The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-03-30
CopYaloAr. lss7 sy TIT AUTHOR
BYCL ARCNCG PUL


duskiness and Were lost to sight in tn
shadow against the dark continuation
of the mountains.
Dawn frightened into sunrise, an,
the San Simon plain in the dayligh
looked fresh, fair and peaceful Som,
dark moving objects could be seen nea,
the playa, but there were no signs o.
danger to u.s. We offered the girls th,
last of the water in the canteens, anC
then, having packed our limited equi
page, we all, by common consent, started
over 10 visit Don Ramon's camp, which
in the daylight was now distinguish.
BILE about n mile away. / gave Carmen
my horse to ride and walked in compa.
NY with Dolores, who looked thorough
~ unconcerned and munched a piece Of
bread as she trudged along. Carmen s
face was tear stained and melancholy,
and she seemed unconscious of the rents
and tatters III her dress, which testified
woefully to the tholns and briers that
had lain i'll her path the night before.
But her mantilla was becomingly ar
ranged and she looked the lovely incar-
nation of grief and grace.
Don Ramon's camp was picture of
rack and ruin, mute memorial of the
courtesies of the Apaches. The ancestral
carriage was ON its side with wheels in
the air, its glass windows broken, sew
eral bullet holes through it and an ar
row sticking in panel A fire had
been started under it, but had gone out
with no further damage than to char
portion of the woodwork. The harnesses
of the mules had been cut to pieces and
the straps carried away. The baggage
had been rudely ransacked, and those
things that the Apaches had left were
strewed about and partially destroyed.
Garments guitar case and her book of
devotions had contributed to the fire
under the carriage, while her guitar.
smashed almost beyond recognition,
hung forlornly with dangling strings
from the bush against which it had been
flung. Her little leather trunk had been
cut open and despoiled of her finery.
while broken glass and an odor-noth
ing more-of aguardiente indicated that
the quality of Don Ramon's special
commissary supply had been approved
by the marauders Moccasin tracks were
plenty and marks of the hoofs of unshod
ponies. AS we looked over the scene of
disaster, Felix lifted the water keg, the
head Of which had been smashed. and
shook it, listening There was a splash
within.
Here's luck. >" he cried--"w aterl We
can have some coffee. "
Surely enough, there was a gallon or
two Of water still in the keg There
seemed for the present nothing better TO
do than to prepare breakfast. So, gather.
ing materials for fire, we fell to boil
ing coffee iii our tin cans and frying
bacon in a battered pan found among
the wrcckage. Dolores, stimulated bv
The prospect of something to eat, assist
'd us with alacrity but her mistress sat
lowncast, giving no attention TO our
proceedings, nor would she aftervard
ioln rs at the repast, not even so much |
as TO touch the tin cup of coffee gallant.
y rendered her by Felix The rest of us /
1ad no lack Of appetite After our trou
)led night the strong, black coffee was
lmbrosial and we did the fullest justice
% our simple fare.
Midway IN the meal Felix touched |
ne with his elbow and signaled with |
MS eyes that | should lock down the |
rail The objects that we had seen
moving near the playa in the early dawn |
lad approached us and were now so |
rear that we could identify them as two
mounted men coming up the trail driv-
ng mule before them. They were ad
'anciDg at a good pace, and their dis
ance from us rapidly decreased. Pres
ntly Dolores, with her quick Indian
We, saw and identified them. Full of
excitement, III moment she ran to her
mistress.
Se1orita. oh, senorita, behold Don
the nules-and Manueu
All are returning safe. Oh, the blessed
'irgin of Guadalupe who has heard orr
rayers!"
Carmen raised her head and looked
'round, hardly understanding at first
he vehement words of Dolores. Then
he arose trembling and, resting against
he shoulder Of her maid, looked long
nd unsteadily at the coming figures
ow near at hand Her face changed
rom hopeless sadness to eager atten.
ion, and then, as she recognized her
cople, to an expression Of rapture. She ,
ank to the ground and sohbing with
motion kissed again and again her gold ,
medal Of the Lady of Guadalupe, to
'hom she prayed in gratitude.
Don Ramon saw his ruined camp, the
rmod strangers, his daughter and her
1aid, and he spurrod his mule fiercely
oward rs, his square, wrinkled face set
n look Of fearful determination. Man
els black eyes were cleaning as he
irove to keep up with his master, and
9th carried weapons in hand Then
'armen rose and sprang to her fathers
rms.
Don Ramon's eyes were wet as he
isengaged his daughters arms from
is neck, patted Dolores on the head
nd spoke TO her kindly and came 10 ne
nth extended hand He thanked ~ in
ourtly Castilian phrase for our con
not yI L., N Il |