The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1907-10-10
CHAPTER III.


what do you mean?" he asked him.
II don't understand you"
you will soon do so, my FRIEND" said |
Valentine. How long have you been
roaming about?"
"Nearly two months"
"In that case you are well acquainted, |
presume, with these mountains?'
'There is not a tree or a rock whose
exact position 1 cannot tell nor a wild
beast trail which I have not followed"
Good; are we far from spot called
the Fort of the ChichimequesT
II know the place to which you refer,
and have often camped there on stormy
nights, because there is a deep cavern,
excsvated by human hands, and divided
into several passages, every turning of
which l know"
81 was not aware of the existence of
this grotto," the hunter said, with glad
start, "and l thank you for having told
me Of it. Are we any great distance
from this terrace"
I'm straight line, not more than FIVE
or six miles, and, IL it were day, l could
to reach the caravan road, we have about
three hours ride before u.s."
THAT is a trihe, for l was afraid
had lost my way in these mountains,
which are strange to me-"
While saying this, Valentine had risen
to explore the clearing. The storm had
ceased, the wind had swept away the
clouds, the deep blue sky was studded
with brilliant stars, and the moon pro-
fusely shed its rays.
"'Tis a magnificent night" the hunter
said. "It is past midnight, and feel no
inclination to sleep. Are you fatigued?'
"I am never So" the Tigrero answered
with smile.
I'm that case, what do you think Of a
ride In this magnificent moonlight
Bravo that is what call speaking. We
will Co. It you have no objection, as far
as the Fort Of the Chichimeques"
II was about to propose it; and, as we
ride along, you will tell me in your turr
what motive compelled you to come tt
these unknown regions"
"As for that" the hunter said, with {
smile, 81 cannot satisfy you; at any rat
not for the present. But be easy, will
not put your patience to too long trial.
p This happy meeting has already mad
a different man of me-" the Tigrero said
as he rose.
The hunter laid his hand on his shoul
49, der. "One moment" he said to him; "be
fore leaving this bivouac let us clearl
agree as to our facts SO as to avoid an
future misunderstanding"
BE it so," Don Martial answered
NLet us make a compact in the India
fashion"
"Wel said, my FRIEND" Valentine r,
marked, as he drew his knife from hi
belt. Here is my navaja, brother; ma
1t serve you as it has done me to aveng
your wrongs and mine"
81 receive it in the face of that heave
which l call as witness of the purity {
my intentions. Take mine in exchang
and one-half my powder and bullet
brother"
81 accept 1t MS a thing belonging I
me, and here is half my ammunition fc
you; henceforth we cannot fire at or
another, all ID in common between u
My horse is yours"
Mine belongs to you, and in a fe
moments Twill place it at your service
Then the two men, leaning shoulder
shoulder, with clasped hands, eyes ixe
on heaven, and outstretched arm, uttert
together the following words:
II take heaven to witness that of n
own free will, and without reservation,
take as my friend and brother the ma
whose hand Is at this moment pressir
mine. / will help him In everything
asks of me, without hope Of reward, reat
by day and night to answer his first 81
nal, without hesitation, and without r
proach, even il he asked for my life"
n There was something grand and solen
In this simple act, performed by the
two powerful men beneath the pail
moonbeams, and in the heart of the de
ert, alone, far from all human societ
After repeating the words of the oa
they embraced and finally shook hands.
'Now let us be off, brother" Vale
tine said; IL confide in you as In mysel
we shall succeed in triumphing over o.
enemies By the bye, I must warn 20
brother, that IL you are not mistaken, al
we are really following the road to t
Fort of the Chichimeques, we shall pro
ably meet several persons there; they a
friends of mine, with whom / have
appointment and will introduce them
you"
They set out again, still following I
windings OF the track, which gradual
grew sleeper; and, after very zigz
course. reached the terrace half an no
later.
"This Is certainly the place." the hui
er exclaimed.
"But your friends-T the Tigre
asked.
The hunter without speaking discharg
his gun, and at the sound three men a
pcared, though 1t was impossible to 8
whence they came. They were Belhumel
Black Elk and Eagle-head.