Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1907-07-04
JUST like
A W0 MAN
Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles.)
BY u. e. cEThEM

Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles)
"The rail from Bayonne was not
then laid, but the drive by diligence
was sufficiently enjoyable My aunt
Gladly Jane) and l reached St. Jean
Pied de Port late one evening, and
that little town seemed wrapped in
slumber. On the following morning
I am going to take you over the Py-
renees into SPAIN asserted my aunt.
Really and truly?' remember ex-
claiming.
Yes; know all about it; we've
only to. get to Bourgette, and then it's
quite easy she said confidently.
A carriage was secured, the morn.
ing was lovely, and the French from
tier was soon passed, for we had very
little luggage, and nothing on which
to pay duty. A few miles further, at
a lonely kind of an inn, the coachman
insisted on our descending from the
carriage and paying his fee. Having
no choice, we consented, and then en-
tered into the lonely little inn in
search of breakfast. After eating with
good appetites some well-cooked foods,
we discovered that the carriage had
been replaced by couple of rough
ponies, with even rougher attendants
of the boy tribe. The road beyond
was considered too steep for vehicles,
so we mounted in silence.
Please, our bags" pleaded 1, feel
ing disturbed by our landlords smiling
detention of our light luggage.
He says they must be sent on by
the mule train" exclaimed Lady Jane.
The straps of her pony's saddle
broke before we had gone a mile and
had to be mended with fragment of
string, and a good deal of language
which we fortunately could not COM
prehend, was leveled at the four
legged members Of the party. Then
our little cavalcade proceeded onward
and upward, passing by many wayside
crosses, and encountering wild-looking
harmless peasants with trains of
mules, and then again we noticed
more of the rough crosses.
What in the world makes the peo-
pie put up so many wooden crosses?"
asked Lady Jane at last, looking rath-
or nervous. You must know that, al
though she was our own aunt, we gen.
orally called her Lady Jane. She was
very kind, but rather odd
The boy managed to make us under
stand that the crosses were erected
to mark spots where murders had
been committed, but of course, we
didn't know if this was true.
Don't you think we had better go
back?" remarked Lady Jane, on hear
ing this explanation.
Perhaps it isn't true; at any rate,
don't let us look frightened was my
valiant reply, for turning back was
easier said than done on such diff
cult path.
Higher and higher we wound, zig
tagging through the glorious forest,
and sleeper and sleeper grew the
road. The boys walked on silent and ,
sullen, and the sun began to quite
scorch our skins. Suddenly the ponies
stopped at the summit of the noun
tain, and the boys pointed to some far
distant buildings. Without a word
they lifted us from our saddles, de-
manded the promised fees, which
Lady Jane at once gave, and set forth
on their return journey before we had
gathered courage to protest.
At last we arrived at the village,
which appeared to possess but one
street. We were courteously well
coined by the innkeeper. A Spanish
dinner was shortly served, and we
were glad to retire to rest soon after
wards.
81 wish we we're safe at home"
calculated Lady Jane. There is no
bolt to the door," she cried, when we
found ourselves in bedroom con
tanning two beds. So she insisted on
piling the somewhat scsnty furniture
against the door, "in case anyone
should try to rob us" she said, fearfully.
I've put the water jug ready to
throw at any intruder" said Lady
Jane, who appeared brave now she
was under the bedclothes, "and I've
hidden my purse in the toe of my
shoe"
At last we both slept, and the last
sound we heard was the wind wailing
round the thick stone walls.
A knock at the door disturbed but
failed to arouse us. Then, to the ac-
compartment of a muttered exclama-
ton, the latch was lifted softly and
the door pushed gently With an
awful clatter the barricade gave way
and out of the darkness calculations
loud and deep reached our ears.
I've got the jug" said my aunt,
and feeling no doubt that her courage
equaled that of Nelson at least, she
GINNING I'm and in the dark nart ha..