Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1916-10-26

AT the END OF 0dlI an lOur we IOunQ
ourselves in possession of two pack
horses and saddles and load Of pro-
visions.
Look out for boss thieves" advised
Mcclellan. ''These yere Greasers will
follow you for days, waitin' for a
chance to git your stock. Don't picket
with rawhide rope, or the coyotes are
likely to gnaw yore animiles loose.
Better buy couple of ha'r ropes from
the nearest Mex. Take care Of yore-
selves. Goodby." He was Immediate
ly immersed in his food Of business.
We loaded our pack horses and set
off next morning early on the trail up
the American river. At last it SEEM
ed to US, we were really under way;
as though our long journeyings and
many experiences had been but prep
aration for this start. Our spirits were
high, and we laughed and joked and
sang extravagantly. Even Yank woke
I'D and acted like friSky colt. Such
early Wayfarers as we met we hailed
with shouts and chatting; nor were we
In the least abaShed by an occasional
surly response, or the not infrequent
when one man said there was no gold
another was confident that the dig
gings were not even scratched.
Yank turned the two horses out into
"a grass meadow and sat, his back
against an oak tree, smoking his pipe
|
rolled the beds, sorted out the simple
cooking utensils, and started to cook.
Occasional travellers on the road just
above us shouted out friendly greet
ings. They were miscellaneous lot.
Most were headed toward the noun
tains. These journeyed in various
ways. Some walked afoOt and unen-
numbered, some carried apparently all
their belongings on their backs; one
outfit comprising three men had three
saddle horses and four packs-a
princely caravan.
Near shutdown two horsemen turned
off the trail and rode down to our lit
tie trickle of water. When they drew
near we recognized in one Of them
Don Gaspar Martinez. He wore still
his gorgeous apparel Of the day before,
with only the addition of a pair of
heavy silver ornamented spurs on his
heels and brace Of pistols in his sash.
His horse, q magnificent chestnut, was
harnessed in equal gorgeOusness, with
silvered broad bit. silver chains jan
Cling therefrom, plated rawhide br1-
die and reins, a carved leather, high
pommelled saddle, also silver orna-
mented, and a bright colored, woven
saddle blanket beneath The animal
stepped daintily and proudly, lifting
his little feet and planting them among
the stones as though fastid1ously. The
man who rode with Don Gaspar was
evidently Of a lower class. He was.
however, a straight. handsome young
fellow enough, with dark clear com
plexion, a small mustache and pleas
ant smile. His dress and accoutre-
ments were on the same general order
as those of Don Gaspar, but Of quieter
color and more serviceable material.
His horse, however, was of the same
high bred type. A third animal fol-
lowed, unled, packed with two cow
hide boxes.
The Spaniard rode up to us and sa-
luted courteously: then his eye lit with
recognition.
"Ah," said he, 1.-The good friends Of
our Captain Suffer! This is to be well
met If it is not too much l would beg
the favor Of to camp"
"By all means, Don Gaspar," said
Johnny, rising ''The pleasure is, Of
course, our own"
Again saluting us, Don Gaspar and
his companion withdrew short dis
lance up the little meadow. There the
Spaniard sat down beneath bush and
proceeded to smoke cigarette, While
his companion unSaddled the horses,
turned them loose to Craze, stacked up
their saddles and made simple camp
ing arrangements.
"Old Plush Pants doesn't intend to
do any work if he catches sight of 1t
first" observed Johnny.
"Probably the other man is serv-
anti" | suggested.
More likely Il sort of dependent"
amended Johnny. "They run a kind
Of patriarchai establishment. I've been
told
Don't use them big words, Johnny,
complained Yank. coming up with the
horses.
Il meant they make the poor rela-
tons and kid brothers do the hustling,
said Johnny.
"Now l understand you" said Yank.
Il wish l could see what they do with
their bosses nights. | bet they know
how. And if I was a boss thief I'd
surely take a long chance for that
chestnut gelding."
"You might wander over later and
find out" l suggested.
and get my system full Of lead
sure" said Yank.
The two camps did not exchange
visits. We caught the flicker of their
little fire, but we were really too tired
to be curious. and we turned in early,