Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-12-10
Adventures in the Argentine.


ELIZA Cook.
Adventures in the Argentine.
A VOLUME lies before us which may be said
to be in some respects a literary curiosity. If
analysed, it would be found to contain-frst,
the adventures of a poor little destitute boy of
New York, who became eventually colonel in
the army Of the Argentine Republic second, a
sketch of political occurrences there duringt that
period and third, some brief notices-partly
given in a chapter at the end, and partly scat
tered throughout the work-ofthe state ofman-
ners in that portion of South America.
The historical department we shall have little
to do WITH and for more than one good reason.
Though full of interest, and indeed OF a species
offomantic excitement it is not sufficiently in-
telligible to the general reader to be useful. II
is intended to illustrate the establishment of the
Argentine Republic Boliyio and Uruguay; but
the author plunges suddenly into detail of bat
ties, MURDERS and sudden deaths, forgetting that
majority of his readers have only very con
fused notion even of the geographical localities
of his story, and hardly any at all of their pre-
vious position and the train of circumstances
which originated the states in question.
The adventures of the author, colonel King,
we cannot so briefly pass over. They form one
of the most interesting pieces of autobiography
extant; and we shall take some trouble in sift-
ing them from the general details, so ms to pre-
sent Il continuous narrative.
{" In theyear 1917 at the age affourteen years
left my native city New York; in company
with man named Barker, and without dol
lar in my purse, took passage for Norfolk yir-
ginia. Arrived there, both Of our trunks were
left as hostage for our passage, and we together
strolled into town. BY tine sale of pocket.
knife we obtained food and parted for the day
each seeking some means of employment Or
the following day we met, and Barker Informed
me that he had enga sed himself as school
teacher in the country. He had obtained money
sufficient TO redeem his trunk which having OBJ
tanned, we parted and stood alone a stranger
without employment or the means even to pur
chase morsel of food. at length took quar-
tiers at the Bell-Tavern, where Remained shor
time, wheB strolling one day along the wharyes
found vessel about to sail, bound for Balti
more, and without ceremony took passage t.
that city. On my arrival at Baltimore tool
up my quarters at the house Of Mr.. Pitcher
hoping speedily to obtain employment, or a
least to make myself sufficiently useful to rem
der an equivalent for my board; but at the en-,
OF two weeks was no better off, and my host
with my consent, obtained shipping papers, AM
placed me on board the brig Wycoona TIL
landlord received my advance money and CAV
me, as an outfit for the voyage, t,co shirts in ad
dition to the wardrobe then on my back.
Where the vessel was bound to neithe
knew nor inquired il was all one TO me.
had foolishly left my home, and was too prou
10 return
The vessel turns out to be priyaterr in til
service of the Buenos Ayrean government an
on anchoring at the capital, the youth was Sc
on shore as useless hand, and wandered int
the city with no other worldly riches than hi
wardrobe tied up in little bundle. He tra
versed the streets, gazing eagerly about him, til
the name OF Flusk on the sign-board OF tav
ern appeared to look something like English
and he went in. The person at the bar, takin
him for beggar, told him he had nothing 70
him; but the poor lad was determined to sc
Mr.. Plusk, and Mr.. Flusk turned out to be
good-natured Irishman, with whom he boarde
for several weeks This time he spent in val
search for employment, till Mr., Flusk hmse
stepped in to his assistance, and got him
MASTER On. Coquelet,) Freuchman who kel
fancy and periumery store.
II soon found myself in good quarters. N
master wos kind to me, and, by assduity, SOC
won his confidence and esteem. With his wi
too, who was nm amiabe lady, soon becan
n CRATE favorite and it is to this family that
am indebted for all that afterwards hefell m
whether for good or for i'll, during long ser
of terrible and bloody years At this house
first saw q certain officer, of high rank in Il
service of the republic, who occasionally visit,
the family of my employer, and from whom
received many little tokens of kindness.
II remained with Coquelet several month
the necessities of my destitution had all be,
supplied; my obligations to my friend Flu'
were satisfied and with this relief from ankle
and ease Of circumstances came a restless desi
for change ! suffered with ennni from co
fnement to my shop which seems to me mo
as aprison-house than an asylum and althoul
sincerely gratifed for the many manifestat
of kindness which had received from the far
lily, I spoke often and freely to madame of Il
desire for more active employment. This W
at length communicated by the lady to the Of
ceraboye-mention, with arequcst that he woul
ifpossible, assist me in the attainment of i
wish This officer had already shown me el
dence Of a liking; and Immediately after Il
announcement had been made to him, he Sc
for me, and said Ny young friend, would y
like to enter the army Of the republieq