Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-05-05
selett Tale,
a WIFE's DEVOTION.
BY GEORGE S. RAYMOND.

The long and desperate struggle which had
for years been carried on between the lmpe-
rial Government OF Brazil, and the revolted
southern provinces, was drawing to close
and l., who for nearly five years had been al
most constantly ON the wing. or what amoun-
ted to about the same thing, on horseback, in
the patriotic service, was on my way to join
my little Brazilian wife to whom had been
united some five months previously and from
whose side / had been summoned within three
hours after our marriage to lead my command
against body of Don Pedro Sogundo's
LANcEIRos, who were committing depredations
in the neighborhood
/ had been severely wounded in the side
and shoulder. and what with the exposure in
our wild uncomfortable camp. the entire lack
of proper medical and surgical skill, and the
slow fever which had for three weeks been
consuming me--my iron constitution had
given way at last. and was as near dead as
man could well be, and maintain his seat
in his saddle.
My home, or rather that of my wife was
on the banks of the beautiful Uruguay, on
the extreme western limits of the Brazilian
Empire, aud my way thither led across the
serred peaks and through the wild passes OF
the Southern Brazilian Andes. region swar-
ming with every species OF wild beasts, fierce
savages, murderous banditt who killed for
mere pastime, and bands of Imperial troops,
more savage than brutes, Indians or robbers.
Pleasant, very-dun't you think it was p
for an invalid scarce able to keep his seat in
the saddle, and accompanied by only two ne
gro slaves possessing but little more sense or
reason than the horses they guided.
Seven long tedious days went by. and had
struggled on, thus far without coming in con-
tact with wild beasts, savages. robbers or I'm
perial soldiers, to within fifteen leagues Of my
journeys end; when my overtasked energies
could bear me up no longer. and despatching
the most intelligent Of my servants to apprise
my wife and her family Of my situation, | lay
down under the shelter Of shelving rock in
one OF the most rugged, desolate mountain
passes had ever seen. with but slight hopes
OF surviving till aid should arrive from my
friends on the Uruguay a.S -.
IL was near noon when the negro departed
on his mission, and as had promised him
freedom and ten ounces in gold if he reached
my wiie's home that night. knew he would
not lose moment. and might expect relie
before night the next day, provided / lived
tiil that time; which did not seem very pro-
bable, as within two hours was half deliri
ous. lhe hot blood driven to the eXtremitie.
by the raging fever seemed like leaping lquic
currents OF fire: while my very vitals ap
peared to scorch and crisp with the subtle
heat. and my whole frame was racked Will
the most exquisite torture.
Twenty times during the afternoon, / hat
sent the remaining slave to the stream whicl
wound along the bottom of the rayine, fo
water to slake my burning thirst
The sun was perhaps an hour above tn,
horizon. when | was suddenly surrounded b,
a band of some twenty ferocious-looking bri
gands, who were trapersing the mountain mas
to the westward in pursuit of a train of mule
loaded with merchandise that had proceeds
them but the day previous. s.,.-
] had nothing about me to tempt the rob
bers cupidity. AS they were rather partia
to the revolutionary party whose uniform
wore, they offered me no violence, and on
of them even brought me gourd Of water
for my slave had fed at the approach of III
brigands, and never saw him afterwards.
But all my entreaties. prayers, and prom
ses of reward were unheeded. i could nc
prevail ON them, to assist me forward, nc
upon any one Of them TO remain with me ii
my friends should arrive. They were inter
only upon the capture aud plunder of th
mules, and so they departed, leaving me theI
alone. sick and dying, in that wild desolat
mountain pass
My scanty supply Of water was soon o.
hausted, and Twas raying mad With iptoler'