The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-17


cushions of the carriage and tried TO
think. Manuel had been chased
chased like criminal. Also he had
been fired at ana apparently hit. Still,
as the Sonora had said, the way that he
rode afterward would seem TO discour-
age that idea. For man when fred
at TO feign to be wounded in order 10
induce his opponent TO stop shooting,
il an old trick, as Chiquita well knew.
Hc stops in the hope that his victim will
fall. and SO end the fight. This hope
seems 10 be instructive; even one who
knows the trick will, as often as not,
be for an instant deceived by il, and in
an affair of this kind an instant is
everything The Sonora already had
fallen into another doze. Evidently she
had not recognized the fugitive as Man
uel. Mastering her courage with an
effort, Chiquita spoke:
"That man there--the one they
chased Do you know. Sonora, who he
was or what evil he has done?" she
asked, timidly.
I'm truth. child, how should / have
known what he has done? Nothing,
probably Some quarrel absIt wom-
an, perhaps--it is generally So" Chi
puita flushed hotly under her olive
skin. and then turned pale. The Sc
nora saw that blush and understood
everything. Forgive me. little one"
she went on, hurriedly, catching the
girls hand in her own. 81 was dull;
i did not understand, even though j
saw young Vellos-Pablo--prudently
in the rear of the pursuers. But fear
nothing, dear little one, for Manuel is
not injured, and Pablo-Pablo shall re-
gret what he mas done this day-ex-
cecdingly will he regret it,"
.'But he has done nothing Chiquita
persisted. why should they fire at
him thus?" AS she spoke she raised her
voice, for n young yaquero who was
had seen Chiquita's black eyes and ad-
mired them. 1t was odd how she knew
this. for she was not looking at him.
Probably it was by Intuition.
1.-The man was Manuel Ramirez, Se-
NORA" said the young man, refining his
horse. 'He was accused by Pablo Vel
1os and others OF trying to increase his
small herd by means Of"
"Alavcrickin' calves an bein' too
flip with his fryin' pan," interrupted
the hoarse voice of cowboy who was
following close behind. Get push
on. Jose. We amt got no time ter stop
here an cackle IL we're ever gonter get
ter Aqua Caliente." Jose frowned at
the interruption, but as he lifted his
hat he smiled at the Sonora smile that
included Chiquita; then he galloped on
with his companion. Chiquita lifted
Der nose and said nothing, not even
glancing at the cowboy. Like many
Mexicans who understand English, she
never would own to the knowledge, re-
garding it somewhat in the light of
disgrace. Chiquita did not like Amer
icans; more especially did she dislike
this American.
Manuel was probably unwounded;
that was the chief thing. That he had
been stealing cattle by the simple proc
ess of shooting the mothers of unbrand-
ed calves or obliterating the brands of
steers by means Of hot frying-pan
never crossed Chiquita's mind as
possibility. Therefore she took heart
q little.
They were nearing Aqua Caliente,
now. The road led through pass be-
tween two spurs of the sugar loaf
mountain that rose abruptly from the
surrounding plain and overshadowe1
the little village. The pass was invisible
from the cloud of dust raised by many
wheels and plunging hoofs, but the hid
den space was resonant with the sound
4,af cries and oaths and blows. Into the
cloud the carriage dove; the driver
straightway vanished. and was only
known by the addition he made to the
din as he prodded and beat the patient
little oxen, making their tortuous way
through the blind maze. Then the car
riage emerged from the cloud as one
passes from behind curtain and was
creaking across the green plaza of the
oasis on which the town was built.
Aqua Caliente was not n large place
Just store and some saloons and two
or three houses one OF them muck
larger than the others. In front of this
house the carriage stopped. The hos
tess. accompanied by a score OF guests.
welcomed the Sonora and her charge
with shrill cries OF greeting and brought
them within the cool dusk of the great
living-room; then began talking, all Ut
once. Chiquita was dnzed by the sound
and confusiou; she wanted to be alone
just then. Even the unaccustomed
dainues which were set before her
could not divert her mind. No one paid
much attention 10 her. With her eyes
the Sonora had signaled that the girl
wished 10 be left alone. but Chiquita did
not know thn'. She slipped u yay as
soon as she could md climbed The lad
der that led 10 the fiat. parapcted roof.
There were other girls there--girls
Of Chiquita's own age; many OF them
were old frierds OF hers. but she stood
apart. and. leaning against the adobe
parnpet. gazeh over the plain that lay
stretched AZ her feet. The scene was
full of movements and confusion; con
fusion nude by galloping horsemen,