Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-06-21

was d marvellous rlder, and his services and those
OF his brother were in considerable request all
over the south. So months and even years
went by during which many hundreds of animals
passed through the hands of the Brunes, and
they became the owners of comparatively large
troop of horses. AsceRsio, though a savage and
merciless rider. never during all this time gave
a glimpse of the ferocity which underlay his
character.
At length the two brothers happened, in the
natural course Of their Romadic profession, to
come to the estancia-this fine word may mean
anything from large residawce to a 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 of. 1t
rumored rather uncertain temper.
The farmer gave the brothers horse-breaking
contract and for some weeks all went well.
One evening when the farmer, tired from long
day In the saddle, had just come home, Ascensio
Brunei entered and having it is said, put him off
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
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 of 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 a time, the two brothers dwelt with
the unhappy woman until at last Ascensio quar-
relied with Henri 1t was 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 at
once that during the night Ascenso had driven
away all the horses and had also removed the
woman.
h. bod 10
pany with his brother for go@d 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 a 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 emaciated wreck, at the
estancia 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 mtwder his brother had
committed he went back to the life Of 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 Punta Arenas of the
woman whom Ascensio had forced to accompany
him into the wilderness. She had frightful tale
OF cruelty to relate. eliminating In fortunate
escape.
It appears that Ascensio had become subject TO
fits OF passion 30 frightful that they akin to
madness, and indeed madness of kind had al
ready declared itself In him.
The Tehuelches of Patagonia hold the Unknown
belief common to many branches Of the Indian
race that when they die they pass to the Happy
Hunting Grounds. On the grave OF warrior
they slay his dogs and horses; within Il they
place saddle, knife and food. and for nine nights
Ahey kindle great nrea. By The Light o. which ne