Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-09-13
CHAPTER V.

trembling yellow leaves of the trees, and
tinged them with a thousand shades of
gold and purple. The birds, cozily nestled
In the bushes, struck up their matin
carol; the awakening of nature was as
splendid and imposing as it is in all
mountainous countries.
The leader of the caravan left his tent
and gave orders to strike the camp. The
tent was at once folded up, the mules
were loaded, and, so soon as the horses
were sadded, the party started without
waiting for the morning meal, for they
generally breakfasted at the IL o'clock
halt.
The caravan advanced along the road
from Santa Fe to the United States, at
a speed unusual under such circum-
stances.
When he left the camp, the chief Of
the caravan spurred his horse and Joined
the Indian, who was marching alone in
front, examining the bushes and apparent
ly performing all the duties Of an expe-
rienced guide. Curumilla, though he
heard the hurried PAGES of the Mexican's s
horse, did not turn round, but continued
Indian" said the caravan chief in
Spanish, u Wish 10 speak with you on an
Important subject be good enough to put
off your usual silence for a while and
answer like an honest man. You engag-
ed with me at Santa Fe to lead me, for
the sum of four ounces, safely to the
frontiers of Upper Mexico. Since you
have been in my service / must allow
that | have only had reason to praise
your prudence but we are at this mo-
ment in the heart of the Rocky Noun
tains, that is to say, we have reached
the most dangerous part of our journey.
Two days ago you lifted the trail of
Crow Indians, very formidable enemies
of caravans, and l want to consult with
you as to the means to employ to foil
the snares In which these Indians will
try to catch u.s."
The Indian felt in a bag of striped
calico thrown over his shoulder, and pro-
duced a greasy paper, which he opened
and offered the Mexican.
what is this?" the latter asked. "Oh,
yes, certainly; your engagement. Well,
what has this to do with the question |
asked your"
Curumilla, still impassive, laid his fin
gers on the paper, at the last paragraph
OF the engagement.
well, what thenr the Mexican ex.
claimed ill-humoredly. "It is said there
1t is true, that / must trust entirely to
you, and leave you at liberty to act as
you please for the common welfare. What
proves to me that you are acting for our
common welfare, and that you are not a
traitorT"
At this word traitor so distinctly ut.
tered by the Mexican, Curumilla gave a
tiger glance at the speaker, while his
whole body was agitated by convulsive
tremor; he uttered two or three incom.
prehensible cultural exclamations, and
ere the Mexican could suspect his inten.
tions he was seized round the waist, lifted
from the saddle, and hurled on the
ground, where he lay stunned. Curu-
milla leaped from his mule, drew from
his belt four gold ounces, hurled them al
the Mexican, and then bounding over the
precipice that bordered the road, disap.
peared.
The situation was becoming most crit
tcal for the chief of the caravan he
found himself abandoned without guide
IN unknown regions, doubtless watched by
hidden foes, and exposed at any moment
to an attack.
= The march was continued no suspi
cious sign was discovered; and the Mex
leans were justified in believing that
with the exception of the time they would
be. compelled to lose, the flight of the
Indian would entail no disagreeable con.
sequences.
Singularly enough, Carnero seemed
rather pleased than annoyed at the dis
appearance of the guide. Far from com.
planning or deploring the delay in the con.
unuance of the journey he laughed al
what had happened and made an infini.
tnde of more or less witty jests about
1T, which considerably annoyed his mas
Ger, whose joy was merely on the surface
and who. in his heart, cursed the mishar
which kept them In the mountains and
exposed them to the insults of the plum.
derers.
Pray, what do you find so agreeable
IN what has happened that you are OF
affect to be so merry, No Carnero" he
at length asked.
Forgive me, mi amo," the capataz an
swered; but you know the proverb,
What can't be cured must be endured
Hum p said the master.
And besides," the capataz added, as
he stopped down, however bad our po-
sition may be, is 1t not better to pretend
to consider it goodT
A little before II a. m. the caravan
reached the terrace, and it was with a
feeling of joy, which they did not at
tempt to conceal, that the poems recog-
uized the strength of the position.
I'VE shall stop here for the present, i"
the, Mexican said. UNLOAD the mules,
and light the fires. Immediately after
breakfast we will begin entrenching our
selves."
The poems obeyed with the speed of
men who have pade long journey and
are beginning to feel hungry; the fires