The San Francisco call., 1906-09-30
HOW CHIOUITA SAVED HER

looking men, travel-staincd and weary,
whose eyes were like those of the
wolves. so that Chiquita shrank when
she saw them.
Pedro" demanded one of these rid
ers; "send Pedro here at once or it will
be the worse for him. He is wanted to
hunt outlaws and must go with US now
or IL will be death. Hurry now, little
girl, II you care for your father
Trouble for her father? Chiquita fair
~ flew along the trail in her anxiety to
save him from danger. She had never
or mother told her. Few others ever
came to the little valley where they and
few others lived at distances of
few miles apart She knew nothing OF
the world or of it's wickedness-
So she found her father, leaped on
the horse and rode swiftly back to the
home seated behind him. As soon as
Pedro came in sight of the waiting
horsemeR he pulled his horse in, while
q xrowl so unlike him that it might
have been from a wild animal scared
his little daugher.
The brigsnds," he said.
The brigands, The words filed little
Chiquita with terror for she had often
heard of the wild deeds of lawless men,
but she had never expected to see any
of them and here they were before her
'Senor Pedro" cried one of the
brigands, I'VE will trouble you for that
horse that YOU stole a year ago from
us We will also trouble you to go
along with US. There is a high tree
where you would show to advantage
II hanging from a limb. Come and
see"
"villains." cried Pedro, for his Span
ish blood was hot in his veins, you
bcf efca1 this horse
have heard of you. Only this very
afternoon the soldiers were here look
ing for you"
Very true" answered another of the
brigands. Since you know that. there
is no use in trying to fool YOU But
you can see. Senor Pedro, that your
horse is fresher than ours and we need
it. Then, again, we want food, rest,
money, and we cannot afford to leave
you ? swift horse to ride about the
country, and rouse the people TO chase
US when we leave you. Lead the way
70 the house and we will talk. But
IT, added the brigand, you or any of
your family try to alarm any one while
we are here or to give notice to the
soldiers your lives VIII not be worth
rush.
Pedro laughed easily and as one not
afraid.
You are brave men to come in a
party and threaten one man, one little
girl and one woman whom you have
not seen. But II shall never be said
that Pedro denied the hospitality of
his roof to any one. Come in and eat
with me. I will alarm no one"
Spoken like a sensible man." cried
the brigand who appeared to be the
leader of the party of wild men. I'VE
are hungry and thirsty. Perhaps you
have a drop or even a bottle or two OF
good wine for US to take the dust of
the trails out OF our throats. Well.
but this is handsome place.
wouldn't mind having it myself, espe-
cially il it contained such a wife and
such a daughter as it holds now"
This last remark was prompted by
the sight of Pedro's wife. who, hearing
the voices and not knowing what was
going on, appeared at the doorway, a
picture of loveliness and goodness.
To Chiquita it was plain that Pedro
did not like this talk, but he kept his
temper, much to her wonder, for she
did not know how deep her fathers
nature was.
Chiouita's mother placed on the
table meat, bread, nice cheese. fresh
fruit from the garden and orchard,