The Yazoo Democrat. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-05-06
MISCELLANEOUS
A TALE OF TEXAS LIFE
The brQUo's Stratagem.
[ConcLMded.l

Concluded.
He travelled with great speed, making
long stages, and only stopping to refresh bis
horse, and seeming to be utterly regardless
Of the five Mexicans, leaving them to keep
up or moi as they could, They, poor ras
Gals, were frightened at the idea Of being
left behind 10 shift foE themselves in case
they should meet with Cumanches, and
took very good care 10 keep 10 sight, at
least, though to accomplish this on their in
feriOF horses was very serious business,
so that by the time he reached the Rancho
Of Don Jose their animals were pretty we'll
used up. The Bravo had purposely selec-
ted these fellows from among the most no.
tOriously drunken aud faithess williams Of
ofsBexar! Honest Alvarez, who was on
the watch, instantly opened the gates to
the Bravo. Don Jose happened not 10 be
at hand when this was done; but when he
returned and found the single American in
solen.ly ordering his Ponies about, and act
log in all respects as # he were Lord Of
the Rancho, he became luriously enraged,
and ordered the Bravo TO clear out, and
threatened to tie him up and give him a
guirt on his bare back. Il never occurred
TO him for a moment that a solitary Ameri
can, with only river between him and
Mexico, and with several hundred Next
cans about him, wonId dare to cffer resist
ance! The Bravo paid no attention to his
threats. bu in an imperious tone demanded
of him the surrender Of the silver To Don
Jose this seemed Gaping the climax ofpre>
sumption. lie ordered his Pcones to seize
and strip him. But this was more readily
said than done. While they ~hesltated .
moment about obeying, the Bravo very cool
ly drew a pistol, and stepping up 10 Don
jose, who was rufrounded by his Peones,
twisted his hand into bis hair, and drawing
down lis head, placed the cold iron muz>
zle Of the pistol against his temple. AT the
same instant, as the Peones we're in the act
OF rushing ON him, some one shouted from
the crowd, 'I,'s the Bravo! LIS the Bravo!
look ou,!' At this formidable name, the
mental herd scattered as if torpedo had
fallen amongst them, and poor Don Jose
was left t. his fate. Such was the terror
the singular hardwood Of this man had in-
spired The border Mexicans With, that they
mad as soon undertaken TO encOuRter reg
imeDt Of devils, as brave the proves Of his
single arm! lie held the shlvering Don
Jose in this pleasant position until he made
him kiss the cross and swear 10 be true:
this is the only form of oath at Ill bindlng
with a Mexican. With a msgnanimous
air, he then told him he would spare bis
lite, and released him. lie ordered him t.
ret the key, and show him the most secure
Tuorl in the Rancho; which having been
done, he compelled him to assist Alvarez
and himself Il remove the silver into it,
Then speaking few words in low tone
10 Alvarez, he entered The room alone, clos
I'd The door, locked il on the inside, and
throwing himself down with the bags for q
pillow, was sound asleep in few moments.
Great was the rejoicing among the Mexl'
cans, that this scourge Of the borders Wss
at last entrnpped-had in his over>darlng
recklessness thrown himself alone amidst
swarms Of enemies; and though they sub
mited 10 his insolence in the Rancho, and
dared not attack him openly, they revelled
in anu ,ipAtiye gibes over his carcass rid
died with balls, as they intended It should
be. How wasit possible for him to escaPeF
The faith Of the Williams he had brought
along with had given way at the iifst as
saul-for they had been forthwith surround
ed by the emissaries Of Agalone, and Tor q
few bounds Of tobacco apiece had agreed,
every man Of them, TO JON the plot TOR his
assassination. The lieu enaui OF Agatone
had seen his approach, and might have set
uDon him then, with all his men, and Killed
him. hut he chose rather 10 wait Illi be
started on his return with the money,
and thus secure both objects at once. As
for Door Alvarez and his two honest follow.
ers. they we're, ofcourse, to be exiermiated
alnng with him! And then, this careless
ness of his, in throwing himself down TO
sleep without taking any Preeau1ion~ 70 see
Thai his men we're not tempered with, show
ed tha, he neither feared nor suspected Pny
hing; and they fairly danced tor Joy as
they saw everything so proPihous tor q
certain revenge Of all the high handed 10,
dianllies and murders he had committed
upon their counlrymen. Alvarez seemed
TO be in a wonderfully fine humor, highly
elaled az the prospects Of escaPingi anG
paid no attention 10 the whisperiags ano
pIouings that we're going on about hun
lie bought several gallons Of nouya, and
with one Of the Mexicaus VITO had accom-
named the bravo, called Juan, and who