M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1855-08-10


paling manner, and seemingly, by a
kind OF language, encouraging one an
other. There was no time left for
stratagem--Aight, had we attempted it,
would only have hasIened our destruc-
ton, for the monsters were nimbIe as
dogs. So drawing our machetes we
prepared 10 defend ourselves or die.
| In an instant we were engaged--a
dozen zalnboes asSaiIing each OF US
and shall pever forget the ferceness
of their first assault. The clothes
we're literally torn IRON our bodies, and
our skins were lacerated in different
places--blood flowed from a dozen
wounds made by the claws and teeth oil
the fierce, brutes--and one that had
dropped upon my shoulders from an
overhanging limb, before | could shake
him off had severely wounded me on
the throat, Despair, however, nerved
our strength, and already a number oil
bleeding bodies lay around us--but 9TH
er zamboes, hearing the screams oil
their companions, were approaching
from distance, and the whole barran-
ca was filled with their fendish yells.
Besides we were growing weak by such
constant 6ghting--which had now last
ed fifteen or twenty minutes--and the
danger OF being overpowered by mum.
bers was becoming every moment more
apparent, when all at once an expedi-
ent which promised temporary relief,
suggested itself to the mind Of the
Mexican.
Laying Justify around him with his
machette he approached the fire that
was still brightly burning, and drawing
thence large piece of blazing pine.
wood, he brandished it in the faces Of
his assailants. The effect was magi.
cal. Instead OF closing upon him, as
they had done when defended only by
his maChette, the monkies surrounded
him at a wary distance; still, however,
yelling fearfully and threatening to re-
new the attack. was not long in
following his example, and we now
defended ourselves-BaiIlie Jarvie like
with fire,brands, which our adversa-
ries-like the enemies of the Bailite--
dreaded more than they did our swords.
But our torches could mot last for
ever, besides if they could, we knew
we i that the zamboes would soon get
used to them," and we had little cause
10 congratulate ourselves on this TEN,
porary relief. Still on came the troops
ofthe enraged monsters--our torches
began to give out, and our case seemed
hopeless, when all at once our attention
wLs directed TO deep cleft or fSSure
in the precipice, forming sort of nat
ural cave, witha very narrow opening.
Here then was our only hope, and we
determined TO avail ourselves of it,
BY fighting and maneuvering, we at
length reached the cave and affected an
entrance, and brandishing our torches
so as 10 keep the enemy at bay, we
succeeded by the help Of large masses
Of porphyry in waling ourselves up,
so that not one Of the zamboes could
reach us. u. . ..
As soon as they saw that we had
thus escaped them, they set up SIM
ultaneous yell and rushed to the en-
trance Of the cave. But were for the
time secure, and we could hear and see
them throughthe chinks gnashing their
teeth, and expressing in their looks and
gestures extreme disappointment. A
long, low wailing succeeded, and on
looking again through the crevices, we
perceived the zamboes carrying off
their deadl
Comfortably secure, but most intol-
erably hungry, we remained in our for
tress during the remainder of the day.
The occasional screams that reached
us from without, taught US that our
place OF security was at the same time
our prison! And how long we were
to be thus confined was fearful con.
sideration, Night came and we could
no longer see our enemies. Their vel
ling also ceased, and we began to en-
tertain hopes that they had given us up
and retired to their haunts, so that In
the morning we might easily effect our
escape, With what anxiety then did
we wait for the first light OF day! and
when at last it came, with what trepi.
da!ion did We peep through the loop
holes of our porphyry wall! Great
Godl score oil zamboes were acting
as sentinels in front of prison! They
had not forgotten their fallen compan,
ions, but were determined to avenge
them.
For the first time during our adven.
ture hope began 10 foil us. We were
in a lonely barrancd, at least twenty
miles from any settlement, and suffer-
ing severely from the poisonous wounds
which the zamboes had inflicted; be.
sides we were much weakened by loss
OF blood, and to escape by fighting
was now out OF the question. Death |
death from hunger and thirst-a fear
full and lingering dealh-seemed to
await US. The day continued to pro-
gress, bat the monsters were still to be
seen through the loop.holes of our pris-
on. cannot now recall to my recol. /