Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-25
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well, we will enter it together Fetch
some torches of ocote wood. and show
US the way. By the By, do not forget to
bring weapons, for we know not what
men or beasts We may find in cayerns
thus opening on a high road"
The Mexican selected six of his poems.
on whose courage he thought he could
rely, ordered them to take their muskets,
and bidding the others keep good watch,
but not begin anything until he returned,
he made a signal to the capataz that he
was ready to follow him. Carnero had
followed the arrangements made by his
master with an evil eye, but probably did
not deem it prudent to risk any remark,
for he silently bowed his head, and walk
ed toward the pile of rocks that masked
the entrance of the grotto
These granite blocks, piled one on top
of the other, did not appear, however to
have been brought there by accident. but,
on the contrary, they appeared to have
belonged in some early and remote age to
clumsy but substantial edifce.
1T would not be prudent" said the
chief, ito venture without precautions
into this cavern. Prepare your arms, mu-
chachos, and keep your eyes open at the
slightest suspicious sound, or the small
est object that appears, fire. Capataz,
light the torches"
The latter obeyed without word the
leader of the caravan assured himself at
glance that his orders had been prop
erly carried out; then taking his pistols
from his belt, he cooked them, took one
i'll each hand, and said to Carnero:
Toll H. IL
you should do the honors of this place
which you so unexpectedly discovered.
Forward, you others, and be on your
guard"
The eight men went into the cavern at
the heels of the capataz, who raised the
torches above his head, doubtless in order
to cast a greater light.
They thus reached rather large hall,
into which several passages opened. All
at once the leader stopped and listened.
Listen" he said to the capataz, do
you not hear something?"
The latter bent his body slightly for
ward and remained motionless for some
seconds.
Il do he said drawing himself Up,
st sounds like distant thunder
us it not? or, perhaps, the rolling of
subterranean waters"
Il can swear that you are right. 1t
would be a piece of luck for us to find
water in the cave, for it would add great
~ to our security, as we should not be
obliged to lead our horses, perhaps, long
distance to drink
i will assure myself at once of the
truth. The noise proceeds from that pas
sage, so let us follow it. As for our
men, they can wait here we have nothing
to fear now, for if the pirates or the
Indians are ambushed to surprise us. they
would not have waited so long before
doing SO, and hence the assistance of our
poems is unnecessary
The capataz shook his head doubtfully.
Hum" he said, 'the Indians are very
clever. I believe it would be more pru-
dent to let the poems accompany u.s.
Nonsense" said his master, at is m
necessary; we are two resolute and we'll
armed men; we have nothing to fear, /
tell YOU"
They then entered the passage. 1t was
very narrow, and ran downward a steen
incline. The further they proceeded the
more distinct the sound of water became
it was evident that at a very short dis
lance from the spot where they were. Der-
haps but a few steps, there ran one of
those subterranean streams so frequently
found in natural caverns.
All at once, without being warned by
the slightest sound, the leader of the cara
van felt himself seized round the waist.
his torch Snatched roughly from his hand.
and eXtinguiShed against a rock, and him
self thrown down and securely bound, be-
fore he was able to attempt the slightest
resistance, so sudden and well calculated
thrown down at the same time as his
master, and bound.
towards. demons.' the Mexican yell
ed, show yourselves, at least, so that I
may know with whom l have to DEAL"
Silence Gen. Don Sebastian Guer-
zero. resign yourself to your fate for you
have fallen into the power of men who
will not iberate you"
Gen. Guerrero made movement of i'm
potent rage, but he was silent, he per-
ceived that the originators of the snare
of which he was victim were implaca-
BILE enemies.
When his conquerors had borne him
to the hall. where his poems were dis
armed and guarded, he saw. by the light
of the torch that family illumined the
hall, that among the men who surrounded
him few wore the Mexican costume, it
was true, and. they had their faces hidden
by piece of black Grape, forming
species of mask, and SO we'll fastened
round their necks. that it was entirely
impossible to recognize them
What do these men want with me?"
he muttered. as he let his head fall on
his chest sadly.
Patience !" said the man who had al
ready spoken, you will soon know"
CHAPTER VII.