The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-01-09
IN THE PUEBLO! ALTO.
By Charles r. LHgrnis

4 6iiGu &nG very fHuBEeu pQy was
running franticaily down one OF the
long. smooth slones nf waeterr NeT-
Mexico, waving his tattered Jacket
wildly above his head anc yelling She
words ut the top of his lungs. a hun
dred yards ahead was q, dense huddle
of dirty gray flceces. upborne by
maze Of slender, scuri ying legs. Two
big, sha ggy dogs were running and
barking vigorously on either faux Of
the flock, keeping it compact and on
the gallop.
Truly. Pedro was in serious trouble.
What would the patron say when he
learned that his flock had strayed into
the Bewitched canyon and caten of the
dreaded yerba mala, the evil weed.
Willie Pedro slept? Acd vino knew
how many of them would yet die. Ay
de mi! 1t Is sad day!
pedro and bic shr!re!ea CID fatner,
Esauipulo. hardly bigger than the boy,
had been given charge of one of Don
Ramon's improved acc!ss of g cc.55GGG sc sheep
only the month before. Esquipulo had
now gone back to the village with one
of the two burros for supplies, leaving
Pedro In sole charge OF the fiock. The
boy was only 15. manly: hnrdwori.-
Ing, self reliant little fellow. He had
been up all night collecting tile flock,
which had been scattered by q prowl-
ing bear, and his young eyes were
heavy. Surely It could do no harm
If he lay down under this pinon tree
and snatched wink of sleep. But the
wink" was longer than he had intend
cd, and when he awoke 1.-THE flock was
gone.
Hurryirg along their broad trail, he
had found the sheep in the Bewitched
canyon. n spot Stunned by all shep-
herds on account OF the poisonous
weeds which grew there. Thus un-
grazcd, 1t was full Of rank grasses,
tempting enough to the unsuspicIous
sheep which were eating greedily. AS
the frightened boy drew near lie saw
some Of them leaping high In the mir
and falling back to rise no more.
Stripping off his jacket and yelling a
command to the dogs, Pedro had start
ed the flock on mad run down the
canyon and out across the valley into
which 1t opened. The only salvation for
any that had eaten Of the weed was to
keep them running till worn out, and,
tired as he was, fedr and excitement
now lent Pedro new strength. For
miles he kept the scared flock running,
himself toiling on behind with wild
gestures and hoarse "pestos." But at
last he fell exhausted. The sheep stop
ped at once and began grazing on the
young swdrl or lay down for their noon
rest. The dogs came soberly back with
lolling tongues and lay down beside
Pedro.
The day wore slowly on. The sheep
did not wander now, and Pedro sat
under cedar tree, throwing pebbles at
the prairie dogs to keep himself awake.
A couple of coyotes came sneaking over
the hill SO cunningly that they were
fairly in the flock before Pedro knew
1t. He unslung the short Spencer car
bnc from his back, took careful aim
and tumbled q coyote dead ut 300 yards,
fo.' Pedro was n fair shot. like most
lads Of his age in that wild country.
The other coyote ran, with Borracho
and Mundo in hot pursuit. But rs he
dashed through the flock he snapped in
mere wantonncss ut woolly throats here
and there and left four fat wethers
dead
The two dogs presently returned.
looking vexed. They could have tern
the animal to pieces in a moment, bur
were no match for him in running, and
even now Pedro could see him looking
back from the top of mesa. miles
away. y.
Aye. first 1t is the bad. weed and
then the coyotes!, i will drive them to
the mouth Of the Puerto del Aire and
sleep them tonight at the Ojitos, for
they are In want of water,''
Just after sunset they halted In the
plnons under the cliffs at the mouth OF
the Puerto del Aire-the Pass of the
WIND. 1t Is n deep, narrow canyon,
whose walls. 1900 feet high, are seam.
ed with countless veins Of coal. Get.
tmg out his flint and steel, Pedro soon
mad a rousing fire and began to cook
MS simple supper. n A pot,of very black
colfee, Il little hour mixed with water
and cooked In the frying pan and the
roasted ribs OF whole side Or d sheen
comprised the meal; Of which Pedro
left only the bones.
Pedro dared note toA sleep when for.
tune seemed SO unkind, and the wake.
ful night wore weariiy with him. There
was no moon, but a thousand stars
twinkled up at him from the little pool
IN the arroyo. Suddenly the boy rails.
ed himself on his elbows, brushed the
long hair bnck from his ears and bent
Ills head sideways to listen intentiy.
There 1t came again--a faint, thin
wall from miles away. Pedro Jumped
10 his feet, seized MS heavy blanket
and In moment had the fire out. Then
ne sat down TO think a bit beside the
doss. which were now awake and
growing low.
Los Navaioses! What can they be
doing travelling In the middle OF the