Year: 1872

The southern point of the gloomy
Caion de Nacorasi continues to be, as it
was found at the time about which we
shall write. the northern limit of Mexi-
can sway in the province of Sonora.
The rich plains and luxurious valley be-
yond its portals, which a century before
bore the rich harvest of a hundred
towns on their bosom, are now the favo-
rite home and undisturbed haunt of the
dreaded Apache Indians; while the ter
rible ravine itself is the gateway through
which these ruthless foes of all mankind
rush down upon the defenseless settle
ments and homesteads below, carrying
devastation in their track and pitiless
terror for leagues behind it.


Five leagues from the gloomy en-
trance into this Cajon de Nacosari, and
in close proximity to border Mexican
settlement, stretched the fertile lands
of the Puerto del Sol door of the SUM.
and in its comfortable building lived its
proprietor, Don Roman Peralta, sur
rounded by his dependents. Don Roman
was the wealthiest man in the border
country. He was the most enterprising,
too, as his well cultivated lands and
herds of cattle denoted.


These facts, connected with the other
that his was the border homestead and





from their marauding excursions, left
him greatly exposed to danger from
them. Every year he suffered more or
less from their attacks; but his ever
constant watchfulness found him gener-
ally well advised of their movements
and prepared to receive them.


Don Roman had been wifeless for
many years, but he was the possessor of
a lovely daughter, frail and timid as the
most delicate flower, but possessing more
than the usual need of witcheries that
are so literally bestowed on the fair
creatures of this sunny cline. At the
age of sixteen she was a fully developed
woman, whose mind had been trained
and watched by her father with all the
anxious solicitude that an alchemist
could take over his gold.


1t was not strange, then, that lovely
Inez Peralta should have many suitors,
nor that, taught by the wisdom that had
come from a loving parent, she should
be more than usually cautious in select
ing life companion; and, in fact, man
ifest no desire to receive lover-like atten-
tions at her early age.


Among those who were most persist
ent in their attentions was one Joseph
Provencio, who had made his first ap
pearance in the neighborhood a year
previous, but of whom little was known
beyond the fact that he followed the
business of trading with the lower set
tlements. He dressed and appeared
well, was doing profitable business, and
in all respects was one of Inez's suitors
who it would be supposed was the
most likely to succeed in his suit.


He, however, really stood worst in the
good graces of both father and daugh-
ter. There was something cruel and
sinister in his face, something furtive
about the glance of his eyes, that made
the father suspicious and i'll at ease in
his presence, and occasioned the girl to
shrink from him.


But, if he was aware of the repugnance
with which his visits were received by
the Peraltas, the intensity of his passion
for Inez induced him to continue his
suit, even after she had politely but
firmly declined his attentions. Finding
her immovable, however, he appealed
to the father, from whom he experienc-
ed as chilling reception.


Therefore, for a time, nothing was
seen of this persistent suitor, aud the
Peraltas congratulated themselves on
being well rid of him. But one evening
when 1nez was enjoying the cool breeze
in an artificial grove near the building,
she was startled by the appearance of
- this man before her. He blocked her
progress, and poured out most impas-
stoned appeals to her to return his love
for her and accept his addresses. Trem-
bling with fright she refused, and he
persisted until she demanded to be per
mitted to return to the house.


Angered and excited beyond control
he grasped her violently within his
arms, while he hissed out, "By St
Mary you shall not leave me until you
have promised consent to all have
asked. By fair or foul means you must
be mine"


He had scarce uttered the words wher
the maiden was torn from his GRASP
while he was dashed violently to the
earth by no tender hand. He looked
up to discover that it was Don Roman
who had made this timely appearance
in behalf of his daughter, and who still
bent over him threateningly in spite o
Inez's persuasions.


Cowed and beaten, he was glad to stea
away without further chastisement, onl,
delaying at the edge of the grove Ion;
enough to send back bitter threat o
revenge against father and child.


All remembrance of Joseph Provenci