The Washington times., 1904-08-07

would Overtake me.
Thinking to elude them, turned into
a by street, AS / did so a man came out
of the house on the corner, stepping
quickly along in the same direction I had
been taking. Coming out II a lighted
room. his eyes unaccustOmcd 10 the
darkness, he did not see me; nor aid he
hear the men who had been following
me and were not far behind him. He
went on In a hurry.
Thinking that perhaps my safest
course would be 70 ,et my pursuers pass
me II possible, I waited In the deep
shadow OF the building instead OF going
on down the alley. Here. unseen my
self. I could observe anyone who passed
Evidently my pursuers were In some
doubt as 10 which way 1 had gone. for
me.
'Madre de Dios." exclaimed one of
them, he has escaped US
No, there he Isl said his companion.
L held my breath. but he had pointed
down the street. and in a moment more
they had hurried on.
That they had been following me was
settled beyond q doubt After they
had passed ventured to follow them,
partly from curiosity. and partly be-
cause 1t might help me to find out where
was
1 kept little distance from them, but
far enough so that they would not hear
me. They were led q livelx chase, for
the man was walking fast. Suddenly
they turned into dark street ahead and
/ lost sight of them
AS I stopped to listen, afraid lest Z
might unexpectedly come upon them. I
was startled by r,ufied cries and the
sound of a scuffie not a hundred yards
ahead Of me-
On the impulse Of the moment I dart.
| ed forward 10 give what assistance J.
could to the unfortunate man who had
thus unconsciouslv substituted himself
/ for me. He was making a pIucky fight.
but II was two against one. A blanket
had been thrown over his head to stiie
| his cries, and he was struggling to rid
| himself Of it, Evidently, in the dark
ness they had not discovered that they
had the wrong man. They did not,
either. hear me as came up. so that my
onset took them quite by surprise.
l hurled the nearest ruffian upon the
/ stones and gave the other such a sting
ing blow with my fist as caused him to
relax his hold and stagger back dazed.
Before 1 could get at the first fellow
/ again he had regain his feet and was
running down the street at the top OF
his speed I managed to secure his
| companion. pinning his arms behind his
| back The man who had been set upon
had succeeded in freeing himself from
| the blanket and now came to my assis-
/ lance
"Can you hold the fellow?' he asked.
I have him all right" I replied, ixht-
ening my hold. for the fellow was max
Ing a desperate attempt 70 break away.
| There were two OF them were tF,e-a
not?'' he asked. looking about him in ,.
somewhat bewildered way
| les, put one or them took 10 his
heels. lis not likely that he VIII trou-
1T is a pity he escaped. for I'd bova
MIN where he'd not attempt this bust
! too bold"
We are at least saved all trouble
about him; and since we are neither rob-
/ ped nor injured, we can afford to let
/ MIN go. And as for this fellow we have
here-why not let him go. too? Re Will
be Indebted to US for his liberty"
For his life." he replied
l had suddenly discovered that The
IelloW was Fernandez; and IL had Occur
red 10 me that II l interfered in his he
nan, ne might. in turn, do me some ser
| wee In the future Besides, 7 thought
If let him go that would end the mat
ter, and l was nOt likely TO be troubled
or Drought into notOriety by the affair:
put / round that the Mexican was not
inclined 10 my views.
IT would be bad example, senior, -
he said. He should be made 10 serve
q lesson TO those of his class"
The Fellow was shaking Coward that
] he I ha 4
but did not want his blood on NV
hands, and, besides for the reasons I
nave mentioned. was now anxious 70
get rid OF him
We win take his parole. I suggest
ed, and his promise that he VIII not
cross our path again"
His parole, senior. would be worth
nothing. said the Mexican, with e con-
temPtuous kind OF laugh Put an end
| 70 him, and thus remove the temptation
for breaking his parole and thereby
damning his SOUL
He had drawn knife. and I ben eve
he would have made short work OF car
rying out his threat, had I not reles sed
| my hold, with an intimaton Whispered
| IN the fellows ear for him to run. He
did run, and no coward ever showed q
| livelier pair Of legs.
! half believe you meant TO let him
go, said my companion, turning upon
me angrily.
Wei. he Is gone" replied, as II "a
dismiss the subject
Yes, he is gone repeated the Afexi-
can. and II was for me. not you. TO deal
| with him"
We'll. have nothing on my con-
! science to trouble me. And but for me
they might have got the best of you"
| To be sure" he replied. AT least ]
am indebted TO you 1t would have been
a fine stroke of business II they had kid
mapped Francisco Miranda That waa
| their object, probably, rather than rob-
/ berry,, he said. as he kicked the blanket
which lay az his feet
l had not known before who this man
was. In fact, I knew very l'ttle Of him
at the time, though hts name was fanlI-
lar 10 everyone and he had caused the
constitutional party no end OF trouble.
I thought II best TO allow him 10 remain
deceived as 70 the fact that the fellows
had been following me. Explanations
would have been rather embarrassing
even If I was believed.
I'VE might as we'll be going" he suE.
| gested.
As we walked along together noticed
that he was a man past middle age and
of rather a fine figure He talked freeiy
and without reserve.
How does II come that you, an Amer,
| lean are in the city at this time?' Ia
asked. and I could almost feel his sharp
questioning eyes.
Il am staying here for a short time
until can md II convenient to leave
l replied.
| "A traveller
Yes; seeing a little Of the country
"A bad time TO visit Mexico he con
tinued When affairs become adfustet
strangers will be made more welcome
l could see that he had a pretudic,
| against Americans. Coming IN the nov