The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-09-26

ME from Little Rock, with instructions
reached me. They will pretty nearly
clinch the case, so far as Esteral Is
concerned, as they contain notice to
Baron Zollern that he will be appoint
ed governor of a Brazilian province
when everything has been properly
adjusted Rather foolish of the
kaiser, don't you think? However
that may be, here's the documents
Add them to whatever you already
have in stock for Gomez Esteral, and
start for Rancho Nogal whenever you
feel so disposed. l can't even send q
cavalry escort across the river with
you-Esteral would take to the high
grass if he saw solitary trooper .ap-
preaching You will have to look out
for yourselves and for the safety OF
your letters"
Under the rich Night of the Mexi:an
moon two young horsemen rode the
trail that leads to Rancho Nogal Bath
boys could ride fairly well, though
neither could lay claim to the skill OF
a cowboy, and the thoughtful old col
onel had provided them with mounts.
"If you can stick on your horses"
said he, 1T will shorten the distance
to the Rancho, and may also carry yoh
out of danger if anybody stops you Oh
the way" Well-provided with direo-
tions, and with heavy cavalry revolt
vers buckled at their hips, the mes
sengers set out on the last stage OF
their journey in royal spirits. Six
trooperS saw them safe across the Rio
Grande, and dismissed them with way
ing of hats and urgent requests to be
back in time for the deciding bail
game The group of friendly horse
men faded into spectres and ther
blended with the night; dark stretch
es of shadowy chaparral advanced its
gloom in contest with the bright rays
of the moon--and the boys, bearing
missives whose vast Importance they
had never known till that same day,
rode onward through the dusk.
Perhaps ten miles from the river
they encountered a slight rise in the
road. and walked their horses slowly
UP the grade. Suddenly, as the moon
rays fell upon the summit of the in
cline. a solitary horseman loomed up.
huge and menacing in the shadows.
Silent, grim and somber, he sat his
horse five hundred feet beyond, and
seemed to patiently await their com.
ing.
II don't like the looks of that fel.
low" whispered Brockett as they
neared the silent figure.
HE doesn't look specially good to
me, either" replied Solano. Still,
there are two of us, and there's only
one of him-no, I'm mistaken. Ho is
distinctly plural"
Three other mounted figures ranged
up beside the first one, all equally
grim and menacing in the moonlight.
Brockett half turned his horses head.
Too late for retreat-five more OF
the silent horsemen were slowly walk
ing their mounts from the direction OF
the river. For one moment the mes
sengers halted, irresolute, and then
moved forward towards the watchers
at the summit of the hill. Perhaps 200
feet further on, they came upon a
cross-road-a mere thread Of a trail
breaking forth from dense under
growth and midnight jungle. Instant.
ly Brockett wheeled and plunged into
the new-found trail, while Solano fol-
lowed. They drove their horses to a
gallop, and as they started on the
dash for safety the silent horsemen,
both before and behind the fugitives.
came charging after. They gave no
cry, they voiced no shout or threat,
but the clatter of the hoofs and the
changing of accouterments made wild
discord on the evening air. Down the
thread-like trail, straining every nervS
to increase their horses speed, fed
the messengers and, fast closing up
the distance, the nine pursuing FAdors
sped along behind.
(TO BE CONTINUEo.)