The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-03-25

certain captures were indeed made.
ana certain persons Of small conse-
quence were held to ransom during
those weary months OF monotonv. for
IN the course Of his long and interest
ing career as a chief of sequestradores.
br1gands who hold TO ransom, Don O.
hao mad dealings with many sorts and
conditions of men. Persons of divers
caiiings mad passed through his hands
-Sportsmcn, politicians, merchants,
a doctor, a couple OF English NJ. P.'s.
high church parsOn of the same ma
tlonallty, the German Count Won
Squcelalotte, an American newspaper
proprietor and many Adventures. But
when his men patrolling the lower
passes, lassOed Garth Lalor they
acded to Don Q.'s list a gentleman of
a profession with which he had never
before como IN contact
Garth LalOr was nearer 20 than he
cared to own, full of the irrepressible
SAP OF youth, and Of a racial blend
that made it difficult for him to take
things seriously.
Without much delay Don Q. sent for
him. Lalor was distinctly stirred bv
The romance of the situation. for the
brigand was man with an Omfnous
record, and the captive looked with
good deal of curiosity at the fragile
Hgure mUftied in a cloak that crouched
less hands to the blaze Was this per
son the fierce-hearted and terrible
character they spoke of in the plains?
As usual a wide soft brim of felt hid
his features, and he seemed unaware
OF the entrance OF the party, until La
Tor stepped suddenly UP beside him to
the fireside
Good morning, senior. It is precious
cold" he said.
His two puardS Spra7C fcrv,-,,-5 -.
the word and thrust him back roughly.
Don @ raised his head and looked full
at this unusual prisoner
Excuse me taking off my hat.
senior. the chief spoke at last i'm
smooth. deTisive tones. but. as YOU
say It is cold. ] regret that your visit
10 us should be made i'm such unpIeas-
ant weather. Still we welcome Won
for we have been in danger of suffer
ing from dullness- lately. and I fore
see both pleasure and profit from your
society"
Garth Lalor was very adaptable
young man. That's right" he said.
good humoredIy.
At a sign from Don Q. the guards
retired to the door of the cave.
Pray be seated, senior" he went on.
I perceive that you are English. one
1org1Ves much to the English,
Sorry, said T.aIOr. If I've done
anything wrong" Den Q.'s face
cleared.
I feel quite sure We shall enjoy each I
others society while YOU remain with
me" he remarked urbaneIy. Let rs
at once get over the dfsagreea HES of /
business, and then when we under
Stand the position. we can dismiss all
ss0kIld considerations from our minds /
for the present. But first 7 must (
ask you TO reply to a few questions" /
Lalor nodded.
Quite at your service, senior. i
hope I'll turn out satisfactory"
The chief looked him over. Garth /
IalOr was a strong built. cIean-Iimbed /
Young fellow, rather over the middle /
height with marked features and /
sleepy gray eyes.
L trust so replied Don @. with 4
some emphasis. ''Senor. YOU puzzIe
me. To what profession do YOU be- (
long? You have the fingers of a man
of practical mind and the eyes OF a /
dreamer
Lalor smiled. The old pleasant smile |
was by no means lost on the chief.
We'll. if I had to sign a census pa
per l should write myself novelist or .
anyhow, author"
To his surprise Don Q. showed svmp-
toms of pleased excitement
How interesting! 7 have never be-
fore in the course Of my career had ]
the good fortune TO meet one of vour
calling. But of that later. We must.
perforce. deal first with the little mat
ter of your ransom"
RANSOM" calculated Garth Lalor
and he broke into cherries fit of
laughter Don q. looked at him i'm
surprise.
You are amused, senior. May 1 be
PERMITTED TO share in your amuse-
ment?''
''By all means. such as it is" said
the lad. You spoke of hoping for
ransom. The idea tickled me-that is
al"
The brigand's livid cyeIids fickered
ominOusly.
All my possessions are before YOU.
The clothes ] stand UP in, 60 in Eng
lish money and half a pocketfuI of the
coin of the country. of. which the del
icaCy of your followers permitted them
TO relieve me-" replied Labor. unable
for the life of him to avoid Initiating
the chiefs elaborate manner of speech.
The bTiEand waved his emaciated
yellow hand airily
Your Telattves-they must cherish
YOU 7 can well understand it! Then
there is your government, rich as a
dream, and pitiful 7 have heard of
public subsCriptiOn-for popular au-
hot so
''I dare say il is" Lalor's lips took ,,
an iTonical curve. But. you see, I'M
luckily / am not a popular author. only !
an unknown OHe-yet. Ingham. the }
consul warned me before I started
They have had some experience of Z
-ansoms before. Anyhow. Ingham |
old me plainly they were tired of pay
nS them. and that l must take my !
chance As for relations. I haven't
me in the world who would give six
pence for me! And now you know how {
ne stand"
But this Is terribly sad" exclaimed ,
Don Q. softly. Il hope you have mis- 7
Judged your relations and friends ?"
But Laior shook his head. 1T is. alas! /
nearly always So rarely take a fan f
y to one OF our captives. but when
'ver / do so, 1t almost inevitably turns -
'ut 10 be one who fails with his ran T
'om. I assure you. senior. this fact L
or:ns one of the severest trials of my c
ct 2