The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-01
THE THREE SPEARS

flows into the mountain? At shutdown.
when they were not watching. / let
myself into the river and was carried
through to the other side. had seen
the boys do IL in play.
IT was very dark. and the current
Is swift. Sometimes | struck upon the
rocks. but the dear Virgin protected
me. and ] 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 Inn
puisiveIy in his own. You did that
for me- he asked wonderingIy. But
you were hurt--you must have been
injured on the cruel rocks"
Ne" she replied . few bruises
They are nothing. And l did II for
avse!f. too. senior. | wanted to be FREQ
again
The COW boy prospector burst into
English: ~ cure sure plueky little
kid I'll get you back ~ civilization.
or bust laig. Texas Holcomb may
have hene pretty tough citizen. but
he amt an ongrateful one. How do
we get out Of here? Them Injuns may
come surgin down any time. Ar I
amt goin' L take chances--with YOU
along"
The girl smiled and colored at the
look In his broYn eyes The four
horses are hidden just below" she
replied, also in English and without
accent. We must take them and 60
NeFth IF you do mt come soon into
their valley. they VIII creep back and
find our footsteps. If we leave the
horses they will follow"
A. L.. al, ~.
Lead on. Ill follow. What may ] call
You. maam9'
MY name Is Isabella de Ia BarrO,
but father called me Chiquita.'
"Chiquita means little one.'
Chiquita IT is''
They found the hidden animals
without rrUuhts. TIE pack animals
were laden with food. and with water
in skins. This, explained Chiquita. was
because the two Yaauis We're going
on search for poory-guarded cate
tie after Holcomb had been disposed
of and his belongings appropriated.
The girl swung into the saddle OK
one of the horses. and they were Off.
by sundown they had put several
miles between themselves and tho
dangerous Three Spears" chiquita
cooked supper on the fire which Hol-
comb built. and never had the pros
pector tasted MEEK more delicious.
Holcomb treated her as he would
have his sister treai<a under similar
circumstances. At night she slept
the sleep of innocence and homes.
fatigue in his one blanket. while he
shivered and dozed, since II grew
chill when the sun went down.
BY day they plodded northward at
good pace. Holcomb. with his head
oh his sheHlaef,.. fer there was dan
ger. Of rursuit. Bat the * a 9is.ss sxss- I
IDENTIFY discouraged because OF the start
which the fugitives had obtained, and
the number OF fresh horses at their
command.
Chiquita was an ideal travelling
companion. She was always bright
and gay. delighted with what the mo-
ment brought. and taking no thought
OF the morrow. She was quick TO sec
the changing beauties of the vast
country and point them out to Hol-
comb. Sometimes, with childish in-
pulsixsners. she tuggsa at his sleeve or
clasped his Drowned wrist. and no
thrilled at her touch as the strings
OF the harp respond to the hand Of
the player.
After two weeks they came at last
to the sight Of a town nesting In .
hollow below the ridge Of hills on
WHICH tHcy DtOoOs AZ WAS mia IVl0s
non. The clear air etched the ham.
let with wonderful distinctness. They
could see the toy men and women in
the streets.
There's Ascension. Chiquita." said
Holcomb: faint you glad
Yes replied the girl, listlessly.
The adorable sparkle had died out
OF her 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.
Unless" he added humbly. after Z
pause, you don't want me. I know
/ amt good enough"
The girl. rosy with happiness. fiune
herself into his arms. Why. dearest
one she said. in her liquid Spanish.
II have loved thee always
Suddcnly Stricken.