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

Y 1es, general, TO me Alone.
II am delighted to hear it."
"You remained, then, in Sonora, with
out power or influence, hated and despis-
ed by all, and marked on your forehead
with that indelible brand which was i'm
printed on Cain, the first murderer; but
Mexico is blessed country, where ambi-
tious men like yourself can easily fish in
troubled waters, when, like yourself, they
are not restrained by any of those bonds
of honor. But you could not remain long
bowed beneath the blow that had fallen
on you and so you resolved to leave So
nora and proceed to Mexico, where,
thanks to your colossal fortune and the
influence it would necessarily give you,
you could carry on your ambitious pro-
jects. Your preparations were soon made
listen attentively, general, for l assure
you that l have reached the most inter-
esting part of my narrative.
"As you fancied, for certain reasons
which it is unnecessary to remind you
of, that your enemies might try to lay
some ambush for you, you thought 1t
necessary to take the following precau-
ticns, the inutility of some Of which l
presume that you have recognized. While,
for the purpose of deceiving your enemies,
you started In disguise, and only accom-
panied by few men, for California, in
order to return to Mexico across the
Rocky mountains; while you gave ques-
TONERS the fullest details of the road you
intended to follow, with your men-your
real object was different. The man in
whom you placed your confidence, Don
lsidro Vargas, who had known you when
child, and whom you had converted
into your tool, took the shortest, and,
consequently, most direct route for the
capital, having with him not only twelve
| mules loaded with gold and silver, the
fruit of your plunder during the period
of your command, but more precious ar
ticle still, the body of your unhappy
daughter, which you had embalmed, and
which the captain had orders to inter
with your ancestors at your Hacienda del
Palmar. Your object in acting thus was
not only to divert attention from your
ill-gotten riches, but also to attract your
enemies after yourself. Unfortunately,
am an old hunter SO difficult to deceive
that my comrades gave me long ago the
glorious title of the Trail-hunter, and
hence, alone was not deceived"
Still your presence here gives a strik-
ing denial to the assertion" the general
| interrupted.
You think so, senior. That proves you
are not thoroughly acquainted with me !;
but patience, l hope that you will, ere
long, appreciate me better. Again, you
have not reflected on the time that has
elapsed since your departure from Her
mosillo."
What do you mean?" the general ask
ed, with sudden start of apprehension.
Il mean that before attacking you,
resolved to settle matters first with the
captain"
"Ahw
"Well, general, it is my painful duty
to inform you that four days after he left
Pitic, our brave friend Don Isidro fell
into an. ambuscade resembling the one
into which you fell to-day, with this ex-
ception-"
What exception?" the general asked,
with greater interest than he would have
liked to display.
My men were so imprudent," the
hunter continued, "as to leave the captain
the means of defending himself. The re-
suit was that he died, bravely fighting to
save the gold you had intrusted to him,
and the coffin containing your daughters
corpse"
well, and L presume you plundered
the caravan, and carried off the gold and
silver?" he asked, contemptuously.
$50, most probably, you would have
acted under the circumstances, Don He
bastian," the hunter answered, "but
thought it my duty to act differently.
What could you expect? 1, coarse, un-
! educated hunter, do not know how to
plunder, for did not learn it when had
the honor to serve my country. This is
what l did; so soon as the captain and
the poems he commanded were killed-for
the poor devils, must do them the JUS
tice to say, offered desperate resistance
Il myself, you understand, friend, NY
self conveyed the money to your Hacienda
del Palmar, where it now remains in safe
ty."
The general breathed again, and smiled
Ironically. Instead of blaming you,
senor," he said, 81, on the contrary, owe
you thanks for this chivalrous conduct"
DO not be in such hurry to thank
me-" the hunter answered; "I have not
told you all. Captain Don Isidro Vargas
not only escorted the money, but there
was also a coffin. Well, general, why do
you not ask me what has become of that
coffin"
An electric shock ran through the audi
ence on hearing the ironical question 30
coldly asked by the hunter.
"Whatw Don Sebastian exclaimed.
"The assassin can have no claim to the
body Of his victim, and you are morally
your daughters murderer, 1 have robbed
you Of this body, which must rest by the
side Of him for whom she died"
There was moments silence. The
generals face, hitherto pale, assumed
greenish hue. At length he yelled In
Il