The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1912-06-20


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
a 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 mud hoyel
with roof of tin-of farmer who had recently
settled in the country and who was the husband
OF a very pretty wife, a dark beauty of, it was
umored. rather uncertain temper
The farmer gave the brothers horse-breaking
contract and for weeks all went we'll.
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 simple little request,
murdered him in cold blood.
The actual details of this, Ascensios first MUIR
der are hard to come by. Henri, whom 1 met
near Ultima Casa never told the same story twice
running, and the only other Witness the wife of
the murdered man, passed through terrible
experiences and l 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 a time, the two brothers dwelt with
the unhappy woman until at last Ascensio quar-
relied with Henri 1t not for the first time,
and Henri Went to sleep, thinking 1t 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.
Ascensio then said he had decided to part COM
pany with his brother for good and ALL that at
Apct ho1 h1Dv -, ,i,,I hi -
sleep, but for their mothers aske he had
Tented. He added that he had shifted the horses
and stock to safe distance, and tASt If Henri fol-
lowed he would unhesitatingy shoot him down.
He then rode away without more words
AS Henri had neither horse 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, emaciated wreck, at the
estancia of 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 peon and
shepherd, and so he passes out of this history for
good
rival in the coast settlement 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.
1t appears that Ascensio had become subject to
hts OF passion SO frightful that they akin to
madness, and indeed madness of kind had al
ready declared itself in him.
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 warrior
they slay his dogs and horses; within 1t they
place saddle, knife and food, and for nine nights
they kinde great Ares by the light of which the