Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-05-02
:. THE RED .
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=, 7 X A IL y

with your ancestors at your Hacienda del
Palmar. Your object in acting thus was
not only to divert attention from your
ill-Gotten riches, but also to attract your
enemies after yourself Unfortunately,
l am an old hunter so difficult TO deceive
that my comrades gave me long ago the
glorious title of the Trail-hunter. and
hence, l alone was not deceived"
Still your presence here gives a strik-
ing denial to the assertion" the general
interrupted.
You think so, senior. That proves you
are not thoroughly acquainted with me;
but patience. l hope that you will, ere
long, appreciate me better. Again, you
have not reflected on the time that has
elapsed since your departure from Her
mosillo."
What do you meanT' the general ask
ed, with sudden start of apprehension.
Il mean that before attacking you, l
resolved to settle matters first with the
captain"
"Ah :"
well, general, it Is my painful duty
to inform you that four days after he left
Pitic. our brave friend Don Isidro fell
into an ambuscade resembling the one
into which you fell to-day, with this ex-
ception-"
What exception" the general asked,
with greater interest than he would have
liked to display.
My men were so imprudent," the
hunter continued. las to leave the captain
the means of defending himself The re
suit was that he died, bravely fighting to
save the gold you had intrusted to him.
and the coffin containing your daughters
corpse"
well, and I presume you plundered
the caravan, and carried off the gold and
silver?" he asked, contemptuously.
80, most probably, you would have
acted under the circumstances. Don He
bastian," the hunter answered. "but
thought it my duty to act differently.
What could you expect? l. coarse. I'M
educated hunter, do not know how to
plumber, for l did not learn it when had
the honor to serve my country. This is
what | did so soon as the captain and
the poems he commanded were killed-for
the poor devils, / must do them the JUS
tice to say, offered a desperate resistance
i myself, you understand. friend. I my
self conveyed the money to your Hacienda
del Palmar, where it now remains in safe
ty."
The general brea-hed again, and smiled
Ironically. Instead of blaming you,
senior" he said. II. on the contrary. owe
yor thanks for this chivalrous conduct"
DO not be in such a hurry to thank
me-" the hunter answered; Il have not
+111 oll
not only escorted the money, but there
was also a coffin. Well, general. why do
you not ask me what has become of that
ccffin?"
An electric shock ran through the audi
ence on hearing the ironical question so
coldly asked by the hunter.
What" Don Sebastian exclaimed.
The assassin can have no claim to the
body of his victim, and you are morally
your daughters murderer, l have robbed
YOU of this body, which must rest by the
side of him for whom she died.
There was a moments silence. The
generals face, hitherto pale, assumed a
Greenish hue. At length he yelled in a
koarse and kissing voice:
1T is not true; you have not done
this. You cannot have dared to rob a
father of his child's body"
Il have done it, l tell you" the hunter
saiu coldly. Il have taken possession of
the body of your victim. and now you
understand me; never shall you know
here this poor body rests But this is
on. the beginning of my vengeance. What
l wish to kill in you is the soul and not
the body; and now begone, and remember
hot find
where and ever"
"One last word.' the general exclaim-
ed. affected by the deepest despair, "ra-
store me my daughters body; she was the
only human creature l ever loved"
The hunter regarded him for a moment
with an undehnable expression. and then
in harsh and coldly mocking voice,
"Never!'
Then, turning away, he re-entered the
gJotto. followed by his assistants.
Don Sebastian, who was the more over,
whelmed by the last blow because it was
unexpected, stood for moment like Il
man struck by lightning. At last heart.
rending SOB burst from his bosom, two
burning tears sprang from his eyes and
| he rolled like a corpse on the ground
In the meanwhile the Jester had or.
dered the poems to saddle the horses and
load the mules. The general was placed
By two servants on a horse, without ap.
pearing to notice what YVES done to him
and few moments later the caravan left
the fort of the Chichimeques.
When the Mexicans had disappeared IN
the windings OF the road Valentine emery
ed from the grotto, and walked courteous
ly up to the hunters.
Forgive me-" he said. mot the delay
but the involuntary alarm l caused you
but | was compelled to act as | did. You
are going to Mexico, where | shall soor
be myself and it is possible that | may
require your testimony some day"
"A testimony which will not be re
fused" the first hunter gracefully answer
ed
What the hunter exclaimed in
amazement, ARE you French?"
Yes. and all my companions. We
have come from San Francisco. where
thanks to Providence. we amassed for
tune which we hope to double in the
| Mexican capital. My name is Antoine
Rallier, and these are my brothers. Ed
ward and Augustus; the two ladies who
accompany us are my mother and sister.
The hunter pressed the hand his coun
tryman offered him.
Then" he said. II will not let yor
go alone! These mountains are infested
by dangerous bandits. but with my pro
lection you can pass anywhere"
Il heartily accept the offer; but why
do you not come with us to Mexico?"
THAT is impossible for the present."
r. of h.
chimeques had returned to its usual soil
tude; white men and Indians had aban
doned it forever.
CHAPTER IN.