The Portland daily press., 1873-12-06

ago upon the guaranty of the Supreme Gov
ernme2t-harangund his staff.
Near him, caracoling on lean nag that he
had procured, know not where, l perceived
Col. Ramon, wearing the same blue coat, a
sabre at his belt. My Indian was right, the
city is captured. Wnat continual met NOR
phose OF events! Etchagaray will march
on Vera Cruz, which he expects to con-
quer by surprise; Col. Ramon is appointed
governor of the district of Orzava. .l
Lave is flying, abaLdonded by his troops:
the national guards remain faithful. 1t will
not be safe to promenade in the streets, when
they are seeking deserters.
Towards seven O'Clock in the evening, the
sun, already hid behind the Cumbres, touched
with rosy tints the summit of the mountains,
and was studying the cause of those flashes
of light when suddenly, an aged Indian wom-
an rushed through the gateway, and seeing
me threw herself at my feet.
''Master! master?' she repeated, sObbing-
rose up, surprised, endeavoring to calm
the poor woman seeking some explanation.
She expressed herself in the Aztec language
and caught in her half finished sentence on
ly the words, sMy son" "Col. Ramon"-'he
will die''. Still talking, she endeavored to
drag me away.
Well! thought /, my friend the Colonel Or
ganizes his regiment, and without any doubt
he has taken the son of this unfortunate
woman.
One must never pnt the finger between the
tree and the bark neither at the hour of re-
cruiting intercede for any one near the Next
can chiefs, be they Liberal or Conservative.
In country where all soldiers are compelled
to serve, to obtain the liberty of one would be
to commit an injustice, as General Negrete
has demonstrated to me.
Notwithstanding. moved by the entreaties
of the poor mother, was just going away
with her, when dinner was announced.
1t was night, but the Indian woman guided
me, and believed my suggestions well found
ed on seeing her turn towards the barracks
l endeavored to question her and draw from
her some reasons which would permit me to
plead her cause.
"Hurry," she repeated, hurrying-''He will
dep -tf % =
At the moment endeavored to enter the
principal quarter Of the soldiers the senti-
mel refused entrance to my companion. 1 in
sisted, invoking the name of the colonel.
1T would be cruelty to obey you DOCTOR"
said the seargent, who knew me.
saw in the distance Don Ramon. ~
swat for me-" said to the poor woman
''Do not let him dep she cried kissing my
hand. .. % =
entered the outer court of the ancient
time since into barracks. A large fire of pine
branches frightened the colonades and CORR
doris with red light I stopped; instead of
the animated spectacle that I expected to see
the soldiers statue like, silent, watched cor
ner sheltered by an out house. They made
room for me, and l saw two Franciscan
monks the cowl thrown back, bending over
two kneeling men who seemed to be confess
ing to them.
At this moment squad of 20 soldiers
marched off to place themselves near white
wall, before which four men placed block of
wood. The chime of the cathedral suddenly
commenced to toll, and its solemn sounds call
ed forth the prayers of the condemned /
drew near and my heart bounded. 1 recog-
nized the miserable herdsmen, who had be-
trayed the prescribed.
FWhat are you doing here DOCTOR" said a
rude voice to me at the same instant,
turned, the colonel was before men.
death to traitorsv' he said drawing me
away.
Have you ordered these men to be shot?''
I asked.
''There is no respite, DOCTOR" .-
"None, asked earnestly. you will not 60
so far as that. Their action-infamous ]
know-procured your liberty"
"You forget that they are innocent of the
result?"
"One of them has mother l said, a poor
woman who IS ignorant, why you. kill her
son."
''Stop. doctor, you know how much 1 am
devoted to you, do you not? Well, ask of me
what yon will, the life of these two miserable
excepted
Il ask an hours respite"
''What is yoIr intention %
To go for your wife and children. to bring
them horA anh If to Il
honor yourself before them
"'The emperor Tneodosius-you have told
me so yourself-cOndemned traitors to death
and you admire him." J-a,.
''Do not jest now, pray you," said,
clasping my hands.
"You know me very little," he replied, eli
you are ignorant that am infexible."
"You ale brave. and courage does not
blend with cruelty"
zone sees we'll that price has never been
set upon your head"
rushed out of the place where they had
conducted me, decided TO place myself before
the unfortunates condemned to die, to place
myself before the soldiers and delay the exc
cution. hoped to save the guilty, and gain
time.
At the moment when appeared in the
court crying grace at hazard-a formidable
report resounded, the balls whzzed, and the
IWo ncrustHeu SnoI III Iue Dack, III qualify VI
spies, fell on the wall bathed IN blood.
"De thus all traitors" said the impassa-
bic voice of the colonel and 'Vive la Relig-
ionp'' rs'.nH
/ recoiled before this man he spoke to me,
but indignation stifed mel could not re-
py-he offered me his hand, but turned
away.
At the door of the barracks found the
old woman half crazed, and took her to my
own house. I shall write to reclaim the
body of her son-it is the only service could
ever ask Of Colonel Ramon.