Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-06-25

both OF them se,ze6 By Don Pedro Mt
reno, the father OF Don jose Wonder,
and imprisoned at the hacienda o4
Santa Cruz, where. dead or alive. they
| remain
Now L thought awhile, then sending
Tor Senior James I told him what re
had learned
But what can this villain want to
do with an old Indian and his daugh-
| ter?' he asked.
THE senior forgets," said Molas.
shat Don Pedro robbed me of the gold
| which the doctor gave me, and that in
my folly / told him who it was that
gave it me. Doubtless he thinks to win
the secret of the mine whence it was
| dug, and of the mint where it was
stamped with the sign of the heart
| Also, there is the daughter, whom some
men might value above all the gold in
Mexico. Now, lord. fear that your
journey is fruitless. since those who be-
come Don Pedro's guests are apt to stay
| with him forever"
| THAT, think, we must take the risk
| Of" said the senior
| Eyes" answered.: 'shaving come so
far to find this stranger we cannot turn
back now. At least we have lived
| through worse dangers than those
which await US at Santa Cruz"
| CHAPTER VII
| THE HACIENDA"
Returning to the place where we had
eaten, we found the alcalde talking
with the sailors as to their plans
The senior unbucked the belt of money
| which he wore about his waist and
| pouring out half handful of gold
! pieces, begged the boatswain to accept
of them for division between himself
and his companions. All this while
Don Jose was sitting close to us. watch
ing everything that passed, and saw
| his eyes brighten at the sight of the
belt of gold.
"Ycu are fortunate to have saved SO
much" he said. speaking for the first
| time. ''All that l had has gone down
with the ship, yes, three thousand dol
| lars or more"
You should have followed our ex-
AMPLE" answered the senior; 1--WE di
vided our cash between the three of US
and secured it upon our persons, though
| perhaps you were wise after all, since
such a weight of gold might have been
awkward if, like you, we had been
called upon to swim. BY the way.
senior, what are your plans?"
| ''If you will allow me-" answered the
Mexican, Il will walk with you toward
|
road. Would you be offended, senior,
| if, on the behalf of my father, I ven
| tured to offer his hospitality to you and
| your companions"
$40 speak plainly, Don Jose," said
the senior, ''our past experience has not
been such as to cause US to desire to
| have anything more to do with you.
May remind you that, putting aside
| other matters, last night you attempted
| to stab me?'
"Senor." answered the man with
| every sign of contrition, IF 1 did this it
was because terror and madness pos
sessed me, and most humbly do I beg
| your pardon for the deed. l know
| that you have heard an i'll report of my
| father, and, to speak the truth, at
] times when the liquor is in him he is q
| this virtue, that he loves me, his son,
and all those who are good to me.
| Therefore, in his name and my own, I
| pray that you will forget the past and
accept of our hospitality for some few
days, or at least until you have re-
| covered from your fatigue and are able
| to furnish you with arms and horses to
help you forward on your journey"
| Certainly we desire to buy mules
and guns" answered the senior, land if
| you think that your father will be able
| to supply these we will avail ourselves
of your kindness and pass night or.
| two at his hacienda"
Ten minutes later we were on the
| road
| Before we went, however, we babe
warm farewell to the sailors, and also
| to the alcalde Of the village, all of
| whom were somewhat disturbed on
| learning that we proposed to sleep at
| Santa Cruz.
1.-The place has an evil name," said
| the alcalde, land is a home of thieves
| and smugglers. Only last week a cargo
| that never paid duty went up the river.
| They say that Don Pedro was fathered
| protect you from him, lord!''
''We have business that takes us to
| this house, friend" I answered. ''Still,
doubtless, it will be easy for you to
keep yourself informed of what chances
| in that neighborhood, and if we should
not appear again within a few days,
| perhaps it will please you to advise the
authorities at Campeche that we are
| missing
1.-THE authorities are afraid of Don
Pedro" answered the alcalde, shaking
his head; also he brides them so heavi-
| ly that they grow blind when they look
his way. Still I will do the best can.
| be sure of that; and as an 1ngles. is
with you, it is possible that may be
| able to get help if necessary"
Our walk that day was long and hot,
though at length we came within sight
of this hacienda. We reached the gate
way and entered the courtyard, where
we were met by many fierce dogs,
| which rushed upon US from all sides.
Don Jose beat back the dogs, that knew
him, and, leaving US under the charge
of some half breeds, he entered the
house
After awhile he returned again and
led us through the passage into the
dining-han. Several lamps were hung
upon it's walls, and by their light we
saw five or six people gathered round a
long table waiting for supper. Toward
the far end of the chamber, hammock
was swung from the beams in the roof,
in which lay man whom handsome
girl, also Indian, was employed in rock
ing to and fro.
"Come and be introduced to my
Jose, leading the way toward the ham,
mock. Father, here is that brave
Englishman who saved my life last
night. and with the Indian gentleman
who did not wish to save my life. As
told you, I have offered them hosrita1i-
ty on your behalf, feeling sure thet they
would be welcome here"
At the sound of his sons vote Don
Pedro awoke, or pretended to awake,
from his doze, and babe the girl cease
swinging the hammock. Then he sat
up and looked at us. He was short.
stout man of about sixty years of age,
so short, indeed, that, although the