The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-03
scopyright. 1886. by Bachelor. Johnson ana
80 Rachellerl
PART II.

affect us because of that which they
hide, SO this blanket, dangling before
hole in an adobe wall, was TO Richardson
horrible emblem, and horrible thing
in itself. In his present mood Ricbard-
son could not have been brought TO
1ouch 1t with his finger.
The celebrating Mcxicans OCCASION
clly howled in song. The guitarist
played with speed and enthusiasm.
Richardson longed 10 run. But in
this mystic and threatening gloom, his
derror convinced him that n move on
mis- part would be a@ignal for the pounco
yo.x death. Jose, crouching abjectly, oc-
ra. yionally mumbled. Slowly and pom
der Gus as stars the minutes went.
Su udenly Richardson thrilled and
start, vi. His breath, for moment, left
him. In sleep his Lcrsoless fi1gerS had
allov.1t his revolver to fa.I aad ,lang
unon til card iioor. He srac eCd ii up
hastily, sue Lis gance swept apPrehen-
si.els ove.y the room.
A chill | sue light of dawn was in the
r;nce. Es. ~ outline was slowly grow
ing: detail was following ieiail. The
dread blank ct did not move. The riot
.ous company had gone or become silent.
Richardson felt in his blood the effect
of this cold da wn. The candor of break
ing dav brought his nerve. lie touched
Hose. .Come. III Y said. His servant lifted
his lined yellow face, and compre-
hended. Richar sson buck1ed on his
spurs and strode up: Jose obediently
lifted the two gre.,t saddles. Richard.
line hlanlsaf n
his left arm; in his'rilyht hand he held
his revolver. They sneakedtoward the
door.
The man who said thau,sprn's jingled
was insane. Spurs have mellow clash
---clash--clash. Walking in spurs
NOTABLY Mexicap spurs-.you remind
yourself vaguely of teiegraphic line
man. Richardson was nexpressibly
shocked when he came to walk. He
sounded to himself like pair of Gym
.baIs. lie would have known of this
if he had reflected; but then lSe was es-
gaping. not rejecting. lie made n
gesture of despair. and from under the
two saddles Jose tried to make
one of hopeless horror. Richard'
son stopped, and with shaking fingers
1r1rfustcncr the spttrs.- ltiffg them tn
bis left hand, he picked up mis- revolver
and they skunk on toward the door.
On the threshold, Richardson looked
back. In a corner, he saw, watching
him with large eyes, the Indian man
and woman who had been his hosts
Throughout the night they had made
no sign, and now they neither spoke
nor moved. Yet Richardson thought
he detected meek satisfaction at mis-
departure.
The street was still and deserted.
In the eastern sky there was lemon
colored patch.
Jose had picketed the horses at the
aide of the house. AS the two men
came around the corner, Richardson's
animal set up whinny of welcome.
The little horse had evidently heard
them coming. He stood facing them.
his ears cooked forward, his eyes bright
with welcome.
Richardson made frantic gesture,
but the horse in his happiness at the APP
pcarance of his friends whinnied with
enthusiasm.
The American felt at this time that
he could have strangled his well-be-
loved steed Upon the threshold of
safety, he was being betrayed by his
horse, his friend. He felt the same
nate for the horse that he would have
felt for dragon. And yet, rs he
glanced wildly about him, he could see
nothing stirring in the street, nor at
the doors of the tomb-like houses.
Jose had his own saddle girth and
both brides bucl<led in a moment. He
curled the picket ropes with few
sweeps of his arm. The fingers of Rich
ardson, however, were shaking SO that
he could hardly buckle the girth. His
hands were in invisible mittens. He was
srontfering, calculating. hoping abeHt
his horse. He knew the little animals
Willingness and courage under all cir.
cumstances up TO this time, but then
here ii was different. Who could tell
If some wretched instance of equine
perversity was not about to develop.
1faybc the little fellow would not feel
like smoking over the plain at express
speed this morning, and so he would re-
bel and kick and be wicked. Maybe he
would be without feeling of interest,
md run listlessly. All men who have
had TO hurry in the saddle know what
St is To be on horse who does not un-
derstand the dramatic situation. Rid
ing inme sheep is bliss toit. Richard
son. fumbling furiously at the girth
thought of these things.
Presently he had it fastened. He
swung into the saddle, and as he did SC
bis horse made mad Jump for.
ward. The spurs OF jose scratched
and tore the fanks of his great
black animal. and side by side
the two horses raced down the village
street. The American heard his horse
breathe quiyering sigh of excitement
Those four feet SKINNED. They wer,
rs light as fairy puff balls. The houses
OF the village glided past in n moment