The Sierra citizen., 1854-05-06
The South American Murat.
AN INCIDENT IN HIS LIrr,


the wild and barbarous exploits Of Paez.
the South American Murat; but few know
the real cause of his excessive cruelty to
the Spaniards. We are given to under
stand, from good authority, that it arose
from the following circumstances:
One bright, glorious night, such as We
in northern latitudes and in our sea-girt
isle never experience, when Captain Des-
sein commanded Gen. Paezs outposts, he
heard somebody approach on horseback.
On accommodating, the stranger proved to
be a female, handsome Andalusian.-
She appeared exhausted, and wished to
see the General forthwith. Captain Des-
sein FASTENED to introduce her to Paez,
whose bed and bedroom consisted of
hammock, suspended to two trees, beneath
the starry heavens. The young woman
fell on her knees, on perceiving the Cen
eral, and implored him to succor the pa.
triotS of Santa Fe, who wished to Join
Santander, and would be crushed by the
Spaniards unless Immediately assisted;
they egaged to effect a rising in the town,
as soon Us Paez and Santander appeared
at their gates.
Paez listened to the girl with the
utmost tinterest,eyidently not so much for the
sake ofthe subject as for the petitioner. He
asked her many questions-who she was,
what was her name, whether she resided
at Santa Fe, &c. In answer, she said that
hername was Polycarpia Salvatariella, and
that for several months past she had be.
come the emissary who caEried the corrcs--
pondence between the patriots of the town
and Santander's partisans. The love of
liberty had, she said, induced her to expose
herself to every peril.
The General. whs betrayed no feeling
whatever when an intimate friend fell by
his side, listened to his present visitor
with the utmost emotion He took her
hand, and in Letendeest tone assured her
he would go the very next day to the assist
ance OF her countrymen. On hearing the
blissiul news, the little Amazon uttered a
cry of joy, leaped upon her horse, and
vanished in moment.
Polycarpa Salvatariela possessed spirit
that assimilated closely to the Generals
willing to set at defiance everything, even
the grim king of tcrrors himself, to accom-
plish what it desired should be executed.
No wonder, therefore, that even the
short interview that had taken place
between them was sufficient to make the
General mady, desperately enamored of
the beautiful enthusiast in the cause of her
countrymens freedom.
According to his promise, the next day
Paez Informed his soldiers that he was
to lead them to Santa Fe, but the Lane.
ros, who never quit their prairits, for the
first time refused to obey their General.
Paez alternately ragged and prayed, but
in vain; the Llaneros threatened to desert
! if compelled to quit their families and,
/ drovcs. In this despair the General sent
for Captain Dessein.
"Captain,' said he. "she must be sayed;:
they must all be saved You are French
man-the Spaniards will respect you;,
hasten to Santander,- tell him to protect
the departure of the patriots of Santa Fe..
and the young girl above all let them
come hither-they shall be my brethren.
Start forthwith. Save her-saye SAL
vatariella."
He gave the Captain his best horse.
and off he galoped. Two days after he
communicated with Santander the message
of Paez.
1T is too late" exclaimed Santapder.
4" | have just learned that the Spaniards
have surprised one of my messages entrust-
ed to Salvateriella, in the hands of her
lover, young officer of the royal army:
both have been seized, and this very day
they are to be executed"
lmpossible!' exclaimed Captain Des-
sein; the girl must be saved"
He mounted his horse again, and has
tened, entire a terre, to Santa Fe. On
approaching the town he saw an immense
crowd, and the whole garrison drawn up
on the glasis. On inquiry he was told that
young officer, who had communicated
with the insurgents through the medium,
OF his mistress, was about to be shot,.
that the latter had declared that her lover
was innocent; that the officer had persis-
ted in accusing himself. and that they had
been sentenced to death. The Captain
fastened on, and soon heard the Ere of a
platoon ; it was the death of the young
officer. He perceived young woman
close to the platoon. 1t was poor Saliva
tarlella. She had not stirred on hearing
the discharge, but was as pale as death.
49, AAiiS oe.i % SCCuISU W HASH uFc.
The commandant gave signal, and the
executloner approached her. She then
asked for glass of water, which was
brought by Spanish soldier.
:" will accept nothing from an enemy p
exclaimed she, with haughtiness.
Dessein FASTENED to her and presented
the glass, when she recognized him.
"Senora, whispered the Captain, az
have been sent by General Paez to save youl
:" 1t is too late,'' said she, pointing to
the corpse of her lover; II must join him in
Heaven"
General Paez loved you," added the
Captain, trembling and weeping.
"rhen,' said she, "let him avenge me-"
AT that moment the executioner cut of
her hair. Salvatariella handed Captain :
Dessein lock off it, adding the words
For him-adieur'
She ascended the scaffold, turned towards
the people and shouted-"Viva la Patria."
The Captain could see no more. He
leaped upon his horse and galloped off. but 4