The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1907-09-26
CHAPTER v.

Nl0EcQ IQcJn Will l0OuD4uQ buhuc1 Va
gold and purple. The birds, coxily nestled
In the bushes, struck up their matin
carol; the awakening Of nature was as
splendid and imposing ~ 1t il 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
4 were loaded, and, 70 soon a. the horses
were saddled, the party started without
waiting for the morning meal, for they
generally breakfasted at the II o'clock
halt.
The caravan advanced along the road
from Santa Fe to the United States, at
q speed unusual under such circum-
Gtances.
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 Mexfcan's
horse, did not turn round, but continued
trotting along on his sorry mule.
Indian" said the caravan chief in
Spanish, II wish to speak with you on an
important subject; be good enough to put
off your usual silence for while and
answer like an honest man. You engas-
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 l 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
Grow 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 bag Of striped
calico thrown over his shoulder, and pro-
duced greasy paper, which he opened
and offered the Mexican.
What is this2" the latter asked. "Oh,
yes, certainly; your engagement. Well,
what has this to do with the question l
asked your
Curumilla, still impassive, laid his fin
gers on the paper, at the last paragraph
OF the engagement.
swell, what them" the Mexican ex-
claimed ill-humoredIy. 1T Is said there
1t is true, that l 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
traitor?"
At this word traitor, so distinctly ut
tered by the Mexican, Curumilla gave n
st. olo Of he
whole body was agitated by convulsive
'tremor; he uttered two or three incom-
prehensible cultural exclamations, and
ere the Mexican could suspect his inten-
lions 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 at
the Mexican, and then bounding over the
precipice that bordered the road, disap-
peared.
The situation was becoming most crit
jcal 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-
eious 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
80. L. A. Al =. IL
tinuauce of the journey he laughed at
what had happened and made an infni- |
tude of more or less witty jests about |
1t, which considerably annoyed his mas
ter, whose joy was merely on the surface, |
and who, in his heart, cursed the mishap |
which kept them in the mountains and |
exposed them to the insults Of the plum
derers.
Pray, what do you find SO agreeable
sn what has happened that you are or
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
ne stopped down, however bad our po-
eition may be, is 1t not better to pretend
to consider it goodY
A little before IL a. m. the caravan
reached the terrace, and 1t was with
feeling of joy, which they did not at
tempt to conceal, that the poems recog-
nized the strength of the position.
1--WE shall stop here for the present."
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 made a long journey and
are beginning to feel hungry the fires
were lighted in an instant, and few mo-
ments later the poems vigorously at
tackled their maize tortillas, their tocina
and their cecina-those Indispensable ele-
nents Of every Mexican meal. When
the hunger of his men was appeased the
ehief rose.
Now" he said, ito work."
CHAPTER VI
The position which the leader of the
caravan fancied he had been the first to
discover, and where he had made up his