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


ing my regiment, which is with the main
body of the army.
"I'm sorry had to take you if you are
an invalid" he returned, "but we want
some information as to what is going on
among your folks there" pointing back to
the city. "Let me give you a little bit of
advice. You will be taken before General
Rea before long. advise you to answer
his questions promptly for it may go worse
with you if you hesitate"
"ThanlS you," replied, I" for your inti-
nation, but shall reply to nothing that
may prejudice the cause Of my country
men,"
cas- you please" he answered, and
touching his horse with his spur he rode to
the head of his command.
The sun was setting when we halted be-
fore few houses at the outskirts of vii
lage. was Immediately taken before
fat, swarthy officer, who announced him
self as General Rea.
How many troops have you in Puebla9"
he asked in stern tone.
Il don't KNOW" l replied.
"What r' he demanded, raising his
voice, you don't know? Come, sir, I've
no time to waste; tell me at once, how
large the American force is in Puebla.'
81 really cannot tell you," answered,
"for l do not know
How many pieces of light artillery
have they?" he continued.
81 am an infantry officer" / replied,
"and don't know anything about it."
"Don't know again." he said, making
memorandum with pencil.
"Do they expect reinforcements If SO,
when?"
81 decline to answer that question:" l
replied.
=" Yo do? he exclaimed. "Suppose l
shoot you ?''
81 shall endeayor to meet my fate as a
brave soldier" l answered.
Here Captain Vasqnez, who was present.
stepped to the Generals side, and whisper
ed something. only caught the words
"an invalid officer" but knew he was
speaking in my behalf.
"Take him away" said the General.
arose and was conducted out by a
couple of soldiers and thrust into small
room, scarcely five feet square, and lighted
by an aperture only large enough to admit
my hand. l soon saw that the place was
used as prison, and sentinel was lazily
sitting before the door with his sabre dang
ling between his heels. lie asked me for
some tobacco. The door being opened, |
was rudely showed into this hole, contain
ing only a rough bench and brown pitch
er, half full of stale water For ten
days lived in this vile hovel, feeding upon
a scanty supply Of black beans and tor
tillas or corn cakes, and / was never per-
mitted to go outside my prison except upon
cases of necessity, when was always at
tended by couple of soldiers.
1t was growing late in the afternoon one
day, when, as ! was peeping out the aper-
ture that served for window, saw q
young man (as supposed) talking to some
soldiers directly in front of my den. The
most remarkable thing about him was a
gold chain which he wore. was confident
it was the one had handed Antonia the
day of my capture. AS gazed / got a
better view of the young mans face, when
to my astonshment l became satisfied
that it was Antonia Garcia herself in male
attire. thousand thoughts passed through
my brain in that moment. Had she come
there IN affact NV ralaosa -, % 1o,,o,....o
me9 This last could not be, for she was
too good to injure even an enemy besides,
she was in disguise. called to the guard
outside and asked him the time of day.
"a quarter to six,' he replied, and then
commenced smoking corn-shuck segar as
he paced to and fro OH his post.
At last it grew dark, and the lights be-
gan to shine outside my prison. was al
lowed none TO cheer my gloomy hours, so /
threw myself upon bench which answered
the purpose of couch, and began to think
Of home and kindred. My confinement
was making me weak and morose, for
was far from being strong when they cap
tured me.
While stretched upon my bench, the
door Of my prison suddenly turned upon
its hinges, and admitted figure and then
closed again.
"Speak low,' she said, for 1t was An
tonia, :" for can only remain here mo-
ment my father is now on guard at your
door, that is the way got in here. / can
release you, but before doing SO, wished
to obtain your consent to what propose.