The Washington times., 1904-09-25

did not forget to mention Miss Mel
rose. and signif}ed my regard for her
and my interest in her welfare. 1 left
the note so that ii would DC received
IN the morning after my departure.
Martin had been around 10 see me that
night. or, rather, had been at the hotel
and I told him that l was going away
IN the II Orning. lie expressed some re-
greet tho I was obliged 20 leave, assured
me of his friendship and wished me
success.
I did not know how far from heart
felt his kind words and well wishes
were; or that he was even then plotting
against me, and had come as a spy,
that he might betray me into the hands
of those who We're my enemies. 1
might have fallen a victim OF his
treachery, and never have lived 20 write
this account of my adventure. but for
| n mere accident, or stroke Of good for
tune. as / might call it. which saved me-
It was not yet daylight when. accom-
parted by Pedro-whom ] would not
| have taken with me but that he begged
earnestly to be permitted 20 go-I rode
away from the hotel When we passed
| through the gate the first rosy tints Of
! daylight were TO be seen on the eastern
/ horizon.
/ 1t was very sim this early In the
morning. and we met but few persons.
/ My head was heavy had slept none
that highland I rode silently along,
/ with no desire 70 talk Il was If
We're leaving home, country, friends.
and all that was dear to me, and was
going out of the city an exile.
"It is early. senior" observed Pedro,
with a yawn.
Yes" I answered.
! "Senor Is going TO make a long rider
he inquired
mo, we win not hurry I explained.
I'VE will get well on cur way before
the heat or the day"
Hot, very hot. down at Vera Cruz, -
he said. as II talking to himself
He swung his feet out Of the stirrups.
and leaned over his horses neck. /
/ noticed this-his careless attitude-but
! further than that my thoughts were
! elsewhere.
! 1--WE are going 70 have company very
/ soon, senOr,'' he remarked. after a little
/ 'Wbat?' I asked, rousing myself.
/ There are SEINE men waiting for US, ''
! he explained.
The gray of the morning was fading
and we could now see some distance
/ ahead Of us BY the side OF the road
! possibly a hundred yards or so in ad-
vance Of us, were three horsemen rest
( ing on their arms and barring the way
/ I had not noticed them until Pedro
! spoke. for, as I have said, my thoughts
were not Of the road.
Long familiarity with the country and
! the dangers of travel had accustomed
/ Pedro 10 watch for danger. 1 ought
/ to have been on my guard. for there
were always the bandits. liable to be
! encountered at any time and place. who
1 piled their regular vocation of robbinR
! travellers whenever opportunity offered
/ For some one to be stopped on the
| public highway was an everyday o.
Icurrence. and the Mexicans had be-
! come so accustomed 10 being robbed that
/ they thought nothing OF il. but Travelled
with few yaluables and thought them
/ selves fortunate when their loss was
2 small
That these fellows, met at this time
were robbers was naturally my frs;
thought; yet, as L noticed that they wore
the regulation uniform of troopers,
was not at all certain that they were
bandits. If they were. I did not pro-
pose TO let them rob me with impunity
! / made sure that my pistols were
loose in their holsters. for the fellows
whoever, they were, were well armed
and evidently were not going 20 let us
pass unmOlested.
We were almost upon them when ]
recognized the leader. II was Don Luis
Scing him was a surprise TO me, but
! was instantly prepared to defend my
self.
we meet again, Il seems, Senor Har-
lvey," he cried.