Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-08-02
miscellaneous.
THE MILK WHITE DOE.

The sound was so faint that only the
ears of the skilled huntsman might hear
it.
1t came from hundreds of tiny hoofs,
muflled by the grass in the mountain
park .....
ANTELOPE"
Together we lay face downward, |
and my Indian guide, with our long
rifles at easy rest, and awaited the com
ing of the band. 1t dashed over u hogs
back and into full view, wildly leap
ing, struggling. undulating mass of red
ish brown, white tufted bodies stretched
to the fullest speed.
Nervous? Yes, for in moment more
the band would pass us within easy
range.
We lay with forefngcrs on the trig-
gors as tho timid animals, wild with
fear, SKINNED along as il waited by the
spirit of the wind. Now they are d.
rectly opposite. We will never have
such another shot.
Onward they dash and pass as closely
by that it seems we can hear their heart
beats. Their great, liquid eyes are wild
with terror.
Another moment and the herd has
swept by us; only the hindmost are in
view Now they are out of hearing and
presently are lost to sight.
Absolute silence, save for the rustic
of the brown grass as the cooling autumn
wind stirs it.
Not shot was fired. My finger was
upon the trigger, my arm certain, but
| lacked the power even for the gentle
pressure necessary to send bullet
straight into the herd was under u
spell.
looked at Pablo. His dark face
seemed almost pale his eyes betrayed
excitement, not the excitement of anger
or fear, but of tender sympathy.
The same power that had stayed my
finger when it would have pressed the
trigger had like effect on him.
"Senor," he said, sit is the milk
white doe that none may STAY"
1t was overpowering curiosity that
had rendered my forefinger inflexible,
for at the head of the band was the most
beautiful animal 7 had ever scen--a
milk white doe. She seemed feeter,
more timid and of more graceful con-
tour than any of the herd. She was the
perfection of animal grace and beauty.
| fancied | heard soft sad moan as she
passed before the muzzle Of my rife. |
was lost briefly in pathetic contempla-
ton, and the herd was gone.
"Senor," said Pablo, in his calm and
imperturable manner, yet with solemn
pressiveness, at 10 death to all who
follow the milk white doe"
Nonsense must have her. IIct
us follow quick"
"Havc patience, senior, and tonight
when we smoke by the campfire | will
tell you the legend of the milk white
doc J"
And this is the legend he told mo;
Before tho white man knew there was
western continent, before the Span
iards came, even before the reign of the
ancient Quctzalcoatl, lord of the Scvon
Caves of Navatlaques and king of the
Seven Nations, out Of which arose the
splendor Of the Montezuman empire, tho
powerful tribes lived in the north.
They were as the sands Of the shore
washed by the great ocean Of the rising
sun, and the numbers Of their arrows
were greater than the twigs in the forest.
Their queen was Maxtella.
Her skin was as white as the snow on
yonder mountain peak, her lips were as
scarlet az the flaming loco blossom, her
ewes we're as blue AZ the chalchuites 10
the Minas dc las Perdidas. and from
their liquid depths beamed truth and
purity Of soul.
She was virgin queen. Here cour-
tiers wooed her in vain. The richest of
them all laid bis wealth Of chalcbuites
and beautiful shells at her feet The
mightiest hunter brought her trophies
Of the chase. To all she spoke words
Of wisdom and beauty, but her love was
for 20 one man it was for all her peo-
pie. Her virtue and her beauty were
marveIs Of those days.
Her counselors were wise Beyond their
generation. Many things they knew that
were unknown to the subjects Of Queen
Maxtella. They knew Of the eastern
ocean. of great country beyond to
which their ancestors had gone years
before.
The northern hordes were at peace
SO powerful we're they that the tribes in
the south did not dare to make war with
them, nor would the queen suffer her
subjects to make war upon those weaker
hordes who dwelt in rocks and caves,
high up in the cliffs that bordered on
the green canyons. There was a vassal
chief, Azul, of lowly birth and evil
ways lie saw the beautiful Maxtella,
and the sight Of her touched bis black
heart. He loved Maxtella not for her
virtue or her wisdom. He loved her
that he might rule the land, and that
from his blood and hers might come a
race of savage kings, and that the north
ern hordes might make war upon the
tribe of the south and despoil them Of
| their treasure.
Azul knew the black magic art. lie
brought his richest treasure to Maxtella'l
court He used his black art that be