Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-10-19
FELIX NARCHANT.
b. CLARENCE PULLEI.

| j UUIiA JllllOOllA1N H
By CLARENCE PuLLEI.
Copyright. Isee. BY The AutAoe.i
CHAPTER XIV.
Il was a mad chase, the pursuit OF
these fleeing figures 70 far ahead, but
we put cur horses down to their work as
IL we expected to overhaul them In the
first dash. We made small account Of
any obstacle that could be brushed
through or overridden. Onward oui
horses few, here swerving at mesquite
tree. there winding at full speed through
grove Of yuccas or cactuses, whose
spikes and thorns tore garments and skin
cruelty as we grazed past them. Our
willing beasts were doing their best,
but their loud breathing and painting
fianks soon told Us Of the struggle they
were making TO keep up their pace. II
once they failed us. the race was ended.
After quarter Of an hours hard rid
ing we could see that We had not gained
perceptibly upon the bandits. Worse
than that, while our horses were nearly
winded, those Of the bandits were mp
parently as fresh as at the start Ever In
the lead Of the others was Sangrado's
black steed, is head and body rising
and sinking in the long. easy gallop
that il seemed no distance could tire.
To keep our horses ut the pace they
were going was impossible, and we drew
rein, reducing their speed 10 slow gal
lop, and even 10 walk. 70 that they
might recover strength and wind. BY
this move we did not lose 20 much
ground as one might have expected.
Whether that their horses were getting
blown. or that they were willing TO keep
Us in sight Mt long distance, the bandits,
m soon as our pace fell of. slowed down
their own. 30 that we continued at
about the same distance from them as
before. With such n start Of Us, our
main chance to come up with them was
the unpromising one that, after satisfy
ing themselves thnt there were only two
pursucrs, they would stop and show
fight or attack us from ambush. Beyond
| this possibility, we must trust TO some
Unforeseen and accidental circumstance
that might arise tn help Us out.
All the tine We were descending. IN
a generally northwestern direction, into
the Gila valley II only We had the day
light before ~. we might keep the ban
dts in sight until they reached the nv
| or. which we knew would be- 30 swollen
| BY the recent rain that they could not
| ford IL for "a hours ut least. But the
daylight would fnil us before we could
travel half way there. giving them ev-
cry chance to get away from US under
cover Il darkness.
The shadows of the tree clumps and
great plants stretched long upon the
| plain, and in the west the sun hung low
above the mountains. The bandits. re-
serving their horses speed, could slip
away frcm Us y h.neveT they choee, and,
IN any o,ei,, The veil Of G::kness that
wonll ia.l in another hour would close
Tho puis0ii, ior the night 1t least. sud
| den!y tic laadits turned sharply 10 the
| westward. at night angles 10 the course
they had been taking and quickened
H., II paec. We could see no reason for
| tloi. change of course, lCt turnrd cur
bcrs,s 20 ueet the movement. AZ the
| top uf the first emincEcc we reached
| Felix rose in his siirrups 20 rs 10 com
mard wide view ahetd d. IA I'M instant
hc was al excitement. THIS way-and
hurry a.!" he called to me - hc point
ed with his hand out uron the prairie.
Turning cur horses In that direction. We
spurred them 20 their best speed
Prcsouily | Jaw the reason for this
change Of course. The bandits. oyercon'
fident ard c.rclcs perhaps. in following
down the bark Of the arroyo had not
properly Observed the ccnlguration of
the country. Following down It's bank,
they had ridden to point where the
arroyo bent sharply to the left, continu'
ing in that direction for full mile
before turning again 10 the northwest.
With the channel running bank high
with water, there WAS nothing for them
to do but follow the bank to where II
turned again, which gave Us n chance,
il cur hoircs' Sced proved equal 10
their, iooJ. of -, II .ct.tat by chang.
ing our course as we had, we had about
the same distance to ride TO reach this
second bend that tlcy had
Our horses rose nobly to the effort we
required Of them, and we held them tC
q gait rs fast a,most az that at which
we had begun the pursuit. But AZ we
near.d the point from which the bandits
could strike gain down the valley. with
free course ;kt I'D, it became evident
that they would reach IL sooner than
we. Our horses were showing distress,
which was perceived by the bandits,
who, as they neared the bend in advance
Of us, shouted, waved their hats, and
one or two of them fired upon Us from
their horses backs Once more Sangrad.
swung his hat and pointed tc tie Ecrth-
west as ii inviting Us to follow him.
Another minute would take Linn, with
his captive, Icund the berd, aud then,
with clear course before them. 1t was
evident that his party would soon leave
Us hopelessly behind.
| Felix sprang from his horse, lifteo
his rife to his shoulder, held it there q
second to catch the sights and fired. Al
the smoke curled mp from the muzzle OF
the piece Sangrado's horse, 1t distance
Of 200 yards away, stoppet! short. stood
stock still for moment, trembling,
then pitched forward and relied, lifeless,
upon his side, shot through tie head.
| Sangrado sprang from Il saddle. with
Carmen in his arms, in time to save
them both from falling lsneath the
horse. Uttering curse that came plain
" to our ears 200 yards away, he left
Carmen standing by the horsc, caught
up his carbine from the ground where II
had fallen and rushed toward Us, firing
az he came. His men from their saddles
sent in a volley upon us, then dimount-
ed, threw their bride reins down before
their horses to check them from wan
dering and came toward Ms, taking ad
vantage of everything that could afford
them cover Their leader, the first ont
burst of rage over and admonished BY
two or three close shots from our rifles
was content to make his approach from
under cover, and from behind hug'
melon cactus watched for chance Il
shoot at Us, while he directed the move
ments of his men.
| There was 10 way to come to clos