Connecticut western news., 1874-07-17

No Luis Ca quondsm friend and Fidus Achates of mine) and l deter mined to trust to horsefesh rsthel than water so, as we were as yet pretty we'll in advance of our pursuers, we pulled into a trot for few seconds, and saw our friend Victor plunge into the turbid water, and swim beside his horse, holding on to the mane. They proceeded gaily enough for thirty yards or more, when the full force of l the current turned the horses head down stream; and notwithstanding | Victor's frantic efforts to head him up again by splashing water in his ears and eyes, he had to let go and swim for dear life to the opposite bank, aban- doning horse and gear to the mercy of the stream.
 | Meanwhile the fascination caused by Victor's gallant struggle did not pre- vent us from keeping a weather-eye open on our pursuers, of whom some had remained behind, picking up the gear and horses left by some of our chums who had escaped to the woods. By good luck Luis saw six men, how. ever, who, we'll ahead of the others, and thinking themselves hidden by the trees, were making for us with pistol in the rein-hand, lances we'll poised, and coming along at pace that told us their horses were Gall there.
 Now, Luis, let's go in reality, said I, giving my horse a out on the flank which made him bound at least three yards on his way; and then leaving Victor to his struggles, and with my faithful Luis at my side, we ran and were run for matter of six miles, up and down hill, through swamp and over stones, "neck or nothing (excuse the pun, for if caught our necks wouldn't have escaped), these wild demons giv- ing tongue after us with fiendish shouts of :" Va l va ya l" and occasional long shots after us.
 In a case like this the superiority of 8 grain-fed horse shows out so notably, both as to pace and " staying," that we were certain in the long run to last out half of our pursuers, and, could we reach the ford and get across safely before they caught us up, to make an easy stand, two to four. Indeed, more than probebly they would not dare pass over after us, from fear of our having any protection on the other side.
 One individual, however, splendidly mounted, kept gradually creeping e1earer and nearer to us and I was sad r. " afraid that, should he get within dis tance to use his boleadores," should be the victim, on account of being better dressed and having silver mounted recado; therefore I begged Luis to have his facon" (ong knife) ready to cut the boleadores from my horses hind legs should it be necessary. His only reply was, never you fear, sir; but, without fearing, I thought the event so likely that I overloaded my pistols, and saw that the chambers re- volved freely, with the amiable resolve to hurt some one before "caved in. '
 Meanwhile, four of our most persist ent followers had hauled of, and left the race tive to two, all of whom were going their best, when suddenly we heard six or eight shots behind and to our left, and casting a glance back. wards saw Meximo, on his ight-gray horse, with two companions, exchang. ing shots with four or five Colorados, thus putting our two pursuers almost between two fires.
 shouted to me, "Stop, Don Pope, let's l fellows before Captain Maxlmo gets away, and you'll see how they'll run"
 As soon done as said. We charged straightway, I, revolver in hand, and he with a huge brass-barreled, bell-mount ed instrument, called "trabuco," vel loaded with slugs, old nails, and odd etceteras. He reserved his fire for close quarters, and both yelling out some impolite expressions, after the usages of the country, I fired 8 single shot, which had the effect of causing oul pursuers to strike off to the left, dash. ing past Meximo and his friends, who, seeing we had made a stand, turned and faced the enemy also. These now consisted of several wsll-mounted fel. lows, who showed every desire to swal' low us up, had they onty dared to wait until the rest of their comrades came up-or we had been foolish enough to abide that moment. The soldier o1 the South American republics, however, is brave only when bravely led, or il single combat. Otherwise, in groups, without leader, or with one of faint heart, he is nowhere and such was the case with our present opponents, who, seeing we intended to make an effort | ana f6Cr0aG W1bu U uoGormluSu dSpcCb or sell our lives dearly, merely hovered round us as we galloped on, turning every now and then to menace them again.
 Thus we arrived at last at the Paso de la Calera and my friends allowing me to pass over first, T galloped up tc Don Melitos', thanking my stars that ] had escaped with 8 whole skin, and vowing for the future never to attempt horse -poaching on debateable ground.
 The results of this miniature battle were that Toco and Pelado turned uI at my house on foot at about II P. M.. having swam the river and been in the woods till nightfall, and asked permis sion to sleep in my wood'shed. Poor Victor turned up at night at one of the shepherds huts, in the costume oi Adam before he was induced to taste that unlucky fruit. Maxine and the rest got away as best they could, with the exception of two poor fellows who were found some time afterwards in the woods, barbarously lanced, and with their throats cut from ear to ear.
 Such is life in the B. O. for those who will attempt "gauchadas like mine in revolution times and to them my solemn advice, after twenty years residence in the country, is the same as was given to the bachelor about to marry: "Don't I'