Connecticut western news., 1874-07-17
SALISBURY, CONN, FRIDAY, JULY l7, 1874.

cos, by the light blue rlbbon round their hats and to be party con- handed by Captain Maxine Ramirez, who, being cut off from the main body of the Revolutionists, had escaped to the woods with his men, and there re- mained in hiding for three weeks, until an opportunity should occur for him to join his commandant and the Revolu tionary army. His men had nearly all been in my service at one time or an- other, in the varied capacities of shear CTS, horse-tamers, shepherds, etc., so l felt quite at home with them at once, and entered into conversation. They all had their horses saddled and few loose ones were straying about, ready to be driven on before them on chang ing their camping grounds (for these flying parties never sleep two nights consecutively in the same camp, and as often as not change twice in one night ); and they were anxiously expecting the return of the "bomberos (scouts) that Maxine had sent out at dawn.
 These were two young fellows whom knew we'll, cousins to each other, Damian and Tenon Artigas, and who were nick-named respectively "Toco !" and "Pelado." They had been born in the district, and lived in it all their lives knowing every hole and corner in the woods and Sierras that could contain sheep in hiding, much less a body of men and horses. I dismouted, and shook hands with several of the men, pulled out my cigar-case, we'll filled with cigarritos de papeI, and passed it round, continuing in conver- sation till one of the men observed that Toco and Pelado were so long returning that they must have found the coast clear and gone to take "mate" at their aunt Anastacia's; and that if Ramirez saw no objection they might light fires, and do the same without danger, since the woods were dryish, and would not make much smoke. Maximo consent ed, and two groups speedily formed around the fires, the horses standing hobbled close by, and the lances stuck in the ground near each mans horse.
 Half an hour might have passed thus in sucking "mate" (the native substitute for tea, partaken of through the medium of 8 hollow gourd or tube), the conversation being 1nterlarded by bloodthirsty threats of what would be done should any unfortunate Colorado fall into their hands-threats of which hand passed significantly across the throat was of the mildest type. Then the "cana" (white rum) bottle was passed round and all were feeling un- commonly social aud jolly, when 8 sharp cry from Victor Cias made us spring to our feet.
 "Here they come, and in a hurry"
 And, true enough, we saw the two Da1o down long slope toward us, at pace but for life they rode.
 Jollity was over for the nonce.
 In less than minute every man had seized his lance and carbine and was in the saddle. Said I sweetly, " AdioS, nauchachos; I shall be seriously com promised if caught by any of your Toco and Pelado are riding, such are not far off" With which, and shaking hands with Maximo. I turned my horse's head upstream at hard canter.
 I had not gone three hundred yards when, casting glance behind, I saw my friends tearing after me as hard as ground and behind them, coming over
 
 of mile off, at gallop, body of men some seventy or eighty in number, whom judged to be government or Colorado soldiers.
 No sooner did they sight us than, with 8 weird and strange yell, that came down the breeze with @ music which sent @ shiver up my spine, they appeared to hurry forward and as I IT. o1r among the stampedes of Maximo's men, knew we'll my fate would be most uncertain, notwithstanding that I was 8 foreigner, carried no arms, and had no party insignia for on occasions of this sort men get so absolutely ferocious that they would not hesitate to ball Y" my horse, take potshots at me, put six inches of lance-blade under my ribs, or play any other mild or festive trick, ending with slit weazand, and afterward rejoice at having been able to wipe out foreigner with i'm punity.
 Therefore I gave a chirrup to my horse, and away we went, regular case of sauce Qu6 peut for one and all. I never looked behind, but picked out the best and cleanest galloping ground to the Paso de Ia Calera, where knew, if once across the river, I could run for Don Melitos Piris' house, and be safe 1; for if the Colorados did see me arrive there, it would not matter, he being 0 great Colorado partisan, and staunch friend of mine. '
 The many rations of grain my horse had eaten during the winter stood me in good stead now, for I found that without pressing him I kept at the head of the scattered column :; many of urparty badly mounted, gradually drop ping behind, and slipping off their tired animals at the edge of the wood, where they ran into the scrub on foot, leaving their horses and gear an easy prize to the enemy, and little caring for the loss of steed and saddle, so they could escape, swimming the river under cover of the night, and get to some friendly rancho" with @ whole skin.
 Two men Luis Flores and Victor Cejas, both equally we'll mounted with myself, came up, one on either side of me and as we galloped upstream on the edge of the wood we came to a break, or open clearance, which led down to the ford called Paso del Bote, where the water was running down smoothly and placidly, but at terrible pace. The river at this spot was some- where about two hundred and fifty feet wide, and above and below the ford was confined between high banks covered with scrub and thorny "napin- o1