Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-10-25
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.
The house taken for Valentine BY NJ.
Rallier was, az We have already stated,
situated in the Gale de Tacuba, only q
few yards from the mansion belonging to
General Don Sebastian Guerrero.
The hunter, therefore, would only have
had few steps to 20 to reach home
after leaving the general. But suspect
ing that the latter might have given
orders to have his carriage followed, he
ordered his coachman to drive to the Ana
media.
As the night was far advanced, the
promenaders had abandoned the shady
walks Of the Alameda, which was now
completely deserted. This doubtless was
what the hunter desired, for, on reach
ing about the center Of tho drive, he or
dered the coachman to stop, ana got out
with his companions.
Valentine, like all men accustomed to
desert life, had an instructive distrust Of
stone walls, behind which, In his fancy,
spy was continually listening. Hence,
when he had an important affair 10 dis
cuss, or a serious matter to communicate
to his friends, he preferred going to the
Alameda, or somewhere In the environs
Of Mexico, where after posing Curcu-
milla as sentry he believed that he could
safely confde his closest secrets to the
friends he conveyed to the strange open
air councils. On reaching a thick clump
Of trees the hunter stopped
I'VE shall be comfortable here" he
said.
''The trees have eyes, and the leaves
ears" Belhumeur answered sententiously,
YES" Valentine remarked with a
smile, ''if you do not take the precaution
to frighten away SPIES at the same
moment he initiated the soft cadenced hiss
of the coral snake.
A similar hiss was heard from the cen.
ter of the clump and seemed like an echo.
THAT is the chiefs signal" the Cana
dian said. HE has been watching for us
there for nearly an hour. Do you now
believe that we are in safety"
Certainly; when Curumilla watches
over US we have no surprise to appre-
hend."
Let us talk then" said Don Martial.
"One moment" Valentine remarked,
I'VE must first hear the report Of q
friend"
Whom are you alluding tot"
you shall see," Valentine answered,
and clapped his hands thrice softly.
Immediately a slight sound and a gen.
tie rustling of leaves was heard In a
neighboring thicket and man emerged,
about four PAGES from the hunters. 1t
was Carnero, the capataz.
Good evening, senores," he said, with
polite bow. II have been awaiting
your coming for nearly an hour"
"We were detained longer than we ex-
pected by General Guerrero"
"Do you come from him?"
did l not tell you would call on
him?"
Yes; but hardly thought that you
would have the temerity to venture into
the lions den."
Nonsense" Valentine said with a dis
dainful smile, "the lion, as you call him,
l assure you, was remarkably tame; he
drew his claw, completely and received
US with the most exquisite polteness"
"In that case take care" the capataz
replied, with shake Of the head; IF he
received you in that way, he is, be assur-
ed, preparing terrible plot"
II am of the same opinion; the ques-
ton is, whether we shall allow him time
to act"
HE is very clever, my dear Valentine" !"
the capataz continued, "and seems to
possess an intuition Of evil. In spite Of
the oath l took to you when, on your
entreaty, consented to remain In his
service, there are days when, although I
possess a thorough knowledge Of his
character, he terrifes me, and 1 feel on
the point Of giving up the rude task
which, through devotion to you, have
imposed on myself"
Courage, my friend; persevere but a
few days longer, and, believe me, we
shall all be avenged"
May heaven grant itP' the capataz
said with a sigh 'but confess that I
dare not believe 1t, even though 1t Is
you who assure me Of the fact"
ITO be continued.)