Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-08-23

| faction of know that we were repriev
ed, that our lives were safe at least un
til brought before Gov. Armijo. Fo
|. this boon we were indebted entirely
to Don Gregorio Behil, and happily
we afterwards had an opportunity per
sonally TO return him our thanks.
Our Party under a Guard to San NJ
g@et-UnsNccessfuI Attempt made Il
Tie us-Kindness ofthe Women--Ar.
riUal at San MigueI-MiseraJZe plac,
Of Co9f'Iement-G Gloomy FOrebodings
Fooled in his attempt to have us sho
by the providential and prompt inter
ference of Behil, Salezar now ordered
Don Jesus to take US Immediately to
San Miguel, where it was thought Gov.
ArmJo had arrived with large body
Of troops. With regret we saw BehiI
leave US. He Mas owner Of large ha-
cienda near San Miguel, man ofgood
heart and correct princi Piles, and had
no little influence with the Mexicans
In that section.
Our new guard escorted US TO the
little village Of Cuesta, situated about
mile from the spot where we were
first taken, and placing two sentinals
over US confined Us in the Office ofthe
AtcaIde. Here we were visited by
every women and child in the place.
The women gave US bread and cheese,
and appeared deeply 10 commiserate
US In our unfortunate condition. They
undoubtedly thought we should be ex-
ecuted Immediately on meeting with
the Governor, whom they took every
means TO inform US was a brutal and
unfeeling tyrant, delighting in every
act of cruelty to show off his great in
fuence and power.
When about ready TO start he asked
Don Jesus if he would not at least give
us our blankets, the nights now being
extremely cold among the mountains.
Without paying any attention to this
request he ordered one Of his men to
bring some lariats or ropes to tie our
arms, intending, as he said, 10 lead US
to San Miguel and to take US before
the Governor in that condition. Our
friend Behil was now out of the wav,
Dimasio had ia ken the road towards
Anton Chico with the main body OF
his men, and thinking that the heart
less william who now had charge Of US
might adopt this plan to place US COM
pletely in his power; and then butcher
US under orders from his superior Off
Ger, we pertmptorily refused being tied.
He still insisted, but on our informing
him that we would walk peaceably to
San Miguel he finally gave in. Form
ing us in front of the house he then
placed twosof the guard 10 front with
bows and arrows and heavy clubs, two
more nthe rear armed in the same man
ner and all of them barefoot, while he
himself mounted a mule and took his
position alongside. He had an Amer
lean rife with him. and drawing an old
rusty sword be started US off, simply
informing US that the first one who left
his place would be rewarded by the loss
Of his head.
There was something supremely rid
iculous not only in his threat but in
the appearance of our guard, and gloo
my as our situation was we could not
help laughing. Had there been the
least chance of a successful escape we
could easily have fallen upon the mis-
cradle apologies ofmen who were guar
ding US and disarmed them in a twink
ling but we had no means Of getting
clear and rejoining our men even had
we killed or captured the guard.
A brisk march of an hour brought US
to the little village of Puerta Clio, the
residence of both Salezar and the fell
low who now had charge of us. Here
we were halted for a short time in or
der to give the inhabitants an oppor-
tunity Of gazing at our unfortunate con-
dition and showing the great proves
Of the redoubtable Dimasio Salezar,
who had boldly conceived and carried
into successful execution daring plan
for our capture. That the women all
pitied US was evident enough, and as
they gave US tortillas and cheese the
common exclamation with all was po-
brecitos - and this spoken with an &C
ton and expression circumference that
plainly told US they meant what they
| said. ,,
| A short distance above Puerta City
we were obliged 10 ford the Rio Pa
cos. The water was not very deep
but as my lame ANGLE had now com
menced swelling from the active exer'
else, / was prevented from taking of
my boots from a fear that | could no
again get them on. The distance from
Cuesta to San Miguel was fourteen O.
fifteen miles, and it two o'clock in thu
afternoon before we started the wall
appeared TO be endless to persons VIII,
had travelled altogether on horseback
for months, and who were much redu
ced in strength from privations an,
: harassing marches. Add to this IN;
we werep risoners in the hands CT sc
4 mi-civilized and treacherous enemy
e that although our lives had been spar