The Yazoo Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1842-08-26


lrock. fully decided as 10 the line Of conduct
proper to be pursued. He informed bis men
iof what he bad seen, and led them towards
the convent by the most covered ways, IN
IordeF TO avoid being perceived by the foe
they were in quest Of. A small detachment
wasasent to guard the defle which formed
one Of the exits from the valley, and in hall
an hours time the main body of the que.
lrillas arrived on sort of glacis in front oil
the convent. The loud summons Of their
leader had to be twice repeated. before /,
obtained attention At length monk drew
aside the iron plate which covered small
wicket in the centre Of the principal door,
and sulkily inquired the name and business
of those who, by their boisterous and unbe-
coming shouts, disturbed the brotherhood al
their early mathis.
j my name is Pepe Melendez,' was the
reply, land my business is to demand thai
you deliver up TO me, without moments
! delay, the band of cutthroats who are now
in your convent
The monk crossed himself, and leaving
the wicket, presently returned with his SUI
peFior, who demanded the meaning of the
strange message communicated to him by
brother Antonio.
your morning draught must have been a
strong one, reverend father replied Pepito,
'oT else my meaning is clearer to you than
you would have it appear; for an hour has
not elapsed since saw your gates opened
to FL Patudo and his ruffians'
'My son. replied the Franciscan, 6you are
laboring under some strange delusion.-
- Il.
vent besides myself and my brethren, who
desire no better than to be allowed to live
in the worship of God, and in peace with all
men,
Il have no time 10 discuss the NATTER re.
piled the guerilla; 'Imyself saw the bandits
am in search ofenter your walls, and count
ed them as they filed through the western
door. If the whole thirty-eight are not on
this gIacis in three minutes, or if in less
than that time you do not afford me admit
lance in order to fetch them, will storm
the convent and hang every monk in hi
own cell.'
Beware, my son, how you resort to VIC
lenrsIs against Ms Oflrz doors are solid and
our walls high, We are not altogethel
without arms, and God will protect the
righteous cause
'Amenn answered Pepito. 'The three
minutes are nearly past.'
The Franciscan closed the wicket and
left the gate.
An instant afterwards, the monks of San
Francisco were at theiriron- bound windows
armed with muskets and pixies, with sabre
and poinard. Mingled with the sleek and
Stalled countenances of the holy fathers
most of whom were young or middIe-aged
men, appeared several hard-featured sun
! burnt vsages, the expression of which, anC
) the half military cut of the whisker and
moustache, seemed 10 contradiction will
their religious garb.
will you yield, scoundrels that you are
) cried Pepito, in tones loud as trumpet
+ call.
: 'Here is our answer replied powerful
D bass voice from the convent.
r A Volley accompanied the words.
t Forward! cried Melendez, who saw
: some CT his men fall; forward and to the
5 gates?
b The guerillas rushed TO the doors, which
q were of oak and studded with large headed
e iron mails. For few moments nothing wa
!, heard but the din and clatter of the musket
& butts which part of the free corps used a
!, battering-rams, whilst their comrades re
& turned the smart fire which the besIege,
!. kept up from their windows. Atlengih th
= locks and fastenings of one Of the door
> were blown of, and breach effected. Tn
Il iron railing which formed an inner line Q
! defence, did not long resist the united Ell
3 forts oFtho gnerillas; andin less than twent
. minutes from the commencement of the az
Il tsault, Melendez and his men were 10 the il
4 terror Of the building. They rushed to Ii
g fcells-they were unlenanIedt to the chafc
it was empty. Monks and brigands, 4
N had disappeared.
s. For an instant Pepito feared that his pre-
=. had escaped him, when one Of bis soldier
q exclaimed, The vaults! they are hidden
a the vaultsH
bt The words were scarcely uttered when
Ks dozen guerillas Few t0tbe convent gaFdel
te and soon reappoared with spades and piel
81 asses. The hags Of the church were broke
70 to pieces By heavy strokes 81. these instr
ne ments, and an opening effected into Il
en- aublefranean chambers N which the bandi
NV and their protectors had taken refuge.
BY Torches we're procured and Melendez al
of the most forward of bis men, spIingiI
to through the aperture, Immediately loai
themselves engaged hand 10 hand with 4
sw desperadoes, thus driven 10 stand az bay
bis their last retreat. il Patudo and bis m