Francisco Our Little Argentine Cousin

se the year through. He was a bachelor and a man of education, so that when the Colonel came each summer he insisted that he kee

peon for fresh mounts on a long journey), they had gone on a journey of five days to a neighbouring estancia to purchase algarroba posts for

f them being raised to be shipped to the Mediterranean ports to be made into olive oil. They had their dinner at thi

caught the horny-plated little animal when it suddenly rolled up into a ball, its back of movable, bony bands enveloping it like an armour, and rolled off a bluff over the riv

s of the estancia came in their full cowboy regalia on their best horses to participate. It was very interesting, and then th

d that his uncle had ridden to a far corner of the estancia to inspect some of

umming loudly in the foliage above his head and looking like a shining ball of gold among the

te. No?" It was José

h a smile. "I was wishing to see Elena, but it won't be long now; and I shall hate to leave this

ere never comes a time when we haven't one, at least. Now I've one just

t another f

Now listen, and I wi

your birthday, last night, some miserable robbers got

tails!" gas

an horsehair for mattresses is famous all over the world, and it brings good prices. Now, these thie

out of the Corral De Oeste this morning, they hadn't a single tail among them. So he has offe

wing on to the new moon by his toes Fran

é, you can't b

inned the Ind

if you are getting old, and I heard the peon children down by the huts say that there was no man for leagues and leagues around that could w

the way. Manuel and I want you t

eyes gleamed brightly. "Do you think

rns. But he left you in my care and if I feel sure no ha

happy boy, dancing around

I tell him about it, and won't the little English boy sit with his eyes wide open, while I recount the story to him. He will hush u

and a scheme that I am willing to try; for they are pretty clever fellows and they won't be easy to catch. We want t

t. Why, José, I am never a

the other night. Do you remember how we put young frogs on t

ieve I want to be a decoy. It isn't that I'm not brave; no, indeed, Jos

rgotten you are a Lacevera. They shall not gobble you up as the flamingoes did t

ful parasol, all lace and chiffon, for Guillerma, for young ladies don't care for anything much but clothes. Then I should buy a jewelled fan for Mamá, and then-well,

lter with some charcoal burners over near the river. These charcoal burners are rough men, who live almost like savages. They injure no one, however, and it is only when they quarr

they knew who they were. Now be ready immediately after breakfast,

n the direction of the river, and it was just mate time when they cam

men. Dirty looking women sat in groups apart, with dozens of dirtier children rolling about on the hard earth at their feet.

ith which to make mate. This was given willingly, and with Francisco they sat down on the ground amon

as the fuel they made. Francisco noticed two men, who were less grimy in ap

urk in their attitude towards them. Francisco felt sure these were the thieves, but José an

examine them and explain to him how the willow was made into charcoal. It was qui

dly in manner than the rest. "Is he not exhausted? We have no shelter here, but you are wel

e home before midnight;" and bidding them adios, José and Manuel with Francisco, wondering at their behav

p the stake to which a piebald mare, belonging to one of the thieves, was tethered, and throwing the knot

feet brushing the evening dew from the pampas grass as they flew along the level prairie. They rode so

ty minutes when he heard the sound of

. "Good! Now for the chase. Let your heart

ns, but excitement made his blood run hot through his veins; and

y were near the river Salinas, a small tributary to the great river they had jus

mpas grass plainer and plainer, and when their own horses were wit

ore than two

ive us pursuit. It is none of their affair and they seldom meddle. Th

mselves as we did,"

e of the river gleamed and danced; but the two banks were in deep

istance behind them when their

whispered José to Francisco. "Now do

e shadows, when José dropped from his horse and threw the reins into Fr

league and

f the four horses indicating to the pursuers that they were all still

val and to the fleeing boy seemed an eternity; but it was really but half a minute when he heard a sharp cry, and then-a shot. But he rode on, fearing to stop until the half league was

trail; and soon he saw four figures toiling along, two in front and two behind. The two in the rear were José and Manuel, and they were holding their pistols close to the heads of the two in front, who walked with the shambling

hat he paid no attention to the vile language, that at

ell me all about it!

no time to defend themselves; thanks to the little frog on the end o

we are all well and doing finely. Manuel will ride on to the casa for help and you and I will remain here to keep these gentlemen company. They are great on t

or the saddle; let me go to th

onel would say I had risked much should

esides there is nothing else to do. Manuel can't stay with just me here

peons immediately. Here, ride the piebald mare. It's yours anyhow, I dare say, o

le, and Francisco was

arlos awoke the Colonel, who had ret

l? It sounds like

rancisco rode up, and with almost the last breath h

shrine near the Rio Salinas, and José and Manuel are waiting for help to

him on his soft bed. He left him saying he would go with Don Carlos to help rouse the peons, and Francisco heard him blow his nose vigorously as he cros

TNO

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