The San Francisco call., 1905-03-05
CHARLEY
~. 4OyzA.


mount for the Don. They procured
rlnes at the casa and awaited orders.
Meantime the Don had broached the
subject of cattle sale, urging Joshua
10 go out for a few minutes and take
look at the steers for himself.
Joshua cantered up the side hill to-
ward his own dividing line, where the
nerd was resting under the spreading
oaks.
Don Pagare could see Joshua ap-
pfoaching the cattle in the distance,
OUT was suddenly startled by an omin-
Gus movement of the herd. A mad
roaring and believing was followed by
a stampede and a cloud of dust came
rolling down the valley. In front of it,
squirting his horse and riding for life.
was GringuS.
The Don leaped into his saddle, and,
with his sons, advanced into the open
neld. The Americans danger had evil
dently vanished. His strong, swift
steed gained steadily on the pursuing
column. He was leading the herd by
a hundred yards and was only half the
distance from the casa, when, to the
horror of the onlookers, his animal
stumbled and fell. throwing the rider,
who lay motionlesS. while the horse,
rolling over and regaining it's feet, re-
sumed its flight.
On came the blind, infuriated herd.
nearer and nearer. and the dust cloud
rose like a gigantic pail. Gringus re-
covered his senses sufficiently to an
preciate his frightful peril. His
ears were filed with the noise of
the hoofbeats- The very earth shook,
and, in his Imagination, he felt his
flesh torn by sharp horns. He strug-
gled to rise, but weakness bore him
down, and his hope expired. He sank,
face to the ground. Great Godi There
was trampling of hoofs on either side
of him now. Death stood over him
and he awaited the stroke. Then he
felt himself raised to his feet and
heard voice.
''Nombre- de Dios, Ell fusil!' cried
the Don.
Shots rang out, and then, before
Joshua could fully realize what was
happening, he was lifted into the arms
OF the Don. whose mustang, carrying
the twain, was spurred on to safety.
A half dozen steers had been killed
TO hold back the herd, but that was
nothing. The Don thought not of the
loss, but of triumph-he had saved a
human life! At the casa he smoked
and smiled with pride.
Gringus was still weak when the
De la Tierras conveyed him home. His
face was very white, and when Mrs.
Grlngus saw him coming up the road
in the De Ia TERRA wagon she knew
something desperate had occurred.
My God. they've killed hinl-they've
Killed him, she cried, wringfng her
hands.
The Don happily misunderstood.
Springing from the rig and running
forward. sombrero in hand, he en-
treated Mrs. Gringus to be calm. ''Ee's
all segurO," he assured her "Ee's
coming near to killing senor-but ee's
no kill-Gracias a DiosI-ee's no kill"
Gringus was helped out OF the
wagon. and his fearful spouse kissed
his pallied face lovingly. took him in
her arms and almost carried him into
the cottage.
Tell me. Joshua" said Mrs. Grin
gus, when they were alone, "are you
sure it wasn't put-up job?'
Wife" said the man, don't say an
i'll word OF the Don God knows I owe
my life to himi The hoofs Of the herd
were almost upon mel gave way in
despair; but the Don-the 'greaser,' we
used to call hin-the Don put his life
between me and the fate that over
hung"
Lord forgive me for wronging him.
them
It's tough-It's tough to think"
said Joshua. that I'm lawing to turn
them out OF their home-to drive them
out of the valley"
Hush" put in his wife. Think OF
Joshua junior. 1t don't pay to mix up
sentiment with businessl Don't the
Bible say To him who hath shall be-
given and from him who hath not shall
be taken away even that which he
cigarettes-hen think just as much
OF yeu. He can't keep the place no.
how" Ard that settled It.
Some weeks afterward Gringus paid
two thousand dollarS-a big price-for
the Don's castle. De Ia TERRA was more
than satisfied Now, the Don had
never, in twoscore years, failed to cele-
brate Mexican independence day, and
the memorable 18th of September came
again. On Rancho de Ia TERRA, as OF
yore, there was feasting, racing, games
and dancing. The Don had invited all
the country, and he gave bread, meat,
wine, -everything-free.
THAT eats up the two thousand"
said Joshua But" he confided to his
Junior might take a shine to Margarita
and. II she was willing, why-a mar
riage like that would be a darned
nice thing" The subject was brought
up as soon as the younger Joshua
reached home from college; but-there
it was again-Joshua junior had al
ready married a city girl and had hur-
ried home ahead OF his companion to
break the news gently to mother.
Another year went by. A new lord
the Yankee-ruled over Rancho de Ia
TERRA, and he astonished the natives
by giving a fiesta on Mexican inde-
pendence day. Joshua junior wanted
1t so, and Joshua junior had his way.
Among the guests were Don Ragare
de la TERRA and his family They had
an income from the boys, who had
hired out as vaqueros- They ate.
drank danced: the Don rolled and
smoked one cigarette after another,
and all were light hearted and gay
all save Margarita. whose beautiful
face was sad Long she gazed at the
ST lerdid mansion that replaced the old
adobe. Once she had dreamed OF a
noble Casa de la TERRA there. and