The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-06

The senior saw where the wafer
flows into the mountain? At shutdown
when they were not watching, let my
self into the river, and was carried
through to the other side. l had seen
the boys do it in play.
1T was very dark, and the current
is swift. Sometimes ! struck upon the
rocks, but the dear Virgin protected
me. and l came into the blessed air
again. After one passes through the
mountain there is a secret path. much
shorter than the horse must take. to
the Three Spears So was in time
to warn the senior"
Holcomb seized the girls hands i'm.
pulsively in his own. 'You did that for
me-" he asked wonderingly. But you
were hurt-you must have been In.
jured on the cruel rocks"
NO." she replied; "a few bruises.
They are nothing. And ! did it for my.
self, too. senior / wanted to be free
again."
The cowboy-prospector burst into
English: you're sure plucky little
kid! I'll get you back to civilization.
or bust laig!" Texas Holcomb may
have been a pretty tough citizen, but
he amt an ongrateful one. How do we
get out Of here? Them Injuns may
come surgin' down any time. An
amt goin' t. take chances-with you
along"
The girl smiled and colored at the
look in his brown eyes. "The four
horses are hidden just below" she re.
piled, also in English and without &C.
cent I'VE must take them and 60
north. II you do not come soon into
their valley, they will creep back and
find our footsteps. II we leave the
horses they will follow"
Good: we'll take the horses then.
Lead on; I'll follow. What may call
you. ma'am?"
my name is Isabella de Ia Barro.
but father called me 'Chiquita.'"
"'Chiquita'-that means little one
Chiquita 1t Isl"
They found the hidden animals with.
out trouble. The pack animals were
laden with food, and with water in
skins. This. explained Chiquita. was
because the two Yaquis were going on
a search for poorly-guarded cattle after
Holcomb had been disposed Of and bis
belongings appropriated.
The girl swung into the saddle Of
one of the horses. and they were of.
by shutdown they had put several
miles between themselves and the dan.
gerous three Spears" Chiquita
cooked supper on the fire which Hol.
comb built. and never had the pros.
pector tasted a meal more delicious.
Holcomb treated her as he would
have his sister treated under similar
circumstances. At night she slept the
sleep Of innocence and honest. fatigue
In his one blanket. while he shivered
and dozed, since 1t grew chill when
INC Uuu went OOWn.
BY day they plodded northward at q
good pace. Holcomb. with his head on
his shoulder" for there was danger Of
pursuit. But the Yaquis, evidently dis.
couraged because Of the start which
the fugitives had obtained, and the
number Of fresh horses at their com.
mand, did not follow them.
Chiquita was an ideal travelling com. |
panion. She was always bright and |
gay, delighted with what the moment |
brought, and taking no thought Of the
She was quick to see the
changing beauties of the vast country
and point them out to Holcomb Some.
lines, with childish impulsiveness, she
tugged at his sleeve or clasped his
Drowned wrist. and he thrilled at her
ouch as the strings of the harp re.
'pond to the hand Of the player.
After two weeks they came at last
70 the sight of a town nesting in a
hollow below the ridge Of hills on
which they stood. It was mid fore.
noon. The clear air etched the hamlet
With wonderful distinctness. They
,ould see the toy men and women IN
he streets.
There's Ascension, Chiquita," said
aolcomb; "ain't you glad?"
"Yes." replied the girl, listlessly.
rhe adorable sparkle had died out Of
Ter piquant face.
so am l." went on the prospector.
DO you know why. little one?"
She turned grave eyes upon him.
Why, my friend?"
because there's a priest there. I'm.
ess-" he added humbly, after a
PAUSE, you don't want me. know
amt good enough"
The girl. rosy with happiness, flung
herself into his arms. "Why, dearest
'ne." she said. in her liquid Spanish,
! have loved thee always!"