New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-08-21

were anxiously on the lookout for q ranch light,
or listening for the barking of the dozen ours
which invariably surround Mexican hut.
We had proceeded perhaps mile in the deepest
darkness, when to our surprise we came to
large corral, and, Immediately after, to the
rancho to which it was attached
We had no time to reconnoitre; for we we're
immediateiy surrounded by score or more Of
the most stalwart, ferocious looking men it had
been our fortune, or ill-fortune to meet in that
country. Their attentions were far more eager
than delicate, for we were half urged, half
pulled from our horses, our valises, pistols, and
bowies taken from US, and ourselves pushed
along into the hut, In less time than it would
have taken Yankee landlord to have passed
the compliments Of the season. The glance /
caught, as l entered the hut, at about twenty
horses in the corral, saddled and bridled with q
sort of cavalry look, and evidently at home after
q long days ride, in no way served to decrease
my apprehensions; but my fears were put upon
a sure basis, when, after entering the hut,
passed close to the guide, who looked signifi-
cantly at me and whispered the one word,
dreaded Of all loyal Mexicans
"Guerrillas -
As soon as we were seated in the corner of
the large room, ventured to inquire Of my
friend, in whisper, what he thought of our
situation; to which he answered, with his ac-
| customed clearness, and as thought with q
considerable show of probability, that we were
@in ID Of scrape!' We, however. con-
cluded to 6 trust to luck, and to acquiesce for
/ the time in any thing that might be done-a
sage conclusion for two Yankees amid twenty or
more athletic robbers. -.m.5...
The guerrillas had evidently had q long ride,
| and judged had met with good success, as they
| were good natured, and laughed and talked
| with each other incessantly while the ssprovi-
sioner " was preparing supper.
| don't boast a great deal Of coolness in the
hour of danger; but must confess that the
broiled chickens and fried eggs made such a
| sweet scent in my nostrils, and the popularity
of our position was temporarily forgotten by me.
while my friend Charley was absolutely grin
ming and rubbing his hands like glutton The
impression produced on us by a smell of the
| eatables was evidently amusing to our hosts, OF,
| 'captors," I may call them, the apparent leader
of whom addressed us, Us the yiands were being
placed upon the table:
s'Senors must be hungry after their ride; will
| they eat with us ? % -.
| The manner Of the man must have conveyed
| to Charley what he was about to say, before he
| actually uttered the words; for he was at the
table, and had an egg on his plate, before the
conclusion Of the sentence. As for me, was
| more dignifed; and as sat myself leisurely al
the table, began thanking him in bad Spanish
| while Charley was eating in good Yankee style
"We ask no thanks, senor,'' said the chief
you are our prisoners we want your money
and your horses; at daylight you may 90 fre,
with what we leave you'll" @
| And, strange as it may seem, his deliberate
manner of telling us that we were to be skinned
and turned loose in a strange forest, seemed t
| please Charley tremendously-fo he burst ou
in a loud gutfaw, and laid back in his chair witt
a mouth full enough of chicken to choke horse
but at q severe look from me, he straightene
up, the large white grinders closed heavily ol
the dainty food, and, for at least 3 moment, b
looked melancholy.
clothes, and received in exchange all the oil
garments we could desire Our money wa
taken from US, Cat least three hundred goo
dollars,) and we were then allowed to resum
our places in the corner. Charley ouietl
stretched himself out, and, to my utter aston
1 ishment, was soon as soundly asleep astif b
were the sole proprietor of $ marble hall, q
at least was dreaming that he dwelt therein
Not even the sweet strains of guitar, playe
by o little girl of uncommon beauty, whol
the chief called Is Uletta,'' could rouse hin
although had he seen her, | absolutely beliey
he would have Joined the troupe, married int
, the family, and eventually have generated
I race of jolly thieves.
II The guerrillas seemed to care no more for u.
after they had pilfered all our valuables, tha
if we had been so many ours. We were appaI
emily to go when and where we pleased anG
after the guitar ceased, they gradually droppe
! down around the fire, and soon fell asleep.
Feeling no particular desire to have muc
more to do with the fellows, it occurred to m
that We might as we'll depart noiselessly, as t
run the risk of some change of programme i
the morning; so, shaking Charley, who was o
his feet in an instant. suggested the plan
! escape, to which he readily acceded. Hastil
stepping over two or three sleepers, came
the rough table where the chief had unwaril
left our pile of money. How quickly yet noise
lessly it was transferred to my pouch, is a mat
ter left to the readers imagination. On issuin
from the hut, found Charley preparing til
horses, and we were soon in readiness for imm,
, diate departure.
} sPve a deyilish good mind to go back on
. steal some of my own clothes !'' said Charley
that was an overcoat of rs best make
protested, however, and he, good easy sou
submitted.
3 We struck off boldly enough, but soon lost OIL
way; not for want of a path, but on account
. the abundance of paths. Our guide we ha
left behind, feeling "a little doubtful of his hol
t esty, and rather inclining to think that he ha
purposely escorted us into the guerrilla cam
We consequently roamed about. crossing an
re-crosslng, determining anu re.uetefmlnlns
until, like eminent politicians, we knew /
!, north, no south, no east, no west" About da,
light we came to an opening that resembled OF
Y we had passed over just before reaching the ro
bers retreat the night before; and here, for Il
% first time, discovered that Charley had a
l. other and decidedly better horse than the OIL
he bestrode previous to our capture He 7
e marked, in explanation, that having had /
is choice in the corral, he supposed Sc turn abo
8, was fair play" and accordingly took the be
% one he could find and the creature actual
spurred his animal up, pranced him. and i
t, quired of me in the most innocent manner il
h aginable, what [ thought of his acquisition
70 have called him horse thief ever since.