The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-08-13

ei.e road TO San Luis, und or an escort Of b
aloIancers. Mai. Gaines, having been,f Fl
ms owo ride, selected, in preference to a
10 Sergeyger, h blooded mare, belonging
capt. if'ayne. I;
al VINO nav whose name is familiar to Z
Texan wariared the stirring history OF a
companied Maj. adventure, and who ac- $
had rendered himiSes as an INTERPRETER, a
the occasion of their Extremely useful on S
sagacity, and knowledge by his GOODNESS, I
language and character. { the Mexican
very anxious for fight, ar. Henrie was @
suaded Maj. Gaines from surreyongly dis ID
told the men TO count their biHng. He 9
they had one for every two Mexica ami il {
a fair game and he would go it. kwas s
cautioned them to hit the Mexicans SlSoi /
their boards, that they might brighten ofiV [
others by their groans, and to give them al
much misery as possible. One of the Mex
lean officers, recognising him, cried out in
Spanish, 81 shall have the pleasure of your
company to the city of Mexico, Capt. Hen
RE ~ 'Excuse me, senior, generally
choose my own company" replied the cool
and courtly Captain.
1t was the second day after their capture,
and near the town of Salado, famous in Tex
the Miefprisohers, that MAJ. Gaines high
spirited mare showing considerable restless
ness, the Major requested Capt. Henrie, who
is famous rider of the Jack Hays school,
to 'rnount her and take Off the wire edge OF
her spirit" The captain did so, and riding
up to Capt. Clay, caielessly remarked,
"Clay, am going 10 make q burst" The
Mexican commander, half suspecting his de-
sign, placed additional forces at the head
and rear Of the column of lancers within
which the prisoners were placed, and rode
himself by the side of Hcnrie, who would
pace up and down the line, cracking Jokes
with the boys. and firing up the spirit OF the
mare by various ingenious manGuvres. At
last, llenrie, seeing favorable opportunity,
plunged his spurs deep into the sides Of the
noble blood, and rushing against and knock
ing down three or four Of the mustangs with
their lancers, started off in full view of the
whole party, at a rate Of speed equal TO the
best time that B1s.on or Fashion ever made.
After him rushed n dozen well mounted Ian
GERS, who, firing their escopetas at him,
started OF in close pursuit. But it was no
race at all-the Kentaciiy blood was too
much for the mustang. The lancers were
Of lienrie, he was flying up steep noun
tain, waving his white handkerchief, and
crying out ina voice which echoed aiar of
through the valley, ''Adios, senores-adios,
senoreS J"
Our readers may fancy the intense ey-
element which this scene produced among
the prisoners, and VIII, no doubt, excuse
them for so far forgetting their situation as
TO give three loud cheers rs they saw the
gallant lIonrie leaving his pursuers far be-
hind, and safely placed beyond their reach.
The subsequent adventures and SuiieringS
of IIenrie are well known to our readers.
Alter many narrow escapes from the enc
my. and starvation, and after losing his no.
bic mare, lienrie arrived safely in our camp.
and gave the first authentic intelligence Of
the capture Of Majors Gaines and Borlard's
party.
After the escape of Capt. IIcnric the pris-
oners were closely guarded. and proceeded
on their journey to san Luis. They had
not gone far before they met Gen. Santa
Anna on his way TO Aqua Nueva to attack
Gen. Taylor. The General was in large
and snowy carriage drawn by six beautiful
mules, and escorted by battalion of huSsars
AS the prisoners passed, his carriage was
stopped. the hussars drew up, and at the re-
quest of Santa Anna, Mai. Gaines was ir-
trodnccd to him. The willy Mexican was
all smiles and courtly grace He expressed
his regret to find the Major and his party in
their unfortunate situation. but promised
them the most kindly treatment, and hoped
that they would soon be exchanged and
would be able to rejoin their friends. The
manners of the Mexican general were GER
tanly very fine and preposseSsing, bu. the
prisoners would have been better satisfied
with some more substantial proof OF his kind
" disposition. The contrast between the
prisoners and the magnificent retinue Of
Santa Anna formed picture which would
have taxed the highest powers of Martin
or David. The ill-clad. ragged, unarmed
prisoners, with their stalwart frames and
bold aud manly countcnanccS. without shoes
or hats. and many without coats. but wrap
ped IN their blankets Indian fashion, stood
with erect and unawcd front before the ar
ray of the elegantly accoutred and well arm
ch hu>SarS, mounted on choice stecds with
their long spears and heavy sabres. Indeed
there was not one of those proud but unlor-
tunatc representatives of the Anglo Amcri-
can race who would not have given all bis
prospects in life to have had enc chance with
his unewiug rife and deadly bowie knife
against the sericd ranks of these bedi22en-
ed and bcwhishered hpSsarS. But this i'll
tervlew was soon terminated, and Santa
Anna and his retinue resumed their Journey,
and proceeded onward with great rapidty.
The prisoners passed for several days