The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-03-29

nov VAQUER0 AND CoMdNCHE
FOUGHT ron 4 GIRL.

Don Mariana DelRado and his American
friend, on their way TO Las Salinas. rode To the
edge OF the mesa where II drops abruptly down
to the lower levels. They were forty miles cast
of tho Rio Grande, and nifty or sixty miles
from Albuquerque. There lay before them n
wide plain which rose into low tablelands off
to the south and cast. Far to the northwest
lowered the bold, handsome contours of the
Sandia Mountains. Upon the plain, miles
away from the foot of the mesa, two large
circular spots shone dazzlingly white. Don
Mariana pointed them out to his companion.
''Thev are the salinas," he said. Now let us
look for the wagons. They should be In sight
by this time. All. there they are. They will
get to loading by noon
Three wagons, drawn each by four mules,
came round a bend Of the mega at its foot,
crawling along toward the white spots on the
prairie. They were part of Don Mariano's
ranch outfit going to the salinas for salt.
LET us ride on to the salinas and await
them there" said Don Mariana. and the two
horsemen picked their way down the rough
burro trail to the plain, then put their horses
to u long Vallop which brought them in half
an hour TO the salt lakes-for the salinas liter
ally are lake basins packed solidly with salt.
Part of their surface was smooth and level,
like n water surface. Other places were rough,
duu uuR Ill RTeHJ nDltS llkt CtlluTS, STU" llp
where salt gatherers had been at work. Deeply
worn trails led TO the lakes from the north,
the west, aud the south. and the ground about
them was trodden with the feet of sheep, horses,
and cattle and the wild beasts of the plain,
drawn hither by their hunger for salt.
Going out upon one of the basins for u closer
examination, the American found that the
pure white salt seen upon the surface was
only an incrustation n half inch thick, and
that beneath this stratum the salt was darker,
as 4 uiscolorcd by earthly matter.
How came the salt beds here?"' he asked
Don Mariana. Are there salt springs at the
bottom of the basins2"
The don shrugged his shoulders. "Quien
sabc." he answered. They have always been
here: The Spanish colonists who first came
here, and their descendants have done the
same to this day. Since the railroad came the
use for other purposes, is brought from the
States. Yet many of the native people still
get their salt from here, AS my teams come
to-day to get the years supply for the stock
upon my ranches. The trails YOU see cen
tring here are worn by the travel OF hundreds
times knew the salinas. All. | did not think
an antelope was left so near the Rio tirande.'
AT the further end of the further basin
three antelope stood at the edge eagerly nib
bling salt. Their hunger for salt had over
come their fear of man and they acted as if
unaware OF the two men who watched the
timid. graceful creatures as the don went on:
II can remember the time when we had to
have weapons in our hands and u good goo, sized
calero Apaches and the Navatues were liable
to come "a far as the salt lakes. and they were
posed to be friendly with the New Nlexicaus.
but even they were not always TO ho trusted
when they met a weak party out on the plains.
first and last, about these hasins and the trails
leading to them. There was a duel fought
here many years ago that was very remarkable.
II occurred long before | was born, but the
story has been handed down in our family. for
present when. 1t occurred. II came about
through a foolish promise that a Mexican made
a Com an a.I, chief en W f9le he thought he would
THE man was n ComanChero. as we shy.
who went out on the plains ever, year to trade
gain. or to help himself out of some tight place,
he promised the Indian that he would give him
his daughter for a wife when she should have
grown large enough to marry. He was not
called on to redeem his promise, for he was
dad when the Indian demanded the girl. but
you shall hear. If you car, to listen to the story.
1T came about in this, way. My grand
his hacienda out to the salinas in August with
n large party OF his people to get his years sup.
ply OF salt; They came with "A caravan Of pack
mules and carrettas. as we call the old time
carts made wholly of wood and rawhide, and
drawn by oxen yoked by the horns. So many
of his men at that season of the year were away
hcrding sheep and cattle that to fill up his
party he had brought with him some of the
women that lived on his estate to help in their
places. Among them was Manuellta Truiillo,
the Commandments daughter. then an orphan
girl, 10 years old. Our people, you know, ma.
that time, and a handsome one. Francisco Sc
gura, a young vaquero in my grandfather's
employ, thought so at any rate. ana. since she
was one Of the party, lie had come along to
herd the cattle and mules OF the outfit.
,",On the third, day. after arriving, at the
salinas they had all their carts and pack mules
loaded with salt. They were yoking up the
oxen, ready for a start for home. when n band
of Indians came riding toward them from the
meSaS. Not knowing WHAT tribe they might
belong to, the MeXiCans drew their carts into
4 S, sirele, s sssST' o 1ae w mhieI "H Wb "HSI 1bs sI ind fhe;r
Comanches. and felt, easier in their minds:
We're at peace with the New M"xlcans.
The Indians halted just OUT of gunshOt from
the caravan, for they saw that our people had
firearms and were on their guard. But their
chiefs large. fine Indian, with war paint
on his face, gave the peace sign and rode toward
the caravan. Before he had come half way
Don porfirio recognized him, and the Mexicans
the past said: 1T is Santarlto.' All knew tile
name, for he was one OF the bravest and most
Manuclita knew about him, and at his coming
she shrank behind the other women, and drew
her reboso about her face. But he saw her.
the way SantaritO looked as he rode M to
them on his war horse. n splendid mustang,
shirt, fringed Ieggings, and moccnsins Of buck
Skin. and IN his black streaming hair were
three eagles feathers. Hung u his neck by
n buckskin thong. and resting on his broad,
sinewy chest, was II great star Of gold set with
pre- 'icus stones, that he had taken from the
uniform Of some dead Mexican officer of high
rank. Across his back was slung his bow and
CULVER of arrows, and he carried his long lance
in his hand.
when, he had come quite near the party
no stopped and spoke to my grandfather, calling
him by name. for they had met before in war
and peace. lie spoke in spanish. for It was
told OF him that he had been educated at a
franciscan Fathers school, from which he had
run away to join his wild trihcsmen,
" Senior Delgado,' he said. will You choose
peace or war;
I've would have peace. answered my grand
father. Why should we Tight rhe Comanches
and the New Mexicans are friends
"'Then give up to me the girl Manuelita, Her
father promised her To me when she was n
child. Give her to me and there shall lie peace
and gifts bet cen us
don POrfir!O looked toward Manuelita. She
had sunk 10 the ground, her face ashy pale, her
look full of horror.
'Wha is this the chief says asked tho don
of her. 'What does he mean nv saying that
your father promised you To limt Is il true,
She lifted her head. 1t is false she cried.
My father never meant IT,. lie hal no right
TO give me, a Christian girl, to an Indian
Don POrtirio looked very grave. He saw that
SOmr sort Of promise had been made. and knew
that whether or not the father had spoken in
Jest, or had n right 10 give II, il would make