Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-03-08

rons OF green-coated cavalry, he suddenly reined
up the mare in the midst OF her capricolings, and
pluuging the spurs into her, she darteG offlike
arrow from the bow while he stopped, layine him
self close along her side, after the manner of the
Camanche Indians-a shower Of balls was fired
after him hurriedy but without effect as they all
passed over him. The plain to the foot of the
mountains was very narrow just here; and he had
observed, before he made break, that they were
opposite road which came down narrow val
lev. He made for this gap, running the gauntets
between several squadrons of cavalry, before he
reached its shelter. Just as he was diving into.
il. he whirled in his saddle, and amidst the whist
ling of balls, shook his cenched hand at them,
and shouted back his defiance. This sudden es-
cape caused great uproar and confusion among
the Mexcans, and several hundred men started at
full speed in the pursuit; but the gallant mare
soon left them all far enough behind, and she cat-
tered with sparkling hoofs along the deep ravine.
Before the first two miles had been passed. they
were out of sight in the rear The valley road,
which he had taken at hap hazard, without the
slightest idea of where it led, opened on
small plain of table land, which was occupied by
hacienda of considerable extent AS he swept
by in front of the buildings, he saw number of
green coats hastily mounting their horses and IN
another moment heard the cla.ter of their pursuit
coming down the road. He looked over his shoul-
der and saw that it was probably foraging party
of about ten ancers. The first agony was over now,
and he felt of the game and speed OF his mare;
and with his usual audacitY he determined to give
the waller bellies something to remember him
by before he took his final leave. He accordingly
refined up lis mare gradually, and let them gain
upon him. They thought she was failing, and
raised veil of triumph as they urged their horses
to vet greater exertions. He looked behind again,
and the officer, with one of his men, was now con-
sideraby in the advance, aud closing rapidly upon
f.<.~1 thD hnl-t
The officer was foremost, and was already shout
ing to him with many "garacoes, TO surrender,
when he wheeled suddendenly in his saddle and
shot him dead The lancer who was close behind,
and coming oil at furious speed, attempting In vain
to rein I'D his horse, but it was too Latch was
carried by the impetus of his speed within ten feet
of Dan, who had by this time drawn his other
pistol, with which he shot him through the head,
and then gaoped lesurely along, feeling sure that
the remainder Of his pursuers would be stopped
efTectually by this bloody barricade ne had lett
across their their path. He was not mistaken, for
they halted there and this was the last he saw OF
their green coats.
All that day long he kept the noble beast in
swift motion, since at every little rancho or village
he came to- il would be necessary for the fugitive
to make desperate run for it, before suit could
be organized. The roads were filled too, with
scouting parties of the enemy, and it required
all his knowledge of the sort of tactic to enable
him to dodge them. He several times very mar
rowly avoided rushing headlong into the very
midst of these advancing parties. The Mexlcans
are usually very noisy troops, and he would near
them talking on the march in time to dodge to
one side and let them pass, for he had no fancy
to trv the hacienda trick over again With empty
pistols, since he had nothing to load them with
again. He finally threw them away as so much
" make weight" that was useless to him anG en-
4 g boh ht,rrio iod nn not a
ING to pause moment to rest or obtain food, unit
the next day, when, in a deep wild gorge among
the mountains, his game and gallant mare fell be-
Meath him dead! The ravenous and filthy gapa-
lates turkey -buzzards.) were gouging at her lawn
like ewes before they were fairly glazed, and be-
/ fore her stffened and staggered rider was out OF
/ sight Now came the most terrible part OF TINS
wild and remarkable adventure. lie was totally
without food except what little he could gather
during the day while he was skulking, for he OH,
.ly ventured to travel at night now. This was
! sea rcely enough to keep body and soul together
while his clothes soon became TO pieces, anu hune
about his bleeding limbs like broad ana laltefeo
ribbons. He, however. still continued making MS
way steadfastly in the direction of Gen. Woois
camp. At last some of the scouts picked the poor
fellow up when almost speecfiless with thirst ano
hunger = he was yet feebly reeiIng along like
ghostly and haggard drnnkard.
This affair very properly got him his promotion
to the captaincy. But strange, perilous, anu ever
wonderful as this escape seems, 1t is only one
many others quite as remarkable, by when Ms
most eventful life has been checquered. In the
Texan war with the Cherokees, which was very
bloody business while it lasted, he passed through
scenes as bad, if not worse than this lhen nj
! adventures as a ranger very remarkable, Tor
MANY of these am myself personally cognlzant
and of his cruel suferings and headlong darlns
during the Meir imprisonment, all the country ha
been, 10 certain degree made aware since th'
publication of Gen. Green's book. lie, by ah'
4 way, was too much of pompous egolist to DO fui
credit to Dan, or any body else except zen
Green! -.
1t is one Of Dams curious adventures while
ranger, that propose to relate now shall en
! deavor to give it as nearly as can remember, II
/ his own way as he related it TO me; though
Fl must confess 1t will be very difficult, II not imPos
sible. 10 preserve the raciness OF his rattle pat
and peculiar manner. 1t was before he joined th'
/ Mier expedition, and while yet with the ranger
lunder the command OF Mccullough.
Dan whose excellence as guide was wei
known TO The captain, was despatched oy Din
along with three others, of the troop, on sprins
4 ]exnedition. towards the head waters sot the Nue
4 ces This was n the early winter OF the year oe
i fore the Mier expedition, and the Mexlcans "ef'
in many ways annoying and threatening lile "ea'