Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-02-18
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It is not necessary to describe the
escape from the house and grounds
more than to add that 1t was accom-
| plished without incident. By half after
l o'clock the two men were on the road
| together, each astride horse, though
Pendleton's eyes were tightly bandag-
ed. 1t was only human nature for him
to endeavor through his knowledge Of
the topography of the country to locate
himself, and his companion seemed to
realize this. for he talked constantly %
that the American would have no op-
portunity for logical conjecture. The
horses were soon put to canter also,
which rendered the task still more diff
fcult.
II wish you would tell me why you
were 80 good as to do all this for me"
Pendleton said as soon as an opportu-
nifty offered.
81 will tell you the truth. senor." was
the calm reply. There are several rea-
sons. l might have decided to act be-
cause Of any one Of them, but because
of all of them l could not hesitate.
First. then, know about you and your
mission in this country. I realized full
ly the unfortunately circumstances In
which you were placed, and l know
that you would have not one but a
dozen duels on your hands in less than
two days If you could find anybody
who would fight you after failure to
meet Romero. From such dishonor
desired to save you. because If the pO-
sitions were reversed would be glad
to have somebody do the same for me.
In the shooting gallery on San Felipe
Neri have seen you at practice, and I
believe you to be as good shot as Ro-
nero. With q word Of instruction that
l can give you l believe you will be
victorious In this affair. That word Is
this: 1t is Romero's practice to fire one
fractional part Of an instant before
the word tres The second will cry,
'Attencion. uno. dos. tresv Romero's
practice is to touch the trigger when
the t. Is sounded: he does not wait for
the end of the word. II you will do the
same, bueno! There is one more reason.
which you may not approve. 1t Is that
I hate Romero and would rejoice to see
h.m killed. also believe that you Will
kill him. He once committed a great
wrong against member Of my family.
Ny social position will not permit me
to challenge him. might assassinate
him. but do not wish to do that. That
is all. senor am In the employ Of the
senorita. am the administrator Of an
estate that belongs to her. am her
servant and therefore yours also. Que
mas. senor?'
May l not reward you for your
serviceY
IF you are killed. you cannot do so;
IF you kill him. that will be sufficient
reward" was the calm reply. I'VE are
now ON the Passeo, not far from the
place of meeting. Do you wish me to
so to the city?"
"Yes; to the Concordia. Captain Ag-
ramonte is supping there. Tell him to
meet me at the appointed time or lit
tie before it II possible and whatever
else you choose to add. All. and say to
him that l wish him to make arrange
ments with Romero's second to permit
you to be present. That may be accom-
plished IL they will add one witness"
II had thought of that, senor. If you
will pull in your horse moment. I
will remove the bandage from your
eyes. Will you await me here or do you
prefer to go nearer to the cityT
II will ride slowly up and down be-
tween this spot and the Indian statue
until you return. How may l address
youl 1t will be necessary to introduce
you to Senior Agramonte."
. II will Introduce myself to him at the
Concordia. You may call me Pancho.
without prefix. l will pass as serv-
ant. Hasta luego, senor. l will return
In an hour"
zone thing more. Pancho. We forgot
my case Of pistols"
"It Is better so. senor. You Will use
Romero's without tossing for choice.
You will be given the selection. 1t
would be natural for you to take the
one nearest to you In the case when
bis second places 1t before you. That
Is what you will be expected to do Sc
lect the other one. and you Will win.
Do 1t carelessly. Adios"
The charro put spurs to his horse and
rode away. While he was gone Pen
dleton rode mp and down the Passeo'
between the points named. and he was
soon gratified to see the charro return
much sooner than he expected.
Everything is arranged" the charro
announced. II found Senor Agramonte
without difficulty He was much dis
turbed because he had not seen you.
but Is all right now. The place OF
meeting Is changed. There Is small
cypress grove under Chapultepec op-
posite the park 1t Is to be there. II
you are ready. we will go at once"
With the rising Of the sun. a half
hour before the appointed time. Agra
monte appeared. and promptly on the
minute came Romero with bis seconds
and the surgeon.
The principals bowed courteously to
each other. and the seconds began I'm
mediately to arrange the ground. When
1t was paced OF. Agramonte won the
choice OF position. and. although the To-