The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1895-08-09

swered the Indian stolidly, there is a
path which leads to Don Manucl's
| hacienda If the senora's mare turns
there, that is whore the Sonora Isabel
| will have gone-not willingly, senior.
owe gaoped hard to the byway
spoken of Sure enough, all the tracks
left the road there. Tho observant In
| dian was right.
81 had my pistols, he had his mach
etc. We pursued the abductors and
caught them before they reached the
hacienda as ugly Il quartet as ! ever
set eyes ON, The prudent Don Manuel
had directed the business from safe
distance.
His fellows showed fight of course,
but | managed TO wing one at the first
fire when they all turned tail, l took
my darling back to her aunt, with
whom she was quite safe. Don Manu-
el did not show up. He knew better. -
Mrs Norman came in just then, and
Jack abruptly changed the subject
Half an hour later Jack resumed.
my darling was very fond Of her
aunt and unwilling to hurt her, so we
| said nothing Of her snn's villiany. But
when Pope and got back to our ruin
Gus palace he advised me To barricade
| the door of my ROOM However |
didn't think it worth while, but al
nightfall | stretched myself on the hide
bed and fell asleep, with "A revolver
close 10 my hand
About midnight was awakened by
a cut on the head, which luckily, did
not stun me, or shouldn't be spin
ming this yarn now. | started up with
the blood streaming down my face
don Manuel stood over me with my
revolver in one hand and an uplifted
machetc IN the other. There's the
machetc,
+. Now YOU shall die, robbcr T. he
Missed and aimed another blow al me,
which | avoided. Shouting loudly for
Pope. | grapplcd with him and got
hold of his wrists. | was the stronger,
but loss Of blood had weakened me,
He wrcnchcd his right hand free and
cut me across the check. The blow
lazcd me | staggered and fell ON the
bed.
Before | could rise his knee was on
my chest. the machctc at my throat.
| felt the edge. With last effort
flung him FROM me. That instant the
bed heayed and tossed, the stout walls
shook, the sleeping city awokc with .
scream of terror Dazcd as was,
knew what had happened. So did my
enemy.
. The earthquake shall not save
you = he yelled, and rushed at me oy
or the quiycring floor. But again
the bed hcaycd beneath me Some
thing fell from above. There was n
dull sickening thud scream of ag
ony and Don Manuel rolled over and
lay still. leaving the machctc across
nv neck All, that was a close shave
Il staggered to my feet and CROPPED
nv way through clouds of dust To the
street. which was full of people shrek
ing. wailing, praying 10 the SAINTS.
An hour the earthquake lasted, shock
following shock.
when all was quiet and tie people
had ceased 10 wall and pray, | return
ed To the palace pepe lay in his
hammock bound and gagged. To.
gcthcr We entered the room where
had SO narrowly escaped death,
"The body Of Don Manuel, with the
skull crushed in, lay beside my bed.
Close at hand lay the Lihcrator II the
condition in which You sec H. The
statue had lopcd over in the nick 81
time. killed the would be murderer
and set me free. On such chances do
the lives Of men hang.
"Don Manucl'a mother never knew
the truth respecting his death. 1t was
attributed 10 the earthquake. as also
we're the cuts ON my head and check.
| left Granada as soon as | could,
taking my bride with me.
Now you know why we treasure the,
Lihcrator, and why we have not dared