This man said that he had come on purpose to meet
me, as he had heard of my intentions to leave the country. Although I
did not like the man, who was said to be jealous of Americans, I
accepted his urgent invitation more from curiosity to learn what he
meant to do than for other reasons.
The next morning I started early from camp and rode over to the
little town, distant fifteen miles. When I arrived in front of my
prospective host's house I caught a glimpse of two men, who were
sneaking off toward an old corral. Then I knew what was in the wind,
for those two men were known to me as desperate cutthroat thieves and
highwaymen; their specialty was to waylay and murder American
travelers. My kind friend professed to be overmuch delighted at my
arrival. He took charge of my horse and invited me into his house,
where I met the bridal couple and their friends, who were carousing
and gambling. I joined and made merry with them. At ten o'clock the
whole party made ready to proceed to the chapel, where the marriage
ceremony was to be performed. I simulated the part of a very
inebriated person, a condition which they looked forward to with hope
and satisfaction, and told them that I would stay at the house to
await their return.
Pages:
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104