Dewey County advocate. [volume] (Timber Lake, S.D.) 1910-1913, 1912-06-28


was marvellous rider, and his services aid those
o. his brother were in considerable request all
over the south. So some months and even years
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 savage and
merciless 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 a large residence to q mud howell
with roof Of tin-of farmer who had recently
settled IN the country and who was the husband
q very pretty wife. a dark beauty Of It was
sumored. rather uncertain temper
The farmer gave the brothers horse-breaking
contract and for some weeks all went we'll
One evening when the farmer, tired from q long
day IN the saddle, had just come home, Ascensfo
Brunei entered. and having. 1t is said put him OF
his guard by making some simple little request,
murdered him in cold blood.
The actual details of this. Ascensios first MUIR
der are hard to come by. Henri, whom I 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 on 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 dwelt with
the unhappy woman. until at last Ascensio quar-
relied with Henri. It was not for the first time
and Henri went to Sleep thinking It would have
all passed over in the morning. He was wakened
ut 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 1t had been in his mind to kill him in his
sleep. but for their mothers sake he had re-
Tented. He added that he had shifted the horses
and stock to safe distance and that If Henri fol-
lowed he would unhesitatingly shoot him down.
He then rode away without more words.
As Henri had neither horse nor weapons he did
not follow. Indeed all his efforts were directed
toward getting out of the wilderness alive Living
chiefly upon berries. he wandered for many days.
finally to arrive, an emaciatod wreck at the
estancia Of an Argentine hertisman. The latter
tended him and, when he was recovered, gave
him sufficient provision to take him to the
settlement. where he duly arrived.
Proved innocent Of the MURDER his orother had
committed, he went back to the life OF peon and
shepherd, and he passes out of this history for
good.
The next act in the drama opens it'll the ar.
rival in the coast settlement at Punta Arenas of the
woman whom AScenslO nae forced 10 accompany
him into the wilderness. She had frightful tale
Of cruelty to relate, eliminating in fortunate
escape.
1t appears that Ascenso had become subject to
ITS OF passion so frghtfu that they we're alktn to
madness. and indeed madness OF kind had al
ready declared itself in him.
The Tehuelches OF Patagonia hold the wellknown
belief, common to many branches of the Indian
race, that when they die they pass tc the Happy
Hunting Grounds On the grave of warrior
they slay his dogs and horses; within It they
place saddle, knife and food. and for nine nights
they kindle great Ares. by the light OF which ~