Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-08-05

said the Doctor, reghting the one he held, which
had gone out, but don't like to woman smo
king 1 couldn't fancy Venus herself with cigar
in her mouth.
Well, one morning had sauntered forth, port-fo
lilo in hand for the purpose of taking some sketches
and in the course of my wanderings came upon a
pretty little dwelling by the side Of waterfall, in
sweet, scquestered spot. On messy bench by the
door sat young girl of wonderful beauty, IN
snowy but picturesque dress, with guitar IN her
hand, the sweet melodies of which blended delight
fully with the soft murmurng dash of the waterfall,
and the gurgling of the little stream beyond 1t. 1t
was picture of surprising beauty and loneliness,
and l Immediately sat down on fallen tree to COM
NIT it to paper.
While thus employed observed APP
preaching whom soon found was other than
Elliott himself As he neared the cottage, the young
girl, who had evidently been expecting him, threw
down her guitar and ran eagerly to meet him. He
sat down beside her on the bench when Suddenly
observing me- he started as if serpent had stung
him, and hastily approached me. He glared upon
with look in which all the hatred that had
been gathering for so many years seemed concen-
trated
"This is the second time SIR said he fercely,
that yon have tossed my path-it shall be the last
time! Follow me if you darer
IF by crossing your path, said |, you mean an
alluson to that young woman, assure you / have
not spoken to her, nor approached nearer to than
am now
"Must call you coward p said he; VIII you
Il threw down my drawing material and follow
ed him. He entered the chapparal, and led the way
to clear space near running brook. Here he
turned and drew his sword. Defend yourself! he
exclaimed.
Captain Elliott said /, although I am not con-
scous of having injured you, am ready to give you
the satisfaction you demand. But had we not bet
ter return to the camp, obtain seconds and conduct
the affair in the regular 1nanner?'
No. said he, L will not wait. l will hold no
further parley with you. Defend yourselfl'
Thus adiured, drew my sword; but had scarce
ly done when something whizZed past me- sharp
report heard and with wild cry Elliott fell at
my feet looked for instant behind me- and
the dark countenances of halt-a dozen Mexicans
as they prepared to reload their pieces, and then
fled into the chappara, 'tarryng longer question:
On--on sped; this way and that way, through the
tangled thcket, tripping my feet on long trailing
vines, scratching my hands ON thorns until, com
p!etey worn out, l climbed up lofty tree and hid
myself among its leafy branches. Here remained
for several hours, and heard my pursuers crashing
amongst the underwood, shouting, swearing, calling
to each other but gradually the sounds died away,
the chase seemed to be given up and was left alone
in that Wild unbroken solitude
The afternoon far advanced when, driven
partly by hunger partly by the dread of passing the
night in the chapparal, ventured to descend from
my leafy covert, where the mosquitoes had made
feast of me, and the monkeys had chartered at me
with their strange, hooking gestures. By the aid of
my pocket compass, found my way back to the
clearing whence l had so suddenly departed. After
carefully accommodating, to see that none of my
Mexican friends were lingering near-to this day
suspect that young woman of having sent them after
us-I advanced to the spot where poor Elliott had
fallen.
He was lying his face in pool of blood, his
hands clutching the grass his hair and uniform dab
bled in blood, and his fine manly form (he was
of the finest looking fellows in the army with three
Jour ghastly wounds. 'Ah poor fellow poor
fellow said /, as stood and gazed upon him; for
though was rid of a mortal enemy, could not help
feeling sorry that brave soldier should thus per-
1Sh Ep q hot nv an fOn Iuf
thank Cod | calculated with thrill of ndiscriba-
bic pleasure, thank God! l did not kill him
had turned him over on his back, and as I thus
stood moralising, thought perceive, his bosom
heave. placed my hand upon his heart and found
that he still lived As l knelt by him uncertain
what to TO- ne opened his half-gazed eyes, and saw
his parchcd lips try to form the word Water = My
first impulse was to run to the brook which flowed
at short distance; my next to stop short and
sider. Should l restore to life the man who, few
minutes before, had been thrstng for my blood ?
who had hated me all his life who had wronged
me- sighted me, and even called me coward? No
would leave him to the fate which his rash
ness had provoked l turned my back upon him
but suddenly if traced with finger of fire. there
were borne in upon my mind the words of Holy
Writ: If thine enemy hunger, give him food if he
thirst, give him drink, And fast upon them came
that other Divine sentence: 'lnasmuch We did it
not unto these ye did it not unto Mep
l seized his cap and ran to the brook for water,
with which mostened his parched lips, and bath
from my pocket, l then proceeded to probe his
wounds. The Mexicans, l forgot to mention, had
ri1ed him of his watch and other valuables; but, in
tearing open his shirt, found small locket, sus-
pended from his neck by hair-chain, which had cs-
capped their search. | opened it. 1t contained his
mothers portrait. (He her only son. and she
was widow) Thank God!' 1 again calculated
that mothers curse will not light on me-
What to do with my patient, after having dress
ed his wounds, was what puzzled me. To remove
him myself was impossbe to leave him there,
posed to wild beasts and to the burning rays of the
sun, after having partially restored him to life
ed cruel and unnatural but there alterna-
tive. Before leaving him. however, half carried,
half dragged him into the shade of tree about
hundred yards distant. 1t would he impossible to
describe my sensations when found myself with my
deadly enemy in my arms-the two hearts so lately
boiling with malice and revenge, and all the
darkest passions of nature, throbbing peace
fully against each other; his poor fellow with a
motion so faint and low to be scarcely percepti-
BILE.
Well, l hurried to the encampment for assistance,
and soon had him conveyed hither in safety. For
many weeks he lay lowering between life and death
for the pain of his wounds, hich very severe
the loss of blood, and the exposure to the sun,
brought on brain fever, and nothing but the most
lnremittng care and attention saved his life. He
bore his sufferings with noble endurance, which is
true heroism, and which, let me tell you, is much
rarer article than courage in the field. In fact
he displayed during his sickness so many admirable
qualities, that it mystery to me how l should
have mistaken his character completely. Whe- |
.her it was owing to this, or to my having done him
service, cannot tell but insensibly the hatred all
melted from my heart, and in it's stead sprung up |
strong feel Of regard for him. Curious wasn't it :?
But whether this feeling was reciprocated or not,
knew not: for although his manner toward me was |