Year: 1877

captive. A hurried consultation fol-
lowed, and the whole situation was
taken in.


"Inez explained that she was held q
prisoner by the chief of the tribe, Red
Eagle, whe was determined she should
marry him. Red Eagle was a half
blood, his father being a Spaniard. The
entrance to the cave was narrow, well
concealed, and its existence known only
to a few of the Indians. They still
swarmed in the mountains, but in two
weeks were going south for q raid upon
the settlements, and only small guard
were to be left in the cave.


call this Inez hurriedly explained to
Joe, and it was agreed that he was to lie
concealed in the une1plored portions OF
the cave to the rear, recover from his
wounds, and wait till the Indians left
before attempting rescue, while Inez
was to furnish him with provisions from
her own allowance.


"The chief, Red Eagle, in the mean
time treated her with distinguished con-
sideration, Offering her no indignities,
and ordering that she should have what
ever she called for. After three weeks
of weary waiting Inez learned from the
old woman that Red Eagle and his
braves had gone south, and that four
braves had been left to guard her night
and day. They took up their places in
the far corner of the great hall, and Joe
waited impatiently until they should 60
to sleep. Day and night were the same
in the cave, but finally the braves
stretched themselves out one after
another to sleep. That sleep was their
last, for four shots from Joe's revolving
carbine fired in rapid succession killed
them all before either was aware Of his
danger.


"The old woman was forced to guide
them to the entrance of the cave, which
was found after many and tortuous wind
ings, and Inez and Joe emerged from
their living tomb just after sunrise. Joe
then saw that he had passed entirely
through the mountain.


"Romuldo and his friends had long
given them both up for dead, and their
feelings may be better imagined than
described when they returned safe and
sound after their miraculous adventures.
Ever since then Joe has ridden that pony
and has been perfectly happy"


"But you doret mean to tell me,
colonel, that Joe got no other reward than
that miserable little piece of horseaesh.
He married Inez, of course.


"That's the way the story writer's
would fix things" said the colonel, "but
they never deal in facts as have done.
The Senor WAS as good as his word, and
got surveyor to divide the ranch into
two equal parts, and showed Joe about
fifteen cart loads of gold and silver bull
lion rs his share.


"No, sir, said Joe, Il want none Of
these. want that sorrel pony. Here
are the $50, and want to know if you
will trust me for the other S..


."I'll give you the pony and any
thing else you want said the Senor.
You deserve anything that you will ask
for


"But with sll that the Senor could do
or say, Joe made him take the $50 and
let him have the pony with $5 due
on it"


"Well, that is the most unnatural
ending to wonderfully romantic story
I ever heard. Col. Fitz Roy, there is
something wrong with the sentiment and
civilization of Tucson"


"Now, don't deceive yourself there
again." put in the colonel. "'Moun-
tain joe and Inez Romuldo are to be
married next week, and we will both go
to the weddinp."