The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-08-01

, ty square miles, with forty thousand head 0
cattle, and several hundred horses, cat'l
and horses at that time being a mans avall
able wealth. He had been formerly q mill
tary governor of the country, and was con
sidsrcred fair spoil by our people, though II
justice must state that he was kindly dis
posed toward the Americans. The hous'
was a substantial edifce Of two stories, sur
rounded by a corrall, with stout gateway
the household consisted Of some twenty per
sons.
We had oil retired to rest, and were wrap
ped in slumber, when the loud barking ol
the dogs and hallooing Of men aroused u'
suddenly from our dreams. Expecting IN
attack from the bear party "a band Of law.
less despcradoes who infest the country y oil
rushed to the courtyard, armed ss well Oh
the time permitted, and in costumes most
picturesque, Us primitiveness is isusuaily con-
sidered so. Tne General, sabre in hand
camc last he challenged the intruders with
"Qien es la?" (Who is thcre)
Z" .imrieanos amifa', agra Ia puefro,'
(Americans and friends, open the gate,) was
the response, blow accompanying the
words that made the floor shake again.
The demand was perforcc complied with ;
and band of some City men were presented
to our view, mounted and arrayed as trap
pers and hunters, and armed to the teeth
Foremost among them, on black mustang,
was a small, sinewy, dark man, evidently
their leader, with "an eye like Mars to
threaten and command" q countenance eI-
presive of the greatest determination, and q
bearing that, Notwithstanding his rough
dress, stamped him as one born to command
to lead.
This was Fremont
al am an officer of the United States.
said he; "lam on my way to Los Angeles
| must have horses"
But-- said vallejo.
"I say, sir, must have them; you will
be recompensed by my government. Iordcr
you, sir, to deliver to my men what horses
you have in corrall."
Finding remonstrance would be Of no n
vail with such man, Vallejo called his va
queros and gave the requisite directions. In
the meanwhile my friend D. made him
self known to Fremont, having met him at
Washington.
"Ihave information of Castro's intention
to attack Los Angeles. have SIX days to
reach there before the outbreak, for that l
need these horses for l must be in at the
death.
I" But the distance ; six hundred miles,"
said ID. The roads"
al shall do it," he replied, and turned
away to supervise his arrangements.
In half an hour they d.r-..s0u rs uhcere-
monlously as they came, taking with them
some three hundred horses, and leaving us
astounded at this ride to wonder If we
were yet awake, or whether it was a unsub-
stantial dream.
{" Los diaalos," exclaimed the General,
4" they have even taken my wife's saddle
horse :" so thoroughly had Frcmon.'s lieu.
tenant executed his order.
From Sonoma to Ycrba Bucna, the little
hamlet where now stands the queen city OF
the Pacific, San Francisco, he argumcnted
his stock to the number Of fifteen hundred,
completely clearing the country; and then
commenced one of the most peculiar races
for fight ever probably known. Barely
pulling bridle to devour steak cut from
the quarter Of "a scarce dead bullock; driv.
ing before them their srarc hors ,s-on, on
they went; fifty miles being hard days
journey even for Californian.
As their exhausted beasts dropped under
them, they tore of the saddles, and, plac-
ing them on others, hurried on, leaving the
poor animals to be devoured by cayotcs, or
recover. as chance might bring about. Ev-
er at the head-the last to dismount and
the first to leap into the saddle, was this
mountainecr, this companion OF Kit Carson
this pioneer of empire Fremont Rarely
speaking bat to urge on his men, or to qucs.
ton some passing native, taking the small.
est modicum of refreshment, and watching
while Others snatched moments repose,
was he wrapped up IN his project, and de-
terrnined 10 hare some Of the fight.
Through San Pablo, and Monterey, and
Josepha, they dashed like the phantom
riders of the Hartz Mountains, startling th,
inhabitants, and making the night watcher
cross himself in terror, rs their band flew
on. The river Sacrifcios was reached.
swollen by the rains, it rolled on, q rapid
muddy stream-his men paused.
Forward, forward Z" cried he, and
dashed in himself; the struggle was a ferc,
one, but his gallant mustang breasts the
current. and he reaches the opposite shorc
in safety; his men, after time, join him,
two brave fellows finding watery grave.
and many horses being carried down tn,
stream but nothing now can stop him
the heights adjacent to the Puebla appear
now q smile might be seen on the implaca
bio vissage Of the leader,-if is The sirth day
and the goal is ron!
With ninety men on the last Of his earn
van of horses, he fell like thunder bolt on
the rear Of the Mcxicans. The day wa,
with them; the little band Of stout hcarts
guarding the presidio, taken by surprise,
and not having the advantage of the Mexi-
cans in regard to horses. were beginning to
wavcr. But cheer up, cheer again-succor
is at hand. On come those riders Of Ere
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