Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-09-24

plain craWied the caravan OF pack mules
and Carrcttas. 10 be sure it was down
hill, but the way was rough and the
mules took their own time and the
carrattas Eave peculiarities of their own.
For the Cairetta is the old-time Next
can cart, made of wood and TaWhide and
drawn by oxen yoked by the horns. Dor
Ramon dc Vargas on his great black
horse directed the descent in person n
at last the caravan reached Las Salinas.
Den Ramon was making his annual
trip to Las Salinas to get the years
supply of salt for his big hacienda. This
year he was short handed. 1t was
August. and SO many of his men were
away herding Sheep and cattle that he
had brought along some of the women
on his estate to help in the salt gather
ing. Among these women was Pepita
Segura, the orphan daughter of a
Comanchero-a man who goes out on
the plains every year to trade with the
grown woman in this land of sunshine
and handsome. At any rate it was
evident that this vas the opinion of
Juan Valdez, the dashing young
~vacquereo, who had come along to herd
the cattle and mules of the caravan.
But the sa~lt-gathering was rudeiy In
terrupted before it had fairly begun. A
band Of indians came riding in from the
north. They were secs while yet too
distant to make out their tribe. They
lili6tl NC AISSSttiGto <Ait1iiCo Vi
joes or Comanches II Comanches they
might be presumed to be friendly; if
either of the others they were hostile. 1t
is not well, either, to trust even frieru .
Comanches too far. So Don ramon
formed his carts in a circle, secured his
and awaited Developments. Soon it could
be seen that the indian We're
Comanches. Don Ramon breathed easier,
but still stood on the defensive. .
~ -JA-l a.-A -.-.
shot, for they saw the firearms and
knew that the i've was on its guard.
Then their chief rode forward alone.
He had on war paint but he rave the
peace sign. and advanced with perfect
confidence. The chief was mounted on
speed. He wore hunting shirt, fringed
leggings and mocca,sins of buckskin and
In his long black hair We're three
feathers. of the eagle. On his breast
was a great gold ornament in the shape
of a star. In his hand was a long lance
and across his back was a bow and a
culver of arrows. He. was a fine, big
man and he sat on his fiery mustang as
If he and it were one.
Santana" exclaimed Don Ramon.
Eyes" echoed his men, Santana" All
knew him. for he was one of the most
warlike ana bravest chiefs on the plains.
Pepita knew the nalne only to well. In
stantly she shrank behind the other
women and drew her re5oso over her
fare.
liberate!y and with all the dignity of
q great war chief. Then he drew rein
In front of Don Ramon and for a mo-
ment sat silently on his horse, de-
liberately scanning every detail of the
arava with keen, quick-roving Y e
touched the quick pride Of the Span
lard and instead of giving Santana a
pleasant greeting he drew himself up
and stood silent and on guard.
"SenOr Ramon de Vargas" said San
tara at last. speaking in Spanish, will
you have peace or WARP"
why do you ask the question, Santa
ra?" replied Don Ramon. THE Conan
ches and the New Mexicans are at peace
ana friends
Because of her." answered Santana,
pointing with outstretched arm to
where, Pepita was c%rouching among the
women, Santana has come for his
bride
stand,'' replied Don Ramon, following
with his eye the chiefs outstretched
arm. Pepita had sunk to the ground,
her face ashy pale and terror in every
line of her supple young body.
Her father promised her to HE when
she was q child replied the chief. And
now She is a woman. So I have come
for her Santara's voice was calm, but
there was passion and menace in his
eye.
What Goes Santana mean?' asked
Don Ramon of Iepita. "Is his true?"
My father never meant it-he a no
right-to give mel am a Christian girl
to an Indian" cried the girl between
sobs.
Don Ramon cooked grave. 1t was evil
lent that some sort OF a promise had been
made. And it was plain that the chief
would hold to the promise, nc matter
what it was nor how given. He had his
warriors with him and meant to have
the girl. A third Of the caravan We're
women and the indians ~outnumbered
mis- men two to one. They had no fire.
arms, but at close quarters their ar
rows were deadly. Pelita was only an
orphan girl, whose father had been of
40 particular account And then the
women! If they fought and the In
dams won, their fate was certain and
worse than the death that YOU fall to
the men.
While Don Ramon TODD thinking over
the desperate situation, the irnpassivle
chief sitting soldily on his horse, the
people of the caravan began to murmur
and then to talk openly. :.
Let the Commandments daughter be
given up to santara," they said. Her
father promised her to him. He got
along well enough with the Indians and
why should not she? She is but one
ana II VIII euSe the llNcS " Illdily.
Fcpita heard these whispers, this open
talk and shivered and writhed in hel
despair. and then a strong arm lifted her
from the ground and a brave voice
whispered in her ear and she should be
protected to the last. 1t was Jua
Valdez, the vacquero, and very hand
some and courageous he looked as he
caught the weeping girl to his breast
and faced the Indian with flashing eye
and resoiute face.
"Santara,' said Don Ramon, his owl
spirit kindling in turn, the girl is moi
. willing. Her father had no right tt
make such a promise. She is an orphan
and under my protection. She shall stay
See! Here is a fine black colt that wa.
reared for NE. You shall have it, and {
silver-studded saddle instead of ths
girl"
II do not want your colt and you
saddle" cried the chief angrily.
Il take the grim peace or war
Which shall it be?"
Take her in war-if O cam" an
swered the Spaniard haughtily.
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