The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-01-10

UCuS. SCuEC-TC1 rrv-,yf ~
meath it. 1t was discolOred in several
places. Next pulled the blankets off
the beds and examined the webbing
that formed the mattresses to discover
that this also was stained, though
slightly, for it had been washed Then
said:
Men have died in these beds, senior,
and the stains were made by their
blood 1t would seem that the guests
of Don Pedro sleep well, first they are
drugged. then they are murdered. and
it is for this purpose that we have been
lured TO the house. Well, we expected
nothing else"
do not despond." l answered. I'VE
are warned in time and therefore,
think. shall escape by the help Of that
girl and the other Indians in the place.
since in an hour every one of them Will
know who we are, and be prepared to
risk their lives 20 save us. Now let US
make ready and go among these men
with bold face. for of this YOU may be
sure, that nothing will be attempted
till late at night, when they think US
sleeping. Have you understood. Mo
las?"
Yes" answered the Indian.
Then watch here, or in the outer
I
girl come. learn all you can from her as
to the wherea bouts of the old doctor
and his daughter. and other matters,
for when she knows you to be of the
order she will speak. Have you been
recognized by any One?'
Il think not, senior. When we en-
tered it was too dark for them to see"
Good Then keep out of their way,
if possible. do the best you can with the
girl. and take note of all that passes.
/ Farewell
When we reached the end of the din
| inc hall Don Pedro slid from his
/ hammock to the ground and, taking the
senior by the hand. said:
Let me introduce you to my over
/ seer. the Senior Smith from Texas. He
/ IS an American. and will be glad TO
meet one who can speak English, for,
notwithstanding much practice, his
| Spanish is none of the best.
/ The senior bowed and the American
| desperate spoke 10 him in English,
/ wearing a grin on his face like a wicked
/ dog as he did 50. though | do not know
/ what he said. Then Don Pedro con-
/ Quoted him to a place of honor at the
/ head of the table. that beside his own
/ seat. while l was led tOanOther table at
I
! served 70 me alone. since. as an Indian
| of pure blood. | was not thought fit for
| the company of these croSs-bred ours.
Don Jose having taken his place at the
/ further end of the table with the
/ Americana. the meal began, and an ex-
| cellent one it was.
| Try some more of this Burgundy
/ said Don Pedro when the dishes had
/ been removed, filing his tumbler for
/ the seventh or eighth time; lit is the
right stuff, straight from France,
/ though 1T never paid duty" and he
winled his leaden eye.
Your health, senior. and NAV you
live to do many such brave deeds as
that of Yesterday, when you saved my
son from the sea. By the way, do you
know that on board that ship they said
that you had the evil eye and brought
her 10 wreck; yes, and your long-faced
companion, the Indian, also"
Indeed, l never heard of it before, "
answered the senior with laugh; but
if so our evil eyes shall not trouble you
for long. as we propose to continue our
journey tomorrow.
Nonsense, friend, nonsense; you
don't suppose that | believe IN
that sort of rubbish, do you?
D
do not believe. Just for joke; thus, -
and he raised his voice so that could
hear him at my table, your companion
THERE'S he not named IgnatiO?-tOld a
story to my disadvantage on board the
Zip, which am sure he did not be-
I.eve," and suddenly he stared at me
and added insolently: rs it not so.
indiana"
IF you seek my opinion, Don Pedro, >
I answered, leaning forward and speak
ing very clearly, Il can say that it is
improbable to repeat words that are
l said, or to remember deeds that are
done with. If spoke certain words, or
if in the past you did certain deeds.
here beneath your hospitable roof IS
not the place to recall them"
Quite so, Indian. quite so; you talk
like an oracle. as NOntezuma used to
talk to Cortes. till the conqueror found
a way TO teach him plain speaking-a
great man. Cortes, he understood how
to deal with the Indians" Then he
spat upon the floor, and. having looked
down the table. spoke to the senior in a
| somewhat anxious voice, Tell me, y
he said, for your sight is better than
mine, how many there are present here
to-night?"
Counting my friend, thirteen" he
answered.
Il thought So" said our host, with an
oath. and it Is too late 70 mend mat
tiers now. Well, may the saints, and
thev should be thick about a monastery,
avert the omen. | see you think me a
fool.
Not at all" he answered. Il am
rather superstitiOus myself, and dislike
sitting. down thirteen to a table.
so DO l. so do l. Senior Strickland.
Listen. last time we dined thirteen in
this room there were two travellers here,
Americans. friends of Don Smith, who
were trying 10 open up trade in these
parts. They drank more than was
good for them, and the end of it was
that in the night they quarrelled and
killed each other yonder in the abbot's
chamber, where you are sleeping
poor men. poor men, There was trouble
about the matter at the time. bat Don
Smith explained to his countrymen and
it came TO nothing.
Indeed" answered the senior. 1T
was strange that two drunken men
| -L----l.l iii A--.L ~>2l,a- -
so say. senior. In truth for while
I thought that Indians must have got
into their room and murdered them, but
it was proved beyond a doubt that this
| -,-oe ro+ 81 All they = - a wicked reO-