The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-10

egt and most desperate battles thai ever took
Mace. over three thousand Mexi,ans and
three hundred Americans having Bit the dust" Our
por,er asked him he had ever killed a man 10 his
knowledge Tie said he "didnt know that he hal but
he had popped away at a good many" We suggested
that Company and Col Burden must have belonged 10
come regiment but he remarked that he didn't remem.
Der is name all he could recoi ec was hat "they did
most OF their fighting their own hook-somstimes on
foot and sometimes as cavalry, travelling gooi many
miles day, and having pretty rough tine" He said
he "wondered Why he hadn't been hit, because no al
ways went In first. Somehow or other, however, he
always came out SAFE and seemed to DO preserved for
some other destiny but" continued Ihe, "hs
mighty mean destiny that coops up in stone cell
like this 10 be tried for the crime of murder"
In the of the desutory conversation OF the pri
sOner he stated that when Ut Valparaiso, South America,
several years ago he kept boarding house for sailors,
and while there shipped great plumber In the Chilean
navy According to his account, several Spanish officers
have called him during his confinement, two Of
whom he recognized having the South Amer
can coast but which he omitted to state he did
not mako himself known. II then suggested
TO him by that he probably understood the
Spanish language. 'Yes," said he, "I speak almost
every language that spoken the globe-Spansh por
tuguese, Russian Polish French Greek, Arabic aud Hot
tentot and any gentleman desires to ask few polite
questions think can satisfy him that it's 3d." One of
reporters TO his evident SURPRISE accepted his invita-
ton and commenced in Spanish He held his
head down for moment as il to collect his scattered
knowledge and then very hestatng and disconnected
manner, stated that he had not been in the South
American country for eighteen years, and that we
talked "too big SPANISH for him TO converse freely
but cond such language Is generally spoken
among the ranches Of California he should be able to do
much better. He spoke enough, however, to indicate
that to extent at least he acquainted with the
Spanish Not being posted upon either the Arabic the
Hoentot our reporters did attempt this point to
test his knowledge further.
Referring to the subject Of the murder and his Ap-
preaching trial. Hicks manifested unwlingness to
generally upon the topc but when questioned to
details he seemed decidedly dsincined TO say anything
and preserved silence which contrased strongly with his
previous socabiy. He remarked that several gentle
men had been u zee him concerning the matter who had
told him that already there doubts in certain quar
ers az 10 his being right man. and that when he
be tried would be proven that he was ia, away from
the scene Of the murder At the time committed He
said they had go the wrong man. and that already from
Whist he had overheard he felt certain they had begun
smell rat" On remarkpg that in view Of the present
evidence against him. thought he stood rather slim
chance Of escaping punishment, he replied ait might be
80, but he should be able to that he was never
board the vessel at all Why" said he, "when they
first got they Anted to try and have hung
once but expect they'll take their time, and that
It will be q good while before get ont OF this place y
We asked him he had heard the report that OF the
bodies had been found In instant his manner under
went change and with tone Of voice expressive OF the
greatest interest he inquired, How9 When did you hear
| mgo "About two weeks ago." replied. "Oh," said
he with apparent relief and continuing after pause,
"Do you think it is true?' We said reported.
he then became very silent, and further conversation
| evidently being distasteful, we left.
In spite Of the careessness Of manner which the pri
soner assumes he unable TO conceal the deep interest
which he feels everything pertaining to his ncarcera
ton and trial. and the that he is unable TO read and
is dependent for Information upon the gossip which
him through his grated cell, or upon his coun-
sell renders him still anxious as to the course which
will be hereafter pursued in regard to him. and the gene
raj tone of public sentiment which prevails concerning
hs trial and its result He Is DESTROYS that the trial
should take place at the earliest moment possible
and expresses undoubed confidence in his acquitta HIS
o"-'----- - hriedv summed up in the remark
that he is shrewd, unedacated cautious collected man
whom, apparently, it is almost impossihia =, .u-nrm,
whatever may be the topic Of conversation, and Who il
ne be really guilty, bears up under the trying crcum
stances by which he is surrounded with brazen hard
hood which belongs only 70 the most hardened criminals