Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-05-08

if we had, we should assuredly have rushed
forward in our desperation and, weaponlrss
though we were, some OF our murderers
would assuredly have met their death nj our
hands. Only one Of our number was wei,
acquainted with the Spanish, and even l,r
seemed not TO comprehend the order tina,
had been given. He stared at the com.
manding officer as if awaiting lis rrpe,i,ion.
and we stared at him ready a, the first word
he should utter to spring upon the soldiers.
But he seemed 10 be rs most of Us we're, i'm.
pressed with the belief that the de,nons,ra.
tiOn was merely a menace used IN induce US
TO enter the Mexican service. With tl,rea.
tening gestures aud drawn sword, the CHEF
Of the assassins again calculated the com.
mand to knecl down. The sound of second
volley, from different direction with the
first, Just then reached our ears, and was fol.
lowed Ivy confused cry, as if those At whom,
it had been aimed had not all been immedi
ately killed.-Our comrade. the one who
understood Spanish, started from his mo-
men,ary h,harey, and boldly addressed US.
"Comrades," cried he, "you hear that
vollcy, that cry. There is no hope for us
our last hope is come! Therefore com.
rades"-
A terrible explosion interrupted him-and
then all was still. A thick cloud of smoke
was curling and wrea,hing towards the 81.
Antonio. The blood Of our lieutenant was
on my clothes, and around me lay my friends,
convulsed with their last agony; | saw no.
thing more. Unhur. myself, l sprang up,
and concealed by the thick smoke, fed along
the side Of the hedge in the direction of the
river. the noise Of the water for my guide
Suddenly n blow from heavy sabre fell up
on my head, and from out of The smoke
emerged the form of little Mexican lieu.
tenant. lie aimed a second blow at me
which parted with my left arm. had
nothing to risk but everything to gain. 1t
was fe or death. Before me the almost
20 werless sword of % coward. I rushed mp-
on him, and with true Mexican valor, he
fled from an unarmed man. On went the
river rolled at my feet, the shouting and
yelling behind. "Texas forever 7" cried I.
and without the least hesitation I plunged
into the water, and swan for life. The
bullets whsted round me, and | swan,
slowly and YEARLY to the other side, bn,
none wounded me. Our poor dog. who had
been with us all through the campaign, and
had jumped into the rive, will, me, fell last
sacrifice to Mexican cruelty. He had reach.
ed the middle Of the stream, when ball
struck him and he disappeared.
| Whilst these horrible scenes were occur.
ing in the pra,ries, Col. Tanning aud his
wounded companions were shot aud bavon-
eted at Goliad, only Dr.. Thackrllord and n
few hospital aids having their lives spared
in order that they nigh, attend to the wound
ed Mrxicans. Besides Mr.. Ehrcnbrrg, but
three of the prisoners at Goiisd ultimately
escaped the slaughter.
Having crossed the San Antonio, Mr..
Ehrenherg struck into the high grass and
thckets. which concealed him from pursuit
of the Mrxicans, and wandered through the
prairie, guiding himself as best he might, by
sun, moon, and stars. and striving to reach
the river Brazos. lie lost his way, and
went through a variety of striking advcn-
lures, which with some characteristic sketch.
rs of Texas lifa and habits. of Gen. Sam
Houston and Santa Anna, and a spirited ac.
coun, Of the battle Of San Jacinto, at which,
however. he was no, present. fill up the re.
mainder Of his book.