Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-08-10

erect and head and tail in the air. /
went to the picket pin, saw that the
end of the rope was securely fastened
and then walked toward the horse. The
sharp whistling rattle of snake that
almost trod on checked my steps and
caused me TO start back in u hurry. The |
sound was twice repeated, each time |
farther away. as the unseen reptile that
had startled the horse glided of under
cover of the darkness Bill, at my ap-
proach, became quiet, went again to |
feeding. and returned to my blanket.
But we were not to fall asleep with
out being again aroused. The horses
presently pricked their ears and looked
toward the east turned in the direc- |
tion of their gaze and saw the edge OF
the round, full moon rising above the |
Peloncillo mountains. From the same
direction came the faint sound Of swift
trampling hoofs. growing louder, and |
soon their noise was intermingled with |
the rolling Of light wheels. Felix lay |
between me and the trail, rolled in his |
blanket, the barrel Of the long sharpe |
rifle by his side glinting duly in the |
moonbeams. He had taken of his neck |
erchief and spread it beside his face on |
the rubber coat on which he lay. From
beneath it p.eped the butt Of his No. 10
revolver He, like myself, was awake
and listening.
1T is the stage, he said.
raised my head and looked over him
toward the sound Of the trotting hoofs,
now near at hand. A short stretch OF
the trail was visible opposite our posi-
ton, and four mules drawing buck
board came into view. moving rapidly.
The driver sat OH the front seat, erect
and watchful beneath his wide brim-
med hat, with reins and whip III hand,
the mail bags piled on the floor beside
him. On the rear seat a sleepy passen-
yer lurched and nodded. The vehicle
whirlcd by and in a few moments was
far down the trail. From where we lay
we could see in the growing moonlight
its indistinct outline as it moved on
ward for some time after the sound OF
wheels and hoofs had died away. We
watched il until in the distance 1t
merged indistinguisbably with the dark
clumps Of mesquite that obscured the
trail
The blackboard had passed from sight,
but we were still looking in the direc-
ton in which it had gone, when far
down the trail there came a succession
Of flashes, larger and brighter than the
scintillation of frefies could account
for. With one accord we leaped to our
feet and gazed with eyes intent upon
those distant outbursts OF flame.
"It's shooting" said Felix in tone
n low as n whisper. 1.-The Apaches
have attacked the stage"
The flashing gave place to darkness.
The distance was too great for any
sound of shots or human cry to come to
us. What had happened we might learn
ON the morrow, but there was nothing
to be done tonight but wait.
"Our turn next perhaps" said Felix
grimly ms he buckled on his cartridge
belt and then seated himself coolly upon
his blanket. "We can do no better than
10 stay where we IRE. If We are not at
tackled in the next half hour, it will
show that the Indians don't know
where we are, and we'll be pretty safe
against being troubled by them before
daybreak. In any event, we'd best sit
down and take it easy.
For an hour we sat in silence with
weapons in readiness, but there was no
further disturbance or any sign OF dan
ger. The horses fed peacefully, and we
felt that we could rely ON them to dis,
Germ the approach Of an Indian to om
camp. Felix and had been too many
months afield in the Apache country to
be long impressed by any danger that
did not force itself approximately ON
our attention. With the slight weari-
ness after our days ride, the balmy
coolness Of the night brought an IRE
sistible drowsincss, which soon merged
into sound and dreamless slumber.
How long slept know not. but il
must have been hours, when my repose
was invaded by the phantasmagoria OF
q troubled dream. From swift success.
sion of incongruous sensations, the rock
ing Of boats, the jolting Of wagons and
menace from man and monsters, Iawak.
ened to tho reality of the sound Of soft
footsteps and the light rustling OF the
prairie grass. Some one was stealing
upon us, 80 clcse at hand that my open
ing eyes fell upon the advancing shad
ow. With the first appalling thought
that the Apachcs had surprised us, ]
seized my revolver and as ] cooked II
started up and turned to face tho in
tzuder.
But il was not the evil face Of Indian
or of white ''rustler" that confronted
me. The starlight and moonlight IL.
lumined the face and kneeling form OF
beautiful Mexican girl, whose dark
| eyes, upturned tomine, swan in team
behind her upheld, clasped hands In the
musical Spanish tongue Q melodious
voice implored plaintiyely:
"Senor, no me mates te 10 ruegol
roy, Garment" C"Senor, do not kill me,
I prayi II Is only ], Carmen.
had risen with the impulse instant
" to IRE, and my revolver, with ham,
mer raised and my finger 1t tension on
the trigger, was pointing straight at the
head Of Carmen. who at my motion
had fallen on her knees, painting with
fear and fatigue. Behind her, near q
hand, her little maid, Dolores, crouched
and whimpered. / turned my weapon
away and lowered the hammer upon the
cap
Felix's pistol had clicked ct my first
movement, and, revolver in hand, he
was crouched On one knee, listening. He
accosted Carmen in Spaniah.
"How came you here, senorita'"
"Senor, We were enCamped beyond
u arroyo TIE mules fan sway IN tha
nighk Mannsl followed thsp ana I'D