The Maid of the Mountain — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

14 THE MAID OF THE MOUNTAIN. here, and if you do not tell us, we will cut the truth out of “Curse you,” said the Mexican, “J will tell you all I ~ What is your name?” ; ‘Manuel de Castro.” " Acname that is familiar to my ears. What relative are you to that..old. fox who was Governor of California at the time of Fremont’s conquest?” - ~“T am his-nephew.” | * What takes you so far up the sirras at night ? _ “ Private business,” « Answer fully and-explicitly : what business ?” “J have said I will not tell you, and I say again that I will. keep: my: word... My business is my own, and ro one shall make me tell it.” “I am sorry for you,” said Elliot. “The boys are very means to make you speak.” ilk not.” #1 think you will. change your mind; and, before I tell . them what yousay, let me beg of you to reconsider your de- cision, and make up your mind to tell me what I wish to know. The punishments which the rangers deal out to ene- mies are fearful. I could.not wish any man to endure them, even my) worst foe.” -“ You are trying to frighten me,” saidthe Mexican, turning yellow with fear. ‘Hat hat The idea of trying that on a De Castro.” “Then you refuse to speak f” _ “OF course Ido. I am not a coward.” _ “ Very good,” said Elliot, turning to the rangers. “ Boys, the fellow is obstinate. I think we had better try to persuade him to speak.” A couple of stout men seized the Mexican. A long lariat was fastened to his joined thumbs and buckled tightly. “ What are.you going to do?” cried De Castro, “Beware | how you injures man of my standing. I will never forget it.” “Yon haye had your choice,” replied Elliot, “We mean Conmcloooks.conn