The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-12-04
From the Household Words.
A PRINCESS ROYAL.

few miles north Of Jose Maria, in Texas
had paid a visit to this place, near which
dear companion of my youth had beer
murdered. We were school fellows, and
for five years we had been brother officers
in the same regiment. He went to tha
United States Just when the war broke out
with Mexico, aud became Capt. of company
of Kentucky rifemen. A few months after
the battle Of Vera Cruz, he was deputed by
the officers of his brigade to present tc
General Taylor-who was on leave Of alb.
sence at New Orleans-a gold medal rs a
token of their respect. Choosing the near
est way from the camp, across country, he
set out on his errand with guide and two
servants, all on horseback, armed to the
teeth. In Jose Maria, my poor friend un-
wisely exhil tied the medal to the crowd OF
respectable looking persons, calling them
selves colonies, majors, captains, who
seemed to take great pleasure in studying
its engravings. He did not even remark in
what hurry some of these colonies were to
start before him. But the medal has, in
ten years. nevor more been heard OF and my
old comrade and two of his companions we
found shot dead in ravine.
1t was near this place that also fell
among the colonies. There was one OF them
who took great liking to my horse, when
he saw me giving it to the ostlcr. He tap
ped it repeatedly on the neck, declaring it,
with an oath, to be a nice animal, and no
mistake-which assertion he repeated after
wards over and over again TO his fellow
men in the bar-room, who, when they had
been out to satisfy their curiosity, agreed
with him upon the matter. 'Now, wouldn't
that be nag for you, major?' he said to a
tall, powerful man, with a tough beard and
disgusting features, who sat Il little apart
from the rest, and wore a large gray coat.
The major said nothing, but staked out of
the room, soon afterwards followed by the
colonel. The others had again taken up
their old topic of conversation, and were
talking politics rather vehemently as
thought, when the waiter-a German-came
up to me. and told me in our own language,
that had better take care, as those two
ruffians outside had set eyes upon my horse,
and would be sure to steal it If gave them
the slightest chance. Annoyed at this in
telIigence, asked my countryman what he
thought it would be best for me to do.
'Why,' said he, 'you have fallen in with
bad set, and if you want to keep your horse,
l should advise you to escape as soon as
possblc.'
After little reflection, resolved to start
at once, and made for the stable. There |
found the colonel again, most urgently talk
ING to the ostler, who looked at me in q
rather impudent manner, when | told him to
bring out my horse, and paid me no further
attention. therefore began to bride for
myself.
Il say, captain = said the colonel, coming
up to me after while, and tapping me on
the shoulder.
'Sir'
Come on, man! don't make fool of
yourself. want to buy that ere 'orsc,
captainn
DO vou:'
Thurik Heaven. was in the saddle by
that time.
Dol? Am | the man to be put out Of
my way by one of these ere chawed up
! GcrmanS:'
lie laid both his hands upon the bride Of
my horse. My blood generally boils at an
insulting word against my countrymcn, es-
specially when lam far from hcme in foreign
lands. In n tricc. the stick of the riding
whip came down upon the coloncl's head,
whIl,t the horse, urged to a powerful leap,
threw him ten yards away upon the ground.
As knew very well that, according to the
customs Of the country, this was Il revolver
affair now, and Us had no wish to become
entanged in such business, did not wait
until the colonel had picked himself up, but
rode forward without delay.
WAS stopped by the waiter, whom heard
calling after me, and who was out of breath
when he came up to me at last. The honest
fellow gave me the direction, which was
aft"rward glad to have followed. He sad
that the colonel. though coward, was a
most desperate villain, not at all likely to
give way so soon. but that the worst of the
whole set wns that tall fellow, the major,
whom he suspected to have gone in search
of some of his companions. You will be
chased by Il couple Of these rogues.' he
sad, 'aS am Il Saxon, Let NE advise
you. Follow your way up to the north un-
til you are out of sight, then do you turn
back to the south, as far rs Jose Maria.
At the ravinc south east of that place, turn
to the left, and, following the course of the
brook, ride for your life. Twenty miles up
called the Wood Creek. Old Delamotte
lives tnele, anu He lue uan lor you ~
trust
IolFrred the waiter few pieces of money.
but he would not take them; then hearty
shake of the hand, and this he took most
cordially.
stop = he said, when had already set
spurs to my horse. He lifted up each of the
horses legs, and looked carefully at the
shocing. 'All right he said, | thought
the ostl"r might have played you one of his
tricks, bat he has not yet had time, sup
pose. Now, 50 ahead, and don't forget the
Frenchman =
darted off.
1t was eleven O'Clock in the morning, |
had to make twenty miles to the ravine
which my countrymnn had pointed out to
mo. But my horse was worthy of the colo
nel's admiration; and, in spite not only of
tho round way had taken in accordance
with my friends advice, and half an hours
delay for rest at Jose Maria, it was but FIVE
in the evening when reached the melan-
cho!y spot.
stopped and looked about me. The
surrounding country was all barren and
the soil sterile. There was wooden cross
erected on the spot of the murder, and
beneath it lay the mortal remains of the
man whom had known in the full glow and
JOY of youth.
A strange feeling made me linger in that
place. The little rivulet, smoothly gliding
eastward, showed me the way was to 60.
| could follow its course with nv eyes to a
far distant forest, the hi Oh grass of the
prairie having burnt a track down, as it
does at this time of year. Yet still linger-
ed.
The horse began to neigh softly, and to
prick up his ears. He was familiar with
these prairics, as had bought him but a
few months ago at Little Rock, in Arkan-
sas. There was something IN the matter.
rlistened, but heard absolutely nothing.
| alighted, and, pressing my ear to the
ground, listened again. The earth trembled
family with the tread of horses vet at long
distance; but, when mounted again, |
could hear the sound. ltwas rapidly ap-
preaching from the direction of Jose Maria,
although the woods on that side of me pre-
vented me from seeing anything. | had but
little doubt who were the horsemen. Now,
colonies, majors, captains, let US see what
can be done! My horse gave such a sud
den and vigorous Jump when merely touched
him with the whip, that was almost thrown