Weekly Trinity journal., 1864-01-16
NUMBER l..

young girl, approached the hut. He demanded
the cause of my presence in broken English, and
when informed him of the loss of the mule and
baggage, offered, if would remain in the hut
with the girl, to go and search for them, and il
not able to find them would then conduct me to
Panama, which was only about four miles dis
tant. I could do no less than comply, as saw
the folly of starting alone at so late an hour,
(even if the road was good one, which knew
it was not J so entering the hut with the girl, 1
busted myself in cleaning the mud from my
dress, while Lion watched the man closely as he
fastened my mule to post near the door. .I
Here was adventure for a woman, alone
in wild gorge of the mountains, perhaps in .
rendezvous of robbers, for after the opening Of
California trade it seemed though every native
of the Isthmus had collected upon the route to
annoy and plumber travellers without let or
hindrance Law there was none, save in the
protection of arms or numbers. And now those
who should in common humanity have returned
to ascertain the cause of my detention, bad
most likely forgotten my existance, or, if thought
of at all, considered it none of their business.
| q had often while reading the wild tales of
Banditti tried to imagine what my sensations
would be- were alone in their power, but never
thought of meeting so practical illustration
as this. But had no thought of giving up; if
the worst should come to the worst, knew that
Lion was host within himself, and my Revolver
was good for six, and I made up my mind they
should have it if need be- =. tifo4 90
q The girl could not speak or understand En-
glish, and did not deem it wise to address her.
in Spanish, keeping the secret of my under
standing them until / should become sure Of
their honesty, therefore we could only commu-
ncate with each other by signs, she busying
herself in preparing supper while l, after clean
ing my Dress seated myself near the front en-
trance of the hut but in such position as not
to be seen by any one approaching Lion taking
his accustomed place at my feet.
81 had presentiment that was in imminent
danger and watched the girl narrowly, with my
nerves stretched to their utmost tension, when
was startled by low whispering outside the
door near which sat. The girl went out, and
then their voices grew louder They conyersed in
Spanish, and l soon learned that it was my old
muleteer and the Spaniard who had pretended
to go and look for him. The former was telling
him that he had searched my baggage but could
find no money, and therefore the conclusion was
that it must be about my person, no individual
of my appearance would be likely to travel
without necessary appendage. t-H, .4
g 1 saw that my hour had come, and nerved
myself for the trial. Lion lay as still as death
Ca
ready, knew, for spring upon the first one
who should attempt to enter. had drawn my
pistol from my dress and ascertained that all was
right when q rustlng in the opposite corner
caused me to look round. My heart almost
ceased its beating as l caught sight of the
crouchng figure of my old conductor, dagger in
hand, creeping stealthiy towards me. Lion saw
him, too, and giving one spring, fastened upon
his throat in such grip that death must have
ensued Immediately, while the other william sprang
to his rescue. saw that Lion was to be his
first victim, raising my pistol sent ball
crashing through his brain, after which all is
blank save faint consciousness of being caught
in pair of strong arms and pressed to a warm
heart, until I awoke many months after in
beautiful room, surrounded by every comfort,
with Sam's red head cleaning among the GRIM
son curtains and his dear freckled face pressed
| close to mine. ...
" He had come to Panama to meet me, and
learning that had been detained by the loss of
my mule started in pursuit, arriving at the hut
just in time to catch me l was falling to the
floor in a state of nsensibility after having killed
the Spanard. -.s4 ESQ
'He carried me to Panama and placed me
upon the ship that was in waiting for us, but for
months / knew no one but Lion, and would
not allow him to leave the room only when was
asleep Sam has had collar of gold made for
the faithful creature, upon which is engraved all
of his noble deeds But fear nothing for me
now, dear mother, have regained all me accus
toned strength and tomorrow we start for the
banks of distant Trinity, our future home.'
81 Years have passed since then. California has
become a State ranking with many an older
sister in wealth and Importance, and what is of
stllI crater moment at this present time, loyal in
heart and hand to the Flag of the Union while
the Hon Judge Wilson (now Colonel in the
Army of the Potomac has grown with his
adopted country, wealth pouring into his Golfers
as he filled place after place of trust and honor
in the councils of the State His wife, still
beautiful as poets dream, loves her dog and
gun, but Lion the tried companion of her perils
has found grave among the golden sands ofthc
country, fit place for one so faithful, while
hold a truthful likeness of his canine majesty,
his great shaggy sides almost hiding the tiny
faxen head of fairy now bearing the name of
Maggie Goodrich-Wilson h salA1asA
CoEYxANs, N. Y, 1853. ...s exam seie,
FRIEND, intimate the example of the loeomo-
tive. He runs along, whistles over his work,
and yet never takes any thing but water to wet
his whistle. - - .q
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