The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1912-04-06

If he profanes the valley with his
footsteps, he dies Even now the
guards are waiting They will kill you
If you go on
Holcomb's face fell. 81 don't care
much about graveyards." he muttered.
If there's no gold, I'm not curious.
But" he asked abruptly. what are
you doing with this tribe?'
My father had a ranch-there" She
pointed to the southwest He died
three months ago. and the Yaquis
seized our cattle and horses. 1 am a
prisoner, though they treat me kindly.
They are afraid I would bring the
rurales if they freed me-
How did you get here?"
The senior saw where the water
| flows into the mountain? At shutdown
when they were not watching, I let my
self into the river, and was carried
| through to the other side. 1 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 I was in time
to warn the senor''
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.
how ORC OIL a., -
! self, too. senior. 1 wanted to be free
again.
The cowboy-prospector burst into
English: You're sure a 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 l
amt goin' t. take chances-with you
along"
The girl smiled and coIored 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 go
north. If you do not come soon into
their valley, they will creep back and
find our footsteps. If we leave the
horses they will follow"
Good; we'll take the horses then
Lead on; I'll follow. What may 1 call
you, ma'am?"
MY name is Isabella de la Barro,
but father called me 'Chiquita'
'Chiquita means little one.
Chiquita it isl"
The girl swung into the saddle of
one of the horses, and they were Off
By shutdown they had put several
miles between themselves and the dan
gerous Three Spears" Chiquita
cooked supper on the fire which HoI-
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 shfvered
and dozed, since it grew chill when
the sun went down.
By day they plodded northward at a
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 |
morrow. She was quick to see the |
changing beauties of the vast country
and point them out to Holcomb. Some |
times, with childish impuIsiveness, she |
tugged at his sleeve or clasped his |
Drowned wrist, and he thrilled at her |
touch as the strings of the harp re- |
spond to the hand of the player.
After two weeks they came at last |
to 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 |
could see the toy men and women in |
the streets.
There's Ascension, ChiQuita" said |
"ain't you glad?"
yes" replied the girl, HstlessIy. |
The adorable sparkle had died out of
her piquant face.
so am t. went on the prospector
DO you know why, little one?"
She turned grave eyes upon him.
why, my friend?''
Because there's priest there. I'm
less" he added humbly, after a
pause, you don't want me. know
I amt good enough
The girl, rosy with happiness, flung
herself into his arms. why. dearest
one" she said, in her liquid Spanish.
'T have loved thee always"