The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1907-08-17

CHAPTER vII.-(Continucd.)

The president looked round the assem-
bly,, rose in the midst of n profound ST.
Ience, stretched out his arm toward the
general, who stood cold and passionless
before him. and, after dartiDg ut him
whitening glance through the holes made
in the Grape that concealed his face, he
szid, in a grave, stern and impressive
voice:
''Caballeros, remember the words you
.ane about to hear In the first place, in
order 10 rcassure you and restore your
freedom of mind learn that you have
not fallen into the hands of Indians
thirs1ing for your blood. or OF pirates who
intend 10 plumber you first and assas-
siIsate you afterward. When You have
acted Oh impartial witnesses you will be
at liberty to continue your journey, with
out the forfeiture OF single article. The
nsn seated on my right and left. although
masked, are brave and honest hunters.
The day may perhaps arrive when you
Will know them: but reasons, whose I'M
porfnncc you will speedily recognize. com
pei them to remain unknown for the pres
emit"
One of the travellers belonging TO the
set-ond caravan stepped forward; he was
n young man, with elegant and noble
features, tall and well built.
--Caballero," he answered, in dis
tjnct voice, 81 thank you, in the name of
my companions, for the recssuring words
you have spoken. / know how imp!aca-
bse are the laws of the desert; but per-
init me TO ask you one question:
Speak, cabGllero."
"Is it an act OF vengeance or justice
you arc about to carry out?"
Neither, senior"
Enough OF this" the general said
haughtiiy; "and If you are, as you assert,
an honorable man, show me your face"
''No, Don Sebastian" said the presi-
dent, 'for in that case the game would
not be even between u.s.
The general attempted to smile, but in
spite Of himself the sGnile died away on
his lips. The president looked round
with flashing eyes and began speaking
again in a sharp, cutting voice.
-Now, listen senores," he said. "ard
Yndge this man impaytially; but do not
judge him according 10 prairie law, but
IN your hearts. Gen. Don Sebastian Guer-
zero, who is standing so bold and upright
before you at this moment, is one of the
greatest DOblemen OF Mexico. His for
tanc IS Immense, almost incalculable.
This man, by the mere strength of his
vEill, and the implacable cgotism that
ISrzns the basis of his character has al
ways succeeded in everything he has I'M
t1ertaken. Colby ambitious he has COW
cred with corpses the bloody road he has
followed to attain his proposed object,
and he has done so without hesitation Ur
Fs1DorSe he has looked on with smiling
FACE, when his dearest friends and nearest
rslations fell by his side; for him moth
nag which men respect exists. lie had a
daughter, who was the perfection Of wom-
en- and he. coldly aceratcd her heart he
finally drove her to suicide, and the blood
OF the poor girl sPurted on his forehead
while he was triamphantly witnessing the
legal murder OF the man she loved, and
whose death he resolved on because he
refused 10 palter with his honor. This
idnman-faced tiger, this monster with the
knocking skeptical face, you see, senores,
has only one thought, one object, one
, llesire--to attain the highest rank, even
yE, TO effect it, he were compelled to clam
Der over the painting corpscS OF his near
Gssl relations and friends; and if he can
ust carve out an independent kingdom in
this collapsing republic, which is called
Mexico, he wishes TO seize, at least on
Y1he supreme magistracy, and be elected
president This ran Is Gen, Don Sebas-
1ian Guerrero, military governor of So
mora"
"Ohr the audience said involuntarily,