The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-10

! forded us as we wended our way through
that lonely wilderness
We slept well at night In spite OF the
babel of sounds which rose and fell around
us; awoke In the morning refreshed and
hungry; and 50 entered upon another day.
The life was by no means one OF hard
snip; and what was most important OF
all, Smellie was slowly but steadily re-
gaining and progressing toward recov-
cry.
AT length, late In the afternoon or the
fifth day from that which had witnessed
the resumption OF our journey. our wan
derings came Unexpectedly 70 an end. for
time at least, by our stumbling. In the
most unexpected manner In the world,
upon human habitation And the gtrang-
est as we'll as the most fortunate part of
IL was that the habitation In question
was the abode OF civilized humanity. We
had been travelling. almost uninterrupt-
edly, along the ridge OF range OF hills.
ana on the afternoon I'm question had
reached spot where the range took an
abrupt turn 10 the southwark, curving
round In a sort or arm which encircled
basin or valley OF perhaps half a mile
In width, open TO the river on the north
side
The hillside sloped gently down 10 the
valley-bottom on the eastern. southern
and western sides. and was much more
tnickly wooded than the country through
which we had hitherto been passing In
the very thickest part OF the wood. how
ever, and about half way down the slope
was clearing OF some 10 acres In extent
and In the centre of the clearing very
neat and pretty looking house, with a
veranda running all round IL, and a
thatched roof
Inc clearing Itself appeared TO be In a
high state OF cultivation a flower garden
OF ABOUT an acre In extent lying immedl-
ateiy In front OF the house whilst the
remainder or the ground was thickly
plan'eo with conee peach banana, or
ange, and various other fruit trees.
We lost no time I'm making our vav 70
this very desirable haven, and had scarce
" passed through the gate In the fence
whlch surrounded the clearing when we
were fortunate enough TO encounter the
proprietor himself He was a very fine
handsome specimen OF a man, with snow
wnite hair and moustache. both closely
cropped, and an otherwise clean-.haven
face which. with his neck and hands
were deeply bronzed by exposure 10 the
vertical rays OF tthe sun.
He was clad In white flannel his head
being protected by a light and very finely
woven grass hat with an enormous brim
whilst his feet were encased in a pair OF
slippers OF soft untanned leather. he
was busily engaged among his coffee trees
"h'h nc HiSt caught slgnt or US. and
mis- start OF surprise at our extra aordinary
appearance was closely followed up by
profound bow as he at once came for
ward and courteously addressed us I'm
Spanish.
Unhappily neither Smellie nor I under
stood word OF the language. so the
second lieutenant answered the hail I'm
French
The old gentleman shook his head and
thought. looked rather annoyed. where
upon Smellie tried him I'm English TO
which, very much TO my surprise. I
must confess ne responded with scarcely
a trace Of accent.
Welcome. gentlemen. welcomed" he
exclaimed, with outstretched hand 80
you are English? Well. after ALL l might
have guessed II. l am glad you are not
French--very glad. Do me the honor TO
consider my house and everything Il con-
tains as your own. You have met with
some serious misfortune, | grieve TO sfe:
but II YOU will allow him. Manuel Carnero
Will do his best 90 repair a. You have evi-
IDENTIFY suffered much and appear 10 be In
as urgent need Of medical attendance as
you are Of clothing. Fortunately. l can
supply you with both. and shall be only
too happy to DO so; I have n very great
regard for the English. Come gentle
men. allow me to conduct you 10 the
house"
SO saying. he escorted us up the path
way until the house was reached. when.
stepping quickly before US he passed
through the open doorway. and then.
turning round. once more bade us well
come 10 his roof.
(To be continued tomorrow