Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-03-14

A AGM AlOaL5 oAhSA NANNNAAAS NAAA AOAN60 the giant pines of the valley borders had diminished in size to the dwarf pine, or pinon. The foliage was less dense and the gladeS moro open. while the snow had Shoaled to few inches. At last the trail stretched across Q dead and treeloGS level. terminating at the crest of a slope that descended at an nn- gle of a5 degreoS 5000 feet to the Jemez river below. Through thick growth of pinon and cedar which GOV cred tho slope path went down in ire quent zigEags
 Riding being impossible, all dis mounted and led or drove the animals down the many angled roadway, the temperature of the air sensibly rising with the descent When the party reach ed the level of the river valley and look ed out upon the sparkling stream, every vestige of snow had been left behind, and the earth lay hard and dry in the suns rays.
 Near the river stood long, low hut called a jacal, badly out of repair, and above its roof floated clouds of steam from hot sulphur springs scattered for 100 yards along the flat. In summer the iacal afforded shelter to invalids who sought relief ill the waters. Ruined bathing screens were everywhere scat tered about.
 We dine here, do we not?" asked Raymer of the padre as the column de- bouched from the evergreens that olad the mountain side.
 "Yes. We will stop short time for rest and refreshment The flat lodges Rre warm, so we shall require no fires to take your valley chill out of our bones, but 1 suppose we shall need one for coffee and steak. "
 Corporal, said the lieutenant, ''have fire started in the kitchen Sec that the animals are unsaddled and pick eted on the grass plot below the springs under charge of sentinel"
 "Yes, sir, and the corporal proceed ed to carry out tho instructions
 Tho priest who, from the moment of his arrival in the valley, had constitut- ed himself Dona TereSa's attendant con duCted her to fiat rock little apart from the others, where q riotous, boil ing spring tmparted warmth to con- siderable space around After arranging n OOAI1AOA tAOkS SNos AS4 ASA 4fo tbose who veEO busy in the preparation of dinner.
 Raymer sat near the conc of m ex- | tinct spring, busy in reflections on the present and future. The beautiful girl before him seemed already hedged by ! impossible barriers. What hope, then, could he entertain of meeting her again after she had joined her parents? Ho could scarcely hope for any corporation on her part. Sho showed no disposition to rebel against tho espionage exercised by her uncle. Probably sho would ac- | quicsce in tho arrangement made by her parents and marry that common place Mexican.
 And what chance remained to prose cute further acquaintance? After her re- cent experience on the AbiQui trail and | at tho camp ToroSa would scarcely be l permitted to court danger in that vicin- ity again, and military duties would not allow him to seek her neighborhoud. | The future chances for lovemaking seemed desperate indeed. Ho began to regret that hc had not taken advantage of tho opportunities of the last few days He realized that he had neglected to make hay while the sun shune,
 Further reflections wcrc interrupted by tho announcement that dinner wait l cd The rrpast was spread upon blan- l kCt, where all but Teresa gathered, the | young lady being waited upon by the vigilant padre. Tho meal was partallen of almost ill silence, and at tho close their march was resumed.
 The road was now broad and level, and the lieutenant made a disposition of tho party to resist an attack by h. dians should they bo lurking ill that vii cinity. The priest. the maiden and three soldiers, with the pack mules, formed tho center. The corporal and remaining two soldiers rode 100 yards in advance, Ortega and Raymer being the same dis tanoe behind
 The column proceeded at brisk pace down tho narrow valley, which wound its way between high sloping walls walls occasionally losing their sloping feature and for short distances rising in perpendicular precipicas of sandstone to tho level of the plain above
 Now and then tho river in its wind ings swept close to tho walls crowding tho road to tho brink of tho stream which 1t crossed by shallow lords to the opposite sido. The banks of the river wero bordered by cottonwoods, leafless at this season, and the sloping heights, wherever Judgment could be found, sus- taincd growth of pinon and cedar.
 As the rear guard galloped onward OrtCga remarked:
 Do you always look for an Indian attack when you travel. Senor Teni. ente?''
 II try to be prepared for one ill an Indian country when an Indian war ex. istS, " answered RaymCr.
 But what possible chance is there for an Indian to Do hcrc:'
 You know it is the unexpected that always happens.
 "Quiun sabe! do not believe there is Navajo this side of Fort Wingate '
 Very likely. Certainly l hope not What would you do if we were to meet few redmen?'
 "Car-r-r-amba! Do? Do what any Mexican caballero should do-fight anG die if necessary ill the defense of my affianced and friendsv'
 The three soldiers in advance now ap preached a slight elevation in the road passed over it and disappeared iron view. The center was halt way across the officer and his companion just begin ming the ascent, when-ping. pingL camo two rife shots from a clump of co dars on the left A bullet struck tht ivory hilt of the revolver on Raymer' hip, shattered it into splinters and wen humming off into space Tho other GU the collar of tho Mexican's coat Ray mer instantly turned his horso in tn direction from which the shots came halted and brought his rife to ready" Ortega drove tho spurs int