The San Francisco call., 1906-09-30

She held her breath and listened. Some
thing moved horribly Something came
toward her She could endure the fear
no longer without making a noise. 1t
was more than any little girl could do.
A low. frightened cry came from her
lips The something ahead OF her
stirred, but the points OF light. now
seeming to be green and now white.
iickered still in front.
She waited. Then she held up her
crucilx. as many another has done in
the world in the face Of peril. and went
on The. points of light moved away.
Then there was sound OF swift foot
falls 1t was an animal after all less
savage than man. and she was relieved
Now she wHnt on faster. for she knew
that any noise she made could never
be heard. even in the stiffness OF that
dark night. by the sentry and the other
brigands that she had left behind her.
She ran soon at top speed, coming to
an opening that was near the home OF
Fernando Ten niutes later she told
Fernandez her astonishing story.
Fernandez was brave. He called his
two sons and told them TO take their
guns and follow him through the
woods with Chiquita as their guide
Soon they Nere on the march. Fer
nandez and his sons took turns carry
ing Chiquita to spare her poor, bleed
ing little feet from being torn any
more by the 1inty stones and briers-
And now they were within a mile OF
Chihuita's home.
Suddenly a fierce cry rose on the
night that was followed by another
and another. Then guns were fred.
and then some one ran along the trail
Chiquita with beating heart heard the
footballs. and her heart was chilled
again.
Fernandez threw her roughly as IL
seemed. from him and commanded her
to crawl behind big rock and stay
there until she could come out again.
Then III a stern voice he called out TO
Pedro, his friend.
There was no response. Then il was
clear that Pedro was not coming.
Halt in the name of the Govern
ment." shouted Fernandez. hoping to
make the brigands think the soldiers
were near.
given to Fernandez was a shot. A
bullet grazed his right hand. leaving
a sharp singing feeling behind It,
Kneeling, Fernandez fred at the spot
where he had seen the flash of the
other gun and was rewarded by hear
ing heavy body fall
Then he shouted to his sons
Charge and rushed toward Chiqui-
ta's home. A short battle in the dark
took place. in which the brigands
fought bravely for a moment or two
and then ran, throwing away their
guns in their haste to escape, firmly
believing that a body of soldiers were
the enemies at hand.
Almost before the guns had ceased
firing Chiquita, leaving her hiding
place. ran to her home and there
found her mother Gnnarmed. Her
father was wounded in two places and
was bleeding.
Dear. dear father" she cried. throw
ing herself into his arms Are you
killed2"
NO" he answered. smiling, mot bad
ly hurt I will be we'll u a few weeks
again
But now brave Httle -Chiquita. the
heroine of a stirring adventure. had
gone as far as a girls nerves would
carry her and she tainted. while her
mother threw her arms around her and
called her Brave glrl-brave girl" re-
peatedly-
OF the brigands three were killed
that night. The others were cap
tured and put into prison soon after.
To Chiquita the Government gave a
medal. for bravery