The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-11-06
A Mexican Story

4
had left chihuahua for the Rio Grande
with long train of loaded mules, having
some Indian drivers and Mexican guide
Near the close Of the second day, just as We
had fixed upon our camp, in pleasant grove,
near running stream, a party Of six men,
armed, suddenly made their appearance. COM
ing from know not where, as I did not per-
ceive them until they were upon us.
They we're all gayly dressed in the fanciful
costume OF the country, and FIVE OF them car
ried carbines, which they levelled at me, as
| if with the intention of shooting me down
at once.
'Do you surrender p demanded the lead
er of the party, who was armed with a brace
| of pistols and a stiletto.
s.Have / any choice? ?" said I.
"Death."
"Then ! surrender
'Throw down your arms, and be blind
folded at once,"
"May l ask what you intend to do with
me, said l.
"You may ask, but shall not tell you"
"Of course | am in your hands and at your
mercy; but as | never harmed you, shall
venture to hope you will not treat me harsh
~" Irejoined
He did not reply to this, but made sign
to his men, who advanced, gathered up my
weapons, and fixed bandage over my eyes.
Two of them took me by my arm and led me
| away between them.
| 10 the best Of my judgment we walked
about half a mile, not word being spoken.
Then We began to descend steps, and by the
cooler and damper air, believed we were
entering some subterranean place, perhaps a
cave. We went down for comparatively
| long distance, aud then through what SEEM
ed to be narrow passage, with sharp turns
now to the right, and now to the left
Then we went up few steps, and down twice
as many, and soon after appeared to enter an
apartment, where several persons were as
selnbled, chatting and laughing, who sud-
denly became silent,
Here | expected my bandage to be re-
moved, but it was not. l was still led for
ward to another passage, and then into some
room, the door of which opened with harsh
grating sound.
| My sight being now restored to me,
found myself in a small rocky cell, whose d.
mansions and contents could perceive by
| the light Of an iron lamp which one of my
two conductors held in his hand The apart
ment was perhaps ten feet by six, and looked
as if it had been hewed out of solid rock.
1t had an iron door, with very small open
| ing in it to admit air. 1t was daylight when
left the fresh world above, but there was no
daylight here, and the air was damp and moi
some. A dirty mattress stretched along the
ground on one side, and an earthen jug stood
in one corner. These were all the room con-
tanned, which had the appearance OF pris-
oner's cell
"Will you tell me why I am here?" I
said to the men as they stood watching the
expression Of my features.
because it is the wish of our chief" an
swered Que.
"Haye | done anything for which he wish
es to punish me ?"
Gle had better answer that question him
self"
"Shall see him soon 2,
"You may, and you may moi"
meantime, what will become of my prop
erty p
ut will be cared for.
"May | hope that it will be restored to
me Z"
"You may hope what you viii"
"Will you tell me nothing to solve this
| mystery"
! "Ihat is not our business here" said the
spokesman, and then they both turned to go
out.
ooh, gentlemen exclaimed /, as horri-
BILE suspicion suddenly flashed upon my mind,
"pray assure me of one thing-I am not to
be locked up here and left to starye to death p
ut is not for us to say" was the reply. as
| the heavy iron door was swung to and locked,
| leaving me in the darkness, prey to fear
and despair.
| For hours no one came near me; and not
knowing what better to do, l stretched my
weary self out on the mattress, and finally
fell asleep.
l was awakened by the creakipg of the
hinges ON my iron door. looked up, and
could scarcely believe my senses, when / be.
held, by the light she held in her hand, a
young, tall, beautiful lady, with black eyes
and hair, very gayly and richly dressed her
soft, white tapering fingers fairly glittering
with rings of great value. Behind her. like
an evil genius, stood wrinkled and ugly old
woman, whose bleared eyes and hooked nose
just came out Of the shadow, over her shoul-
der, with very unpleasant if not startling
effect.
Immediately rose from my couch, and
made my most polite bow, which the younger
female, after staring hard at me, in a very
peculiar manner, for nearly half minute.
| acknowledged by very slight inclination Of
her head.
"What is yonr name, age and country, Sc
nor 2" she said, speaking in the tone of one
accustomed to command.
'My name is Walter Ainsworth am
twenty nine years Of age, and was born in
the United States"
"What is the value of your mule train
and goods 2"
| s.Ten thousand dollars"
"What amount Of money and things Of
value have you about your person ?"
| II have in money not far from thousand
dollars and gold watch worth two hundred,