San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-01-12
RT OF THE WORLD.
Rx III. RIDER HAGGARD.
rgq Story, Taken From Manuscript Bequeathed
Mexican Indian to His Friend and comrade, an
Englishman Named Jones.
copyrightea, 1894, BY Il Rider Haggara

N&>S VI Six people gaJnered rounQ a
ong table waiting for supper. Toward
fne 1ar end OF the chamber, a hammock
was swung from the beams in the roof
n which lay man whom a handsome
RiN, also Indian, was employed in rock
: ing to and fro.
Come and be introduced to my
father, who expects you," said Don
Jose, leading the way toward the ham
mock Father, here is that brave
glishman who saved my life last
night, and with the Indian gentleman,
who did not wish to save my life. As |
told you, have offered them hospitali-
~ on your behalf, feeling sure that they
would be welcome here.s
At the sound of his sons voice Don
Pedro awoke, or pretended to awake,
from his doze, and babe the girl cease
swinging the hammock Then he sat
mp and looked at u.s. He was short,
stout man of about sixty years of age,
so short, indeed, that, although the
hammock was hung low, his legs did
not touch the floor. Notwithstanding
bis lack of stature, Don Pedros appear
ance was striking, while the long, care
July brushed white hair gave him a
venerable aspect.
Senor, am grateful to you, and
~A-@0 4@0<A<C oA1A Ill Wlbllln 1t ID db your
disposal and that of your companions, ~
and he glanced with genuine affection
ct the COARSE, etle-browed man beside
MN, who was gnawing one end of his
Wustache and staring at us out of the
. corner Of his eyes
Tell me, he added, ''to what do l
QWe the honor of your presence?"
4 ITO an accident, Don Pedro" the
! &on0r onsWered "As it chances the
1ne Of this ancient land interest me
mu1hs ana was travelling to Palenque
with my Indian friend, Don Ignatio,
when we were so unfortunate as to be
wrecked near your hospitable house.
In our dilemma we accepted the invita-
ton Of your son to visit you, in the hope
that you may be able to sell us some
guns and mules.r
Ruins, Senior Strickland! Decidedly
yon Englishmen are strange. Supper
VIII be served shortly; till then, adios.
Girl, 20 with them, he added, address
ing the woman who had been engaged
IN swinging the hammock; water may
be wanted and other things"
The girl bowed and went away and at
the door we found her standing, lamp
in hand, to light us down the passage.
well, when you are ready" said Don
) VIII not lose the way, for you can fol-
Inv the smell of the food, i" and he left
The room.
s9One moment" said, addressing the
girl, who was about to accompany him;
*perhaps you win see that our serv-
ant, and / pointed to Molas, ''has
( some meat brought to him here, since
your masters win not wish him to sit at
table,
s ~, !" answered the girl, whose name
Was Luisa, searching my face with her
BY this tide Don Jose was through
fhe;door, which the draught pushed to
behind him. i watched 1t close, then a
th0nnht ST. 10 <IaASfog. {>Fef#embered
fha3 among our order there are women,
1ae0ciafes of the outer circle, and l
whispered some words in her ear ant
made sign with my hand. She started
and gave the ancient answer, which is
taught even to children, whereto l re-
piled with another sign, that of the
Presence of the Heart.
ssWhere?" she asked, glancing at each
of us In turn.
sHere.n I answered, and, drawing out
the symbol, / held it before her eyes.
She saw and made obeisance, and at
that moment we heard Don Jose calling
her from the further side of the door.
II come.n she cried in answer, then
added In whisper: Lord, you are in
danger In this house. i cannot tell you
now, but II possible ! will return. The
wine Is safe, but drink no COTE, and do
not sleep when you lie down. Search
the floor and you will understand the
reason. come, senior, / come" And
t,xleHcHAfrom the room
Il 81 soon as the girl was gone the senior
--,sr,t to tiNsdoor and locked 1t, then he
<eturned and said:
sWbat does all thu. mean, Ignatio?'
\ id not answer, buA pushing aside
Z k,neff the beds, searehed the floor be-
y il. 1t was discolored in several
Next i pulled the blankets off
eds and examined the webbing
Formed the mattresses to discover
this also was stained, though
t1y, for it had been washed. Then
b;
den have died in these beds, senior,
the stains were made by their
bod. 1t would seem that the guests
Don Pedro sleep well, first they are
Rugged, then they are murdered, and
It fS1or this purpose that we have been
iured to the house. Well, we expected
nothing else
ssDo not despond, )" answered. "We
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 to 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
TIL late at night, when they think us
sleeping. Have you understood, Mo
las?s
yes answered the Indian.
Then watch here. or in the outer
0pm until we. return, and should the
come, learn all you can from her as
he whereabouts of the old doctor
Us daughter, and other matters,
when she knows you to be of the
der she viii speak. Have you been
fognized by any one%
i think not, senior When we en-.
red it was too dark for them to see.'
Good. Then keep out of their way,
possible do the best you can with the