Butte record., 1856-02-16

VI lotliIlg less llldH OF lne tlGllSn
} arrows which were itching to be away
, and through his ribs. the ambush was
: complete; the only question, how and
when to commence?
Amyas had shrinking, which all
will understand, from drawing bow in
cool blood on men uttery unsuspicious
and defenceless, even though in the
very act Of devlish cruelty, for cruelty
it was, as three or four drivers, armed
with whips, fingered up and down the
owly-staggering file Of Indians, and
avenged every moments tagging eve
ry stumble, by blow of the cruel ma
nati-hide which cracked like a pistol
shot against the naked limbs Of the
silent and uncomplaining victim.
Suddenly the casus beUi, as usually
happens, arose of its own accord.
The last but one of the chained line
was an old gray headed man, followed
by slender, graceful girl Of some
eighteen years old, and AmJa's heart
yearned over them as they came up.
Just as they passed, the foremost of
the file had rounded the corner above,
there was hustle, and voice shouted
Halt, Senors! there is tree across
the path?'
"A tree across the path! beloved the
officer, with q variety Of passionate
addresses to the Mother Of Heaven,
the fends Of he'll, Saint Jago Of Com
Ipostello, and various other pernages,
while the line Of trembling Indians,
were told to halt above, and driven on
by blows below, surged up and down
upon the ruinous steps of the Indian
road, until the poor old man fell grow
cling on his face.
The officer jumped down and hur-
ried upward to see what had happened.
Of course, he came across the old
man.
'Sin peccado concebida! GRANDPA
ther Of Beelzebub, is this place to
lie worslipping your fends' and he
pricked the prostrate wretch with the
point of his sword.
The old man tried to rise: but the
weight on his head was too much for
him; he fell again, and lay motionless.
The driver applied the manati-hide
across his loins, once, twice, with fear
full force; but even that specific was
useless.
'Gastado, Senor Captain, said he,
with shrug. Used up. He has
been failing these three months
'What does the intendant mean, by
sending me out with wornout cattle
ike these? Forward there' he shouted
Clear away the tree, Seniors, and I'll
soon clear the chain, Holdit up, Pc
driIlo'
The driver held up the chain, which
was fastened to the old mans wrist.
The officer stepped back and flour
ished round his head a toledo blade,
whose beauty made Amyas break the
Tenth Commandment on the spot.
The man was tall, handsome, broad
shouldered, high-bred man; and Am
yas thoght that he was going to display
the strength of his arm, and the tenn
per of his blade, in seyering the chain
at one stroke.
Even he was not prepared for the
recondite fancies of Spanish adven-
turer, worthy son or nephew of those
first conquerors who used to try the
keenness Of their swords upon the liv-
ing bodies of the Indians, and who
regaled at meals with the odor Of roast
ing Caciques.
The blade cleaned in the air, once,
twice, and fell; not on the chain, but
on the wrist which it fettered. There
was a shriek-a crimson fush-and
the chain and its prisoner were parted
indeed.
One moment more, and Amya's ar
row would have been through the throat
of the murderer, who paused regarding
his workmanship with a satisfied
smile; but vengeance was not to come
from him.
Quick and fierce as tiger-cat, the
girl sprung on the rufian, and with the
intense strength Of passion, clasped him
in her arms, and leaped with him from
the narrow ledge below.
There was rush, shout; all faces
were bent over the precipice. The girl
hung by her chained wrist; the officer
was gone. There was moments aw-
full silence; and then Amyas heard his
body crashing through the tree-tops
far below.
Haul her up? Hew her in piecesl
Burn the WITCH" and the driver seiz-
ing the chain, pulled at it with all his
might, while all springing from their
chairs, stopped over the brink.
Now was the time for Amyasl Hea-
ven had delivered them into his hands.
Swift and sure, at ten yards off, his
arrow rushed thro' the body of the dri-
yer, and then, with roar as Of leap
ing lion, he sprang like an avenging
angel into the midst Of the astonished
rufians.