Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-14
" Persecution NeA Revenge Unu~a
o Journey UmquMt Of aovr1n yBednR

he had the pistol, the bravo leered at
me evilly and quilted the cantina. fol.
lowed by the jeers of his fellows.
From these ] heard murmurs of
''Gringe loco" (mad foreigner), but !
noticed they respectfully made way
at the counter for Pope, and / was
allowed to finish my corn bread and
black coffee in peace.
No sooner We're we on the road once
more and out of earshot OF the cut
Threats haunting the tavern than
Pope gave me back the pistol.
''Senor," he said reproachfully. you
forgot to load it!'
Well, one always forgets something
on these expeditions, and / discovered
/ had omitted to bring my cartridges.
x X 4
Ere long the setting sun threw our
- frightening shadows on the sandy
foothills at the base of La Nevada.
Well pleased with my days march,
before the swift twilight passed l
found a snug hollow in the mountain
side and pitched camp for the night.
While Pepe portioned out our little
store of provisions, / took the field
glasses and climbed spur to view the
volcano by moonlight, my impotence
urging me to spy out track by which
we might climb the snowbound sides
After supper ] opened out the melo-
deon and RECALLED Peps with a brisk
air. The music echoed and re-echoed
i'm the deep mountain silences. AS
played. / became vaguely aware of
strange shadows lowering about our
retreat When I had finished, into the
moonlight stepped half a dozen robed
figures.
Ia
truders turned out TO be Chichimec
Indians. a tribe almost extinct, from
tiny settlement hid in the hills.
Most friendly folk when we gained
their confidence. ] tried to persuade
one of them to act as my guide up
the volcano.
NO. senior" he said. AT this time
it is perilous.''
"Oh! Bandits?" said scornfully.
The Chichimec flushed and his fin-
gers touched his knife belt.
NO, senor." he answered with n
noble pride that reprOved me. I'm
the mountains il Is not man we fear;
it is the mist. IL the senor loves life,
he will not climb the Snow Mountain
tomorrow"
As mysteriousIy as our visitors had
come, SO they depa rted-iike spirits
/ awoke very much alive in the
rarefied. wine-like air. to rub my eyes
at the vision Of the dawn descending
the mountain and dressing in purple
and gold the peak ] had set out to
conquer.
lump about, Pope, Here's the
SUM-" ! sang out. breakfast. Pack
the mule. and away we CO.,
"Senor--and the. mist?" murmured
Pope. shiVering as he blew twig
fire into flame to boil the water for
chocolate.
Mist be bowed. / answered in
English.
Coming to sheltered plateau, ]
babe Pepe unburden the mule and
tether her safely until our return. So
far we had not met a single soul. al.
though Pepe continued to watch out
for brigands or so-called revoltosos.
X y Il
WHILE Pepe was tying up the mule
w ] looked about for the least peril
Gus track 10 take us up the remainder
| of the l 800 feet to the summit. Soon
he rejoined me and we climbed boldly
| up. very hopefully, if slowly.
| Presently the ascent becoming la.
! borious, Pope surprised me by pulling
an end of rope from his loose blouse.
graspcd it. Pope began to spin
around like teetotun,. A coil OF
rope unwound from him and fell at
my feet.
| What is this for?" ! asked
Promptly Pope threw one noosed
end over me and tied the other
around his own waist.
I'm case the senior should Slip" he
explained.