.
That's what Thomasita here told me. "
"And what do you think the job is
worth ?'
"Well, / know that she has In her safe
two thousand dollars which that Gringo
on the San Miguelito got for the sale OF
his sheep, and which he left in her charge
by heavens" thought Seaton, 81 see it
up the store at Jolon, and that two thou
sand dollars they speak of belongs to my
friend"
81 suppose we had better get away at
dawn" said the young man.
1--WE have got to be on the spot at
dawn" was the reply, land now buenos
noches, senores, and the speaker, pillow
ing his shaggy head upon his saddle, Lit a
cigarette and with his feet near the fire was
soon fast asleep.
''Carambo, but ID like to find that fell
low who stole my blankets" said another
of the band as he passed off into the land
of dreams, which certainly could be neither
peaceful nor innocent.
"Now," thought Seaton, ''is my time to
get away, but that horse Of mine will never
carry me to Jolon on this dark night, SO
shall be compelled to commit the capital
crime of California and steal one Of my
friends mustangs"
With all the stealthiness and caution OF
an Indian Seaton regained the road and
then stole down the opposite bank of the
creek occupied by the enemy. Even at that
moment of intense peril and excitement
he smiled to think how astopished the
bandits would be by the change of horses.
AS they lay around the fire the temptation
10 SnOOU al three TO OedUn, which ne COulQ
easily have done, grew strong upon him.
He nervously grasped his pistol, but then
repealed the fierce thirst for blood; still
resolving to despoil the enemy, he seized
the ribs of beef left over from their feast
and a quart bottle of mescal which lay
near the saddle of the chief of the crowd
Analysing his own feelings that moment
Seaton was surprised to find that all sense
of danger had left him and that he really
and thoroughly enjoyed the situation.
His contempt for the trio of desperadoes
grew upon him, and if he had not been in
huenced by the necessity of hurrying of
and defending the station against their at
tack he was convinced that he could have
wiped them out like so many vermin
Yet with much less caution than he had
heretofore shown he put his own saddle
upon small, active-looking buckskin
gathered up the RATA. and giving the ami
NAL its head left the camp.
1t took the use of pair Of keen Next
can spurs, which Seaton wore on his LONG
riding boots. to force the horse from what
he possibly deemed its well-earned rest
and food.
By this time the crescent face Of new
moon lent feeble light to the landscape,