The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-11-14

@is6eualteons SsI1rtianss.
! ASPANISH ADVENTURE. Il
! It was one of those clear bright
winter nights known only to those
who have visited the southern shores
ofSpain, that a merry party of young
men sat after dinner in their mess
room in Gibraltar They belonged
to one of our most distinguished re-
giments, whose gallantry in. the field
had won them a reputation they well
deserved.
Spain at that time was infested by
a large and powerful band of high
way robbers, their chief being the
celebrated Jose Marit, whose pres
enee struck terror into the hearts of
all those who, either for pleasure or
business had to travel through AM
dalusia. Rumors had just reached
Gibraltar Of daring attack made by
Jose's band on the travellers in the
diligence between Malaga and Gram
ada, who, in spite of having a strong
body of mounted carabineros to es,
cort them, had Jared very badly in
the encounter. - L-
81 should be very sorry," said Ma
jor Clarke, ''to have to travel through
Spain at present; for / am sure, this
troup of Jose Maria's would sur
round the whole Of our regiment, and
strip US Of all we possess before we
could get through the mountain pas
ses."
81 would not attempt it for thou
sand pounds answered Captain Lei
cester; ''for / am certain that fellow
Jose would hang you on the first
tree if he found nothing to plunder;
and if he discovered you were Brit
ish officer belonging to this garrison,
would keep you close prisoner till
you were ransomed.
EVry one present had his say;
some thought they might escape the
great chief; others were ready to bet
any odds against it. a5 ~
In the midst of all this converse
tion, one of the captains of the regi
ment, who had as yet not given his
opinion, quietly stated he would
take short odds that he would start
in three days, should he be able to
obtain leave of absence, and ride
alone from Gibraltar to Madrid, with
out being robbed, hanged, or other
wise ill-treated by Jose Maria or his
band. ..lrrseIr /
"Donew says one voice; "Doner
says another; and so on, till my. old
friend found himself beset ali sides
by youngsters anxious to lay him
any odds. a ID
81 think, Turner, you are very
wrong" said Major Clarke, 'to un-
dertake so foolish and dangerous an
expedition; for although you can
speak French, you do not know
word of Spanish; and remember,
your bet is to go alone, so you can
not even have the advantage Of q
Crock scorpion" who understands
English as your guide. My friend
Mr.. Powell, says you will never ac-
complish it.
Ali eyes turned toward Mr.. Powell,
a Gibraltar merchant, that evening a
guest Of Major Clarke, and whose ex-
perience made every one anxious to
hear his opinion the subject.
81 should strongly recommend
you, Captain Turner" said Mr.. Pow
ell 'Not to undertake the Journey.
The Major says you neither speak
the language nor know the country;
and at present, am told, the whole
of Andalusia is infested by these
robbers; therefore you are more than
likely to fall into their hands, as
Jose himself is in this neighbor-
hood. Annul the bets at once, and
do not apply for leave. am sure
you will to morrow be heartily glad
to have taken my advice.
"No," said the quiet Captain Tur-
ner; "when l once make up my mind
to thing I like to carry it out Be
sides, we have always heard that the
said Jose Maria is fine noble fell
low, who has in his rough way done
so many generous acts, that / should
not mind making his acquaintance,
even at the risk of having to walk
all the way home to Gibraltar, sup
posing they should take a fancy to
my horse, which is not very good
one. ] bought the animal short
time since at St. Rogue, and certain
ly gave very little for him.
Offers were made scratch all bets;
but nothing would do, for Captain
Turner had made up his mind to go,
and go he would.
The rest of the evening was spent
in the ante-room, some officers play
| ing whist, others a round game.
None were absent save the gallant
Captain Turner, who went off to
write his application for leave of alb
sence, and make what little prepara.
tions were necessary for a two
months journey in Spain, where a
mans whole kit is slowed away in
1.-TWO saddle bags slung on each side
of his horse, The following after
noon saw Captain Turner'S name in
garrison orders as having obtained
lleave of absence to visit Spain.
| The next morning, few minutes
after gun-fre, Captain Turner, and
three brother officers anxious to give
him q pass de conduite, were seen
riding through the beautiful Almeda
gardens, full even at that time of the
year of sweet-scented geraniums
Their passing thro. the main street
did not attract much notice at that