Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-07-01

they manifested no love for us, charging the
most exorbtant prices for wines and other
articles of service and luxury. paid two
dollars for bottle of Muscat."
"I can sell you one for dollar !" said
he drawing one from beneath his garment.
Never looked wistfully at the coveted flu
id, and the little Frenchman bought it. !
continued as follows -
"These people also tried to assassnate
our stragglers, and did murder one"
Did you see the murderer 2" inquired
the priest"
eyes p
Did he look like 2"
Yes now that observe, he did, except
that his hair was very long, and his beard
entirely unshorn."
Thank Heaven, he escaped P' exclaimed
the priest, fervently.
Why thank Heaven Are you an en-
envy so bitter, and here under protection ~
Alas, senior, he was my brother / am
native of Marin"
Indeed Where did you learn to speak
English -
I'm the city of Mexico, 2where l served
the President while | pursued my studies.
There became acquainted with gentle
man who came from your country in an Of
fetal capacity, and travelled about the coun-
try with him to show him its antiquities. He
taught me to speak your language partially.
Further intercourse with your people has
improved me wonderfully"
y" You are"
What my countrymen would call a rem
egade, if they knew me, said he, somewhat
bitterly.
"Can we take Monterey % inquired alb
ruptly.
Yes; but you must fight for it. 1t is
strongly fortified and we'll guarded. Fare
well will see you again" Saying which,
he urged his mule forward, and lost sight
of him.
Two hour after this, when between Marin
and Estancia, party of us, with privilege,
struggled into house belonging to large
and elegant hacienda, or plantation of sugar
and corn-the second crop of the latter of
which was in full growth nearly. There
was nothing particular to attract us. The
men were off to look at our troops, the wo-
men said. They offered us the never-fail-
ing tortiHiaS and the milk, of which my com
rades availed themselves, while | stood at
the door viewing the prospect 1t was grand.
Peaks of mountains appeared to rise above
me in every direction. The face of the I'M
dulating ground spread out before me was
smiling in verdure. Beautiful specimens of
the romantic mood of nature were numerous.
Flowers of splendor and variety were dotted
about here and there, lending an air of SUI
preme softness to what would otherwise have
been refinement of ruggedness, if | may
so express myself As | stood viewing the
scene, and listening to the merriment of my
thoughtless comrades, my eye caught the
glimpse of figure moving through the corn
at my left. Had it not been for the change
of dress, from that of priest to that of q
gay farmer tricked out in bells and riband:
and gaudy colored cottons, the moustacht
and hair, and other ct ceteras, | could have
sworn | saw my Mexican friend who hac
helped me to ford the St. Juan. He noticed
my glance and drew back, as he thought
unobserved, among the corn, and was los
to my sight. / felt uneasy, and at once in
stinctively guessed that danger and treacher,
were abroad. The line had passed on, AM
was quarter of mile ahead. | entered
the house, plucked blossom from a cactu
growing before a window, and considered
whether should speak out, or call off Meye
and communicate with him. | chose tn
latter course. Frank laughed, said the la
dies were entertaining, and that if we re
NAMED few minutes longer we could reacl
the column in less than an hour. We dranl
three bottles of Muscat, which cost us fou
dollars and half, q wish | had them now
and, twenty minutes after | had warne
Meyer, started off, listening to the "AdiOs !
of the girls as long as we were in hearing
We rode until near Estancia, passing seve
raj other hacendas, and ieasting our eye
with the elegancies of nature, and all in tn
best of spirits.
" Ma fol-" exclaimed the Frenchmar
rising in his stirrups and looking about him
"this is magnifque-this paysi | woul
like to live here forever"
) $50 would l." said Meyer. "Talk {
the hardships of a soldiers life |" he wer
on in substance, as in sort of wine-ecst;
cy-" this is glorious being, and | revt
in it,"
f =" Just look at that, and push on for til
, column as fast as you can, or in five minute
! your hearts will be hanging on those busl
, es p said an old Texan.
We looked, and saw body of Mexica
cavalry bearing across level plain toward
us at full gallop. They were so near th'
2 we could hear the words of the leader ur9
S ing his men to secure us. There was some
g thing in the tones of the officers voice, an
in the contour of his frame, that, despit
Y my will, attracted my attention. A doze
: against at least two hundred was rather to
-. much odds, and away we went, dashng owe
t everything, regardless of consequences, lils
e so many Gilpins. Their internal Haitos !
: Numbered in our ears, and their declaration
y that they would Stay all the " HyoS de
e grand RepubHca del NOrte "-that is, " III
n sons of the great republic of the north"-
o were entirely palpable They gained upc
y us, and got one pretty fair sight of the @
e Ger, who was really very enthusiastic in Il
chase. | felt satisfied that he was the ma
d / had recently seen crawling through Il
: corn. He was now fine soldier in full I'm
:, form. When the chances were altogeth
d in their favor, and our fate appeared settle
e turn in the road brought us in view of Il
rear of our army, or the trains, &c, abol
the tenth of mile distant We dozen Fl
d gitives set up howl of delight, and dro,
!, our spurs rowel deep, while the enemy tir
Il ed and fled, first firing at us without efiec
i Once more under conduhO," or milital
q nrotaction we thanked otr stars Eor N,