Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1870-01-29
ders. among whom was his brother and

I
father!
We had different ways Of obtaining
and communicating information, among
our friends, which sometimes proved oI
great importance to ourselves or others
As we were generally closely watched
and often tracked and pursued, even in
10 the most retired recesses OF the Py-
renees, it was sometimes essential to our
safety to be apprized OF the movements
OF the Queen troops. We often made
common cause with the smu2glers; and
we learned from them some OF their Sc.
cret modes Of sending written messages
BY ignorant mountaineers. and OF ma
king records ON rocks, and on the walls
and door posts OF inns. which would es-
cape the eyes Of strangers or be unin.-
telligible 10 them. We sometimes wrote
with bit Of tallow, in concerted spot /;
and friend would afterwards read it,
by brushing 1t over with bis dusty hat.
He then might ohliterate it In an in
stant, by hard rub.
It is wonderful what labor, fatigue and
watching, the human frame can endure.
Among many similar instances, | will
mention one. After many hours spent
by little party of insurgents to which
| belonged, in climbing and descending
precipitous mountains, hunted by our
enemies, we lay down, after dark. on d
rocky eminence, entirely exhausted. |
had been asleep but ahort time, when
| was aroused by one Of my youngest
comrades, who had been placed ms our
sentinel. He touched US and said in
whisper :" Sc re genie que sube!" Poe
Pile are seen coming up.) He then RI
turned TO his post, while our leader, in
a whisper, ordered us to retreat precip-
itately. We fed as last as our weary |
limbs would allow, and few moments
after heard volley Of musketry behind
us. Our youthful sentinel | never saw
again; and it WAS long before learned
his fate. The enemy stole upon him,
and he was almost torn 10 pieces by the
bullets from twelve or fourteen OF their
guns
Such was often our manner OF life for
weeks together and, indeed, during five
years, can hardly say ever enjoyed a
day Of quiet repose. How many times.
and in how many ways, it pleased God
to save my life, when in imminent peril,
cannot tell. Such scenes as the follow
ing recall with shuddering
One dark night We made forced
march, hoping to surprise party Of the
enemy and. while ! was hardly able to
Keep my feet. we had to walk. in single
lie. along ledge. over an immense prec-
pice. where there was barely room Tor
,ne person at time. Although ! had
before proceeded mechanically along
,ur way. SO overcome with fatigue that
slept much of the time, the sight OF
hat dangerous path reused me and
.ook my steps with great caution. We
ail,d in our design. and had to MAKE
apid retreat. was 50 exhausted that
ife appeared to me not worth an effort
md. sometimes halt asleep, sometimes
Iute asleep, continued to move on.-
At length was reused by companion
behind, who laid his hand upon my arm,
Hombre you are asleep
you will be dashed to pieces ! |
ooked about, and found we were at the
dangerous place above mentioned, and
or moment reused myself. and took
iced to my steps. But soon alter my
Inxious comrade again seized my arm,
md besoueht me to keep awake, at least
Until should be beyond that frightful
,ass in the Pyrenees. ! remember my
ceilings at the time / was SO nearly
and had so overwhelming a
ense Of fatigue and longing for rest,
hat there scarcely remained in me the
emnant of desire for life.