Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-01-06
SCENES OF wan.

OC0nnef strained eye and ear In the dlrec.
ton, but the low and hurried communication
was drowned by the rushing Of the river, and
1t was impossible to conjecture who the stran.
ger was, or what might be his errand. A few
minutes ended this uncertainty. Suddenly the
unknown sprang within the sen.ry's guard
blow was struck---a loud exclamation, and
deep groan succeeded, and then one figure on
| ly was visible in the starlight. That was the
strangers! and at a rapid pace he crossed the
bridge, and confronted the English sentinel,
Stand, or I'll fire!'
.Hold---for Gods sake! replied voice in
Itolerable English, 4 am q Spaniard, and a
friend
But the sentinel was resola.e; sfriend or foe, :
he cried. keep your distance
by heaven' rejoined the Spaniard, smust
and will cross over
'One movement Of hand or foot returned
the sentry, coolly. 'and you are dead man.
Am not faithful ally! VIVA, fear YET
fear nothing replied the English soldier.
Have not this moment rid you Of an enc
my' said the stranger.
'Ihen have You done cowardly and muir
derons ac,ion.' was the sentry's answer.
my finger is on the trigger, returned the
soldier, 'another step---another whisper--and
| III send bullet through your heart
Both paused; and for half minute neither
spoke. They stood almost within arms
length; the soldier with his rife at his shonl.
der. the Spaniard with knife grasped firmly
in hand, still recking with the blood Of the
slaughtered Frenchman. noise was heard;
the measured steps Of an advancing party APP
preached. and in few memen,s the relief APP
pear upon the bridge. and by O'Conner's or
ders secured the formidable stranger. The
Spaniard offered no resistance. Two senti-
nels were left at the deserted post. and the re.
lief. with their commandment and the prisoner.
returned TO the outlying picket. Once only,
the stranger spoke. and it was in reply to a
command given 10 the guard TO look TO his safe
custody.
think ye.' he said 'hat am likely to re-
turn 10 the French out post. and inform the
detachmen, that stabbed their comrade to the
hearth and loud laugh, as in derison, ac-
ccmpanied the observation.
The dark man'illo in which the Spaniard
was envcloped had hitherto concealed his per-
son. and in the waning starlight, nothing, save
a tall figure and swathy features, could be dis
covered; hut when, stopping before the Ere a.
round which the picket were collected the
blaze revealed his face, one glance assured o.
Conner that his prisoner was no ordinary man.
- W"S s'ni'''N 'i'If'Ns "Hu WHY
not fSs hia stern and rinAin,ioo ,~nrossiru. Ills
face wonln no, havrbecn singuar|v handsome
The dark and brilliant eye sparkled from be-
meath brow which appeared to darken at the
slightest contradiction; the nose was finely
formed; the teeth white and regular. while
coal-back hair. curling in rich profusion 70 his
shoulders, and a high and noble forehead,
completed the outlines Of a countenancc. that
ncnc con'd deny was handsome. but few could
wlsn 70 'ook mon second f'me. ir'fi'ng
~, 1ncinent marked the character ot tho STRANGER.
,. nc oncel 0, me p'rkri presented canfcen 70
nus commander and then politely offered il to
IN prisoner. ne bowed, and put forward his
hand; but The suhaltern starird---for in the
o'aze ne observed that II was dlsco'ored to the
wrist.
Are yon hurtF he said, there is blood up
on vm'r hand.
-, The spaniard,s lip cnrled in contempt; 'Ay,
likely enough ne coolly answered MANY
time the hearts blood Of an enemy has dyed
. nee, .o "arpsL but would be "G sa
ne rlosed his hands ina little rvn|ct that trick.
ieh down rock beside the waich'hre; then.
taking tho canteen. he drank and returned II
with a how. Are You the commandment ofthis
forty ne inquired. an ne turned 10 OConnor.
am was the reply.
your name. sir!'
The soldier gave II:
Indeed. exclaimed the Span'ard, arc you
ne who led the assault at Badsioz1'
The soldier bowed as ne replied In the atiir-
native.
'Enongh: wonid speak with you aside;'
and, followed ny O'Conner, he walked some
distance from the watch.fire. You have seen
me before Said the SD7ntaYds An1YDIy. i
III is very possible.' was the soldiers reply.
'UndeF which ofthe Spanish commanders have
you served'
Under non0,' replied the stranger.