The National tribune., 1902-04-10

the course OF the blO SEdnue.
Golden dreams OF fortune filled my
brain as l breathed the perfumed air OF
the plains. Some months ago had visited
Mexico. and at San Feranzo l had become
interested in the richness of the gold
mines.
| made a careful inspection of the
mines. and at last decided to purchase the
White Serpent" valuable mine owned
by Don Miguel De Leon. a Spanlard, VINO
possessed considerable mining property.
The price he placed upon the Wv hite
SarDent'' was $1,000, and as my entire
amount of available capital was but III
tie over $11, 900, it seemed as II my Ge-
sire to purchase the mine was to be de-
feated. Other buyers were in the held,
and becoming alarmed lest the chance to
buy the mine should slip from me, L
showed more anxiety to consummate the
bargain than was wise under the circun-
stances, for, as / have since learned, the
more eager you are to trade with span,
lard. the less inclination he has TO deaI
with you. and the chances are that ID the
end he will try to double the price of what
he has to sell.
Perceiying my eagerness, Don Miguel
saw an opportunity to turn it to his own
profit and though he consented 10 sen
The mine it was on different terms tnan
were at first offered. l could not pay the
entire amount in cash on the spot. de
insisted on having Sl6,0O0 IN American
money for the mine-S11, 900 cash IN
hand to be paid, and the remaining $1,000
in a months time. Failing to pay the
remainder when due, l was 10 forfeit the
sum paid. This part of the contract, now
ever gave me little concern, as L knew
where | could put my hands on the neces-
sary funds as soon as l should return 10
my home.
| was not disappointed in my expecta-
tions, and had no trouble in raising the
necessary money to complete the purchase
of the mine. Having completed my busl-
ness. | rode over to the Mansfield ranch,
where | had promised Grace l would take
supper and remain over night before
starting for Mexico. | had nearly s6,OOU
stored away in my leather belt. l did not
have much fear of encountering robbers
on my journey, yet l had taken the pre-
caution to arm myself so as to be pre-
pared in case of an emergency.
[ remained that night at the Mansfield
ranch. and at an early hour the next
morning 1 was to begin my journey.
stopped few moments on the porch with
Grace as l was leaving. In the red flush
of the morning | could see, about a league
away, the wide low cabin on my ranch
that had been my home for many years.
But it was mine no longer. A
strangers money had purchased it, and
| was to engage in a new enterprise by
which l hoped to make a fortune.
| could not keep back sigh as / looked
at the familiar spot and realized that
could call it mine no longer. My life there
had been one Of many hardships; but it
had had its compensatiOns, for it was
there / had made the acquaintance of
Grace Mansfield-sweet, blue-eyed Grace,
who. when l should return from Mexico,
was to become my wife.
How many merry gallops we had had
over the fiower-starred prairies of south
ern Texas / think | had fallen in love
with her from the very first. Indeed, she
was a creature who seemed created
especially to love. There was a charm
about her | had never seen in any other
woman. Her sinuous, supple figure was
full of unstudied grace, and a wealth of
hair OF burnt gold blew about her face
which took on a richer tint under the
kisses of the sun and wind.
Il feel as if some evil would befall
you,'' she said, as we stood on the porch
10 say good-by.
1T is only your imagination" 1 said.
You must journey through a wild
country and alone" she said.
There is nothing to fear even in that"
But you will be careful for my sakef'
she implOred.
Yes, for your sake will do anything"
/ replied. But you must not be alarmed
on my account. | am well armed, and
shall be constantly on the alert. And
now goodbye till we meet again"
/ held her TO my breast III quick, pas
siOnate embrace, and then | had mounted
my horse and was galloping away toward
the stage station where / was to take the
stage that would carry me to the border.
As | glanced back / saw Grace standing
by the gate. | waved her adieu with my
brOad-brimmed hat; q white handkerchief
fiuttered in her hand in response for a
moment; then she was lost to sight as
passed over swell in the prairie: .
It was half-past four in the evening. A
blazing sun looked down from an cx-
panse of white glitteling sky as | spurred
my horse along dim trail that led in the
direction of San Feranzo. The broad table
land, scanned and gashed with innumerable
Tavines, lay hot and blackened on every
side. My HORSE hard ridden, picked his
way over the rocky trail at slow gait.
l despaired Of reaching my destination
that night.
The road was strange one to me, and
20 make matters worse, | was not sure
that | had not missed my way, and more
than once | blamed myself for my care.
lessDcss.
As / consulted my watch | looked to.
led the town of San Feranzo. 1t was
plain that | could not reach the place till
long after nightfall, and the prospect OF
being compelled 10 spend the night in the
desert was anything but pleasant.
| began to reflect: This was the Sd o!
June; by the 4th / must be an San Fer
anzO. Should | fail TO reach there il
time if meant utter ruin to me. Yet,
reflected, there was plenty OF time. Les
than 20 miles separated me from the town
and / still had more than u hours il
which to cover the journey.
My guide, an ignorant grcaser, had lef
me at Sanchez's ranch, with the cheer
ful remark that / would never reach tht
end of my journey alive. When / asked
him for his reasons for making such dir,
prediction, he shook his head mysterious
ly. while an ashy hue came over hi
swarthy face.
The place is bewitched,' he cried
pointing TO the desert as he spoke.
BeSitchedE' / said with a smile
What do you mean, Garcia?"
1T is the home of IIcrralgo. She is
witch-a deyil!' he cried with much vehe
mence. Then with great volubility b
Tehoarsed some wild stories of HerraIgo'
dongS, accompanying his words with eS
cited gestures and looks of awe
] listened 10 his queer stories and the
rode on, yeXed and dissus;ei Mexican
will be superstitious and no une can re
form them; 50 | was compelled to costtin,,
my journey alone.
The sun went down and twilight bega
10 deepen rapidly, yet | rode on: but. now
rs ! descended into sort of basin III