The Opelousas courier., 1900-12-29
The ClnIaQ's oatl.


The city Of Valparaiso is one of the
most important upon the Pacific coast.
Take them altogether, the people Of
Chilli show the most enterprise and
seem best adapted for republican gov
eminent Of any in South America. Yet
the common people are Of a dark re-
ven8eful nature, and few foreigners
find favor in their eyes. But with the
d~ark-eyed maidens of Chill 1t is diff
serent, and Yankee sailors always like
to u into "V~alperaiser'' for a cruise
on shore, and a happy time they have
generally.
Ned Wilton landed from the brig
Vesper, which had sprung a topmast
and stove In her quarter in a storm in
The South Pacific. It was a two weeks
Job to reft, and, as Ned was a man to
be trusted, the "Old Man" gave him a
free run on shore. Ned wasn't much
Of a man to drink, and most Of his
limo was spent in rambling about on
he beautiful mountain slopes, getting
acquainted with the ~dark-eyed beau
nes OF the city and country, and enjoy
ing himself generally. One day while
exploring the country ten miles to the
north and east Of the city he was at
tracted by the sound of voices loud in
dispute, and then came a woman's cry
for help. Dashing through the bushes
Ned came out In a little open space,
where he saw a beautiful girl, whom
he had met at a fandango in Valpa-
raise, struggling in the grasp of a
a~ark-looking Gillian, who, IL he was
not q villain, ought to have had a
quarrel with his face.
See here, my man." said Ned. YOU'D
better drop it, OF you may chance to
get yourself into trouble"
"That advice might be as well an
piled to yourself, senor,' replied the
man, with a dark, savage frown. "If
you will take my advice, given in the
most friendly spirit, you will take
yourself off and attend to any bust
ness Of your W which you may
chance to have on hand. No man
ever fnterfered with Manuel Godena
who did not repent it"
I'll have to leave it to the young
lady," said Ned, quietly. "If she SAYS
that | am in the way, Til walk of, as
you say, but not before"
mo, no" cried the girl. aDo not
leave me alone with this man"
That's all right" said Ned. "You
see that the sonora claims my help,
Mr.. Manuel Godena, and I'll have to
trouble you to get up and travel.o
The man drew a knife and made a
dash at him. Ned knocked it out Of
bis hand and then and there gave him
such a thrashing as he had never re-
ceived in his life. Then, stripping
hsm Of his weapons, he kicked him
lndustriousiy down the slope. for it
"riled'' him to have q man draw 3
knife.
The Gillian at last took to his heels
and when once out OF reach Of Ned's
number eight boot, turned and shook
bis hand at him in a menacing man
ner.
Hear me. Americana" he Missed.
II VOW to the saints not to take rest
or sleep until / have revenge ON your,
Ned answered with a contemptuous
laugh, and, whirling on his heel. went
back to the lady, WHO was trembling
with fear.
Let me escort you safely from this
place." he said. "You are hardly safe
here"
Thanks, senior. That man is my
cousin, and this morning lie under
took to escort me to the house Of my
uncle, who has a cattle ranch over
yonder. But when we reached this
place he seized me and swore that he
would carry me to the haunt of the
bandit, Rosas, and there Keep me un-
I promised to marry him.
He is a land pirate said Ned, ..and
deserves keel-hauling il yer q man
did.
= DO not understand that, genor,"
said the girl, with a merry smile. But
shall be -FOUR debtor forever il YOU
win go with me to my uilcle's house,
II am quite at your service. said
Ned, calamity; but | don't know the
way Won wish to co.
s'rhis way, senor.'
She struck into a forest path. after
Q glance ut the manly face Of the
Yankee sailor. That glance was
enough, for 1t showed Der that she
vas absolutely aafe With hin. no nat.
tag where aas might choose to 80. An