Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1858-03-11

upon an advancing party, whose numbers.
however great, would be of little avail,
since they could show but narrow front
In action But we were not attacked. and
nothing OF note occurred, although our
scouts had observed a splendidIy- mounted
Mexican ahead of US, who seemed to be
watching our movements; but they tried in
vain TO get him in range.
1t was almost night when, after winding
through the hills some FIVE hours, we came
abruptly to the entrance of one Of the most
beautiful little valleys, or rather basins,
that ever saw.
La Balsa de Flores the Bag of Flow
ers-said our guide, as he pointed to it.
1t was indeed fowery place Fertile
meadows, fields Of grain, groves of orange
and Of lemon, were spread before us. The
crimson cactus, and thousand other flowers
met the eye. Every tree was laden with
some towering vine
Pointing to building, or rather group
of buildings, about mile or little more
from us, on rising slope at the far side of
the valley, near which many horses and
cattle were grazing, the guide said:
That is the place Ramon Canovas,
the Ranchcro, lives there.
The solitary horseman' who had been
watching our movements was now observed
spurring swiftly up to the buildings, and
while We were forming column after our
struggling ride through the rocky defles,
we observed that party of yaqueros hnr-
riedly drove the horses and cattle into
high picketed enclosure which seemed to
surround the buildings
! shouldn't wonder If we had work be-
fore we get that place, Lieutenant, said the
dragoon officer TO me, as he carefully scan
ned the place through his field glass, and
handed the telescope to me-
should wonder if We didnt" was my
reply, as my eye ran over its defensible
/ position and noted its strength.
Well, the sooner we are at it the better
/ thank God, we've bright moon to work
by he answered, and then gave the order
! the order to move forward
Rapidly we rode through the beautiful
; valley, not giving our tired horses coveted
chance to nip at the tall grass and grain
/ through which we passed, and rising the
gentle slope upon which the buildings
stood, we were brought to halt by the
/ strong picket fence before mentioned, which
consisted Of heavy posts sunk deeply in the
/ ground, closely together. 1t was not so
high, however, but that We could see the
buildings inside. Al Of these, with one
exception, were mere outbuilhngs, and not
calculated for defence But the central
I building, Aankcd at either corner with
high towers, and evidently the residence of
the Ranchero, was strong and evidently
capable, if well garrisoned, Of offering a
stubborn resistance. But we, who had
stormed Monterey, thought light Of such
an obstacle
Finding the gate of this enclosure shut,
the dragoon officer, who as a regular and
my senior, was in command, hailed the
house, although We could see nothing liv-
ing about it except the herd of horses and
cattle His first hail met with no response,
but upon its repetition, young and singu-
larly beautiful girl came out upon the fiat
roof of the house, dressed in the pictu-
rescue costume of her nation, and in very
good English, though with Spanish ac-
cent, demanded what We wanted
We are after Ramon Canovas, the rob-
bing and numbering Ranchero, and his
band of cut-throats ? replied the officer.
6 Ny father is neither a robber nor q
murderer-he hates his countrys foes, and
, so does Hagarita, his daughter responded
the girl, and, as she spoke, she drew hel
, tall and elegant form up haughtily, while
her black eyes flashed forth her indigna
ton.
! IF you are his daughter, you will obllge
me by telling where he is
, IF I knew | would motif would
{ could not 1t is enough for you to know
: that he is not here ? replied the spirited
+ girl.
: Seeing is believing, fair lady. Yo'
! will favor me by having this gate opened
have my orders, and must obey them, N
e matter how unpleasant they may be- sai'
l. the officer.