The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1866-01-13

The Guerilla roray.

DuAAAnss rays as q party OF U1iTCg men rode
out of +" Garitta de Belab" and galloped
rapidly along the causeway leading to the
village of San Angel They were dressed
IN the uniform Of mounted rifemen, and
were mounted On full bloOded American
horses. They were evidently upon pass"
as no officer was with them, and bound upon
some jolly excursion into the country.
They had reached the cross road, leading
from the town of Tueubaya to Penyan when
single hOrseman was observed advancing
rapidly toward them from the Penyan side,
his form upFaised in his stirrups, and his
whole demeanor giving evidence Of extreme
haste.
say, Abe, that fellow is making for Us
something has happened, and he wants our
assistance, said one of the party, tapping
young man Of some twenty-three upon the
shoulder, "what say your"
The person addressed as Abe, took a long
look at the horseman, and then replied:
If that isn't old Ricardo, l am very
much mistaken"
What, the old Spaniard who owns the
large hacienda near San Antonio, and who
has such pretty daughter ?" asked the
other
The same; but see, the old man beckons
US to meet him; let US 60" And putting
spurs to his horse, he bounded swiftly for
ward to meet him.
Let's after him, boys, and if there's any
fun on hand, Wen have share In 1t" shout
ed the other, and the whole party dashed on
after him. In a few moments they were
alongside the old man, and having refined in
their steeds, Abbott said
What's the matter, Ricardo-is anything
wrong p
"Senors Americanos my childl my
daughter replied the old man in tones of
anguish.
"What of her speak, tell me " exclaim-
ed Abbott with startling energy, and his
eyes flashed as he grasped the Spaniard's
arm.
"ventell, the guerillaI" gasped the cid
man in reply.
He has not dared, began the fiery youth
but he was cut short by the old man, who
said
He has robbed my house, and carried
off my child Obi if you are men, fly to
her rescued"
When was it done2" exclaimed half
dozen voices, and all eyes were eagerly bent
upon Ricardo as he replied
" Not two hours since; they can be easily
overtaken."
How many did they number was asked
by dozen voices.
Zone hundred in number" and the Span-
lard gaEed with despairing look on the
little party before him.
Boys" said Abbott in firm tone, who
of you will go with me2 For myself,
will rescue her, or die in the attempt
d" was the response of every member
of that little band, as the caught the daring
spirit of Abbott.
"Then, lead on, old man, and ere the sun
sets, your child shall be restored to your
arms"
The Spaniard needed no second bidding,
h91k xKyna oh ho hY1r.
led his spurs in his fanks, and the noble
steed bore him swiftly onward Over the
cross road leading to San Antonio they flew
On their errand of mercy. Down the giant
causeWay Of Antonio, and over the fatal
bridge Of Cherubusco they went, and the
spires Of San Augustine glittered in the
distance, but no foe was yet to be seen. The
old man rode before, his gray locks stream
ing in the wind, and his dark eye fixed with
an eagle glance before him, scanning the
wide plain and the rock bound sides of Con
treras. Suddenly raising his long bony
arm, he pointed far on before him, to where
the road assembled the mountain height of
CholacincO, and shouted
"There they are Forward forward "
a suppressed yell burst from twenty lips,
and as many hands sought their sabre hilts,
and loosend the shining blades in their scab-
bards, while a stern resolve rested upon the
the outskirts of San Augustine, and down
by the placid lake of Choloo they sped, and
the next moment they were mounting the
rugged heights of ChOlacinco. On the top
they paused, and down in the vale beyond,
not over a half mile off, they discovered the
robbers riding slowly along, unconscious of
pursuit
"FalI back, Ricardo, and leave the work
to as" said Abbott, addressing the Spaniard.
"Never" burst from the pallid lips of
the father
But you are unused to scenes of strife !;
| YOU might fall, and then what would become
| of your daughter ?"
| "No morel said the old man, " if pa
rent strikes not for his child, who will 2"
| The enemy now discovered the approach
| of the little party, and began to hasten their
speed, but as the large horses of the Ameri-
cans rapidly Outstripped the Mustangs, it
| became evident that few minutes must end
the race. Finding escape impossible, the
| guerillas wheeled about, and hastily forming
/ a line, came laundering on to meet them.
"Now, boys, let them have a good vOlley
| from the rifles, and then throw them down,
and trust to the sabre and the pistol for the
| victory. Forward, and God defend the
right"
a deafening yell burst from the little
band as Abbott concluded, and unsingiDg
their rifles, they poured in a nurderous fire
as they closed with the enemy, which brought
many a stalwart foe to the earth, and draw
ing the glittering blade, they fought for vic
tory or death. Terrible, indeed was that
bloody encounter, but it was not of long du-
ration A dozen ofthe guerillas sank before
the first fatal fire and as they closed in TO a
hand to hand struggle, the tail steeds Of the
Americans trampled down the lighter onel
of the enemy, and the deadly revolver told
with powerful effect upon the cowardly rob
bers. One after another they fed from the
field, and ere a half an hour passed, the
remnant of the small band remained its
masters. Ten had fallen in the strife. and
lay commingled with the bodies Of forty
bandits upon the CORY sod. But where was
Ricardo2 KneeEng beside yon rock, with
his pale and haggared face upturned tc
Heaven, while the blood oozed from a deer
wound in his breast, he is bending over the
lifeless form of his daughter. From bulle
hole in her forehead the tide of life has
, ebbed away, and her lovely locks are dabbled
in her own Gfe's blood, now mingling with
that of her father. Standing beside them
with his foot resting upon the body Of Ven
tell. the Guerilla Chief is Abbott His har