Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-04-28
MISC ELLANEOUS.
The FienI's FlsI.Doud.

i
About the middle Of the month Of juno,
1885, the city Of Bilboa, in northern Spain,
then held by a strong garrison ofthe Chris
tino troops, who was invested by the Car
list force, underline immediate command ol
the celebrated Tomas Zumalacarregui-
The queens troops were well supplied
with provisions, arms, and all the mum.
tons Of war, and enjoyed, besides, an IN
interrupted communication with the sea,
which was little more than four miles dis
tant, by the river Ncrvion, on the banks OF
which Bilboa is situated whilst the ap-
pointments of the besieging army were SO
utterly wretched in every particular, that
nothing but the strongly-urged personal
request of Don Carlos himself induced
Zumalacarregui, much against the dictates
ofhis own better judgement, to enter on the
task at all.
The feeble operations of the besieging
force had proceeded for about ten days
Zumalearreguihaving been removed to a
distance, in consequence Of wound receiv-
cd on the second day of the siege, which
ultimately caused his dcath-when, an
hour after nightfall,a youngman, enveloped
in large cloak, underneath which he
wore the uniform cf a Carlist officer, en-
tered the grounds adjoining an elegant
mansion situated close to the sca-shore on
the opposite bank of the river to that oc-
cupied by the forces of Don Carlos. The
officer was the only son, indeed the only
child, of Don Ricardo Silva, the proprietor
of the house and grounds. At the break
ing out ofthe civil war, he had taken up
arms as a volunteer of the Carlist cause,
and at an early period had been rewarded
for lis gallantry and zeal with a oommis-
sion. From that time circumstances
had not permitted him to revisit his paren-
tai home until how, when the regiment to
which he was attached forming part OF
the force investing BiIboa, be gladly avail
ed himself of what he deemed a favorable
opportunity for that purpose. Before
leaving the Carlst camp, he made inquiry
Of soldier named Murito, serving in the
ranks of his own battnlion-who had de-
serted from the Christine garrison at the
commencement of the siege, and who
might be supposed to be tolerably well ac-
quainted with the habits of the Queen
troops in the locality-as to the danger
he was likely to incur of falling IN with
any of them on that side Of the river, which
was occupied by them exclusively. The
man assured him that, even previous to the
investment Of the place, the troops were
not allowed to remain without the gates af
ter sunset on any pretext and that he
might proceed after that hour tohis father
residence, and return in perfect safety,pro-
vided his stay was not prolonged beyond
sunrise on the following morning. Rely
ing on his assurance, therefore, Lieut.. Sil.
va had proceeded on foot along the river
on that side occupied by the Carlists, unit,
he had arrived opposite lis fathers mansion
when, haiing fisherman, he was fcrried
across, and in few minutes more was
sheltered beneath the parental roof
On the warmth of greeting which wei
coined him, after an absence OF years. dur
ing which he had been exposed to all the
| vicissitudes of a cruel and extcrminatine
warfare, we need not dwell. Under sucf
circumstances, it will be readily conceived
that by the little party, composed Of the
young man and his parents, the lapse D
time was unheeded minutes and hour.
few swiftly by. Midnight had long beer
past but as the Lieutenant proposedstart
ing on his return by daybreak, beyond
which time it would be imprudent for hin
to remain on the Christine side of the nv
er, none thought Of retiring to rest. |
wanted still some hours of dawn, when
during momentary pause, IN the conver
sahon, distant tinkhng sound; borne oi
the night wind, caused the youth to star
from his seat and throw open the easement
which looked upon the lawn in front Of til,
mansion. \ moment Of breaihless sus
pense followed, then freshening of III,
breeze, and with It renewal Of the sound
which his practiscd ear now readily distin
guished as the ringing Of hoofs and tn,
clank Of cavalry equipments. Such sounds
heard on his side Of the river, plainly tolc
him that the enemy was al hand, and need
cd not the additional evidence to that ef
feet which was furnished in another minut,
by the sight of the lance-fags and shakos
the shape of which; sharply defined anC
relieved against the bright moonlit sky be
spoke the appearance ofaC Christine squad
ron. AT the same time they left the higt
road, and entering the grounds Of Don Ri
cardo, advanced at rapid pace towards
the house; thus rendering their intention
however mysterious the source either In
formation. buttoo obvious-the arrest ofth,
Carlist officer
Lieutenant Silva and his parents wer,
too well acquainted with the airocious auc
unrelenting system ofextermination which
characterized the proceedings of the bel
ligereut parties in the Carlst war, not t
know that arrest under such circumstan
ces was Synonymous with death tina
should Christine prison once close upor
him, it would open only to conduct hin
to a bloody grave. Paralyzcd by the uu
expected appearance Of the foe. the alarm
ed group stood for few seconds in a state
of indecision. The young soldier was III,
first to recover presence of mind. Extin
gushing the lights which stood on the ia
Die, he announced bis intention Of descend
ing into the Ficnd's Fishpond, whence, al
ter the Withdrawal Of the Christmas, hC
could be easily cxtricated. and terried d.
! .ross H., ,,.cr The Tte,I-s Eislr,eoJ