Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-01-21


could not conceal his vexation, and
presently he said:
~ see no reason for your accompany
ing Us, sir. "
Had you not arrived, answered the
officer, ''it was my intention to go in
charge of the escort, and know of no
reason for changing my plans, particu-
larly as the animals belong to the camp
and the escort is military"
But the padre and can take few
necessary articles with us upon our sad
die horses and send party OF Pueblos
for tho rest of the luggage later, in
sisted the Mexican, evidently determined
that Raymcr's acquaintance with Dona
Teresa should not be prolonged.
''That would make unnecessary de-
lay" returned the lieutenant Il notice
that while you are extra well armed the
priest carries no weapons. You are
hardly sufficient escort for two defense
| less persons in times like these.
"vayal There are no Indians about
Wo saw no signs a. we came here.
my four months residence in this
| valley has witnessed five collisions with
the Navajoes. and do not propose to a.
! low woman 10 travel through such
country without proper protection, and
the officer left the irate Ortega and went
20 attend 10 some details of preparation
He found no opportunity to speak to
| Teresa. From the time of tho padres
| arrival Mexican usage had hedged her,
and she had gone to and from mass in
the conventional manner without rails
ing her eyes or betraying any conscious
ness of Raymer's presence. When all
was ready, she came from her cabin, ac
companied by the priest and all the Sui
liyan womankind. Taking an affection
atc leave of the pretty Irish girl, she
was holped into the saddle, aud the par
ty began its journey.
The weather was warm for January,
and the snow grew soft and damp in n
temperature little above the melting
point. Amid southwesterly breeze blew
across the snow white surface of the
valley, bearing promise Of pleasant
winter day The lieutenant rode in adj
vance, closely followed by the soldiers
! and pack mules The MeXicans rode be-
hind in tho order of maiden, priest and
youth.
When the column entered the timber,
the SNOW was found 10 be of uniform
depth and not difficult to pass through.
The animals moved in file along the
path made by the priest and Ortega on
the preceding day, up and down many
hillsides and through many windings.
\ few hours after entering the forest
the giant pines of the valley borders
| had diminished in size to tho dwarf
pine, or piGon. The foliage was less
dense and the glades more open, while
the snow had shoalcd to few inches.
! At last the trail stretched across dead
and trcoleSs level, terminating at the
crest Of slope that descended &C an an
gle Of - degrees 1000 feet 10 the
.Iemoz river below. Through a thick
growth Of pinon and cedar which COW
cred the slope a path went down in fro
| quent zigzagS
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
cd the level Of tho river valley and look
ed ont upon the sparkling stream, every
vostige Of snow had been lefs behind,
and the earth lay hard and dry III the
suns rays.
Near the river stood long, low hut
called jacal, badly out Of repair, and
above its roof noated clouds Of steam
from hot sulphur springs scattered for
100 yards along the fiat. In summer the
jacal afforded shelter to inyalids who
sought relief in the waters. Ruined
| bathing sc.eens were everywhere scat
tered about.
I'VE dine here, do We not?' asked
Raymer Of the padre rs the column de-
bouched from the eyergreens that clad
the mountain side.
Yes We will stop short time for
rest and refreshmcnt The fiat ledges
are warm, 20 We shall require 10 fires
to take your valley chill out of our
bones, but | suppose we shall need one
for coffee and steak. F"
Corporal said the lieutenant,
"have fire started in the kitchen. See
that the animals are unsaddled and pick
eted on the grass plot below the springs
under charge Of n sentinel.
'Yes, sir, " and the corporal proceed
ed TO carry out the instructions.
The priest, who, from the moment OF
his arrival in the valley, had constitut-
ed himself Dona Teresa's attendant, con-
Quoted her to fiat rock little apart
from the others, where riotous, boil
ing spring impaired warmth to a con-
siderable space around. After arranging
o comfortable seat for her he rejoined
those who were busy in the preparation
of dinner.
Raymer sat near the cone OF an 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 bad joined her parents? He
could scarcely hope for any cooperation
OH her part. She showed no disposition
to rebel against the espionage exercised
by her uncle Probably she would ac-
quiesce III the 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 the camp Teresa would scarcely be
permitted to court danger in that vicin-
ity again, and military duties would
not allow him to seek her neighborhood.
The future chances for lovemaking
seemed desperate indeed. He began to
regret that he had not taken advantage
of the opportunities of the last few days.
He realized that he had neglected to
make hay while the sun shone.
Further reflections were interrupted
by the announcement that dinner wait
ed. The repast was spread upon blan-
ket, where all but Teresa gathered, the
young lady being waited upon by the
vigilant padre. The meal was partaken
of almost in silence, and at the close
their march was resumed.
The road was now broad and level,
and the lieutenant made q disposition
of the party to resist an attack by In
dians should they be lurking in that Vi
cinity. The priest, the maiden and three
soldiers, with the pack mules, formed