Year: 1879

"The howl and rush of the gale had
ceased but the occasional patter of rain
drops from the leaves and roof OF the
rancho proved that the storL- hal but
recently passed away.


"sDo you notice the glitter of those
buttons 2 remarked one of the four.


"sCurse the buttonsp I broke in an
other fiercely; 'of what value are they?
It's the glitter of gold 1 like to see and
we have already wasted too much valu.
able time. for one say kill him. If
the Yankee dog had dozen lives they
should all be forfeited. He has come
here unasked; he shall not depart 80
easily


"sHush, Juan; you are too hasty.
The question is, will it pay to dispose
of him ourselves and share the plunder,
or take him to Canales ? He might
come down handsome. Suppose the
fellow should prove to be an officer OF
importance?'


"sBah You talk like fool. Do you
not SEQ he is too young to have gained
any Importance. As for Oanales, car.
rajol you will get nothing for your
pains from him.


call this I heard distinctly, and much
more which it is unnecessary to repeat.
That my life was doomed was beyond
all doubt; but T was not disposed to
make a vacancy in the corps without q
struggle, and especially after undergo
ing what T had in escaping from the
lancers.


ct felt the blood coursing through
my veins with renewed vigor as l look
ed the situation square in the face. My
brain grew clearer as the imminence OF
the peril I was in grew more apparent.


"The dying embers of the fire emit
ted ftful CLEANS which fell across the
arms of the scoundrels piled promiscu-
ously together in the corner of the
rancho.


cat that moment, and as I was cast.
ing wistful glances at a carbine, the
beetle browed rascal who had lighted
me in to the den glided across the floor,
slipping stout bar across the door.


"Now, boys, finish the job, and then
share alike, were the words I heard.


EVERY nerve in my body Jared;
the blood rushed back to my heart as
the decisive moment arrived. Up to
that time had not stirreI or changed
my position, leading the scoundrels to
count upon an easy victory, no doubt.
The odds we're fearfuly against me,
and as the four turned their woltsh
eyes in my direction, the clear, ringing
notes of bugle came rising and falling,
filing the air with its melody.


"a wild cry of joy burst involuntarily
from my lips, a thrill Of hope pervaded
my whole being, as I listened. 1t came
from my own gallant lads-a detach-
ment sent out, in all probability, in
search for their missing officer.


"My four friends had paused, their
hands on their murderous knives, un
certain and undecided how to act. They
turned for ON instant toward the door,
leaving me to take advantage OF their
stupidity.


"When they again confronted me, 1
was in possession of the coveted corner,
with rifle to my shoulder, looking
them grimly in the face, while my dog,
his hair bristling with rage, stood
bravely beside me, displaying his white
fangs to the enraged gaze OF the greasy
four.


"sKnife him, lads, before they are
atop of us. Put him out of sight, or
we'll all swing but not one of them
stirred.


"That dark, death-dealing rihe-bar-
rel had wonderful tranquilizing effect.


"Curses on ye shouted the leader,
foaming with rage, as he dashed forward.
knife in hand. Are you all afraid OF
the Yankee2 I let him in here, and
this knife shall give him permission to
leave


"Perhaps the villain expected to
shake my nerves, and cause me to
throw away my shot, but I never felt
frmer, more determined in my life.


"On he came, brandishing his knife,
closely followed by his adherents.


"I covered his left breast with the
sight of the weapon, and with the re-
port the scoundrel fell headlong to the
floor.


"Oharging through the smoke the
remaining three rushed upon me, but
we're met by the dog, who buried his
teeth in the flesh of one of them.


"I remember striking out with my
clubbed rifle, of PAIRING rapid thrusts
and cheering on the dog, when, by
some means, in the melee, horn or
canister of powder must have fallen
amid the red.hot embers of tho fire.


"It exploded with tremendous vio-
lence, blowing off the roof of the house,
rending the walls asunder, and hurting
me to one side half suffocated and near
ly insensible.


"When I fully realized what was
passing abont me, my own troops were
removing the debris of the rancho from
my limbs, and the Newfoundland was
licking my face.


"Itwas, as I supposed, party sent
out in search of my unfortunate self
and they were returning from boot,
less search, when the report of rifle
followed by an explosion and the glare
of flames attracted their attention.


"Of course, my friend, we made
short work of the three miscreants who
were dragged forth from the burning
wreck. They howled vigorously for
mercy, but that was not to be thought
OF in their case. A swing from the
nearest bough terminated their career,
and rode back to Vera Cruz, with my
mind firmly made up that, during the
remainder of the campaign, nothing
should ever tempt me to wander alone
among the hills of Mexico in quest of