The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-04-26
CHAPTER vi
The Hotel Montezuna

Cuernavaca has been used tor gen
eratiunS as health resort by the
people of Mexico City who cannot
of the national capital. COrtes lived
here, and Macmillan built In Cuer
navaca wondrous public gardens Ii
is the key-and has ever been-to ali
that vast area south and west of Mex
leo City. | noticed that my horse had
came to my ears the words OF
weirdly plaintive melody; and look
ing up, ] saw mana tall man
whose well-muscled body swung along
easily beside a burro which bore up
on its back a tremendous load of hay
"YOu sing" said |. surprised for
singing over ones work In Mexico Is
a rare thing indeed.
He touched the brim OF tattered
sombrero. "Yes. senior"
"And you are happy? Is there in
Cuernavaca. some one who waits for
thee?"
"Yes, senior; Dolores waits for me-"
DOLORES. then, is your wife?'
when the seasons hay Is deliv
cred. senior, there will be money
enough for a marriage. II is more
than month yet" He sighed.
"Ah." said |, what are you calIedT
'pasqual," he said.
''lf | offer you, PaSqual, the amount
of money that the labor of this month
will bring to you. will you do for ma
the things that ask you to dO?"
why nOt?" said he. with frank
and engaging smile.
He was Spanish and Indian out
mostly Spanish, for his skin was
clear olive: his brown eyes had
resOlute light, and his body held that
dauntIess, erect posture of an uncon
quered people.
First then" said |. 1--WE will change
clothes, and | will walk beside the
burro while you ride the horse"
We stopped behind giant ceiba
tree, and, when we started on again.
one would have looked closely to have
recognized in the hent dragging, gray
bearded figure with worn somhrerO
shapeless brown clothes. and dusty
welaches, the impeccable Count de
Vigny. Maintaining the basis of my
resemblance TO MadrelIa ! must pass
through the Imperial lines.
So, as the sun vent down, we en-
tered Cuernavaca We passed many
soldiers of the Belgian corps lieu
tenant stopped, and after watching
us from the curb. spoke to PasGual:
"NNhy not permit the old man to
mount the. horse?"
Whereupon laughed softly In my
beard. for he was Brugiere. Belgian
cafe Miran0n, man whose moving
wit had added much to the gaiety of
our evenings.
PasQua gave him a winning smile
This mile" said he. lis my turn to
ride: have walked many leagues"
"For that. pasqual." | said. 81 will
add five pesos to thy pay"
The pOrte-cochere of the Hotei
Montezuma leads TO cObbied court.
yard. or patio short fat man, who.
| was sure, could be none other than
Madrella's ''apoplectic Manuel" wad
died down the steps. and after
glance around to assure himself that
We were alone. grasped my hand and
spoke with asthmatic difficulty:
''Senor. II is good to find you here
again p
Already Pasqual was leading the
hay -laden burro toward the barn
Manuel directed me to spacious
room on the second floor. which over
looked the patio
Then you go to see the great gen
eralf' beamed Manuel.
Yes" said |. ''the plan. think. Is
to attack the city ere the week has
gone"
AS we talked he told me many
thing that would find of value I'm
my masquerade with General Juarez
And. after he had gone. ! drew fhe
covers up around my chin and went
off into refreshing and peaceful sleep
which extended nearly through the
night. when fiie crunch of iran shoi
wheels ON the cobl,ies of the patti,
brought me to half conscious wakeful
ness I'eering through the window
nov rerognized the outlines of y