Beadle's Dime Novels No. 119: Blackeyes — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

aE BLACKEYES. Bent were pretty well acquainted, and assured them that the intentions of his people were perfectly friendly. They had heard, he said, that some noted horse-thieyves were encamped near the foot of the mountain, and had gone out to capture them, but were agreeably surprised at finding a few of their friends the Americans, instead-of a gang of desperadoes. In conclusion, he invited them to visit the pueblo, promising them rest and refreshment and a merry time ,and introduced to them his companion, as the alcalde and cacique of the Mexican- Indian population. His own name, he said, was Padre Abrojo. Although there were some suspicious circumstances connect- ed with the padre’s statement and the appearance of his followers, Ward and his friends accepted his invitation as cordially as it appeared to be given, and accompanied him to the road, where they were soon surrounded by the motley and miscellaneous mass of Mexicans. Headed by the padre and the alcalde and with the Americans in front, the crowd straggled down the road to the river, which they easily forded, as there was scarcely enough water in it, at that season, to float a canoe. Then a short ride brought them to the village, a collection of about eighty houses, built of adobes, or sun- burned bricks. These habitations were mostly one storied, and were set in regular order, along a neat and clean street. At the head of the street, fronting on a little square or plaza, was a two-storied building, of more pretentious size and architecture than the others. The greater part of the escort - dispersed themselves about the village, while Padre Abrojo and the alcalde, together with a few of the more important personages, halted in front of a large one-story house, which they invited the Americans to enter. : | The latter expressed their willingness to accept the invita- tion, if their conductors would show them the way. For their own part, although they perceived a little window through which shone the light of a lamp, they could see no door, or other means of entrance. The difficulty was soon solved, for a ladder was let down from the roof, which the padre quickly ascended, tucking up his skirts, and signing to the others to follow them. The horses were taken in charge by some peons, and the Americans mounted the ladder, with the remainder of the Mexicans at their heels They reached the Comichooks.con