Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-07-22


the projected insurrection and, leaving the
towns in which a residence had been assigned
them, sought to gain the Spanish side of the
Pyrenees, where they might lie Perdp until the
moment for active operation arrived, sqhsisting
in the meanwhile by brigandage and other law
less means Owing 10 the negligence, either
accidental or Intentional Of the French author
tiles these adrenturerS usually fOund Little DIFF
fcuity in reaching the line of demarcation be-
tween the two frontiers but 1t was there their
troubles began. and they had to take the great
est precaution 10 avoid falling into the hands
of the Spanish cara6iner0s and light troops
| posted along the frontier.
Among those who intended to take n share
! in the rebellion, Don Ignacio Guerra occupied
prominent place Being well known to the
Spanish government as q devoted adherent Of
| Christina, it would have been in vain for him
| to have attempted entering Spain ~ one Of the
ordinary roads. Repairing to Oleron, there.
fore, he procured hm,e guide, AMI one of
the small but sure-footed horses of the Pyre-
necS, and, alter q WearisOme march among the
, mountains, arrived about dusk at cottage, or
rather hovel, built on a ledge of rock within
half an hours walk of the Spanish frontier Be
yOnd this spot the road was impractcablc for
u horse and even dangerous for pedestrian,
and Don Ignaco had arranged to send back
| his guide and horse and proceed on foot IN
which manner, also, it was easter tC AVOID fall
ing in with tie Spanish troops. The isht was
fine, aud having the road infinitely explained
to him by his peasant guide, lgnacio had no
doubt of finding himself within few hours at
u village where shelter and conceament were
prepared for him. Leaving the horse in a sort
of shed that afforded shelter TO two or three
pigs, the Christina officer entered the nut, fol-
lowed by his guide and by splendid wolf dog,
an old and faithful companion Of his wander
ingS. 1t was some seconds, however. before
their eyes got sufficiently accustomed to the
| dark and smoky atmosphere Of the place, to
distinguish the objects it contained. The
smoke came from fire Of green wood, that
was smOuldcring under an enormous chimney,
| aud over which a decrepid old woman was fry.
ing tallou1, or maize meal-cake, in grease Of "a
most suspicious odour. Tae Old lady was so
intent on the preparation of this decacy, q
favorte food of the Pyreneaa mGuntaincers,
that it was with difficulty she could be pre-
vailed upon to prepare something substantial
for the hungry travellers. Some smoked goats
flesh and acid wine were at length obtained
and, after hasty meal 1guaco paid his guide
and resumed his perIous journey. The moon
had not yet riSen-the night was dark--the
paths rugged aud difficult and the troops on
the alert to avoid falling in with an enemy,
or down prccipice. SO much care and atten-
ton were necessary, that nearly three hours
had elapsed before lguaciO perceived that his
| do- had not followed him from the cottage
! The animal had gone into he stable, aad lain
! down e>de his masters horse, doubtless imtg-
ining, by sort of hall-r, aSoning instinct which
dorS possess that long as the horse was
there, the rider would not be far off
IgHaciO'S first Impulse, on discovering the
absence Of his four.foOed companion, was to
return to the cottage but the risk in so doing
was eXtrcme, and as he felt certain his guide
~ould take care of the dog, and that he should
get it Oh some future day, he resolved to pur-
sue his journey. Meantime the night became
darker and darker-couds had gathered and
! hung lOw-therc was no longer the slightest
trace or indication Of a path, and the darkness
! prevented him from finding certain landmarks
! he had been told to observe he was obliged to
walk on nearly at hazard and soon became
/ aware he had lost his way To add to his diff
! Gcultic>, the low growlings Of distant thun-
der were heard, and some large drops of rain
/
! ng, and Iynacio quickeued his pace in hopes
of finding some sheIte before it came on, re-
solving to wait at all risks till daylight beforr
continuing his route, lest he should run as it
were, ,bIindfoded into the very dangers he wish
| ed to avoid. A sort Of elf or wall of rock he
! had for some time on his left hand. now sud,
denly ended and a scene burst Oh his view whici,
to hm was common place enongh but would
| ,,,l H.
uu ,u>t m d to such sights The mountain.
which had been steep and difficult to descend,
now began to slope more gradually as it APP
| preached its base. On a sort of shelving pla
teau Of great extent, q nnmbCr of charco II
burners had established themselves, and as the
most expeditions way Of clearing the ground,
had set light in various places to the brnSh
wood and furze that clothed this part cf the
mountain. To prevent, however the conha
grafton from extending too far, they had pre-
vionsly, with their axes, cleared rings Of sever
al feet around the places TO which they set
fire. The bushes and furze they rooted up
were thrown up in the centre, and increased
the blaze In this manner the entire moun-
tain side, of which several hundred acres were
overlooked from the spot where lgnaco stood,
appeared dotted with brilliant fiery spots Of
some fifty feet in diameter, the more distant
ones assuming lnrid-red look, seen through
the fog and mist that had now gathered over
the mountain Ignacio approached the near
est of the fires, lighted close to a crag that al
most oyrrhung it, and that offered a sufficient
shelter from the rim which had begun to de-
sceud in torrents. Throwing himself on the
ground with his feet DIS the flames he en-
deavored to get a little sleep, of which he
stood much in need. But it was in vain. The
situation in which he found himself suggested
thoughts that he was unable to drive away.
Gradually sort of phatasnagoria passed be-
fore his minds eye" wherein the various
| auantS Of his LIE which nlthnnmh q shnrt one