The National tribune., 1899-05-18

side of the Sabanilla River, and on the
main ridge there are cliffs where you can
watch the country all around-a ready
made stronghold for bandits. Their fe-
male companions we're slaves kidnapped
from the valley pieutations. There's
tradition about one pegrcss who was re-
captured, numbering the entire household
of a wealthy planter to avenge the death
OF her paramour, and then escaping to the
mountains to marry his brother. They
were routed out of their wigwam, but just
moved across TO Il wilder sierra and burnt
down valley dwellings, by the wholesale
till half their vie TINS fled the country,
and the other han we're glad to leave the
brigandS alone" &
IN AMBUSH.
Ell Chato was the main theme of our
campfire chat that night. Hes not what
he looks to be-" said one of the Bcrna-
leros, I'VE all have an idea that he mus t
have been bardit or a convict in a
Spanish prison before he came to this
neigh borhood. You wouldn't suspect him
if he is on his good behavior, and he
could wheedle stranger out OF almost
anything"
Don Chato's wheedling tongue had
availed him to the extent OF inducing the
Spaniards to let him keep his own mule,
but they had closed up around him, when
they rode into our trap the next morning,
and noticed that the man in his rear
carried his carbine handy across his sad
die to prevent mistakes.
That carbine rose when our ambus-
caders suddenly started to their feet, and
the deSerter came perhaps very near pay
ing the penalty OF q suspected decoy-
trick.
..Alaxo. Halt, Dismountr' rang out
the StentOr voice OF Lieut.. Salinez Stir,
and we drop every one of you dead as a
log"
The leader of the rangers had pulled
bride nearly opposite a little gap in the
hurdle barricade and wheeled his horse
to the right, when Corp'l Marquee dis
charged hi blunderbuss pointblank at
his head.
stop, por dos, We surrender, What
the use numbering us, gentlemen!
shrieked one of the rangers when his
Sergeant fell backward, with one foot still
in the stirrup and with his head dragging
| along the ground.
Get down. then! 1 told you to dis
mount
FL Chato cast a furtive glance at the
same gap that had tempted his escort
leader to his death, but made him look
down the barrel Of an extra heavy shot
gun in a way leaving no room for ghost
OF IL hope that any fragment of slug would
miss, and CHASTITY twitch distorted his
| face as his brOwS contracted for the pro-
lection OF his eyes,
He was the last man to dismount; but
down, he came, at Fast, and never said a
word till Serg't Mariel tied his wrists with
a doublc-twisted rawhide strap.
Say, that's about enough, Jake he
Snarled "If you want to do any Strang-
ling you might as well begin with my
neck and be done"
"Where's the white fellow that took this
scourdrel across the ford2" demanded
Capt. HOgar, who had been guarding the
bond of tho road and now came uD to
resume command.
No reply.
"D'ye hear me'" kicking the shins of
one special ranger.
Cant tell, Sir"
"You can't' Well, never mind, well
freshcn up your memory for you after
awhile Hoist them in the saddle"-de-
failing the rear riders, and mounting the
dead man s horse--"and Corp'l Marquee,
you pick six men and make them keep in
rear OF this deserter. ii is mule might get
skittish again, you know"
A SLIPPERY PRISONER.
1t was a beautiful morning, and on the
brow Of the next hill our mosstroopers
burst into song:
"Adelante, companeros,
POr la sierra, pOr la SIERRA
But a sort of intuition made me suspect
a trick when one of our prisoners joined
neck Of his hOtse in time. We were
almost i'll sight OF the river when that
same songster- Il young fellow with
parOquc living in his cap, made an ex
cuse TO have his rear-rider turn his horse
aside, and minute after we heard the
shriel<s of "A lfe-and death struggle in the
wayside bushes. Singing and skylarking
and toying with the name OF his horse,
the young ranger had contrived TO loosen
the straps Of his wrist-fetters, and the
moment the rear guard had passed he had
pulled knife and plunged it in the ribs
Of his escort.
His plan was TO kill his man AT the first
thrust and escape into the thickets before
the delay Of his reappearance could create
an alarm, and by the evidence of an autopsy
that audacious scheme had come within
half an inch Of success.
The edge of his knife had penetrated
the pericardium, and a mere sideward
twist OF the blade would have resulted in
instant death, but as it was, the wounded
trooper Shrieked out in agony, and made
a desperate effort TO restrain the arm of
his murderer His grip was relaxing,
when Lieut.. EStcVan'S squad rushed to
the rescue, and in an instant Of moment
AIRY self preservation the young assassin
then dropped his dagger and flung him
self down to clasp the Lieutenant's knees.
Nothing else could have saved his life
for a second, for three cooked rifles were
thrust IN MS very lace, anu tne Lieu
tenant had barely time to push them
aside
well done, boys; VIC got him." said he.
"Well attend 10 him; but never shoot
without orders. Pull him of; that's it.
Now tie his hands behind his back and
make him trot the rest Of the way, and
put poor Valdez back on his horse"
Hold on; first put a rope around his
neck and hitch him TO Costale's horse"
interfered Capt. Holgar. "Aiake him
walk straight ahead, and blow out his
brains if ever he turns his head one inch
before we get him into camp"
TO bc continued
In Honor OF Cois's Zouayes.
On the battlefield of charlottesville,