The Kanzas news., 1857-10-10
nhaI.anehine Hero.

The Laughing Hero.
AN INCIDENT OF THE MASSACRE AT GoLIAD.
The line was formed, and then broke in
to two columns, when every instrument of
music in the Mexican host sounded merry
march, and they moved away with quick
step over the prairie towards the west.
Five minutes afterwards, a singular dia-
logue occurred between the two leaders of
the front columns of the prisoners
'sWhat makes you walk so lame, Col.
Neil? Are you wounded?" asked tall
handsome man, with blue eyes, and brave
ry flashing forth in all their beams.
Colonel Fannin, walk lame to keep
from being wounded; do you comprehend"
replied the other, with laugh-and such a
laugh as no words might describe, it was
so loud, SO luxurious, like the roar of the
breakers of sea of humor-it was, in short,
a laugh of the utmost heart.
81 do not comprehend you, for am no
artist in riddles,'' reioined Fannin, smiling
himself at the ludicrous gaiety of his COM
panion, so strangely iIl-timed.
"You discover that / am lame In each
leg,' said Col. Neil, glaneing down at the
members indicated, and mimicking the move
ments of confirmed cripple, as he laughed
louder than ever. ''And YETI he added,
in whisper, 81 have neither the rheuma-
tism In my knees, nor corns On my toes, but
have TWO big reYolvers in my bootsl"
''That is a violation of the treaty by which
we agreed to deliver up our arms" Col.
Fannin mournfully suggested.
s.You will see, however, that shall need
them before the sun is an hour high" re-
NJ, Noif L do rnfE rnX
the treachery of these base Mexicans."
At the instant the sun rose in sky of
extraordinary brilliancy, and million of
fower-cups flung their rich odors abroad
over the green prairie, as an offering to the
lord of light, when the mandate of "halt'
was given by one of Santa Annals aids, and
two columns of prisoners were broken up
and scattered over the plain in small hollow
squares, encircled on every side by Next
can infantry and troops of horses, with
loaded muskets and drawn swords. And
then a momentary pause, awful in its still
ness, and disturbed only by an occasional
shrek of terror, and the most timid among
the captives realized the impending storm of
fire and extinction of life's last hope.
"Colonel Fannin fell among the first VIC
tins; but not so with the giant O'Neil.-
With the order of the Mexican officer to
his men to fire, our hero stopped almost to
the earth, so that the volley passed entirely
over him. He waited not for second
Thrusting hand into the leg of each boot,
he rose with couple of six-shooters-the
deadly revolvers- commenced discharg-
ing them with the quick rapidity of light
ming into the thickest ranks of his foes.
Panic-stricken with surprise and fear, the
Mexicans recoiled and opened a passage,
through which O'Neil bounded with the
spring of panther and fled away, as if
wings were tied to his heels, while half a
dozen horsemen gave chase. For while it
seemed doubtful whether the giant Colonel
would not distance even these, so much had
the peril of the occasion increased the natu-
raj elasticity of his mighty muscle. But
presently charger fieeter than the rest
might be discerned gaining on his human
rival, and approached so near that the dra-
COON raised his sabre for coup de grace.
MEL became conscious of his danger, and
hastily slackened his speed, till the hot
stream of smoke from the hsrse's nostrils
appeared to mingle with his very hair; and
then wheeling suddenly, he fired a round
from a revolver, and the rider tumbled
from his saddle. The victim then renewed
his fight.
A mad yell of grief and rage broke from
the remaining troopers, as they witnessed
the fate of their comrade, and its effect was
Immediately evident in the augmented eau
ton of their pursuit; for they galloped af-
forwards in one body, greatly retarding their
progress, so that O'Niel reached the river
before them. He paused not a moment,
but plunged headlong down the steep bank
into the current, and struck for the other
shore! The dragons discharged their fire.
arms Intellectually, and gave over the chase.
In few minutes O'Niel landed, and as
soon as he felt satisfied that he was perfect
| " safe, burst into an insuppressive conyul-
sion of laughter, and exclaimed, cit viii
kill me just to see how astonished the yell
low devils looked when hauled my revolt
vers out of my bootsl'
Such was Col. O'Neil; possessing fund
of humoF that no misfortune could ever ex-
haust, and flow of animal spirits which
would have enabled him to dance on the
grave of all his dearest friends, or to have
sung Yankee Doodle at his own execution.
THEREBY HANGS TA1L.-Two darkeys
I n