The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-12-07
SELECF STORY.
A SCENE IN MEXICO.

"Tho clouds arc dalkcuing northern skies,
While times are all scrcnc
The SNOW in northern yallics lies,
While tcopjc shores are grccn."
DURING the winter of 1851, myself anl
a friend were being guided through tn,
dense mass Of cactus wood, anon
the mountain passes to which Alvarez ha,
recently attracted SO much attention, an,
which surround the city of Acapulco, OF
the Pacific coast of Mexico.
We were well mounted and equipped
but were compelled to proceed slowly OF
our route, for the reason that our native
guide was on foot SO that by the time
night had cnshrouded us in the deer
gloom peculiar to tropic forest, we were
anxiouSly on the lookout for ranch light
or listening for the barking of the dozen
ours which invariably surround a Mexi.
can hut. We had proceeded perhaps a
mile inthe deepest darkness, when to oul
surprise, we came to large corral, and
Immediately after 10 the rancho TO which
it was attached ..-.
We had no time to reconnJitre, for VIC
were Immediately surrounded by score
OF more of the most stalwars, ferocious
looking men it had yet been our fortune
or ili-fortune to meet in that country
Their attentions were far more eager than
delicate, for we were halfurged, halfpull,
ed from our horses, our yaEscs, pistols
and bowie knives taken from us, and our
selves pushed along into the hut, in less
time than it would take a Yankee land,
lord to have passed the compliments Of
the season, The glance | lcaught as en-.
tered the hut, at about twenty horses in
the corral saddled and bridled, havi ga
sort of cavalry look, and evidently al
home after long days ride, in no way
served to decrease the apprchensions
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;
Guerillas p
AS soon as we were seated in a corner
of the large room, ycntured to inquire
of my friend, in a whisper, what he
thought of our situation to which he an
swered, with his accustomed clcarness
and as | thought, with a considerable
show Of probability. that We were Gin {
ID of a scrape + We however conclu
ded to "trust 10 luck and to acquiesct
for the time in anything that might be
done; ,a-saSe conclusion for two Yam
KEGS amid twenty or more athletic rob
bors.
The Guerilas had evidently had a lone
ride, and ] judged had met with success
as they were good natured, and laughed
and talked with each other necessarily
while the "proyisioner" was preparing
su per.
don't boast a great deal of GOODNESS
in the hour Of danger; but must con
fess that the broiIed chickens and friet
eggs made such sweet scent in my nos
Tils, that the popularity Of our position
was temporarily forgotten by me, Will,
my friend Charley was absolutely grin
ming and rubbing his hands like a glutton
The impression produced on us by smell
of the catablcs was evidently amusing tc
our hosts, OF "captors, | may call them
the apparent leader of whom addressed
us, as the yiands were being placed upoI
the table,
"Scnors mustbe hungry after thcirride
will they eat with us p
The manner of the man must have con
veyed to Charley what he was about t
say, before he actually uttered the words
for he was at the table, and had an eg!
on his plate before the conclusion of th'
sentence. As for me, was more digni
fed and as ! seated myself liesurcly a
the table, | began thanking him in ba'
Spanish, while Charley was eating in goo
Yankee style.
awe ask no thanks, Senor," said tn
chief, "you are our prisoners we wan
your money and yourhorses at dayligh
you may 60 free with what we leave you.
And strange as it may seem, his delib
crate manner of telling us that we were t.
be skinned and turned loose in a strang
forest, seemed to please Charley tremend
ously, for he burst into a loud gutlaw' an,
laid back in his chair with Il mouth ful
enough of chicken to choke horse bu
at severe look from me, he stralghtene,
up, the large white grinders closed heavl
ly on the dainty food, and for at least
minute he looked melancholy
After supper we were stripped OF ou
best clothes, and received in exchange a
the old garments we could desire. Ou
money was taken from us (at least thre
hundred rood dollars. \ and We were the