The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1860-05-19

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be able to % justice to Jour fars.'
.sOh, this siege is srerible for al par.iesr
said Paula; and she continued talking On
the subjset foE msneat Or two, when she
stopped suddenly and saying, pray excuse
me till sec what dstains my father she
hurrlsd ont through the same door, cloaips
il aS<er her.
"At this moment some Of the men cans
m from the otheF room, when informed
them What had occurred, and that shortly
We vers TO have something TO break our
long fast. But when some Gvs minutes had
passed away, without the seappearanes Of
either PsulA or her father, We began 70
grow impatient; and going to the door, /
opened It, and discovered that il Was . ruse
Of the girl, to effect her eun and her fathers
essape-for the door merely opened into .
vessibule, which led into . garden-the
house itseh being buils rather after the
English than, the Spanish style.
"Wsll, the escape vas Q trivial thing in
itself, and after few playful compliments
from my comrades, the subject Vas dropped
and the ineidsas swas fosgottso, We having
ssesgh before n of more serious stature
to occupy oas. minds. =
81 pass over the siege-for that is mat
ter Of history. The American army, as the
world knows, was victorious; and after three
or four days hard fighting on both sides,
the Mexicans capi;uiated, and were allowed
10 march out Of the city with the honors of
war.
"a few days after this event, the Rangers
were mustered out Of service, and was
once more master Of my time and person.
! fingered about the town for few days
longer, and then set of with train for Ca
margo, on my return to the United States.
| 81 pass over several little incidents which
might or might not interest you, but which
have no bearing on the story which it is my
purpose to relate. About twelve or fifteen
miles from Mier, the train halted late one
hot afternoon; and being told that a small
party Of our men had ridden on to Mier and
might easily be overtaken, l resolved TO
push on alone for that purpose.
"The road, somewhat billy, and passing
over an almost barren waste Of country, l
knew to be dangerous, from the prowling
band Of guerrillas that infested it; ; and had
| not felt certain of overtaking the party in
advance before nightfall, should not have
attempted it alone.
'sBut as fortune would have it, got be-
nighted before overtaking my comrades;
and in one of the most gloomy and dismal
places on the route--a deep, dark hollow
between two steep hills-I found myself
suddenly jerked from my horse to the
ground, by means of lasso, which had
been thrown over my head with unerring
aim, and which, falling over my arms, so
completely pinioned them to my body, as to
.prevent my drawing single weapon in my
defence.
"Scaroely had struck the ground, when
two men sprang upon me, and l could see
the bright blades Of their weapons CLEAN in
the dim light. #a
"'For Gods sake, gentleman, do not
murder men cried u Spanish, though
heeded-for had seen more than one cross
! solitary traveller had fallen victim to the
so-c called knights of the road.
as Who are you?' grufly demanded one
| of the two, as he determinedly put his hand
upon my throat and raised his knife, Us |
believed, for the fatal stroke.
.s Why don't you finish him, Guido p
said voice at. short distance from me;
and glanoind eye in the direction of the
speaker. 1 dimly perceived three or four
! figures grouped together, one of whom had
my horse by the bit. why don't You finish
him? What is it to you who or what he
| is?'
"f Why, If he's gentleman returned
Guido, as he deliberately brought the point
Of the sharp weapon down upon my naked
throat, 'who knows but be might pay us a
handsome ransom for his life p
81 caught at the suggestion, and instantly
replied:
"'I will will am a gentleman Of
means, and will pay you any ransom that
We may agree upon, at any place convenient
to BOTH
"Foolsk why do you daily ?-dead men
tell no tales = cried another voice behind
me, which not only sounded like that of a
woman, but which, strangely enough, l fam
cied was not altogether unfamiliar to me.
"s Can i. be possible that one of the gen.
tier sex DEGREES me to death p said l; while
the ruftian whose hand and knife were upon
my throat, seemed to wait for some reply
before the completion of his bloody work.
SIS Hold. Guido-stay yonr handp said
the same feminine voice. Who are you,
sir 2 was next addressed to me.
"t IL il is Paula who asks that question,
ON the officer who saved her father at the
storming of Monterey was my reply to the
interrogation.
"sHa! is it so indeed = said the same
voice. Back there, Pablo and Guido Y
and as the ruthans released their hold of me,
a woman's face was brought close TO mine,
and that face could see was Paula's. 1t
is true.' she proceeded after "A close scrutiny
Of my features 'this gentleman did save
nv father, and for that act be is now free.
Senior Cabellero,' she continued, addressing
me. 'acGept my regrets for the trouble |
have given you, and my congratulations
that nothing more serious has occurred
Arise, sir--you are free. Meant your horse
and away. with God-spced and without
question and when you relate this adven-
ture to your friends, tell them you found
gratitude even in the breast Of Paula Mem
dolex, the Guerrilla Queen
"s Thanks, fair iady--a thousand thanks
for my life = said |, as started to my feet,
though even then fearful of treaohesous
stab from the sullen and disappointed ban
dts.
"Away 2 said Paala, sternly Sand let
rs never meet again--for though We part as
friends nov, we should next meet as foes.
We are quits now. You saved my fathers
life, and have saved yours. Adois p
"Is needed no special urging TO get NJ e
into the saddle and finding myself clear OF
the robbers. and once more under way,
drove the spurs into ms horse; and in less
than an hour. the foam. covered beast stood
painting beside nay comrades in the town of
Aiey.
"Such. gentleman. il in brief the history
promised you,n concluded the captain,
rekliing his glass. +" see you oil look -
II you would ask for more facts-but l have
none to give you. Who Paula Nendolez
really was. and what became Of her, know
ne more than YOU. onN know that We
mes and parted in the manner have stated,
and that still feel verv grateful TO her for
having my head on my shoulders tonight.
to tell you the .sory. FIJI up, gentleman,
and here is 10 the very good health OF tie
dusrriila Queen