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

In the negative he stated that he wish
ed to speak 10 the captain. | went il
and awakened Capt. Lewis, telling
him there was a man outside who
wished 10 speak with him. On going
out the fellow stated that we were al
10 be made prisoners and shot, and
that there was party in the neighbor-
hood waiting for that purpose. lie
further stated that the people Of the
town would arrest US were they not
afraid Of our arms. To wind up he
asked US q dollar for has Information
Had it not been for this we might
have placed some credit in his ster
as it Has we. again retired and
thought ore Off
Our depa~Ae from AntJI. -
Susp;cic~, Character met ,oith->4r-
rioaL at a hill oUerlootiag Cuesto-
Commotion IN the Village on oar
Appearance-O4r Capture-Nar-
rO0ty escape being Shot, Nth other
matters.
We were up at an early hour the
next morning, and after swallowing a
bowl of atOlG, sweetened with a little
MEL, we saddled up and took our de-
parture. Although the people of the
village appeared friendly enough, there
was a suspicious tone in their move
ments that convinced me they would
act otherwise were they not restrained
by fear. One of my saddle blankets
was missing in the morning, having
been stolen doubtless by one of the
mon.
Thinking, from many circumstances,
that we might at least be arrested du-
ring the day, and anxious to conceal
the fact that | had a considerable sum
Of money, besides watch and some
valuable private jewelry about my per-
son, | united a belt containing gold
pieces aud secreted them in different
parts ola pair of pantaloons | had on.
and which were made for the purpose.
A valuable breastpin l concealed in
the Wristbands, two or three others Of
less value placed under the folds OF
my shirt bosom, while my watch hid
away out of sight.
We were compelled to climb high
and extremely rough and steep noun
tain Immediately on leaving Anton Chi
CO. Once at the summit fine table
land was spread out before US, while
in the far distance that chpin of the
Rocky Mountains, on the northern side
of which lies the city Of Santa Fe, was
plainly visible.
We had travelled five or six miles
when a Mexican came running up.
He informed us that the direct route to
San Miguel was through the little vii
lage of Cuesta, 'distant about seven
miles. There was something suspi-
cious/ the fellows actions, and he
appd red TO be guided in his replies TO
our Questions by other than well-inten-
toned motives. We could do moth
ing, however, but push forward to-
wards San Miguel and bide the result
Of our adventure.
About noon we arrived at the brow
of a high hill, overlooking narrow
but very fertile valley, with here and
there a small ranch or little collection
of cottages. The road appeared tO
run directly down the sides ofthis hill,
and after dismounting from our horses
we commenced the difficult descent
Immediately at the foot stood some
three or four mud houses amid so ne
corn6elds-farther up the stream, anc
in the direction towards San Miguel
was small village. AS we slowly de
scended there appeared to be no LITTLE
commotion III this village. Severa
horsemen were seen dashing toward
us at full speed, and there were othe
evidences that our approach had beer
discovered.
Van Ness, Lewis and myself ha'
made the descent some ten minutes be
fore Howard and Fitzgerald, and Will
we were waiting at the foot of the hi
for the latter TO join us we were sud
denly surrounded by over hundre,
rough looking we'll mounted soldiers
armed with lances, swords, bows an
arrows and miserable escopetaS or oil
fashioned carbines, who had previous
| ly been concealed round point. Th
leader ofthis band, whom will at ono
introduce TO my readers as the noto
rious Captain Dimasio Selezar, rod
up and addressed us as amigos c
friends. He asked US who we wer
and whether we were from Texas c
not. On answering him in the affiI
native the fellow said that he had bee
expecting us for some time, remarke
that we must have suffered greatly o
the prairies, and really manifesto
much sympathy when we informe
him that we had been out Of provision
for long time and lost upon the rou:
: Lewis told him that we were on oil
way to San Miguel, and that we we
anxious to see and have consulate
with the governor or authorities. S
far there was a frankness and plauslbI
/ ity about this miscreant that induce
: Ill To helieve that nIr recentIOn was