Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-11-15

Of his friend. whose life he had just saved
once again, and bore it to the side of the
road. Valentine had tainted.
The chief, so soon as he saw his friends
charge the poems, left his ambush, and
while careful to remain behind them, fol-
lowed to the battlefield. He had watched
eagerly the long struggle between the
hunter and the Zaragate; trying vainly
to assist his friend, but never able to
succeed. The two enemies were so en-
twined, their movements were so rapid,
and they changed their positions so sud
denly that the chief was afraid lest he
might wound his friend in attempting to
help him. Finally the Araucano bounded
like wild beast on the Mexican. and
without hesitation scalped and stabbed
him with the agility Characteristic of
the redskins, and which he himself pos
sessed in so high a degree.
Almost at the same moment the horse
men also finished their fight. The poems
had offered a vigorous resistance, but
being badly supported by the capataz,
who was disabled at the beginning of the
skirmish by Don Martial, and seeing the
Zaragate dead and three of their friends
dismounted and incapable of coming to
their assistance, they gave in.
The capataz had been wounded at his
own request by Don Martial, in order
| to save appearances with the general !;
he had a wide cash on his right arm,
very severe at the first glance, but in
significant in reality. A peon had been
almost smashed by Belhumeur, SO that
the field of battle remained In the hands
of the hunters.
| When their victory was assured they
assembled anxiously round Valentine, for
they were alarmed at his condition, and
most anxious to be reassured Valentine,
whose arm Curumlla had at once set,
with the skill and coolness of an old
| practitioner, soon reopened his eyes, reas-
sured his friends by smile, and offered
the Indian chief his right hand, which
the latter laid on his heart with an ex-
preston of indescribable happiness, as
he uttered his favorite exclamation of
ugh! !" the only word he permitted him
self to use in joy or In sorrow, when he
felt himself choking with internal emo
ton.
an arm broken; thanks to the chief,
have had an easy escape. Let us re-
sumo our journey before other enemies
come up"
"And we, senor" the capataz cried
humbly.
Valentine rose with the chiefs assist
ance, and took a furious glance at the
peons "As for you, miserable assassins,' u
he said with a terrible accent, return
to your master and tell him in what way
you were received. But 1t is not suffi-
cient to have chastised your perfidy,
must revenge for the odious snare into
which my friends and l all but fell.
will learn whether in open day, and some
half a dozen miles from Mexico, bandits
can thus attack peaceable travellers with
impunity. Begone ~
So soon as the poems, In obedience tc
the hunters orders, had left the battle
field, he, on his part, gave his companions
the signal to start. Don Martial hat
hurried to reassure the ladies, who were
standing more dead than alive at the
spot where the chief had concealed them
He made them get into the carriage
again, without telling them anything ex
cept that the danger was past, and thai
there was not the slightest doubt bu
what the rest of the journey would b,
performed in safety.
Valentines friends tried In vain t.
induce him to get into the carriage will
the ladies. He would not consent, bu
insisted on mounting his horse, assurin,
them, in the far from probable event O.
their being attacked again, that he coulc
be still of some service to his compan
ions in spite of his broken arm. TIL,
latter were too we'll acquainted with hi
infexible will to argue or press the poin
with him further, so Curumila remountet
the coach box and they started.
The rest of the journey was performed
without any incident, and they reached
the quinta twenty minutes later.
The skirmish had taken place scare,
two miles from the country house. Or
reaching the gates, Valentine took leav,
of his friend without dismounting.
What" the latter said to him, "art
you going, Valentine, without resting fol
moment?"
II must, my dear Ralier," he an
swered; you know what imperious rea
sons claim my presence in Mexico"
"But you are wounded"
Have / not Curumilla to attend tc
my hurt? Do not be anxious about me
besides, intend to see you again soon
This quinta appears to me strong enough
to resist surprise. Have you a garri
SOM"
II have dozen servants and my two
brothers."
I'm that case l am easy In my mind
besides, there is only one night to pass
and l believe that after the lesson his
people have received, the general will moi
venture on second attack, for some days
at least. Besides, he reckons on the sue
cess Of his pronunciamento You will
come to me tomorrow at daybreak, will