Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-24


why, perhaps 1 wiki" said Duncan,
as if he had just thought of it. But he
told his partner that it was hardly prob
able, as he was going down on the low
er table lands near the coast, and The
excursions usually kept pretty well up
on the higher plateaus.
That night before he started he got a
letter from his mother, and in it she
said: "AGce Chambers is lovely, and
we enjoy her SO much" So that was her
name-Chambers.
The next morning he started. His
journey was tiresone one, snd after
several days spent or tbs train he found
himself one glor;o-s afternoon climb
ing little mountain path on the back
of a burro. Duncan had told his folks
by wire of his :nteaded tip, and found
bylooking over theic itinerary that they
had passed quite near where he now
was.
He had left the main at a little town
through which they had passed some
days previously, and wSs making his
way into the country to interview an old
Indian whom he expected TO find the
next morning. The title to Mexican
lance often depends on information only
obtainable from the kindly Indian.
That night he slept on his blanket
under the stars, and early the next
morning was pushing on, the path
growing still wider and more beautiful.
At last, about nine o'clock, he came
over the spur of the mountain and
looked down on a lovely valley. His
guide and interpreter told him that in
the little village which he could see was
the old Indian.
About noon they arrived, the matter
of the title was soon fixed up and ar
engagements were made TO leave the
next morning on the return trip. But
that evening something happened that
altered his plans.
A small party OF the villagers VINO
had been up on the mountain cutting
| wood had found a burrQ wandering
| alone. They did not recognize it as
one of the village burros.> 1t had a
side saddle on it. and tucked under one
of the straps was little glove. They
knew that a young American or Euro
pean woman must have ridden the
| burro, and they began hunt to find
| her.
Some miles back they found her IN
| conscious by the road, and putting per
on the burro which they had led back
| they brought her into camp. AS they
brought her up Duncan walked up the
| little village street to see what the mat
ter was. He was astounGed to see Alice
| Chambers on the back of the little mule
| She was still unconscious. One of the
old women of the village took her into
the little open shelter, and in a very
few minutes she revived, and, opening
| her eyes, smiled a wan smile. When
her eye caught that of Duncan's she
started, and he stepped up and said:
81 am Robert Duncan, Miss Cham
bers, and my mother and sister have
been travelling with you. 1 am here on
business, and will be happy to help you
in any way possible. When you are
stronger we shall be glad to hear your
story"
She regained her vigor quickly under
the ministrations of the old Indian
woman, and soon told them that she
had started out with party to make an
| excursion to some famous caves. In
some way she had become separated
from the others. and had tried to find
her way back. She became confused
apd, meeting several natives, they had
tried to understand each other, with the
result that she became more and more
| at sea.
She had eaten only what some kindly
| Indians had given her. At last she went
so long without food that she felt {
faintness coming over her, and she
knew no more till she woke and found
herself in the little village.
In Il few days she was strong enough
to travel, and Duncan made himself g
demi-god in the village by leaving {
sum of money that to the Indians wa:
| fabulous. They calculated that the eX
cursion party must be at the City OF
Mexico, and when they reached the
railroad they telegraphed the party. Al
answer came back which they got at {
station further on. 1t said: ''Thanl
God, she is found"
They were met at the station by III
enthusiastic crowd made up of the e.
cursion party, the American minister
and great mob of MeXicans, who
cheered thu couple to the echo. III
some way the story had gotten into the
papers.
Duncan decided TO stay for some days
| anu Photographed MS partner ~ lHdt eA
feet, who wired back congratulations
and Duncan found himself a hero. III,
drove with them and went to see the
sights.
One afternoon he asked Alice if sht
would drive with him to the grove O
Chapultepes. They dismissed tht
cuachman at the entrance and told hin
they would meet him there in a coupl:
of hours Then they wandered through
the majestic grove. where it is al
ways twilight even at midday. They
had been talking over their strange ex
perience- Alice" said Duncan, ''yol
of course know that everybody think!