Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-05-23
CHAPTER XIV.


Indian horses and mules proceeding to
market was audible on the paved high
way.
The two travellers had seated them
selves again at a corner of the table.
opposite one another. and were dumb and
motionless as statues. At length the per
son who had always spoken on his own
behalf and that of his companion struck
the table twice. and the landlord hurried
up at this summons.
What do you wish for excellencyT
he asked. with an obsequious air.
Il tell you what, landlord" the stran-
ger continued. 1T strikes me that your
criado is a long time in returning; he
ought TO have been back before this"
Pardon me. excellency. but it is long
journey from here to the Secunda Mon
terilla. Still. l believe the peon will
soon be back"
At this moment there was a tap at the
door
Perhaps it is our man." the stranger
said.
After exchanging a few words with the
new arrival. the landlord unlocked the
chain and opened the door.
''Excellency," he said to the stranger,
here is your messenger
AT last" the traveller said gladly
The peon entered, politely doffed his
hat and bowed
We'll. my friend the stranger asked
him, did you find the person to whom
1 sent you?"
Yes, yonr excellency, I had the good
fortune to find him at home.
''Ah, ali. And what did he say on
receiving my note?"
well, excellency. he is a caballero,
| for sure; for he first gave me a piastre.
and then said to me- Go back as quick
as you can walk and tell the gentleman
who sent you that | shall be at the meet
ing he appoints as soon as yourself
80 that"
He will probably be here in few min
| utes"
Very good; you are a clever lad the
stranger answered. Here is another
piastre for you"
Thanks, your excellency. I should be
a rich man with only two nights a month
| like this"
The peon had scarce left the room ten
minutes ere a rather loud voice was
| N'N'NAH "AIhouI' llOIStS Sldupeu, anu HOT
only was the door struck, but there were
several loud calls.
Open the door without fear" the
stranger said; Il know that voice.
The ranchero obeyed, and several per-
sons entered.
AT last you have returned, nv dear
Valentine" the newcomer exclaimed in
French, as he walked quickly toward
the travellers, who, for their part, went
to meet him.
Thanks for your promptitude in re-
spending to my invitation, my dear Raj
lier." the hunter answered.
Now" said Valentine. so soon as the
door closed behind the landlord, I'VE shall
talk at least in safety"
Speak Spanish, my friend" said NJ
Rallier
why so? 1t is so delightful to con-
verse in ones own tongue, when, like me.
you have so few opportunities for doing
so. assure you that Curumilla will
not feel offended"
Hum; l did not say this on behalf
of the chief, whose friendship for you
l am we'll acquainted with"
who then?"
~ DNh ~htil lldls WHO mas accom-
panied me, and has important matters to
communicate to YOU
"Oh, oh, that changes the question. -
SAID the hunter. Are you there, my dear
Don Martial?"
Yes, senor," the Tigrero answered,
emerging from the gloom, 'and very hap
by to see you"
WHO else have you brought with you,
Don Antonio?"
Me, my friend" said a third person,
as he let the folds of his cloak fall
My brother thought that it would be bet
ter to have a companion"
| Your brother was right, nv dear Ed
ward, and | thank him for the good idea
which procures me the pleasure of shak-
! ing your hand a few moments sooner.
And now, senores. if you are agreeable.
we will sit down and talk
Il am ready!' Antonio Rallier answer
ed, as he sat down.
IF you like Valentine continued 1--WE
will proceed in rotation"
First and before all else. nv friend -
said Antonio Rallier, permit me to
thank you once again. in my own name
and that of my family, for the service
you rendered me in your journey across
the Rocky Mountains. Without Won
without your watchful friendship and
courageous devotion, we should never
have emerged from those frightful gorges
but must have persisted miserably in
them"
What good is it. my friend to recall
at this moment"
Because" Antonio Rallier continued
/ nQ ri v oh
convinced that you can dispose of us ali
as you please. Our arms, purses, and
hearts all belong to YOU"
know 1t, my friend, and you see that
l have not hesitated to make use of
you, at the risk even of COMPROMISING
you. So let US leave this subject, and
come to facts. What have you done?"
Il have literally followed your instruc-
tons; according to your wish. l have
hired and furnished for you a house in
| Tacuba street"
Pardon me, but you know that I am
very slightly acquainted with Mesco, for
/ have visited that city but rarely, and
each time without stopping"
THE Tacuba is one of the principal
streets in Mexico; it faces the palace
THAT is famous. And in whose name
did you take the house,
IN that of Don Serapio de Ia Ronda
Your servants arrived two days ago."
| You mean@
Il mean Belhumeur and Black Elk
They have made all the arrangements,
and you can enter when you please"
To-day, them
Il will act as your guide
Thank you; what next?''
Next, my brother Edward has taken,
in his own name, at the San Lazaro gate
q small house, where ten horses, belong
ing TO the purest mustang breed, were
at once placed in magnificent corral"
That concerns Curumilla."
And now one other thing, my friend. y
Speak ~
You will not be angry with me-"
With you? nonsense !" said Valentine,
holding out his hand.
Not knowing whether you had sufh-
cient funds at your disposal you
| will soree with me that Won will raarIire