The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-07-21

ing place. Victor had been quickly un.
dressing himself as we galodcd along,
making his clothes into long roll IN his
poncho, and tying them round his horses
neck. preparatory to a trial at the Paso
del Bote $50 called, like most matters in
the b. o, because there wasn't boat
tbcre), and was endeavoring to persuade
Luis and myself to do the same. |,
however, hardly saw the possibility of the
attempt, and preferred saving my "reca-
do" Spanish saddle) which was silver
mounted for | was certain the stream
would carry off my horse; and that even
if myself chanced 20 get across, it
would be with the agreeable prospect of
remaining in hungry, half.drowned, and
perishiug withhold state the entire day.
and part of the night
No! Luis "a quondam friend and Fl.
dus Achates Of mine) and determined
to trust to horseAesh rather than water !;
SO, as were as yet pretty well 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 name.
They proceeded gaiy enough for thirty
yards or more, when the full force Of the
current turned the horses head down
stream and Notwithstanding Vctor's
frantic efforts to head him up again by
splashng water in his ears and eyes, he
had to let 90 and swim for dear life to
the opposite bank, abandoning horse aud
gear to the mercy of the stream.
Meanwhile the fascination caused by
Nictor's gallant struggle MD not prevent
us from keeping a weathcr-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 es.
capped to the woo1s. BY good luck Luis
saw six men, however, who, well ahead Of
the others, and thinking themselves hid.
den by the trees, were making for us with
pistol in the rein.hand, lances well poised,
and coming along at a pace that told us
their horses were "all there
Now, Luis, let's 90 in reality, said |,
giving my horse a cut on the flank which
made him bound at least three yards on
his way and then leaving Victor to his
struggles, aud with my faithful Luis at
my side, we ran and were run for mat.
ter Of six miles, up and down hill, through
swamp and over stones, meek or moth.
ing" (excusc the pun, for if caught our
necks wouldn't have escaped), these wild
demons giving tongue alter us with fiend-
ism shouts of "Ya ya! va" and occa.
sional long shots after us
la case like this the superiority OF n
grain.fed horse shows out SO notably, both
as to pace and staying" that we were
certain 10 the long run to last out half of
our pursuers, aud, could we reach the
ford and get across safely before 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 nearer
aud nearer 10 US and | was sadly afraid
that, should he get within distance to use
his "boleadores," | should be the victim,
on account Of being better dressed and
having silver mounted recado: there.
fore begged Lui. to have his "facon"
(long kniie) ready to cut the boeadores
from my horses hind legs should it be
necessary, His only reply was, never
you fear, sir; but, without fearing,
thought the event SO likely that over
hauled my pistols and saw that the cham.
bers revolvod freely, WITH the amiable re.
solve to hurt some one before "cayed
in"
Meanwhile four Of our most persistent
pursuers had fallen off, and left the race
two 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 backwards saw Mcxi-
mo, on his his llght-gray horse, with two
companions, exchanging shots with four
or five Colorados, thus putting our two
pursuers almost between two fires
Luis was equal to the occasion, and
shouted to me, Stop, Don Pepe, let's
turn round and let drive at those two
fellows before Captain Maxine gets away,
aud you'll see how they'll run.
As soon done as said. We charged
straightway, |, revolver in hand, and he
with huge brass -barreled, bel.mouuted
instrument, called "trabuco," well load.
ed with slugs, old nails, and odd etceter.
as. He reserved his fire for close
quarters, and both yelling out some i'm .
polite expressions, after the usages Of the
country, | fired single shot, which had
the effect Of causing our pursuers to strike
off to the left, dashlng past Mexmo aud
his friends, who, seeing We had SADIE .
stand, turned aud faced the enemy also
These nov consisted of several veil.
mounted fellows, who showed every de
sire to swallow u up, had they only
dared to wal. until the rest ol their com
rades came up--or we had been foolish
enough 10 abide that moment The sol
der Of the South American republics,
however, is brave only when bravely led,
or in single combat. Otherwise, in
groups, without u 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 and
retreat with determined aspect, or sell
our lives dearly, NEARLY lowering round
us as we galloped on, turning every now
and then to manage them again.
Thus we arrived at last at the l'aso de
la Calera; and my friends allowing me
TO pass over first, | galloped up to Don
Meltos', thanking my stars that | had
escaped with a whole skin, and vowiDg
for the future never to attempt horse.
poachipg on debaieable ground.
The results Of this miniature battle
ware that TOGO aud Pslado TUNED up at
my house on foot Il p. m, having swan
the rlver aud been in the woods till
uightiall, and asked permission to sleep
in my woodshed Poor Victor turned
up at night at one of the shepherds huts
in the costume OF Adam before he was