Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-11

bound. The presence of banditti in that
region, and, Of all places, so near to
Tualzac, had not even been suspected or
suggested by anybody; or otherwise the
Captain would not have been so easily
surprised and captured. He did not
divine their intention until it was too
late to act.
Among dozen others, as villainous
and revengeful looking as himself, was
the naked lout whom the Captain had
punished in the plaza at Tualzac, several
weeks before. The Mexican triumphed
in fendish delight over the misfortune of
his enemy, and evidently dwelt with salts
faction on the certainty Of revenge for
his fancied wrong.
I Nor did he design to defer the gratif-
cation Of his spirit of bitter hatred, but
commenced the sport at once, by tearing
off the prisoners cost, and beating him
on the almost bare back, with rods from
the thorn tree. The decorations produced
by those sharp, spiky thorns were deep
and painful to a maddening degree.
The blood flowed profusely from score
of wounds and saturated the garments
of the wretched man.
I But this fiendish sport was concluded,
happily, before the loss of blood had
been so great as to overcome the Cap
tain's strength. If they should not kill
him at once, he would need all the
strength possible ere long.
/ The captors led their prisoner away,
allowing him to ride, ia order, it seemed,
to save time. After a rapid ride of
about three miles, they reached sort of
nest, or jungle den, in dense thicket.
There, after tethering out their horses,
the Mexicans stationed their prisoners
near their group, and pr oceeded, accord
ing to their universal custom, to settle
some question of disagreement by con-
test at cards. They are the most invet-
crate gamblers in the world. Cards de-
eide for them all questions of chance,
as well as of justice.
The revengeful "greaser," Captain
Fuller's old acquaintance, claimed the
prisoner, while another, a still more
villainous looking fellow, wished to OBJ
tain possession of him, for some reason,
aud expressed willingness to stake his
horse against the. American, in game
of cards. To this che first one agreed,
on condition that, If he lost, he should be
permitted to amus.e himself by inhicting
on the white man such punishment as he
might deem proper, before surrender
ing him to the other's hands.
Captain Faller heard all this, and,
contrary to the belief of the Mexicans,
understood it, too. He was we'll aware
II would be folly to expect mercy at the
hands of those inhuman beings. They
evidently designed to torture him to
their utmost satisfaction, and then put
him to death in some original and fear.
ful manner.
The almost despairing man made one
more effort of will, aud determined to put
forth one powerful struggle for life. For
two long hours he waited and watched,
occasionally testing the strength and Sc
curity of the raw-hide thongs which
bound his hands to the tree, until the
wretches were so wrought upon by the in
huence of strong drink and the exciting
interest of the game that they gave little
heed to their prisoners; when, having
wrenched his hands free from the cutting
bonds, he suddenly sprang to his feet
aud, seizing a large shesth-knife-the
only weapon that lay within reach-ran,
with the speed Of desperation, toward his
horse, which was tethered not far away.
In an instant, the savages, recovering
from their stupid amazement, were after
him, screeching and snorting with disap-
pointment and rage. They must surely
have retaken him, had the race continued
twenty PAGES farther. As it was, how
ever, the painting fugitive reached his
horse Just in time to Gu. the braided
larias, drag himself on the animals back
and dash away, without saddle or bride.
A dozen knives and other deadly
weapons were hurled at him, but, happily,
without effect. The natives mounted and
gave chase with determined energy; but
the speed of Captain Fuller's well-bred,
faithful animal was greatly superior to
that of their lean, ambling mustangs;
aud, thanks to this fact, and the slight |
be had gained in distance at
starting, be made good bis escape and !
arrived at Tualzac in safety, though weak
and almost helpless from the injuries he
had received.
A month later, Colonel Perrine meted
out well-merited punishment to these
"greasers.. for the many
eruelties they had practiced upon de-
fanceless travellers. kTreH