The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-06-11


them together in the form of a cross.
This he planted in the snow at the
dead mans head, and then, clasping
his hands, prayed above him. Then
he lead our horses in a wide circuit
round the body. and we kept our way
down the ridge until at last we reached
the mountains foot. In the valley
the snow was lighter and the storm
less fierce, so that we could travel
faster. AS the moon rose the snow
ceased to fall, and the clouds broke
apart as we came in sight of Tecalo-
tina just ahead.
Though the people were awake in
their houses, no one was abroad in the
little Mexican plazeta. The hermit
led the way to the principal house in
the village and knocked at the door.
A voice from within called out: 'Quien
esq WHO is it?)
'Augustiniani,' answered the her
NIT. | bring strangers who need
succor.'
cat once the door was thrown open
and man appeared at the entrance
with gun in his hand. Welcome,
Christian John he said joyfully.
"You are ever welcome, and who
ever you may bring with you
Pardon my delay in opening to
you,' he added, as he stood aside for
us to pass into The house. The Nava-
joes are out tonight, and every one in
the village is watching his house. A
party of renegades from the reserva-
ton passed up the valley at dusk and
killed two men from Plaza Gallinas
on their way, and no one knows where
they may strike before sunrise. But
first we will make you comfortable
cit was Bautista Cardova who well
coined us to his house. His wife and
daughter babe us 'Buena Tardes, a
fire Of dry pine sticks was set blazing
brightly in the adobe fireplace in the
corner, and while the women prepar-
ed supper for us the host took care OF
our horses. Now that we were safe
we found ourselves nearly famished
with hunger, and the women and my
self did full justice to the meal of tor
tillas, mutton and chill, and atole
when it was served. But the hermit
sitting silently at his meal, with his
head bowed as if in prayer, ate only a
single tortilla and drank a bowl of
atole He was treated with the deep
est reverence by the host and by the
Mexicans who came in to see him
when the news of his arrival got about
the village. After his supper had
been eaten they gathered round him
while he talked to them like a pastor
to his flock. When Mrs. Trethvyn
and / tried to thank him for what he
had done for us, he disclaimed that
any gratitude was due to himself.
"'Not to me give thanks he said,
but to the good God who commands
me and whose will | obey.
3" A bed was prepared in an inner
room. for the women, while | rolled my
self up in our saddle blankets and, tireC
as | was, slept soundly all night OF
the floor of the main rcom with my
saddle for a pillow. AS dropped of
to sleep the hermit was seated on 8
bench in the light of a blazing pine
knot, talking to rapt group OF Wild
looking, swarthy listeners who stood o.
crouched reverentially ROUND him, anC
the scene recalled to me pictures | haC
seen Of Christ preaching to the fisher
men.
/ '.When | woke in the morning h,
was comeback to his hermitage on the
mountain, Cardova said, and | never
saw him again. Some villagers haC
accompanied him to bring back Ri Lo
bo's body for burial. The armed party
sent up from the Hot Springs to look
us up were at the door, and, thanks tC
Christian John, they found us alive anC
/ well at HecalOtina. instead of dead up
on the mountain--for between the
storm and the chance of meeting the
Navajoes we could not have outlived
the night unaided
Though none of our party ever saw
| Christian John again, we gave him
some slight cause to remember us
Mrs. Trethvyn, although a strict Pro-
testant, sent him, by Bautista Cardova,
a serge gown and girdle fine enough
for a Bishop, and | enclosed with it an