The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-08-28


such striking impression on my skull as
nearly to stun me, but not sufficient, owing,
as think, to the dizziness of his blade and my
cloth cap, to intlict any cash.
OF course I reciprocnted his attentions by
n strong cut at his neck, when he and the
other two soldiers who had been kept back
by the swing of my blade, sprung bnck n
bout five PAGES from me, threw their swords
upon the ground and drew up their carbnes,
which they had retained in their left hands
aimed deliberately at my head, all cocked,and
again demanded surrender. | then stood
with my back to the wall and the three men
on the other three sides all beyond my reach,
and so far from each other as TO give me no
chance to strike ut them or their weapons
/ then asked them what they wanted, IN or
der to gain time, affecting not to know wheth-
CIR they wanted my money or myself. They
soon seemed awnre of my intent, and alth"
from the beginning it was obvious they wish
ed to avoid discharging their pieces so near
the city, | saw unmistakable signs that the
time Of party was closed. Unable 10 reach
my horse OF attack them, | surrendered 10
the captain and the three bringing my arms
behind me and taking the end Of the rope
with which they tied my hands, one them
mounted my horse and putting me on a mus
tang rode off at full speed. Farther partic'
ulars Of my Journey shall write hereafter
arrived within ten miles of this place late
nj ught-slcpta short time in ms good lodg-
ing rs any body-on the premises OF few
scattered runcheros rose and got here about
seven in the morning. From the time ofmY
capture was honoraby treated by the captain
as n prisoner Of war. After crossing deep
ravine lac Ioosed my arms and we went on.
Strange to say with that perversIty OF char
acter which never fails me, rode on through
the deep forests the sequesered paths IL
lao, ,trI flowers
vines, and all that my heart had ever concei;-
ed OF loneliness in Nature. so lost in admir-
ton Of the indispensable glorics of The way
TO feel almost torgettui that | was bound
s wholly careless about the result Of my nov
el situation. Some faint description of this
truly lovely route you shall have hereafter.
Now few words ofny treatment. In me
all that has been said of Mexican cruelty has
been wholly ialsifed. ! was placed in the
house OF The Signora Augustine Fernando.
She has treated me with more than hospitaIl
". | have received at her hands the kind
ness and tenderness of mother. Io-nIght
cannot devote time TO particulars, h.. ~
estIy desire all may know her kindness to nh
American prisoner. But this is only a be-
ginning. You will be astonished to hear that
all the inhabitants ofthis village have extend
ed toward me more than the elegant civiIities
of refined lite-they have received me cordi-
ally nj their houses-lhey have given me as
siStance with delicacy and propriety which
no American community can excel: for in
stance, the signora caused me TO be furnished
with clean linen shirt, and had all my dirty
clothes thanks 10 life in camp washed.
The Catholic padre, Manual de Siv!;. fur
uishcd me every comfort, and crowned all
his attentions to me by communicating in
Latin that my friend Barnes had been heard
from and was alive. He walked with me
arm and arm about the village, visiting the al
caIde, most benevolent and kind hearted
man, and the principal places of the town,
and his church among others, and gave me
money and clothes TO dress as a citizen, and
save me the modification Of going to Cordo~
va in American Uniform, all at his own sug-
gcstion. He has done me the kindness to
propose to carry, or cause this letter 10 be
,arried TO Vera Cruz, and in every thing has
been truly to me friend and chrslan.---
BY means Ofthe Latin. | could learn and
communicate most that | could be made to
for no one understood English.
Casio Fernando, n citizen here, bestowed
on me every attention, and gave me money
with delicacy so exquisite to make it im-
possible to decline with grace, though Of
course did so. Others made me similar
presents, and one young gentleman. jose
Maria Nillegas, oftalent and excellent heart,
seemed 10 exhaust his ingenuity to make me
happy. As to comfort, assure you it never
IN my life was more consulted by my most
intimate friends. From some reason, all VINO
approach me, particularly ofthe white Span
sh blood, bcstow upon me more t;ivors than
can name, and in manner which cannot
'efiIse.
For instance, the young man above nam,
I'd. since l commenced writing this, came
Is sat at table and handed me a dollar. Of
course declined. He gently put his arm a.
'ound my head, clasped il TO his bosom in ii
manner so tender and Il countenance so full
1T entreaty, that 10 say word more would
nave been sheer brutuity. Another young
nan very coolly came in'since commenced
writing and laid three dollars down on the
able with n sort Of business mir, and when
)egan to decline seemed so inclined TO be Of
ended that | said no more. This gentleman
5 called EstevO Pons Camp. There are
wo beautiful and interesting young ladies'
Who have honored me with every Attentions
hat my situation required.
In, short, cannot describe to you tho gen.
,rous treatment have received at the hands
,fthis people-never shall forget them
would go from Vera Cruz to visit the lady
Signora Fernando for her kindness to me
Tod bless her and her household, Is my fer
ent eIaCulatlou-hut 1t is late and I must
lose. Let this account of the kindness
ave received be published in Justice TO th9
leXicans themselves, and that if Our arms
re ever turned upon this PLACE, those have
AIMED and all the inhabitants may be remem-
cred in mercy.
My health is first rate. 20 morrow eve
ing at 4 O'Clock start for Cordoya. The
enora sends one Other servants to see me
'ell there. aud Marianne Fuster,a fine young
'aStian has kindly volunteered TO accom-
any me; so, Won see am kindly treated IN
lorc WAYS than can describe.