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

IeInoon, and during this time we must
have passed nearly thousand troops,
the larger portion of them miserabiy |
armed with bows and arrows or old
worn ont escopetas. We were nearing
an old ruined mission which had in
former times, been occupied as church
and fortress, when suddenly the sharp
blast Of a trumpet announced to US the
approach Of the Governor. A little |
turn in the road at first concealed his |
calvacade from sight but it soon APP
Peared. When l say that our guard
had been treating US during the day
with a series Of stories of Armiio's
cruelty and barbarity, and that they
freely gave it as their opinion that we
should be ordered to execution on
sight, | need not add that the present
moment was exciting to a painful de-
gree.
The Governor was mounted on a
'mule Of immense size and rode direct
ly up to the spol where we were form
ed by the road side. He addressed
us with no little politeness, shook each
Of us by the hand with much apparent
cordially, called us amigos or friends,
and after stating that he had heard of our
capture asked us who we were. Lew
is Immediately answered land here the
spirit Of the craven caitlff first manles-
ted itself) that we were merchants
from the United States. Van Ness
instantly interrupted hini at once BY re-
marking that with the exception OF my
self we were all Texans, but without
needing him Armijo grasped Lewis by
the collar Of his dragoon jacket, and
pointing to the button upon which was
a single star and the word Texas, he
slernly remarked
"What does this mean | can
read Itras" said he pointing at
the word and pronouncing it en-
phatically. "You need not think TO
deceive me. No merchant ever Irav-
els with a military Jacket"
After asking MS several questions, TO
which Lewis returned stammering an
swers, he finally spoke Of our main
party and inquired as TO their number
and the intentions Of the Commission
,crs. He was answered by Van Ness
and Howard that it was a mercantile
expedition, and that THE intentions Of
the leaders were pacific. Mr.. Van
Ness then told him that 1 did not be-
long to the party any farther than that
1 had accompanied it for the protection
1t afforded against Indians. lie lur-
ther stated that had a passport from
the Mexican Consul in New Orleans.
This passport along with my papers,
was in the hands of Den Jesus, who
Immediately gave it to Armijo. After
reading il aloud in the presence Of all
of us he handed it back, at the same
time remarking that the passport was a
good one, but as | was found in com
pany with the enemies of New Mexi-
CO he shohld be obliged to detain
me.
After this he gratuitously informed
Us that he was an honorable man and
not an assassin-that he was a great
warrior, although as yet we had moth
ing but his word for it-and asked |
which Of us could speak Spanish best.
Lewis eagerly pressed forward at this
question and offered his services. The
traitor could speak the language we'll,
having lived for many years in Chihua-
hua, and was well acquainted with
every point in the Mexican character.
The Governor Immediately ordered
mule for him TO ride, and after his
hands were united the black-hearted
scoundrel mounted the animal and
rode off. That up to this time the
wretch had acted in good faith to-
wards us | had not the least doubt
but he now saw that by betrdying
those who had belriended him and
warmed him into existence he could
save his own worthless life, and the
fear Of death overcame any compunc-
ton he may have had.
Armiio now turned to Don Jesus,
and in a pompous and bombastic way
ordered him to take US back to San
Miguel, as he wished TO attend to us
the next morning.
"But they have already walked ten
leagues (thirty miles) and can hardly
stand it TO walk all the way back to-
night" was the answer Of the fellow
who was thinking Of his own personal
convenience and comfort all the while.
They can stand ten leagues more,
roolly replied Armijo. "The Texans
are smart people," he continued, "and
If one Of them Pretends to be sick or
tired on the road, shoot him dOwa and
bring me his ears %
With a flourish Of trumpets the
Governor now left US. The sun was
nearly down and we were extremely
tired and faint after walk of thirty
miles but still this fellow who but a
few minutes before told US he was "an
honorable man." now ordered US back
over tine same ground without sleep.
The penalty was death, and to be
certain that bis orders were strictly