Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1899-04-13

at his camp, and after relishing sup
per Of hump and marrow bones I
spread my blanket, and was soon for
getful CT the exciting incident Of the
dag. Whether my companion slept
Or not [ cannot say, for when I awoke
at dawn he was already about, having
changed the feeding place Of the
horses, and prepared a fragrant roast
ct buffalo fish for an carly breakfast.
fartaking OF the repast, We were soon
on our way to the Leon, the belts of
timber which skirted the river being
plainly visible from the swells Of the
prairie as we rode along
| found my fellow traveller. though
not very loquacious, very sensible
and pleasant companion. He was
familiar with every foot Of the ground
oyer which we travelled, and said that
he had camped on every water course,
river and spring branch between the
Red River, Of Louisiana and Mexico
But IL all his conversation he neret
used en- egotistical remark. Ills
modesty was remarkable, and, beyond
what he had said Of killing Indians
after the shlrmish ct my camp, he
made no reference to his ever before
being engaged Ill fight.
The sun had scarcely passed the
meridian when We came In sight Of tbs
settlement Of the Old Spanish colony,
and 1y companion pointed cut TO me,
III the edge of the river bottom, the
t1atchel rooted rancho Of Don PanchG
Diego, the Mexican with whom I had
contracted for thousand head ol
yearling ewes. Soon we had passed tho
extensive corrals, in which large tiocks
CT sheep were nightly driven, and rode
mp to the low porch Of the Mexican's S
dwelling. No persons were moving
about, and it was evident the oc-
cupants were enjoying their post
prandial siesta.
"Good-evening, friends' shouted
my companion; and his voice aroused
pack OF shaggy shepherd dogs, who,
gathering from the numerous out
buildings, quickly called the poems
| and their master to the door.
Down, down, dogs"' cried an old
leather clad Mexican, as lie kicked the
noisy animals from his Path, and ap-
preached US, still rubbing the sleep
from his eyes.
"Ah, it is you, my good friend,
| Don Thomas?' said the old man,
grasping the hand of my companion
who had not yet dismounted, covering
it with kisses, and expressing the ut
most delight at seeing him.
While the Mexican still clung to the
| Texans hand an old matron rushed
from the house, and with cry Of un-
bounded JOY seized upon ny friend s
other hand, and hugging his leg,
gave vent to the most extravagant ex.
pressons OF satisfaction. Nor were
, they satisfied with this denonstrat1ve
welcome, for when the Texan at length
released himself from their embraces
| long enough 10 dismount, they again
renewed the charge, and throwing
/ themselves upon his neck, almost
smothered him with their warm sa
| lutes.
After these transports were over
the Texan introduced me to the Mex
lean, and informed him that I was the
Harrison County gentleman who had
been in correspondence with him il
relation to purchasing flock OF sheep
| also received d kindly welcome, and
peons taking our animals, we were
led into the house.
"Ah, Don Thonas!" exclaimed the
old lady, after we had been seated
"we are 50 happy to see you again
And then botn she and her husband
speaking together, commenced long
story, how the Texan had saved thei
lives few years before, when thei
rancho had been attacked by thiev
ing band Of Comanches. According
to their account, be, with a smal
party of rangers, had performed won
ders Of vaIor, for, coming upon til,
settlement alter the savages had al
ready set ire to many Of the ranches
he attacked more than ten times hi
own numbers, and Staying more thar
half of them, saved the lives Of tn
entire settlement, since which the Ia
dians had not vcntured to return.
During this recital | observed In
companion sat uneasiIy in his chair
and seemed impatient Of his owl
praises.
Tut, tat, ny good friends. yor la,
it on too thick said he, as they con
clude1 their earnest talk. Yer see
stranger. I and some OF the boys nap
pened along here a few years agc
wneu We discovered party Of red
skins plundering the ranches, az
what could We do but drive EN- OF
that's all To be sure i was prett.
warm fight, and some Of the boys 60
hurt, bat after al! twa'n't nothing t
brag on
And lie saved my life yesterday,
said ] 70 the Mexlcans; and then
repeated the occurrence O the prev
ous day, adding that lad not eve
yet heard the name OF lav r1eseryel
'YoG cannot haye been long !
Texas. said Don Pancho, i; yo
have not hearl the name OF Ihoma
Johnson, usually called Back JONI
son .Aeu ~ ile introduce yor
..4.,tt1 1Y0av