Middletown transcript., 1900-12-01

4
with insolent good humor.
"When my friend is through with you
of course, you've got to give me satisfac-
ton, if there's enough of you left. This
Indian is my friend. In insulting him
you have insulted me-"
In order to put his claim absolutely be-
yond question; Holman, smiling blandIy,
suddenly caught the Spaniard's nose be-
tween his thumb and forefnger and gave
it sharp tweak. Nothing could have
been more insulting than the playful
triaing air with which he did this; as if
the naughty Spaniard were an amusing
little puppet meant for the diversion of
his betters.
D'Alcantara sprang to his feet, his face
a waxy pallor, while his eyes blazed with
a murderous hate. A frightful volley of
approbrious epithets poured from his lips
He whipped knife from somewhere
about his waist and flashed it the air. It
was wrenched from his hand with swift
ness that seemed little awesome in the
apparently sluggish Huaje, who, with his
own lips grimly set, raised it to strike
d. 'Alcantara.
Holman had barely time to ar. est the
Indians arm. He said few quick words
in Yurimaca to him, and, after moment
of reluctance, Husje doggedly snrend-
cred the knife.
"What hot little boy you are," said
Holman to the painting Spaniard, giving
a short laugh. Gentleman don't ar
range matters of this kind in that way.
I'm afraid I shall have to leep the
knife, you lose control of yourself SO
easily. Of course, I expect to hear from
you later when you return to what little
reason you may formally possess. Come,
Huaje."
They strolled out, Holman maintaining
his bantering air of good-natured amuse-
ment. When they were outside, Ordway
said to Holman, with real regret: 81 am
confoundedly sorry got you into such a
row. only hope there will be no d'Al-
cantara left for you after I have met him.
Holman, I feel l shall kill that wretched
little beast"
"Well, l don't know fully your griev-
ance, but l somehow am in sympathy
enough with it to hope you will take it
out well with this bumptious coxcomb.
Huaje nearly spoiled both our chances.
A Yurimacan's gentleness is intermit-
tent, you see. 1t is an opera bouffee So I
of row. DAlcantara's insolelce in the
cafe gave you an opportunity which you
have been wanting, it seems. Bis roueh
snub to poor Huaje made me hot. His
pulling his knife on me put Huaie into
movement. Well, here we ae ct you,
place. This business will keep one he'e
few days longer, SO we sfail meet again.
Good night. Heaven bless woman as
lovely war-maker and disturber of men,"
The next morning, Ocdway was awak
ened at nine by messenger, uco brought
him this note:
"Come with this man at once. Im-
portant. HOFFMAN,"
Ordway threw on his clothes and fol-
lowed his guide at full gallop. Ten miles
out in the country, they came upon
Holman. He was quietly WALKING up and
down in grove at the side of the road,
smoking a cigarette. His horse was
tetbered hard by. As they came steam
ing up, he flung away his cigarette and
advanced toward Ordway, with singula:
look on bis face.
"We won't either of US fight this festive
Spaniard," he said abruptly.
"What do you mean? inquired Ord
way.
81 mean that Huaie is now on his way
to the Yurimaca country, rs fest as he can
go, with d d'Alcantara's head as his only
luggageP'
"Whatp cried Ordway, aghast.
'Listen, and I will put it very briefly,
for I have got TO follow after him rs soon
as possible. The Indian felt a1:s ieved
and took hand in the game in ne
Yurimaca fashion. You do not EaoW
how they hate the Spaniaeds. Huaie let
me last night asked no questions. At
six this morning met him agaia. He
then had d'Alcs ntara's head with bin.
It was still warm, while the rest of tie
gentleman was cooling on the road lead
ing to bis hacienda. Of course, he is
thoroughly dead by this time to all such
mundane delights as other mems wives,
duels and the like"
"But bow fendish of your simple In
dian p exclaimed Ordway, struck cold
by this anick tragedy
"You are not familiar with Yurimaot.
war etiquette" said Holman impertuTb-
ably, as be untethered his horse. "Hauje
killed an enemy in his way, just as we
wanted to kill one in ours. The Yuri-
macas preserve the heads of their enc
mics, instead of the scalps only. They
preserve them in some way, and they are
really more decorative as warDike SOU
venirs.
'Now, 1 must co." concluded Holman,
extending his hand to Ordwey. "Ii we
get good start they will never catch us,
but there must be no time lost. 1t is odd |
that we should have met, and that you
should have SO appealed to my sympathy |
really more than you imagine"
'But would like to hear from you |
again," said Ordway. "Here, take this
card. 1t is my New York address. l
am sick of this part of the world, and
think l shall pull up stakes and get
out. 1t has brought nothing but ill-luck
to me-"
Thanks" replied Holman, swinging
into the saddle and slipping the card into
his pocket. Then he paused and knit
his forehead for moment. Gathering
up his reins, he said finally: You are
from New York? Do you chance to know
anything of young woman there named