LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2482, 21 March 1882, Page 4

LITERATURE.

HIDE AND SEEK ON THE PAMPAS. A PERILOUS GAME, ( Concluded) Mrs Juan Arroyo, however, was gone. Watching her opportunity, she had slipped by in the darkness, and made at her best speed for my eatanoia, where she hoped to get assistance that might yet be in time to save her husband, Don Juan, who had taken note of the lasso tied serosa his chest, contrived, whenever the Ganohoa had left him, to unfasten the knot with his teeth ; and jast as the three robbers, missing the senora, emerged ang'ily from the rancho, he slipping from his bonds, leapt on to his feet, and made for a gateway that led Into a small wood In the vicinity of his hut. While two of the now enraged Ganchoa went off in search of Don Juan’s wife, the other one gave chase to her husband. It was a quick run, but a very short one. The Ganoho was gaining fast on Don Juan, notwithstanding that the latter made every effort to reach the shelter of the wood, where ho knew every little nook and corner, and hoped to baffle his pursuer. He also knew that, the gate being broken, nothing wonld impede his way ; and he was very thankful for this, running harder than ever for the gaping gateway. Miserable wretch! When within an inch or two of it he suddenly remembered having stretched a wire across from post to post, in order to prevent his horses from straying out. He made an awful effort to stop himself, but In vain. The wire caught him in the stomach, doubling him np, and sending him flying bead over heels away into space. His pursuer, now close upon him, was running at a still swifter pace; he became intensely interested, as well as con»idorably astounded, at the wonderful evolutions of the nnbappy Don Juan ; and thinking the latter would bound a'together out of sight, and not noticing the almost invisible but treacheruos wire, put on a terrific spurt, and—well, the Gancho thought at first that an engine and twenty crowded carriages and luggage-vans had gone right through him; then he found himself shooting in every possible direction and every Impossible position, until eventually he came to the ground with a “oump’ that rendered him unconscious for soma seconds. Don Juan, meanwhile, picked himsslf up as fast as he could, and holding his stomach pathetically with both hands, ambled painfully into the wood. Mrs Juan Arrojo feared some of the Ganohoa would start in pursuit of her, and she knew that her white-colored dress wonld betray her whereabouts should they get anywhere near, which they were very likely to do, as she bad in her extremity shouted for help, and her cries would no doubt assist the Ganchos in their search. Hastening on now in silence, the terrified senora coaid not help ensting glances behind to see if her pursuers were in sight Not long was she kept in suspense ; for presently she heard the sound of advancing horses, and conld soon discern two of the mounted Ganchos straight on her track. As she passed over an old ant-hill, the unhappy woman shrieked again in her fright, for she felt the monnd giving way beneath her; and, had she not by a great effort got over the treacherons part, she wonld have sunk In the loose unstable earth, and fallen an easy prey to her pursuers. They were now shooting loudly to her to stop, and in their eagerness they did cot notice the disused ant-hill, and came right upon it, when, both horses attempting to pass ever at the same time, the weakened mound gave way, falling In suddenly, and causing both steads to oome heavily to the ground, unseating their riders, who were so intent on the chase that they had omitted to use ordinary caution when passing over unknown ground. Here was a temporary respite for the fugitive, at any rate ; and, taking full advantage of the mishap, again she renewed her cries for assistance as she neared my estancia. The Ganchos’ mutual spill must have been very severe, as they gav enp the pnrsnit. It was at this point that General Green and I fell In with the terrified senora, and unceremoniously leaving her, as before mentioned, set off for the estiva rancho. Being well acquainted with the way, my friend and I were not long in arriving at onr destination. All was qniet, until, lying down, 1 put my ear to the ground, when I distinctly heard the sound of galloping horses. In this position I listened attentively for some time, while I made certain by the decreasing reverbations that the horses were going further off. As I rose the ‘ General ’ suddenly grasped my arm, and, drawing his revolver, pointed nervously at a mysterious looking