Daily public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1892-191?, 1896-05-02

| was one OF the pcrty, ne had come along
TO herd the cattle and mules of the out
At.
ION the third day after arriving a.
the salinas they had all their carts ant
pack mules loaded with salt. They
were yoking up the oxen, ready for :
start for home, when a band of Indians
came riding toward them from Tho
mesas. Not knowing what tribe they
might belong to, the MeXicansN drew
their carts into a circle, secured the
mules and oxen, got their firearms
ready. and waited. When the Indians
came near our people they saw that
they were Comanches, and felt easier
in their minds: but still they knew that
they could not trust them very far, in
spite of the fact that they were at peace
with the New Mexicans.
1.-The Indians halted just out of gun.
shot from the caravan, for they saw
that our people had firearms and were
on their guard. But their chief, large,
fine-looking 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 who had fought
against the Comanches in the past said
| 1T is Santarito.' All knew the name,
for he was one of the bra,est aud most
warlike of the chiefs that rode on the
plains. Manuelita knew about him, and
at his coming she shrank behind the
| other women, and drew her reboso
about her face. But he saw her.
"My grandfather has often described
to me the way Santarito looked as he
rode up to them on the war horse, Ii
splendid mustang, full of fire and speed.
He wore a hunting shirt, fringed leg
eings, and moccasins IF buckskin, and
in his black streaming hair were three
eagles feathers. Hung to- his neck by
n buckskin thong, and resting on his
broad, sinewy chest, was a great star
of gold set with precious 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 we had come quite near the
party he stopped and spoke to my
grandfather, calling him by name, for
they had met before in war and peace.
He 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 trades
men.
"'Senor Delgado,' he said, will you
choose peace or war"
would have peace answered my
grandfather. Why should we fight?
The Comanches and the New MeNicans
are friends
"'Then give up to me the girl Manuel
tia. Her father promised her to me
when she was a child. Give her to me
and there shall be peace and gifts be-
tween us
don Porfrio looked toward Manuel
ita. She had sunk to the ground, her
face ashy pale, her look full of horror.
"'What is this the chief says?' asked
the don of her. What does he mean by
saying that your father promised you
10 him? Is it truce She lifted her
head. 1t is false she cried. My IA
ther never meant it. He had no right to
give me, a Christian girl, to an Indian
Don Porfrio looked very grave. He
saw that some sort of promise had been
made and knew that whether or not the
father had spoken in jest, or had right
to give il, il would make no difference
with the chief who was there with his
men behind him, and meant to have the
girl. No one knew better than my
grandfather the dangers and evil conse-
quences of fight with the Comanches
at that time and out on the lonely plain.
cncumbered with loaded wagons, and
far away from water.
"A third of his party were women,
and the Indians outnumbered the men
two to one. The Comanches had no
firearms, but they were brave fighters,
and could do deadly work at close quar-.
ters with their bows and arrows. And
then the women! II the Indians were
victorious there there was a certain and
terrible fate for the men, but that of the
women was as certain and worse.
Manuelita was only an orphan girl
NhoSt ldiHtI udu Dttn VI uO very kOOu
repute, and she had no relatives living
10 take up her case.
Let the Comanchero's daughter be
given up TO the chief whispered some
of the MeXicans, whose wives and
daughters were with them. She is but
one, and il will save the lives of many.
Her father liked the Comanches we'll
enough, and she may get along as we'll
among them. And did he not promise
her 10 Santarito?'
"Manuelita heard, or felt, these whs-
pers. and shuddered beneath the reboso
she had drawn over her face. But there
was one who came TO her, and took her
hand in his, and stood by her, saying
that he would protect her while his life
should last. 1t was Francisco Segura,
the vaquero, and his example gave cour-
age TO others. Don Porfrio was not
man of towards way of thinking. He
would protect his own, whatever might
befall, and Manuelita was of his house
hold. He knew the risk he was taking
for himself and his people when he said
'Santarito, the girl is not willing to