Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-06-20
The Lottery of Life.

A nantain in the insurgent army is giving an ac-
count of meditated night attack upon haclenua,
situated in the Cordillera, and occupied by large
force of Spanish soldiers After variety VI "0'''
he continues: -,
Having arrived at the hacienda unpercelved'
thanks to the obscurity of moonless night we CAM
to halt under some large trees at some Issuance o
the building, and rode forward from my 'rooR
could see in gliding across the trees formed huse
massive parallelogram, strengthened by ehor"ous
buttresses of hewn stone. Along TINS c"asl nv
walls of the hacienda almost formed Cne 1o,'iiof
of another perpendicular one, chlselled ny h"'"io
borsoIf in the rocks to the bottom of which the eye
could not nenetrate for the mists which necessarily
Io;Iod nm from below did not allow it to measure
their awful depths. This place was known IN the
country nv the name of the IOLGderO."
had explored all sides of the building except
this when I know not what scruple of military hon
or melted me to continue my ride along the ravlne
which protected the rear of the hacienda Between
the walls and the precipce there was mario" pau
vay about six feet wide by day, the passage Woulu
not have been dangerous, but by ight it was per
lions enterprise The walls of the farm house took
an extensive sweep, the path crept around thelr en-
tire basement and to follow to the END IN the ork
mess onlv two PAGES from the edge OF perpendlcu-
lar cbas9. was no very easy task even for prac-
tisad horseman as myself Nevertheless, did not
hesitate but boldly urged my horse between tne
walls of the farmhouse and the abyss OF the Vola-
41ero had cot over half the distance without &C
c;dnnt when all off sudden my horse neighed aloud
This neigh made me shudder. | had reached pass
where the ground was but just wide enough for the
four legs of horse and it impossible to retrace
my steps oehotr.1,-
ING myself-which was even less dangerous than en-
counterng horseman in front of me on such
road There is christian passing along the ra-
vine! Keep back"
hack nassed round one the buttresses which here
and there obstucted this accused pathway. He ad-
vanced towards me. trembed in my saddle; my
forehead was bathed in cold sweat.
For the love of God! can you not return =" | ex-
claimed terrified at the fearful situation in which
we both were placed.
"Impossible!" replied the horseman, in a hollow
voice.
I recommended nv soul to God. To turn our
horses round for want of ROOM to back them along
the path which we had traversed even to dismount
from them these were three impossbiltes which pla
ced us both in presence of fearful doom. Between
two horsemen placed upon this fearful path, had
thew been father and of them must inevitably
have become the prey of the abyss. But few Sc
conds had passed. and we were already face to face
the unknown and myself. Our horses were head
to head and their nostrils dlated with terror, min
gled together their fiery breathing Both OF US halt
ed in dead silence. Above was the smooth and
lofty wall of the hacienda the other side but three
feet distance from the wall opened the horrible gulf
Was it an enemy had before my eyes? The love
of my country. which boiled at that period in my
Young bosom led me to hope it was
" Are YOU for Merico and the Insurgents?' I ex-
claimed in moment of excitement, ready to spring
upon the unknown horseman if he answered me in
the negative.
Mcrico Iasurgente-that is my password" re-
piled the cavalier. . am the Colonel Garduno"
sAnd am the Captain Castanos."
Our acquaintance was Of long standing. and but
for our mutual agitation we should have had need
to exchange our names. The colonel had left us
two DAYS since at the head of detachment, which
we supposed to be either prisoners cut off, for he
had not been seen to return to the camp.
:" Well, colonel" exclaimed :: am sorry you
are not Spaniard-for you perceive that one Of US
must Weld the pathway to the other.'
Our horses had the bride on their necks and
put my hand in the holsters of my saddle to draw
out my pistols
81 see it so plainly" replied the colonel, with a.
farming GOODNESS, that should already have blown
out the brains of your horse, but for the fear lest
mine, in moment of terror should precpitate me
with yourself to the bottom of the abyss
| remarked in fact. that the colonel already held
his pistols in his hand We both mainland the most
profound silence. Our horses felt the danger like
ourselves and remained as immovable as if their feet
were nailed to the ground. My excitement had en-
trely subsidized ''What going to do @
demanded of the colonel.
Draw lots which of the two shall leap into the
raviren
1t was in truth the sole means of resolving the diff
fculty. "1here are nevertheless some precaution
to take said the colonel. He who shall be con
demned by lot shall retire backwards 1t will be blu
feeble chance of escape for him admit but, il
short, it is chance, and especially in favor o
the winner.
You cling not to life. then g? I cried out, terri
fed at the sang rod with which this proposition
put to me.
. cling to life more than yourself" sharply re
piled the colonel, g for have mortal outrage t
avenge. But the time is slipping away. Are .yo
ready to proceed to draw the last lottery at Whlc
of US will ever assist y
How were we to proceed to this drawing by lot
by means of the wet finger like infants, or by hea
and tail like the school-boys. Both ways were i'm
practicable. Our hands imprudently stretched gu
over the heads OF our Frightened horses mi ht caus
them to give fatal start Should toss up
piece of coin, the night was too dark to enable US
distinguish which side fell upwards. The colone
bethought him of an expedient, of which [ neve
should have dreamed.
Listen to me- captain said the colonel, to VIII
had communicated my perplexities; e. have ar
them draw every moment burning breth.
ssThe first of us two whose horsesshall neigh -
Winsi' | hastily exclaimed.
q Not so-shall be the loser. | know that you ar
a countryman, and such you can do whatever 20
please with your horse. AS to myself, who but laE
wear wore the gown of theological student fea
your equestrian prowess. You may be able to max
your horse negh-to hinder him from doing so is
very different matter"
We waited in deep and anxious silence until tn
voice of one of our horses should break forth. TIL
silence lasted for a minute-for an age 1t m
horse who neighed the first. The colonel gave
external manifestation of his joy, but doubt
thanked God to the very bottom Of his soul.