The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-11-07
The Laughing Hero.

Tie line was fornnel and then broke into
two columns. when every instrument ot mli-
sic in the Mexican host sounded merry
march, and they me:ed away with quick
step over the prairie towards the west.
Five minutes afterwards, singular dia.
logue occurred between the two leaders of
the front columns of the prisoners.
"What makes YOU walk 40 lame. Col.
O'Neil? Are you wounded?'" asked Il tail,
handsome man, with blue ewes. and bravery
flashmg forth in all their beams.
Col. Fannin. | walked lame TO keep from
being wounded; do vou comprehend" rcpli
ed the other, with laugh--and such a laugh
as no words might describe; il was so loud.
sea of humor. 1t was, in short, a laugh of
the inmost heart.
Il do not comprehend you for | am no ar
tlst in riddles rcjoincd Fannin, smiling
himself at the ludicrous gayctv of his COM
panion, SO strangely il-timcd.
"lou discover that am lame in each leg"
said Col Neil. glancing down at the members
indicated. and mimicking the movements of 4
confirmed cripple. as he laughed louder than
ever. And vet" he added. in a whis per, Il
have neither the rheumatism IN my knees,
nor corns on my toes. but havctwo big rcvol-
vers in my boots"
That is a violation of my treaty by which
we agreed to deliver up our arms" Col Fan
min mournfully suggested.
You will see. however. that shall need
them before the sun is an hour high" repli-
cd O'Neil. "!Ah. Fannin. YOU do not know
the treacherv of these base Mcxicans.
At the instant The sun rose in sky of ex-
traordlnary brilliancy. and million of flower
cups flung their rich odor abroad over tho
green prairie. as an offering to the lord OF
light. when the mandate Of "halt" was given
by one of Santa Annas aids. and two columns
of prisoners were broken up and scattcrcr!
over the plain in small hollow squares. rncir-
eied on every side bv Mexican Infantry and
troops Of horses, with loaded muskets and
drawn swords. And then momentary
pause. awful in its stiffness. and disturbed
only by an occasional shrek Of terror and the
most timid among the captives realized the
impending storm of ere: and the extinction
of life's last hope.
Col. Fannlm tell among the first Victims;
but not so with the gallant O'Ncil With the
order of the Mexican officer to his men to
fire. our hero stopped almost to the earth. 80
that the volley passed entirely ever him. lie
waited not for second. Tnru>tins a hand
into the leg of each boot he arose with a
couple of six shooter>-thc deadly rcvolrcrs
and sommcnced diScllaryiny them with the
quick rapidity of lightning into the thichcst
ranks o! his foe
Panic-strickcn with surprise and fear. the
Nexicans recoiled and opened a passage
through which O'Ncii bounded with the
spring of PANTHER and fled awav. as ifwinss
were tied to his heels. while hait-a-dozcn
horsemen gave chase. For a while i, seemed
doubtful whether the giant Colonel wonld
rot distance even these. 50 much had the
peiil of the occasion increased the natural
activity of his mighty muscles. But present.
lv a charger ficetcr TIM the rest nigh, be
discerned gaining on his human rival. and
approached so near that the drasoon raised
his sabre Cor a comp dc rar,. O'Neil be
came conscious of his danger. and hastily
>lackened his speed. till the hot steam of
smoke from the horses no>trils appeared to
mingle with his very hair: and wnen. wheel
ing suddenly. he fired round from his re-
volyer. and the rider tumblcd from his sad
die. The victim then renewed his flight
y mad Vel! of grief and rag broke from
tie remaining troopers. as tilry witnessed the
fate of their comrade. and lis eject wa> i'm
mediatcly ly eviden, in the augmented caution
of their pursuit for they galloped afterwards
III ie body. greatly rctarding their progress.
81 that O'Ncil reached the ri,cr before til,.n.
lie paused not moment. hr, piuagel head
long down the steep hank into the current.
and struck for the other shore. III. dr..-
coons discharged their firearms in .:itctuallv
and gave over the chase. I,
In a few minutes O'Ncil landed and as
soon as he ie; satisfied that he VAS perfect
y safe. burst into an in>urpre>>ire cnnrul-
sion Of laughter and exclaimed: 1T Will Kill
ME just To see how aStoni>hed the yellow
devils looked when hauled nv rcvolycrs
out ofmv boots"
Such was Col.:O'Nril: possessing fund
of humor that no misfortune could ever ex-
haust. and flow of animal spirits which could
have enabled him 10 dance on the grave of
Ill his dearest friends. OF to have sung Yam
kce Doodle at his own execution.