The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-10-08

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escape. To be brief, this sergeant of whom
l speak will set you free, if give him your
watch and chain. Do you consentP Act
as you please, and don't let me influence
you. If you had taken Angels advice and
mine, you would not now be here"
l grasped her by the hand and told her
that would freely give what she proposed
and even more.
cts enough" she replied. "I don't
know at what hour you will get clear, but
my father is going to desert, and he will
accompany you, and may the saints aid
you"
| She shook the door, which was immedi-
ately opened, and was alone.
Oh, how sweet is the boon of freedom to
one debaned from its blessed privilege |
slept but little that night, and the next day
feigned being i'll. The doctor came to me,
but he prescribed nothing, and left me
with the remark that would be soon bet
ter. How wearily dragged those hours
along as watched the blue sky from my
peep-hole. Evening came at last, then it
grew dark and got late. heard the senti-
nels cry "Alerto," and then l knew that
the night was well advanced. l could see
the stars twinkle through my prison win
dow, and the clang of my guardians sabre
every little while came to my ear. Sud-
denly the door opened wide and man
spoke in low voice.
"Quick, Senior, follow me-"
IspIang out into the night and ran after
him as fast as l could. We did not halt
until we came to the end of the village
There we found couple of horses in wait
ing. Without an instant's hesitation l
jumped into the saddle, and my companion
did the same, when we set off upon hard
gallop.
"This is dangerous work" he said, as
we tore along the road. eff they should
miss us our lives would not be worth
'clacO."
''How far is Puebla Off" l asked, after
we had been riding for a long time.
Scarcely more than league" he an
swered.
rear that made me shudder. 1t was dull
rafting noise, accompanied by a distant
shout.
"Heavens ~ l cried, '.we are pursued
My companion uttered something that
sounded like an oath. Faster and faster
we urged our beasts, while nearer and
nearer came the clatter in our rear At
last our pursuers were close upon us.
struck the rowels deeper into the fanks of
my jaded steed. Daylight was just break
ing, and in the gray morning mist saw
the steeples of Puebla rise before my eyes,
turned my head backwards at least a
score of horsemen were on our path, and
hardly more than quarter of mile dis
tant. 1t was at this moment the horse of
my companion fell
"Fly - exclaimed Antonia's father, "I
can save myself yet" and he bounded off
among some bushes and was hidden from
my sight.
1t happened that there was a small party
of dragons just entering the city by an
other road, which brought them in the
rear Of my pursuers. AS soon as they
caught sight Of the Mexicans they uttered
wild shout and dashed for them, sabre in
hand.
Now 1t was the turn of the enemy to fly
they had accidentally been caught in nice
trap. Scattering in disorder, they at
tempted to gain the mountains, but the
d ragoons were on their heels, cutting them
down with their long sabres. / turned
and rode back, joining my countrymen.-
The first person encountered was my old
comrade, Captain Burns.
"Hallo p he cried, "thats what's the
matter, hey BY George, we thought you
were shot long ago. and he caught me by
the hand. "There's two of them" he
said, pointing to a couple of Mexicans
whom the dragons had slain.
One of them had sergeant's chevrons ON
his sleeves, and don't know what promp-
ted me, but jumped from my horse and
turned him over as he was lying on his
face. / had no sooner done 80 than es-
pied my chain glittering under his shirt.
am take this" said, and slipping
IL off his neck, | found my watch at the
end. $50 it's you, my fine sergeant"
soliloquised. "Not content with your
bribe, you must needs betray me. Well
your work is about done.
then recounted to Burns how my escape
had been effected.
"You are Fortunate" lie remarked