The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-21
that she must possess nerves of steel as

that she must possess nerves of steel as well as tireless energy.
 The majority of Miss Bonnival's em- ployesa are Mexicans. She is chaperoned by an elderly. refined and educated Amer ican woman. Mrs. Lundy, to whom she is tenderly attached, and to whom she pays the outmOst deference, always addressing her as Mama Grande."
 Early in Miss Bonnival's career as a ranch owner she taught the lawless ele- ment of the border needed lesson Mescal smuggiers and thieves had been in the habit of cutting her fences and cross ing her pastures whenever they pleased
 The ranch foreman, who. was doubtless often misled by the Mexicans who rode with him, could never succeed in catching them, though his vigilance merited better luck Emboldened by repeated escapes the smugglers became more daring. They opened wide gaps in the fences and cat tie and. horses passed out on the plains and disappeared.
 Miss Bonnivais indignation was arous- ed,. Suspecting collusion between some Mexican vaquero on the ranch and the outlaws, she sent to San Antonio for four American cowboys, known to her as brave and trustworthy.
 They had worked on the ranch at va rious times and were familiar with the trails and crossings on the Rio Grande. They! arrived the day after several head of fine saddle horses were missing, among them a Kentucky 4-year-old worth s1O0O.
 Mounted upon her famous white horse. Moonshine, with a pistol slung to her sad de, Miss Bonnival joined the cowboys. They tried in vain to dissuade her from going On the trail they were joined by Rubio, trusty Mexican, and the fore man. who had been informed by an In- dian lying in the brush that ten snug glers had just passed, mounted. armed and driving packed burros.
 The Texans reflected that the Rio Grande, four miles away, was swollen with the rains, and the outlaws, there fore, probably encamped in a thicket near the pasture. Again they urged Miss Bonnival to return.
 There Is sure to be battle" said big Tom Purvis. "and those, fellows fight like devils"
 "Tom,' said the girl, you knew my father Was he afraid of bullets? Lead on.'
 Presently they came upon the dead body of a fence rider, slain by the out laws. The empty chambers of his gun proved that he had died faithful to his duty. He had been favorite to his em- ployer. and when she saw his body she was frantic to avenge his death.
 Dashing ahead. she called to the cow boys to follow. Just then a dozen shots were fired upon them, and Purvis'5 horse fell dead. Four men appeared at a sharp turn of the trail, and were so disconcerted at sight of the white woman on white horse that Miss Bonnival, quick to take advantage of a seconds hesitancy on their part, fired rapidly, killing two of them, while the cowboys dispatched the others. Purvis secured one of their horses.
 The outlaws in camp had heard the fir ing and realizing its meaning. they seized their arms and rushed to the edge of the thicket. There were six of them, al armed. But the Texans, in the sharp fusilade that ensued, crippled and cap tured them with only slight wounds for themselves.
 And they tell to this day how Miss Bon nivals fine eyes flashed and how her cheeks glowed at the victory. Her grati- tude was so great that she then and there insisted that they remain in her employ at their own price, with the privilege of doing what they pleased at all times.
 Continuing one of her fathers customs. Miss Bonnival keeps open house.
 Miss Bonnival Is a devout church wo- man, and her charities are not confined we'll.
 All the national holidays observed in old Mexico are celebrated by the vaqueros and their sweethearts or families at Las Floritas. Wearing their picturesque cos tunes and mounted on spirited mustangs, richly caparisoned, the graceful riders dash through the shady groves. where sunhrowned maidens, gaily attired, strcw flowers and sing the old battle songs that stirred the blood of hidalgos nearly a hundred years ago.