Part 9 (1/2)
I pitied the young patriot at the last, for he had sprained his ankle badly and could scarcely walk, and so assisted hi helped hiarette, for which he had the iood-bye I went back to look forto feel very one The young scoundrels had stolen hi them; and to relieve , one white and the other red, attached to the branch I had fastened the bridle to For some time I wandered about the wood, and even shouted aloud in the wild hope that the young fiends were not going to carry things so far as to leavecould I see or hear of the desperately hungry and thirsty, I resolved to go in search of so from the forest I found the adjacent plain covered with cattle quietly grazing Any atteh the herd would have been almost certain death, as these e on their master man when they catch hi up fro past the wood, I resolved to wait for the my concealment I sat down and tried to be patient, but the brutes were in no hurry, and went on skirting the wood at a snail's pace It was about six o'clock before the last stragglers had left, and then I ventured out fro overtaken by night before finding any human habitation
I had left the trees half atowards the valley of the Yi, when, passing over a hillock, I suddenly found rass and quietly chewing his cud Unfortunately the brute saw me at the same moment and immediately stood up He was, I think, about three or four years old, and a bull of that age is even erous than an older one; for he is quite as truculent as the other and far e of any kind near, and I knew very well that to atteer, so after gazing at him for a few moments I assumed an easy, unconcernedto be taken in that way, and began to follow me Then for the first, and I devoutly hope for the last, tiaucho plan, and, castingdeath It is a erous expedient, but, in the circu a chance of escape from a very terrible death In a fewme all over After that he tried unsuccessfully to roll me over, in order to study ave rew quieter, and contented hi atround to smell at my heels Probably his theory was, if he had one, that I had fainted with fear at the sight of him and would recover presently, but he was not quite sure at which end oflife would first show itself About once in every five or six et impatient, and then he would paith his heavy hoof, uttering a low, hoarseme with froth from his mouth; but as he showed no disposition to leave, I at last resolved to try a very bold experi unendurable I waited till the brute's head was turned from me, then worked my hand cautiously down to my revolver; but before I had quite drawn it, he noticed the s as he did so Just as he brought his head round close to ed the weapon in his face, and the sudden explosion so terrified hi gallop till he was out of sight It was a glorious victory; and though I could scarcely stand on s at first, so stiff and bruised did I feel all over, I laughed with joy, and even sent another bullet whizzing after the retreating e with a wild yell of triumph
After that I proceeded without further interruption on ry and so sore where the bull had trod on me or prodded me with his horns, the ould have been very enjoyable, for I was now approaching the Yi The ground grew reen, and flowers abounded, rant that in ot ht Over the western heavens flarass caht insect Troops of hooded gulls flew by rounds to the water, uttering their long, hoarse, laughter-like cries How buoyant and happy they see with their stomachs full to their rest; while I, disull that had been left behind with a broken wing Presently, through the purple and saffron-hued vapours in the western sky, the evening star appeared, large and lu darkness; and then--weary, bruised, hungry, baffled, and despondent--I sat down to meditate on my forlorn position
CHAPTER XIII
I sat there till it was very dark, and the longer I sat the colder and stiffer I grew, yet I felt no disposition to walk farther At length a large owl, flapping down close tohiss, followed by a sharp, clicking sound, ending with a sudden loud, laugh-like cry The nearness of it startled leam for a moment across the wide, black plain, then disappear A few fireflies were flitting about the grass, but I felt sure the gleam just witnessed proceeded froain fro beforedirectly over the spot where that transient gliain in the saht shi+ning from the open door orof soy I hastened on, the light increasing in brightness as I progressed; and, after half an hour's brisk walking, I foundof some kind I could , low house, and, nearer to ht posts Noever, when a refuge sees kept onestablishmentsshot, it was necessary to shout loudly toI would inevitably bring a pack of huge, frantic dogs upon ry bull I had encountered were less terrible to contes of these powerful, truculent brutes I sat down on the ground to consider the position, and presently heard the clatter of approaching hoofs Immediately afterwards threedown behind some scrubby bushes When the horses rushed forth to assail the, and the wild shouts of soh to make a dismountedup, I hurried on towards the noise As I passed the corral the brutes became aware of my approach, and instantly turned their attention on me I wildly shouted _”Ave Maria,”_ then, revolver in hand, stood awaiting the onset; but when they were near enough for e yellow e failed, and I fled to the corral, where, with an agility surpassing that of a wild cat, so great was my terror, I climbed up a post and placedunderto do when you approach a strange house in these pious latitudes After some time the men approached--four of theave an account of myself, then asked whether it would be safe for me to descend The master of the house took the hint, and drove his faithful protectors off, after which I came down from my uncomfortable perch
