Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-10-12


Just In time In see four horscmen ddshfn9
dotrn the uillcp.
IL! It's Just the route band Of Indians
or rustlcrs would choose In sneaking up
to within gunshot Of our camp"
Good! Let's 20. said Felix. And,
leaving our shovel sticking in the sand
by the pool, we started up the channel
for the bend.
Scarcely hnd we taken our second step
when we were brought to q sudden halt
by the sound of PISTOL shots ringing out
beyond the bank in the direction Of our
encampment With the firing were min
gled the sounds of the swift tramplinR
Of horses, shouts Of men and wild
screams Of terror from n woman 8 throat.
The steep. crumbling banks Of the ar-
royo offered us no chance Of ascent at
that point. With revolvers drawn, we
ran down tie channel to the stage Cross
ing ard mp the bank to the prairie level.
We arrived mt the top Of the bank Just
In time TO see four horscmen dashinp
down the valley ut beakneck speed. All
were Mexicans and well mounted. The
foremost tne, riding magnificent black
horse Of great size, was Gaspar San.
grado. Held before him. struggling
wildly TO free herself from his grasI
and crying fer help. was Carmen.
Don Ramon, near the carriage, was
firing after them with his revolver,
while Manuel came running to him,
bringing his repeating rife. The old don
seized the rife and sent several bullets
after the fleeing bandits, but they al
ready were u long rife shot away, and,
with his child among them, il Is little
wonder that his shots went wild.
The bandits sudden attack had been
a. complete a surprise to the party at
the camp as IL was TO Felix and me.
With Manuel. Don Ramon had gone t6
a little distance away from the carriage
to straighten out difference between
two mules whose picket ropes had be
come eniangled. Sangrado and his fol
lowers had emerged from the Crroyo,
beyond the bend, and the first notice
Don Ramon had Of their presence war
their shouts and pistol firing as they
dashed down past the carriage. Then
bullets, evidently aimed 70 kill. had
whistled unplcasantly near the don and
his servant: but, the distance being con
siderable, regarded at pistol range, and
the shots being fired from the backs Of
horses going at tearing gallop, no one
was hit.
As Carmen stood, arranging the 6ow.
ers she had picked, between the carriage
and the arroyo, the sound Of rushing
hoofs and shouts and shooting had
caused her to turn in startled dismay.
The next moment Sangrado, leading his
men, had checked his horse for nm in
slant by her side, had caught her NJ
from the ground, swung her upon the
horses shoulders before him and was
OF like the wind dcwn the valley, with
his followers putting their horses at top
speed in the endeavor to keep up with
him.
These details ! learned later. What
Felix and could perceive ut the time,
which was all we needed to know, was
that the bandits were of and away and
that they had Carmen. What we did
was TO rush for our horses, catching up
our rifles, saddles and brides as We
passed the place where they had been
laid down. 1t was the work OF but
minute to saddle and bride our trained
and docile animals and to cast of the
picket ropes. Then, springing to the
saddle, we set spurs hard against our
horses fianks and were OF, with o
bound, together. The race was one with
70 fix MP his wound so 'twould do till he
could get into Silver City"
Felix was of his horse ut once and
was by the wounded mans side examin-
ing the injured arm. That he had been
= medical student before he came TO the
west had often stood us in good stead in
the haps and tumbles Of our rough life,
and used sometimes to call him Dr.
Felix. He felt the wounlcd arm and
had the man move it TO and fro and turn
il about.
"There are no bones broken. " he said.
81 think we can fix this to do you all
right until you strike white settlements
and doctor.
A bit Of packing rope tied tightly
above the wound had served rs tourni-
uuet. Felix united 1t and satisfied HIM
self that the flow Of blood was stanched.
From his cantinas he took roll Of lint
cloth. From this he tore several strips
and with them bandneed the wound.
There, You'll do for swhile-until
tomorrow morning, il necessary, he
said, when he had completed the opera
ton. Now take these extra strirs, and
you'll have them ut hand when you
want to renew the bandGge. Now about
your getting to Silver City
"He can ride with MS" said Don
Ramon from the carriage. I'VE will
make room for him, and he will be very
welcome.
The prospectors looked at each other
and shook their heads
1--WE are obliged to you for your ofier.
sir, " said Jim, the wounded man. "But
ON foot, and with those two burrus to
drive, my pard can't keep along with
you, and I. reckon we won't separate.
Now that my wounds dressed well get
along somehow. lean foot Il along BY
easy stages" :.
"You can do better than that" said
Felix. There are teams coming along
behind us that left the stage station
this mcrning-the Pike county outdt
and the Mexican showman'G They are
travelling at slower gait than we are.
The Snowman, Senor Trinbajo, IL Q good
fellow as you know and win gladly give
you q lift. Your partner can keep pace
with them while driving along your two
burroa And you'll eli travel safer and
moro comfortable for being together.
s'We'll Re Jon cgain, ! hope, In Sill
yer City, . be added ~ the two men sig-
Diaed their approval of this plan Good
luck 10 youi"