Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-05

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officers chieAy-were her customers. My
chief amusement there was playingat dom
inoes for few glasses. | played when
had achance with smart, goodish-looking
sous. lieutenant of voltiguers; a glib-tongued
chap, of the sort that tell all they know,
and something over, with every little press
ing. His comrades addressed him as Vic
tor, the only name | then knew him by
He and l became very good friends, the
more readily thatI was content he should
generally win. soon reckoncd Master
Victor up; but there was an old, wiry
greden Of sergeant-major sometimes pre-
sent, whose suspicious manner caused me
frequent twinges. One day especially l
caught him looking at me in way that
sent the blood galloping through my veins
Ike wildfrc. A look, Mr.. Tape, which
may be very likely followed in few mo-
ments afterwards by halter, or by halfa-
dozen bullets through ones body is apt to
excite an unpleasant sensation
1should think so. wouldn't bein such
a predicamcnt for the creation
at is situation that would hardly suit
you Mr.. Tape replied the veteran with a
grim smile. 'Well, the grey-headed old
fox followed up his look with number OF
interesting queries concerning my birth,
parentage, and present occupation, my an
swers to which SO operated upon him, that
| felt quite certain when he shook hands
with me, and expressed himself perfectly
satisfied, aud sauntered carelessly out Of
the place, that he had gone to report his
surmiscs, and be probably back again in
two two5 with file Of soldiers and an or
der for my arrest. He had put me so smart
ly through my iacings, that although it was
quite a cold day in Spain, give You my
honor perspired TO the very tips Of my
fingers and toes. The chance Of escape
was, | felt, almost desperate. The pre-
yious evening rumor had circulated that
the British general had stormed Ciudad-
Rodrigo, and might therefore be already
fastening in hisscven leaguc-boots towards
! Badajoz. The French We're consequently
more than ever on the alert, and keen eyes
watched with slarpened eagerness for in
dicatons Of sympathy or correspondence
between the citizens and the advancing ar
my. | jumped up as soon as the sergeant
major had disappeared and was about to
! follow, when the mistress Of the place ap-
preached, and said hastily, i have heard
all, and if not quick, you will be sacrificed
by those French dogs tins way | fol-
lowed to an inner apartment, where she
drew from a well-concealcd recess IA
French officers uniform, complete. "On
with it, she exclaimed as she left the
room. 81 know the word and counter
sign" ! did not require twice telling,you
may be sure and in less than no time was
logged off beautifully in a lieutcnant's uni
form, and walllingat a smart pace towards
one ofthe gates, l was in twenty-yards Of
the corps degrade, when whom should |
run against but Sous-Lieutenant Victor -
He stared, but either did hot for the mo
ment recognise me, or else doubted the
evidences ofhis own senses. Iquickcncd
my steps-the guard challenged-I gave
the words, Napoleon, Austerli;z !''-pass-
| ed on as soon as a turn Of the road hid
me from view, | increased my pace to
run. Ny horse, l should have stated had
been left IN sure hands at about tw o miles
distance. Could l reach so far, there was,
| felt, chance. Unfortunately l had not
gone more than five or six hundred yards,
when a hubbub Of shoutsa and musket-shots
in my rear announced that was pursued.
| glanced round and | assure you, gen
tlemen, | have seen in my life many pleas
anter prospects than met my view-Rich-
mond Hill for instance, on fine summer
day-between twenty and thirty voltigcurs,
headed by my friend Victor, who had arm
ed himself, like the others with musket.
were in full pursuit; and once, I was
quite satisfied, within gun-shot my business
would be very speedily and el'eciually set
lied.
i run on with eager desperation; and
though gradually neared by my friends,
gained the hut where had left the horse
II safety. The voltigeurs were thrown out
for few minutes. They knew, however,
that had not passed the thickish clumps
oftrees which partially concealed the cot
tagc; and they extended themselves in
semicircle to enclose, and thus make sure of
their prey. Juan Sauchez, luckily for him
self was not at home; bur my horse, as /
have stated, was sats,in prime condition for
a race | saddled, bridIed, and brought
him ont, still concealed by the trees and
from the French, whose eXulting shouts as
they gradually closed upou the spot, grew
momentarily louder and ferccr. The sole
desperate chance left was to dash right
through them; and don't mind telling YOU,
gentlemen, that | was conloundedly fngh-
tened, and that but for the certainty of be-
ing instantly sacrificed without benefit Of
clergy ! should have surrendered at once
There was, however, no time fer shilIy-shal-
lying. | took another pull at the saddle
girths, mounted. drove the only spur had
time TO strap on sharply into the animals
| flank, and in an instant broke cover il full
and near view Of the expecting and impa-
tient voltigcurs; anda very brilliant recep-
ton they gave me--quitc sumner in fact
It's very grand thing, no, doubt to be
the exclusive object of attention to twenty
or thirty gallant men, bu; 50 little selfish,
gentlemen, have | been from my youth up
wards in the article Of "glory," that as
sure YOU | should have been remarkably
well pleased to have had few compan-
ions-the more the nerricr-to share the
monopoly which | engrossed as | came
suddenly into sight The flashes, reports,
bullets, Sacres, which in an instant cleaned
in my eyes, and roared and sang about my
ears, were deaieniug. How they all con
triyed to miss me | cannot imagine, but
miss me they did; and passed them about
sixty PAGES, when whoshould startu over
hedge, few yards in advance, but my
domino-player Sous Lieutenant Fictorl
In an instant his musket was raised with
in two or three feet ofmy face. Flash
bangl | felt blow as il from d thrust of
red-hot steel; and for a moment made sure
that my head was of. With difficulty |