The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1912-06-21

Was q alaINeloLS IlueT, and his services and those
OF his brother We're in considerable request all
over the south. So SOME months and even wears
went by during which many hundreds of animals
passed through the hands of the Brunels and
they became the owners Of comparatively large
troop OF horses. Ascensio, though a savage and
merciess rider never during all this time gave
glimpse OF the ferocity which underlay his
character,
At length the two brothers happened in the
natural course OF their nomadic profession. to
come to the estancia-this fine word may mean
anything from q large residence to mud howell
with roof Of tin-of farmer who had recently
settled in the country and who was the husband
of very pretty wife, a dark beauty af, 1t was
rumored a rather uncertain temper
The farmer gave the brothers a horge-breaking
contract and for some weeks all went well.
One evening when the farmer tired from a long
day in the saddle had just come home, Ascensio
Brunei entered and having it is said put him of
his guard by making some simple little request,
murdered him in cold blood
The actual details of this, Ascensio's first muir
der are hard to come by. Henri, whom l met
near Ultima Casa, never told the same story twice
running, and the only other Witness the wife Of
the murdered man, passed through some terrible
experiences and never heard her authentic story
The main fact remains
AscensiO murdered the farmer IN order that he
might carry off his wife, which he did, besides
driving the whole stock the cattle, sheep and
horses OF the dead man, into the heart OF the
wilderness
Here for time the two brothers dwet with
the unhappy woman, until at last Ascenso quar-.
reled with Henri. 1t not for the first time,
and Henri went to sleep, thinking It would have
all passed over in the morning He was wakened
at dawn by voice shouting to him. and saw at
once that during the night Ascensio had driven
away all the horses and had also removed the
woman.
Ascensio then said he had decided to part com.
pany with his brother for good and all; that at
first it had been in his mind to kill him in his
sleep, but for their mothers sake he had
Tented He added that he had shifted the horses
and stock TO a safe distance and that If Henri fol-
lowed he would unbesitatilgly shoot him down.
lie then rode away without more words.
As Henri had neither horse nor weapons he did
not follow. Indeed all his efforts We're directed
toward getting out OF the wilderness alive. Living
chiefly upon berries, he wandered for many days,
finally TO arrive, emacated wreck at the
estaucia Of an Argentine herdsman The latter
tended him and, when he was recovered. gave
him sufficient provision to take him TO the nearest
settlement, where he duly arrived
Proved innocent OF the murder his brother had
committed, he went back to the life Of a peon and
shepherd, and so he passes out OF this history for
good.
The next act in the drama opens with the ar.
rival in the coast settlement at Puna Arenas Of the
woman whom Ascensio had forced to accompany
him into the wilderness She had trightful tale
of cruelty to relate, eliminating in fortunate
escape.
It appears that Ascensio had become subject to
fits of passion so frightful that they were akin to
madness. and indeed madness of a kind had al
ready declared itself IN him
h. The Tehuelches of Patagonia hold the well-known
belief common to many branches OF the Indian
race, that when they die they pass to the Happy
Hunting Grounds On the grave of a warrior
they STAY his dogs and horses; within it they
place saddle knife and food, and for nine nights