New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-08-14


his females. To mention but single feature more,
her wsis. slender that you could span il with
your hsnds-a perfect wasp waist. But, as hand
some girl, she aware Of the value of her charms,
and kept herself carefully aIOof Both Spanish and
Enelsh, the could use the poignard or the pistol.
Being however faithful historian, and, such, de-
sirous OF keeping to the truth must add that Manu-
elite was more sensible to the charms OF gold than to
those Of Asttery. Permitted to enter the French
camp, she found thousand means Of filling her
purse. One Of her resources the business OF
rirand,ers From her little barrel, strapped over her
shoulder, che daily poured out wine brandy. She
sold tobacco 10 the sole ers and spices to the cooks
but her chief business fortune-telling During
the suspension of hostiItes the pretty Maltese dis
PLAYED her magic cards on skin spread over drum
and there with charming boldness, she oretod fu-
ture events Our soldiers were very fond Of hearing
her speak OF their private affairs, in kind OF mongrel
French which never failed TO excite their laughter
"Hear the Maltese speak soon became proverb IN
the army.
The day that the detachment commanded by the
CAPTAIN arrived at its destination, Manueta walked
through the camp offering to every one her spirits OF
Der prophecies. They drank and smoked and filed
the hand Of the pretty Maltese with silver She sp-
preached Tristan, saying, my good captain, have
YOU nothing to say TO me this morning."
st. Romoeuf answered, with smile, " No, except
that YOU seem to grow Landowner every day. was
il compliment you wanted from me -
Il do not wish to be complimented' returned she,
turning upon him seductive gIance-"wil you lot
me tell your fortune | am just in the humSr for
shutting cards to-day
"Pshaw know nothing about cards except laHs-
quenet."
Several soldiers who were passing stopped to hear
| the conversation.
"Have your fortune told, ike we do, Captain"
cried q conscript.
why. my good fellow, do you believe in such idle
words ?"
How can we help believing such person as
Manuets P"
st. Romoeuf laughed again. "Well, said ne,
Manuelita may tell my fortune if she will not use
cards."
81 don't want to- abe said, "your hand is
enough" Tristan gave her his right hand, and the
Pythoness examined closely the blue lines which
wound around on the broad, open palm. Suddenly
she turned sad look toward the sky.
"Are you done /" inquired the captain.
She made gesture Of assent.
"wel you little sorceress, why don't you speak ~
She gave deep sigh.
Tristan laughed and said every well | under
stand all your solemn movements. But you were very
anxious to tell my fortune minute ago. Why don't
you do so
"Tbe twentieth of August, captain the twentieth
of August! answered the pretty fortune-teer, in
significant tone of voice. and she again reapsed into
silence.
81 hear you-but what about 1t What will hap
pen then }" exclaimed Tristan emphaticay. But his
questioning wss vain; she merely repeated the same
words Tristan was vexed at her seeming obstnacy.
He threw away his cigar and walked off to another
part OF the camp 81 always thought she was
crazy" said he. few minutes sferwsrd as he was
passing the place again, he was startled at hearing
Manuelita close behind him exclaim,
"The twentieth of August captain the twentieth
OF August
"What here again with your cursed croaklDg
But he spoke to the winds MaRueita had already
sbouldered her barrel and disappeared
One would suppose the captain would always re-
member that date
II has already been stated that in is35 the African
army was exposed to sudden attacks from the enemy
and skirmishes were continually taking place The
exploring party of which l speaking were sub
iected TO most of the danger and fatigue. 1t is well
known that during the earlier part OF the war the
natives rave no quarter. The emirs set price in
silver for each Christian head brought to them and
the Kabyls and Coulougies used every endeevour to
gain the promised reward. This barbarous custom
was particularly fatal to outposts for scarceyia
NIGHT passed that the natives did not pour down IN
overwhelming numbers in their search after heads.
One morning it was discovered that the guards of one
portion of the camp every one decapitated' 10
prevent all future recurrence of such deeds Marshal
| Clausel resolved to send picket of cavalry every
night before the lines guarded by the French sentes
to protect them These pickets composed OF one
| or two hundred brave and determined men, But the
emirs on their part sent still larger attachments OF
skirmsbers, true sons of Jugurhs, who hid them
selves in the rayines or behind the clusters of cactus
Our soldiers fell the sooner on account Of the hand
which struck them being invisible; and the enemy
having thus the advantage secured great number Of
victims Such was the position Of affairs until the
month of August. Although they had fought several
severe battles still the position of the army was not
changed.
About week before the twentieth of August the
Maltese. hsndsomer and just saucy as ever, APP
pesred again in the camp. After making her usual
sales to the soldiers she requested to be shown to NJ
St Romoeuf, as she had some excellent Havana
cigars for him.
"Ah! Is it you, the Maltese butterfly" exclaimed
Tristan, who was examining map.
YES, captain; l bring you some excellent cigars,
and also want TO make bargain with you.
"In take the cigars, but i must know what the
bargain is before Il promise
do you remember" she asked, what told you
when was in the camp the other day '"
Eyes; You kept repeating some sentence to me