The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-02-03
from the n. Y. Mercury.
JULES RE0NTEsAE:
OR. THE RANGERS VENGEANCE y

Our camp, FIRE was built on the verg'
of small strip Of timber, not far fro1
one Of the upper banks of the Neuces.-
There we're FIVE Of us in all, Jack Trav
ers, Juan Moliro, two others, and myself
1t had been reported that band of th'
Camanebcs we're about to hold a council
with the Mexicans, on the right fork ot
the Neuccs, and Gen. Sam Houston hat
despatched us to the quarter, TO spy Gu
the proceedings.
Our pipes bad gone out, as we'll as ou1
spirits; the last story bad been told, and
one the un- named Rangers had stretch
ed himself upon log to sleep, when sud
denly the breaking of a tRig near U:
caused US to start up, our weapons ready
for an enemy.
A moment, however, sufficed to show
us that no danger threatened us; for By
the light OF the Pickering camyire We
could see. at the distance Of twenty PAGES
the tail, gauDt figure of pale face ap
preaching. with bold step, and long
rife in bis hand. As he came nearer, we
could see that be wore the Rangers uul-
form, with the exception Of the regular e.
ouipmeuts thst made him one OF uS-hiS
rife and knife he0y his on J weapons,
and his shot-pouch and powder horn be-
ing those Of the ordinary back-woodman,
His head, too, was covered with wolf
skin cap. instead Of that Of the army; and
his long beard, aud shaggy, uncombed
hair did not SAVIOR much of the camp
little as that partook Of civilized appear
auces. He had keen black enc, which
seemed too small for bis other features
which we're prominent and bony; and hi
stature was considerably over six feet
though his laDk frame gave evidence o
great strength He seemed to have
crossed the equatorial line of life; and q
deep saduess, or sudden grief, seemed tc
have corrugated hi. brow into great vein:
Of curdled blood.
We had rescated ourselves around the
fire on discovering bis race, and quietly
took in bis appearance as be approached
Tie paused when about three PAGES fro n
us, and, setting down his rife, he leaned
bis elbow upon the end of the barrel, aud
for a moment quietly surveyed Us.
Wall, stranger, hope your not offend
ed at our pearance,' said Jack Travers,
after bearing bis scrutiny as long as bis
phlegmatic temperament could allow.
perhaps, was the cool r"joiader of the
stranger. uttered in deep voice i
have Travelled far to-day, on the trail Of
the Camanche, and have not tasted food
since last nights supper. Can you give
me soue!
Wal, that's not very difficult in these
parts, where games plenty, returned
Trarers, cyeing him closely.
L know; but [ had the trail Of the To-
dian watch, aud had not time to pause
and build fire, replied the stranger, in
the same deep. sad voice.
Then you are welcome to all we have
left. said Travers, turing to his knaps ack.
Veui,o with soae of cur army biscuit,
was soou set before hlm; and, taking a
seat upon log beside US, the stranger
drew bis hunting knife, and went into the
meal with that peculiar zest only expert
enced by the Western hunter. after a
long day'E trail. We watched him with
quiet but eager satisfaction. But the Gu
riosity of TraverS soon overcome his pa
thence, aud be asked:
why do you follow the trail of the
CamauchosY | rayther think it d be a
little more the stripe. as a Texan, to be
moulding bullets for the other yaller dov-
lis on t'other side the Rio Grsnde'
The stranger lifted bis small, dark
eyes TO those of Travers, and said:
Perhaps [ do. sometimes. Maybe
Jack Travers hasn't forgot the Golden
Pass and the night of the 18th of Octo-
ber.'
Jack started back in surprise.
Forget it, he exclaimed, with snim l.
tion. Forget that night of terrible mas
sacre, when scarcely Texan was left to
tell the tale! will never forget it. But
we're you therei Your face seems famil-
lar, and yet l cannot tell where I have
seen it,
Il scaS there, said the other, in thrill
ling tone. Twas at the Golden Pass on
the 18th of October, that one Jules Mon
tral fought by your side; and amid the
carnage Of the conflict, gave you small
locket and lock of hair, saying that, il
he fell and you survived, you would give
that to young girl who lived at small
rancho on the left fork of the Bravo. a
bout twenty miles from its junction. Did
you keep the promise you madei
Il have not yet had an opportunity,
said Travers, in confusion; for We baVe
been kept SO busy that | have not been
able to get in that quarter. Here is the
locket.' And he drew from bis bosom a
small gold locket, containing the likeness