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At last we reached the entrance of a gloomy valley, between lofty and snow-topped mountains, their sides in some places almost perpendicular. "We must be prepared to push rapidly across the Paramo," observed Padillo. "It is late in the year, and I do not altogether like the look of the weather. We shall require two days at least to get to the further end.
In a short time Padillo returned with the information that the spring was only a little way on; so, while Uncle Richard took one of Antonio's arms, I took the other, and Padillo, with a stick, kept beating him severely about the body. Whenever Antonio cried out, Padillo answered, "Never mind, friend, never mind; it's all for your good."
The opponents concentrated their forces to prevent it and were successful until 1920 but finally were obliged to yield and Governor Larrazolo called the special session for February 16. When it met there was a determined effort by one member, Dan Padillo of Albuquerque, to have a referendum to the voters of the State.
The darkness increased, and the thought that we should have to go on through such weather as this during the whole night was terrible. Padillo was leading. Uncle Richard made Antonio walk before him; I, with Lion, who kept close to my heels, continued talking to Uncle Richard for some time, until the desire to stop suddenly overpowered me. "I hope we shall soon reach the hut," I said.
"He'll not come back, depend on that," remarked Antonio. "He has fulfilled his engagement, and will not trouble himself further about us." "I will trust the man; and if he can, he will return," said Uncle Richard. "Here he comes, too!" Presently Padillo was seen hurrying towards us. "The Godos have possession of all the towns and villages in this neighbourhood," he said.
At length his sufferings became so great that we began to fear we must leave him behind, as to carry him on to the tambo would be impossible; though, if left behind, he would certainly die in a few minutes. While he was in this state, Padillo volunteered to go forward, recollecting that there was a spring in the neighbourhood, and urging us to try and reach it.
Padillo, however, volunteered to ascertain this while we remained in the forest. We had already paid him his well-deserved reward, with which he seemed highly satisfied. He had been absent some time, and we were anxiously waiting his return. "I am afraid he has been seized by the Spaniards, or compelled to conduct one of their parties over the mountains," I observed.
"They are those of unfortunate people who were attempting to escape from the Godos," observed Padillo. "The mountains hereabouts are full of the skeletons of those who have thus perished. But Heaven will punish our oppressors." All we saw must have died on their first day's journey across the Paramo. Those only who had strong mules, or who had found shelter in the tambo, could have escaped.
The young Indian, Padillo, as he called himself, had proved a faithful guide. If we were pursued, we had evaded our enemies, and, we hoped, had done so effectually. The scenery through which we passed was extremely wild and grand.
Mercifully, I had still strength sufficient to get up; and as I did so, Lion still pulling at my trousers, I heard Uncle Richard's voice shouting out, "Duncan! Duncan! come along." Presently he appeared through the gloom; when he took my hand, and I stumbled forward. Soon afterwards we heard Padillo shout out, "The tambo, the tambo!"
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