Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-10-05

% all to rein up and pause Tor time
before going forward. We watched il
with weapons held ready in hand ss IL
to meet instant danger, although what
we saw was far away. We had passed
from the Cienaga de San Simon and
now were in the high, broken country
to the eastward. The mountains were
about us, near nc hand. although the
trail for the most part still followed the
open plain that lies between and about
the ranges in this region. To the right
and left many eminences were In view.
sometimes rocky and jagged, mostly
rounded hills or level topped mesas dot.
ted with pinon trees Long reaches Of
plain, on which the mesquite and cac-
tus grew. stretched to the southwark,
hmitless seemingly like the ocean, with
solitary peaks rising like volcanic Is.
lands from the sea All about the south
ern and eastern horizon the mirage
played in similitude Of vast undula-
ting water sheet, In which rocked and
foated islands with strange trees and
structures and monsters.
Far of 20 the south, where the solid
earth seemed first To lift into the mirage,
looking as unsuhstant!al a. shadows or
~ magic lantern pictures thrown upon
Q screen, o herd of horses, mules and
donkeys were gnlloping southwark. Be.
hind them rode mounted men, five on
six in number, lashing them along and
darting to left or right as IL to keep
them to course. To one trained in life
upon the plains the difference between
Q white man and an Indian. even seen
too far away to identify more than the
outlines and motion Of the body, is un'
mistakable, and the riders we saw were
plainly Indians
Whether the horsemen were fur away
or comparatively near could not be esti.
mated with any certainty, nor was II
necessary that it should be. They were
widening the distance between us, and,
30 far us We were concerned, there wa
no danger to be anticipated from them.
But the sight Of them, like that of the
buzzartis, was bad omen Of what might
come, and a seriousness we had not felt
before fell upon all our party. Don Ra.
mon lifted the butt Of his rife from the
bottom Of the carriage and laid the
weapon across his knees Carmen, real.
izing the premonition Of danger, rather
from the feeling that pervaded our party
than from anything she saw or under
stood, turned to Felix as il to gather
from his expression what might be the
matter and IL there were cause for
alarm. Her bright face took ON ques-
tioning, anxious look ut the shade Of
seriousness upon his brow. and she bent
her gaze fixedly upon him as IL to com.
mand an answer to the mute inquiry IN
her eyes. At once the signs Of sombei
thought left his face, and he smiled
Instantly the look OF anxiety vanished
from her face, but her eyes still asked:
"Is there anything wrong?"
~ was afraid the rain was about to
fall and give US wetting." he said, a.
II she had spoken 10 him. He pointed
toward the mountains beyond Stems
peak, whose tops were dimmed slightly
as IL with haze and stood against the
background of darkened sky. Carmen
sank back in her seat, reassured and
satisfied.
Presently Felix fell back little be-
hind the carriage, signaling me to do
likewise. We still could see the distant
Indians as they receded, becoming more
and more a part Of the mirage beyond
the plain.
That's not all Of them." he said.
1T looks as If the general was right
this morning in his idea Of what the
renegades would do--that they would
break up into little bands and take the
back track for Mexico. That means that
they are liable TO be crossing the stage
trail between here and Silver City any
where and at any time, all heading for
the Sierra Madre across the line. II
we miss running into some Of their par
tics, we shall do well. Our salvation Is
in the fact that the scouts and soldiers
are probably pressing them too closely
to give them time TO lie round in wait
for us -
"well. whatever is TO happen will
happen We can do no better than keep
OH and get ont Of the way Of danger as
fast rs we can." replied.
"Of course, and meantime we must
keep in readiness against trouble II It
rises. II that thunderstorm that seems
to be gathering in the Peloncillo noun
tains doesn't break Oh Us and food the
arroyos, we'd better make night ride
into Silver City. think that will be
Don Ramon's idea"
fro By CONTINUED