Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-09-20
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CHAPTER YII-fContinued.l


The president looked round the assem-
bly,, rose in the midst of profound 81
lence, stretched out his arm toward the
general, who stood cold and passionless
before him, and, after darting at him
whitening glance through the holes made
In the Grape that concealed his face, he
said, In a grave, stern and impressive
voice:
"Caballeros, remember the words you
are about to hear. In the first place, In
order to reassure you and restore your
freedom of mind, learn that you have
not fallen into the hands Of Indians
thirsting for your blood or Of pirates who
intend to plunder you first and assas-
sinate you afterward. When you have
acted as impartial witnesses you will be
at liberty to continue your journey, with
out the forfeiture Of single article. The
men seated on my right and left, although
masked, are brave and honest hunters.
The day may perhaps arrive when you
will know them; but reasons, whose i'm
portance you will speedily recognize, COM
pei them to remain unknown for the pres
ent."
One of the travellers belonging to the
second caravan stepped forward; he was
a young man, with elegant and noble
features, tall ana well built.
"Caballero," he answered, In dis
tinct voice, "I thank you, in the name of
my companions, for the reassuring words
you have spoken. know how implaca-
BILE are the laws of the desert; but per-
init me to ask you one question"
Speak caballero."
'"Is it an act Of vengeance or Justice
you are about to carry out?"
Neither, senor."
Enough of this" the general said
haughtily 'and If you are, as you assert,
an honorable man, show me your face"
"No, Don Sebastian" said the presi-
dent, "for In that case the game would
not be even between u.s."
The general attempted to smile, but in
spite of himself the smile died away on
his lips. The president looked round
with flashing eyes and began speaking
again in a sharp, cutting voice.
"Now, listen, senores," he said, "and
Judge this man impartially; but do not
judge him according to prairie law, but
zero, who is standing so bold and upright
before you at this moment, is one of the
greatest noblemen of Mexico. His for
tune is immense, almost incalculable.
This man, by the mere strength of his
will, and the implacable egotism that
forms the basis of his character, has al
ways succeeded in everything he has un-
dertaken. Coldly ambitious, he has COW
cred with corpses the bloody road he has
followed to attain his proposed object,
and he has done so without hesitation or
remorse he has looked on with smiling
face, when his dearest friends and nearest
relations fell by his side; for him moth
ing which men respect exists He had a
daughter, who was the perfection of wom-
en-, and he coldly lacerated her heart; he
finally drove her to suicide, and the blood
of the poor girl spurted on his forehead
while he was triumphantly witnessing the
legal murder of the man she loved, aad
whose death he resolved on because he
refused to palter with his honor. This
human-faced tiger, this monster with the
mocking skeptical face, you see, senores,
has only one thought, one object, one
desire-to attain the highest rank, even
if, to effect it, he were compelled to clam
Der over the painting corpses of his near
est relations and friends; and if he can
not carve out an independent kingdom in
this collapsing republic, which is called
Mexico, he wishes to seize, at least, on
the supreme magistracy, and be elected
president. This man is Gen. Don Sebas-
tian Guerrero, military governor of So
nora"
"Oh" the audience said involuntarily,
as they instinctively recoiled in horror.
IF this man is the ex-governor Of
Sonora" the hunter who had already
spoken said, in disgust, ''he is wild
beast, whom his ferocity has placed be-
yond the pale Of society, and it is the
duty of honest men to destroy him."
"He must die! he must dep the new
comers exclaimed.