Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-08-07
J 0ut on the Pampas / /
BY ., = hsN,Y
BY q. A. HENTY

scare a deer, and then, each taking a rife
by the barrel, we were ready. Pedro
was just telling a story Of how he had
forced an old man to say where his
money was hid, by torturing his daugh-
ters before his eyes, and how, when he
had told his secret, and the money was
obtained, he had fastened them up, and
set the house alight-a story which was
received with shouts Of approving laugh
ter AS he finished down came the butt
Of Rube's rifle on his head with squelch
while mine did the same on the head Of
the next man. For an instant there was
pause Of astonishment, for no one knew
exactly what had happened; then there
was a wild yell of surprise and fear, as
our rifles came down again with crash
ing thud. All leaped to their feet, the
man L aimed my next blow at rolling over,
and just escaping it. Rube was more
lucky, and just got his man as he was
rising. 'Hoorah! Seth he shouted, five
down out of eleven We drew back now
to our posts as agreed on, and the Mexi-
cans, drawing their knives, made a rush
forward. They amt towards, the Mex
ioans-I will say that for them; and
when these fellows found they were
caught like rats in a trap, they fought
desperately. They knew there was mo
mercy to expect from Rube and me. They
divided, and three came at each of us.
Two went down as If they were shot,
and l was just whirling my rifle for an
other blow, when | heard a crash, and
then shout from Rube, Help, Seth!'
saw at once what had happened. Rubes
rifle, as he was making a blow at a man.
had struck beam over his head, and the
shock had made it fly from his hands
across the room. In another moment the
two Mexicans were upon him with their
knives He hit out wildly, but he got
cash across the forehead and another on
the arm in a moment. l made two strides
across the hut, and the Mexicans who
were attacking me, instead of trying to
prevent me, made a rush to the corner
where their rifles were, which l had left
unguarded. 1t was fatal mistake My
gun came down crash upon the head of
one of Rube's assanants before he knew
of my approach, and another minute did
for the second. AS turned from him the
who had rushed across to pick up his
gun, and myself and gave cry as the
flints fell and there Was no report. For
minute or two they fought desperately
with the guns; but it was no use, and it
was soon over, and we stood the masters
Of the hut, with eleven dead men round
us. An hour later saw us safely on our
way to headquarters"
"Oh, thank you very much, Seth 1t is
most exciting story. And what became
Of Rube" asked Maud
"Rube married year after we got back
to the States, and took up clearing and
settled down. 1t was then / felt lone
some, and made up my mind to go south
for awhile. l promised Rube that l
would go and settle down by him after a
bit, and I've concluded that it's about
time to do so. I've saved a few hun
dred dollars out here, and l am going
to start tomorrow morning at daybreak
to catch the steamer at Rosario. l shall
90 up straight from Buenos Ayres to New
Orleans, and steamer will take me up
the river in three days to Rube's loca-
ton. Good-by, all of you. l told your
father this afternoon"
There was hearty leave-taking, and
many expressions Of regret at his leav-
ing; and after n shake OF the hand and
many good wishes, the young Hardys
went up to the house, really sorry to part
wit htheir Yankee friend.