Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-12-31
CHAPTER ".

men and women and adding to the din
of the whooping red men. The eyes OF
all were smarting painfully, and they
felt themselves strangling and choking
in the thick and poisonous atmosphere.
To remain in the house was to be
burned alive or killed by the plunging
animals. To leave it was to perish per-
haps in still more horrible manner.
Just ns Raymer and his companions
were on the brink Of despair the clear,
musical voice Of the young lady rang
out:
''Thcy are here-the soldiersl Hark!
Hark!"
Ping, ping, ping, ping, pingl They
heard the sound of rife shots. The war.
whoops ceased and were followed by q
good, honest cheer. Was there ever
sweeter music?
Tho blanket was quickly snatched
from the Chimney top, and two thuds ON
the east side Of the cabin showed tho
Indians had left the roof A general
scurrying Of feet and other thuds down
the perpendicular bank to tho spring
showed the besiegers were in full re-
treat.
Doors were flung open, the rescuing
party rushed in, and before greeting
was said feet and butts of muskets were
sweeping brands Goals and burning
straw into the fireplace, and the roaring
draft was fast clearing the air.
There was Joy all around and cor
dial shaking Of hands. Snatched from
the jaws Of cruel death, the rescued
were exubersnt in their sense Of relief.
The horses were led outside and pick
etcd, and the men looked about to SEQ
what casualties had befallen the In
lians. Only four had been killed-two
by the defenders and two by the rescu-
ers. There were evidences that some
had been wounded and escaped. A tiro
was kindled on the open space, a guard
posted and the cabin given up to tho
sisters and their charge. A lunch was
prepared and eaten. and after an ex-
change Of adventures the soldiers and
priest wrapped themselves in their blan-
kets g went TO sleep.
AT daybreak the lieutenant and his
men ate cold breakfast and made
preparations for return march 10 the
valleys. Padre Gutierrez and the wom-
en- also made ready, and all took tho
trail together.
About mile north Of the butte the
trail forked, the one to the right going
TO the town Of Pena Blanca on the Rio
Grande. AT this point Padre Gutierrez
and the two sisters took leave of the
lieutenant and sergeant, with many
thanks for the protection they had re-
ceived and generous commendation of
their soldierly bravery. The priest de-
clared his intention TO take an early OPP
portunity to visit the valley and urged
Raymer to come often to his house ut
Jcmez
During this exchange of oourtesies the
young lady, still closely veiled and
shawled. sat ON her pony considerable
distance away. When her companions
joined her and all were riding away,
Vic began behaving IN a curious man
nor. She would run after her master.
leap and circle about him for moment,
then dash after the departing Mexicans,
leap and circle about the young lady
and then return to her master. This she
did again and again, the lieutenant
halting to watch her.
When the Mexicans had reached the
crest of an ascent and their features
We're still plainly visible, Vic being
now with them, the girl slipped out Of
her saddle, threw back her veil, and
stopping took the dog in her arms and
pressed her face against the animals.
In rising again the shawl fell away. and
Raymer recognized Teresa Valencia
As he gazed. lost in wonderment ut
this revelation, Padre Gutierrez sprang
to the ground, assisted the young lady
to remount and hurried her away. Not
one OF the four again looked back, and
shortly afterwa ard Vic joined her mas
ter, appearing detected and disappointed.
Raymer urged his horse into u gallop
and overlook the detachment
"Well. thought he, "if the old saw,
Love me, love my dog. coald be trans
posed into Love my dog, love me, l
might have reason to congratulate my
self OH some Of the incidents Of this trip
to Jemez-
The ieutenant's party reached camp
at noon and the detail from Jemez a lit
tie later. After few days rest the old
routine was resumed, the time being
spent in scouting, hunting, fishing,
watching Indians and the cutting and
hauling Of fuel for the fires during the
coming winter.
In this duty the young officer had
seen the leaves turn from green to brown
and yellow, fall to the earth and whirl
through the valley, driven by the au-
tumn wind. He had seen the green sur
face Of the broad basin ripen and bleach
and the mountain slopes and ravines
open moro plainly to view. the ever
green trees appearing more dense ami
dark as their deciduous companions We're
stripped Of their foliage.
Fall had passed and December was III
its last week when the lieutenant one
evening sat by his fire reading the peri
odicals which the cavalry expressmen
had brought few hours before. Hewas
alone, for his companion, Vic, had been
lent to his friend Reed and sent to San
ta Fe to accompany him on hunting
trip. He was about to light candle
when his attention was attracted by
running footsteps, followed by sharp
tattoo OH his door. To his Come in!'
First Sergeant Cunningham entered, re-
moved his cap and stood at an atten-
ton.
"What is it, sergeant?" asked Ray
mer.
"There is Mexican boy outside
wants TO see the commanding officer,
answered the sergeant
Bring him in. "
"That's not so easy, sir. His leg Is
broken, and he appears to be badly cut
up in other ways He fell from his pony
Is he entered the parade.
'sI'll go to him. sergeant, !" said the
lieutenant, rising and throwing on his
cape. "Has he said anything"
''Nothing, except that he wants TO
see ell comandante immediatamente.
Tie sergeant led the wayto the first
cabin to the left, occupied by himself as
quarters and orderly room. Before the
entrance stood small, wiry mustang,
with saddle and bride Of Mexican pat
tern, and upon the ground, resting ON
a soldiers mattress and pillow. lay q