The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-02-14

TO resist; and when Iplaccd him char, Inc
fell into iwith weight that made it crack
under him and shook the house. Icould not
get him 10 speak, and was about to return to
my room 10 complete my toilet, when again
heard the tramp of mustangs. This was n
party ofhaIfa dozen horsemen, all dressed IN
hunting shirts over buckstin brcccles and
jackets, aud armed with rifles and bowie
knives; stout, daring looking fellows, evident
" from the south western states, withtlIe true
Kentucky half-horse halfalligator profile and
the usual allowance of Misunderstanding and
earthquake. II struck me when saw them
that two or three thousand such men would
have small difficulty in dealing with whole
army of hleXcans, if the latter were all of
the pigmy spindle-shanked breed had seen
on first landing. These giants could easily
have walked away with n Mexican In each
hand.
They jumped off their horses, aud threw
the BRIDES TO the negroes in the usual Ken
tucEllan devil-mOy-caro style, and then walked
into the house with the air of people who
make themselves at home everywhere, and
who knew themselves to be more masters in
Texas than the MeXicans themselves. On
entering the paror, they nodded II good
morning TO me, rather coldly TO lie sure, for
they had seen me talking with Bob, which
probably did not much recommend me-
Presently, four more horscmen rode up, and
then third party, so that there were now
fourteen ofthem asscmblcd,a all decided look
ing men in the prime of life and strength
The Judge, who slept III an adjoining room.
had been awakened 10y the noise. | heard
himjump out Ot'bcd, and not Il rec minutes
elapsed before he entered the parlor.
After he had Shaken hands with all his
visitors, he presented me 10 Ihcm,aHd found
that was in the presence ofno less impor-
tant persons tlIan the Ayntamicnto of san
Felipe de Austin; and that two of my WORTHY
countrymcn were corregidors, one procur-
ador and the others bucloS homJrcS; or free
holders, They did not seem However To
prize their titles much for they adde>scd one
another 10y their srnames only
The negro brought Il light opened the ci-
gar box, and arranged the chairs; the Judge
pointed TO the sidcboard, and to Tie cigars,
and then sat down. Some took dram, 9th
ers lit cigar.
Several minutes elapsed dnring which ihc
men sat in perfect silenceas iithey were col
lCcting their thouglts,or as though it were I'M
digniticd to show any haste or Impotence 10
speak, This grave sort of delbcration
which is met with in certain classes, and in
certain provinces of the Union, has often
struck me as n curious feature of our national
character. ltpartakcs ofthc stoical dignity
of the Indian at his council-fire, and of the
stern, religious gravity of the early puritan
settlers in America.
During this pause Bob was writing on his
chair like worm, his face concealed by his
hands, his elbows OH his knees At last when
all had drank and smoked, the Judge laid
down his cigar,
Mem said he.
Squirrel answered they.
We've a business before us, which | cal
culate will be best explained 10y him whom it
concerns
The men looked ut the squire, then at Bob
then at me.
Bob Rock! or whatever your name may he,
II you have aught 10 say, say itn continued
the Judge.
said it all Yesterday muttcrcd Bob his
face still covered by his hands
yes but you must say again to-day. Yes
Icrday was Sunday, and Sunday is day of
rest,and not ofbusincss. | will neither Judge
you,nor allow you TO be Judged, 10y what YOU
said yesterday. Besides it was all between
ourselves, for don't reckon Mr. Rivers as any
thing; ] count him still stranger
Whats the use of so much puaver, when
The things plain enough" said Bob pecvishly,
raising his head as he spoke.
The men stared at him in grave astonish-
mcnt. lie was really frightful 10 behold;
his face of n sort ofblue tint his cheeks hol
low; his beard wild and ragged; his blood-shot
eyes rolling, and deep sunk in their sockets.
His appearance was scarcely human.
Il tell you agin,' said the Judge, 4 will con-
no man upon his word alone; much
less You, who have been in my service, and
eaten my bread. You accused yourself yes
rerday, but you were delirious at the time
you had the fever upon you.'
Its no use squire said Bob, apparently
touched by the kindness of the Judge. you
mean well, see; but though you might delv-
er me out of mems hands, you couldn't res
cue me from myself Its no usc-I must he
ON the same tree under which
the man killed lies buried
The men or the jurors, as may call them,
looked at one another, but said nothing.
ITS no use,' again cried Bob, in Il shrill az
onized tone. Ifhc had attacked me, or only
threatened me; but no he didn't do it. hear
his words still when he said, DO il not, man
I've wife and child. What you intend, brings
no blessin' on the door, But heard nothin'
then but the voice ofthe devil; brought the
rifle down--levelled-fi
The mans agony was so intense, that even
the iron-teaturcd jury seemed moved by it,
They cast sharp, but stolen chances ot Bob.
There was short silence.
so you have killed man?said a deep bass
voice at last.
'Ay, that have r. gnsped Bob.
'And how came that continued his ques-
toner.
How came it? You may ask the devil or
Johnny. No not Johnny, he can tell you
nothing he was not there. No one can tell
you but me; and hardly know how it was.
The man was ut .Johnny's and Johnny show
ed me his belt full of money.'
Johnnyp exclaimed several of the jury.
'Ay, Johnny! He reckoncd on winning it