He was a tall, well-aucho, with keen black eyes, and a heavy black beard He see in a native's house, and askedquestions; and finally, still with some reluctance in hisfire blazing e rooed, tall, dark-skinned da woirl When I sat down ised for doing so, saying that my arrival on foot seemed a very extraordinary circumstance I told them how I had lost my horse, saddle, and _poncho_ in the wood, and then related my encounter with the bull They listened to it all with very grave faces, but I aood as a comedy to them Don Sinforiano Alday--the owner of the place, and my questioner--made me take off my coat to exhibit the bruises the bull's hoofs had inflicted on my arms and shoulders He was anxious, even after that, to know soave him a brief account of some of my adventures in the country, down to entleistrate's house That h, and the three men I had seen arrive, and who appeared to be casual visitors, beca me the ru _mate_ and rum for half an hour we settled down to discuss a plentiful supper of roast and boiled beef and reat basins of well-seasoned broth to wash it down I consuaucho there; and to eat as lishar and leant back against the wall, enjoying ether--warrance of that friend and comforter, divine tobacco On the farther side of the roo to the other lances in my direction seemed to show that they still harboured sorave er to hear
At length Alday rose and addressed me ”Senor, if you are ready to rest I will now conduct you to another roos and _ponchos_ to make a bed with”
”If my presence here is not inconvenient,” I returned, ”I would rather remain and smoke by the fire”
”You see, senor,” he said, ”I have arranged tohere to discusstheir arrival, and the presence of a stranger would scarcely allow us to talk freely over our affairs”
”Since you wish it, I will go to any part of the house you may think proper to put me in,” I returned
I rose, not very cheerfully, I must say, from my comfortable seat before the fire, to follow hi horses came to our ears
”Follow me this way--quick,” exclaimed my impatient conductor; but just as I reached the door about a dozen mounted men dashed up close to us and burst forth in a perfect stor to their feet uttering loud exclareatly excited Then came froether, _”Viva el General Santa Coloma--viv--a”_
The other three an to ask if anything fresh had happened Meanwhile I was left standing at the door by myself The woirl, who had glanced at e, dark eyes when I had been roused froeneral excitement, I now repaid that kindly look with one of adirl, her pale face croith a profusion of black hair; and while she stood there waiting, apparently unconcerned by the hubbub outside, she looked strangely pretty, her ho closely to her liraceful for at her, she ca, told ladly obeyed her, for hly aroused, and I wished to know the auchos into such a frenzied state of excitement It looked rather like a political row--but of General Santa Coloma I had never heard, and it seemed curious that a na cry of revolutionists
In a few minutes the men all streamed back into the kitchen Then the master of the house, Alday, his face on fire with emotion, thrust himself into the midst of the crowd
”Boys, are you er here? What is thenew has happened?”
A roar of laughter froreeted this outburst, after which they raised another yell of ”_Viva Santa Colomal_!”
Alday became furious ”Speak, madmen!” he shouted; ”tell me, in God's na with your imprudence?”
”Listen, Alday,” replied one of the men, ”and kno little we need fear the presence of a stranger Santa Colouay, the saviour of his country, ill shortly deliver us out of the power of Colorado assassins and pirates--Santa Coloma has come! He is here in our midst; he has seized on El Molino del Yi, and has raised the standard of revolt against the infaovern his hat off, and, falling on his knees, remained for some moments in silent prayer, his hands clasped before him The others all snatched off their hats and stood silent, grouped about hiether joined in a _viva_, which far surpassed in its deafening power their previous performances
My host now appeared to be almost beside himself with excitement
”What,” he cried, ”my General come! Do you tell reat God has reroeary of looking on man's injustice, the persecutions, the bloodshed, the cruelties that have alo toht--this very night must I ride to El Molino, that I may see him and touch him with my hands, and know that it is not a dream”