object ten yards distant, and which appeared to be moving very slightly, however. The night was dark ; but certainly we could make out a great resemblance to a human body which the ‘object ’ bore, only It seemed to want both bead and feet, and—yes, it was moving. General Green, for an old soldier, was a terrible coward, and did not bear himself like a 1 warrior bold.' Overcome with fear, he leant against me for support, while the hand that held bis revolver shook sufficiently to have caused him to miss a haystack two yards eff, should he pull the t.igger. Not having mneb faith In my companion’s accuracy of aim, should he have occasion to fire, I drew my own revolver, and calling out in Spanish that I wonld fire In ten seconds if no response was made, I commenced counting out, ‘One—two—three,’<to., In a loud voice. When I had counted the ninth second, I advanced towards the * enemy.’ The ‘General’ prudently refrained fr-tn accompanying me. Becoming very incredulous as to the mysterious figure being anything animate, I walked right up to —a dark poncho or cloak, which hung from a low projecting rafter that stuck out from the gable of the rancho, swaying gracefully to and fro in the gentle night breeze I Eecog. nisiug the poncho as belonging to my neighbour, Don Jnan Arroyo, and remembering that he frequently used this same obtruding rafter as a convenient clothes peg, I felt very much annoyed at my ridiculous suspicions, and tried to relieve my wounded feelings by informing the now boldly advancing ‘General’ that he was a ‘confounded Idiot’ as well as a ‘drivelling humbug.’ Entering the native hut, General Green I discreetly following well in tho rear, I found no one within ; so returning to the yard, I called eut for any one that might be in concealment to show himself. Suddenly there was a rustle la some brushwood lying near, and the snapping of a dry twig or two. The sonnd was so quick and close to ns that the general was quite taken aback. * Goodness gracious mercy !’ he cried, run. nlng behind a convenient tree, and letting his revolver drop to the ground, where it ‘ went off. ’ the ballet, however, fortunately not being stopped by either of na. Then a form rushed out of the brushwood at a terrific pace, causing the unfortunate general to mutter something about ‘Jerusalem!’ as he set to climbing the tree with the zeal and agility of a snpple monkey. On my exexplaining to my now exalted companion that it was only a fox, who, no doubt, alarmed by the explosion of the pistol, waa evidently making hasty tracks for his lair, the general said * he merely went up the tree to have a better look-out, and would remain there as sentry in the meantime.’ 1 had just prevailed on the ‘general’ to come down from the tree, as he conld be of no earthly use there on snob a dark night, , when the poor wretch suddenly groaned in tribulation and terror, as he directed my attention to a crouching figure that slowly emerged from the brushwood. My companion waa so intensely terrified that he could not command sufficient motive power to return to his leafy haven of refuge. Be collapsed and came to the ground, a shaking mass of helpless horror. I thought I felt myself catching the infection of fear from the dauntless General Green, and again drew my revolver, as I challenged the ad- - vanoing figure.

‘la that you, Don Jorge?’ whined a melancholy voice; and the crouching form opened itself a little and disclosed to me a sickly representation of Don Juan Arroyo ‘Are the Oauchos gone? 1 he continued ; ‘and, oh, tell me, Don Jorge, what have they done with my wife and children ?’ He bad no sooner finished the question than his youngsters, recognising their father’s voice, cime running from out the thicket, whore they had concealed themselves. The little girls had actually carried their baby sister with them. The happy father threw his arms around them, and the wretched old ‘ General ’ dropped a sympathetic tear. I was delighted to see the senora herself appear upon the scone. She, on recovering from her swoon, had

made all haste after us, and just arrived at the moat opportune moment. Neither the ‘ General nor myself waited to congratulate Don Juan. In conclusion, I may say that Gauchcs, evidently aware of the ‘ armed foreigners ’ from the estanola being on the alert, did not return to the rancho. I cannot say how the unhappy Gauoho fared who came in contact with the wire gateway. He, perhaps, eventually grew straight again; but poor Don Juan, for many a week afterwards, complained of mysterious rumblings inside his body, and would doable up on the slightest provo* cation.