The Sierra citizen., 1854-09-30
A Night with the Guerrillas.
A SCENE IN MEXICO.

During the winter Of 1851, myself and
"a friend were being guided through the
dense masses of cactus wood, among the
mountain passes to which Alverez has
recently attracted so much attention, and
which surround the city of Acapulco, on
the Pacific coast Of Mexico We were
well mounted and equipped, but were COM
PEELED to proceed slowly on our route, for
the reason that our native guide was on
foot; so that by the time night had en-
shroudcd US in the deep gloom so peculiar
to tfopic forest, we were anxiously on
the lookout for ranch-light, or listening
foz the barking Of the dozen ours which
invariably surround Mexican hut. " {
bad proceeded perhaps a mile III the uecr ,,
est darkness, when to our surprise we came
Is 4 large corral, and Immediately after,
to the rancho to which it was attached.
We had no time to reconnoitre; for we
were Immediately surrounded by score
~or more of the most stalwart, ferocious
looking men it had yet been our fortune,
or l!l-fortune, to meet in that country.
Their attentions were far more eager than
delicate, for we were half urged, half pull
he'd from our horses, our valseS, pistols and
bowies taken from us, and ourselves pushed
,nlong 6nte the hut, in less time than it
would have taken Yankee landlord to
have passed the compliments of the season.
The glance / caught as | entered the hut,
at about twenty horses in the corral, sad
iook, and evidently at home after long
days ride, in no way served to decrease
my apprchensions; but my fears were put
upon a sure basis whep, after entering the
nut, | passed close to the guide, who look
ed Specifically at me and whispered the ore
word, dreaded of all loyal Mexicans:
"Guerrillas
As soon as we were seated in corner
of the large room, yentured to inquire of
my friend. in a whisper, what he thought
of our situation; to which be answered,
with his accustomed clearness, and as l
thought, with considerable show of prob
ability, that we were " in ID of a
scrape.' We however concluded to
" trust to luck" and to acquiesce for the
time in anything that might be done a
sage conclusion for two Yankees amid
twenty or more athletic ROBBERS.
The Guerrillas had evidently had long
ride, and | judged had met with success,
as they were goodnatured, and laughed
and talked with each other incessantly,
while the "provisioner " was preparing
supper.
/ don't boast great deal of coo lness
in the hour of danger but must confess
that the broiled chickens and fried eggs
made such sweet scent in my nostrils,
that the popularity of our position was
temporarily forgotten by me, while my
friend Charley was absolutely grinning
and rubbing his hands like glutton. The
impression produced on US by smell of
the eatables, was evidently amusing to our
hosts, or " "captors," may call them. the
apparent leader of whom addressed us, as
the viands were being placed upon the
table:
"Senors must be hungry after their
hide; will they eat with us?"
The manner of the man must have con-
4eyed 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 SEN
4ence. AS for me, / was more digni6ed
and as seated myself leisurely at the ia