Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-11-12

| him from proceeding step further. !
was thus left with a fifty-mile walk
before me. in the middle of a plain
thai seemed boundless as the sea itself
In Yankee phraseology, / was lin a
fix" and quite sensible of it, too. we'll
knowing what it is TO be afoot upon a
prairie. For time l stood irresolute
as to what course / should pursue,
though not altogether silent, but loudly
anathematising the biscacha, the limo
cent cause Of my accident. While ours
ing it from the bottom Of my heart,
sat down on the heap of miscellaneous
effects il had collected by the mouth of
its cave. took out a cigar, lit it. and
commenced smoking; partly to soothe
my ire, but as much to aid reflection,
and determine me what to do.
AS it so CHANGED, the determination
came not from any inward prompting
or influence due to the nicotian. For
| had scarcely taken ten whiffs, when
saw man approaching me-a horse
man, of course; pedestrian on the
pampas would be sight as rare and
surprising as to meet upon them
spermaeeti whale. And, also, of course,
coming on at gallop; since gaucho
riding any other pace is spectacle
equally rare.
And a gaucho the man was, as /
could tell long before he got up to me,
by his kerchiefed head and bleached
horse-hide boots, holding the wooden
stirrup by his big toe.
Soon as up, he accosted me without
waiting to be addressed.
you've had mishap, signore?"
The half-interrogative remark was
made in Italian, at which was in no
way surprised, knowing the Argentine
Confederation to be full of these PENN
sulars. Fortunately I could speak his
tongue. and understood him.
Yes" l replied. "As you perceive,
I'm endorsed, and was just wondering
how I should ever get to the end Of
my journey
where might that be? Excuse me
for inquiring''
mo apology needed, under the cir
cumstances." Then, continuing the an
swer, l gave him the name Of my
friends estancia.
''Oh, I know it WELL" he rejoined.
''But it's too far for you to reach to-
night, or even tomorrow night, if afoot.
And from the look of that animals leg,
l don't think you'll be able to ride
certainly not for some days to come"
Il don't think l SHALL" was my de-
spairing response.
Suppose, suggested the gaucho,
you mount mine, and go with me to
our estancia? It's nearer, and l can
walk along with you"
The offer was not only generous, but
opportune; and, after few seconds re-
Fiction, l signifed acceptance of it
1--WE must leave your zoppo here till
l can return for him with help. He's
not likely to stray far, and this will
keep off the wolves and carranchas."
Saying which, he stuck a long lance
he carried into the turf, first tying upon
its top the kerchief taken from his own
head. Then unbuckling my horses Gin
cha, and stripping the crippled creature
of both saddle and bride, he placed the
saddle-bags on his own, directing me to
mount.
This, after some courteous protesting,
with a compromise TO ride and tie.'
did; and we started away from the i'll
fated spot; my poor horse looking re-
proachfully after us, as though believ-
ing himself abandoned and forever for
saken.
Ny own feelings were not Of the most
enviable kind. Anything but that,
when it occurred to meas it soon after
had heard that there were highway
men on the pampas, and that now and
then a lone traveller was missing or
found murdered. Might not this be one
OF these knights of the road decoying
me to his den? Certainly, the mans
appearance was not much in his favor,
though not against him; stout, heavy
fellow of dark visage, at least half of
his face covered with hair. Still, there
was nothing sinister in its expression;
but, when closely scrutinized, rather
serious and honest.
Thus doubtfully cogitating, rode on
for several miles. my doubts gradual
ly becoming dispelled, and confidence
restored, the more l conversed with
the man He had odd ways and forms
Of speech that might have puzzled some,
and made a timid traveller suspicious
of him. But had seen something Of
the world. and could make allowance