The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-10-12
A NARROW ESCAPE.

events of the past few years of my life
as presented in memorandum-booL
before me, when knock at the dooI
caused me to close up my book and in
vite the person seeking entrance tc
come in.
For two years | had been surgeon.
general of that portion of the army oi
Buenos Ayres which was stationed al
b., under the command of General Ju.
an Fernido, in connection with which
Office | was private physician of the
commander himself, who, at the time
] speak of, was suffering from severe
attack of fever.
The insurgent army, headed by law.
less desperate calling himself Sandsivo
had taken advantage of the sickness OF
Fernido, and annoyed our army by fire.
quently shooting the scouts, and max.
ing attacks upon the weaker portion OF
the camp.
The encampment of the rebels was
supposed to be about five miles north
of us, and divided into small parties.
was rather surprised when, as the
door opened, figure, closely muflled
in long cloak, entered the room. His
whole bearing and dress showed that
he had come on some mysterious busi-
ness and, as | caught CLEAN in one
of his eyes which indicated uneasy rest
lessness, looked sharply at him, vain
ly attempting to pierce his disguise.
Removing his hat, and exposing to
my view well-featured and apparent
ly honest face, he returned to the door,
locked it quickly, and returning to the
place where sat, seated himself direct
ly opposite me, placing, as he did so, a
small leathern bag upon the table. |
looked at him with mystiiied air. not
altogether devoid of suspicion.
"You need not be alarmed" he said,
smilingly, as if he read my thoughts.
81 simply closed the door and locked il
to avoid Interruption
"You have something of importance
to communicate to meT / asked, look
ing curiously at the little bag.
"No, a small matter. Tha. bag con-
tains few ounces of gold-your fee, il
you will favor me with your advice and
assistance for few hours. / have had
the misfortune to let small globule of
lead drop into friends body, and wish
it removed. Accidents are unavoida-
Bile, you know, senior, and q man must
resent an insult
ga duel?" | inquired.
lie smiled aflirmatively.
"And where does this friend of yours
live, senorT
"Four miles TO the north," he replied.
$50 near the rebel camp"
"IOu need have no fear on that score.
doctor. The wounded man has been
removed to house near by, and you
are safe in your professional capacity.
VIII you accompany me?'
replied by going into my little sur
gerry in the next room, and returning
with my case of surgical instruments.
ga guide and two mules await Us
outside the camp" he said, as we left
the room and passed the sentinels.
We logged on at rapid pace, nv
companion managing to fall behind me,
while the guide led the way. Little or
no conversation was carried on, the
stranger seeming to have lost his vivac-
ity Ofmanner. Suddenly, as we turned
a sharp rock beyond, which point the
broad-spreading Hono stretched, my
eyes were dazzled by an unexpected
burst of light.
Not ten feet before me lay the rebel
encampment. So sudden was the dis
covery, that ! sat on my mule dumb
founded.
The stranger placed his hand on my
shoulder, and said:
"You understand the affair now. scn-
orr"
"Yes," l rejoined, stung by the tone
in which he spoke, and reused from my
stupor by the anger felt at being thus
easily led into the lions den. "You
have brought me here under false pre-
lenses. | regarded You as man OF
honor"
"All means are fair in love and war,
you know, doctor;" and with light
laugh he dismounted and led my mule
nearer the camp.
Around the campfire were stretched
perhaps fifty or seventy-tive men, who
Withdrew to a short distance at a sign
from man who wore the officers gart
of the insurgents, and who came for.
ward as | dismounted, and extended
his hand.
"Welcome, doctor, hope you will
pardon the motive which leads us to
cause you the trouble of a journey over
yonder rugged hills, but l wished to see
you on government business;" and he
led the way to the fire, where we seat.
ed ourselves.
"Do you not recognize me" he ask.
ed, after he had lighted cigarette.
"N-no. l think l have seen your
face before, but cannot recall the time
and place"
81 am Sandsivo."
looked at him curiously for mo.
ment. And this was the man who had
murdered hundred innocent children
and pillaged and sacked every available
village on the Rosciero. Involuntaril,
my eyes wandered over his face and
body.
"You are looking for claws and tho
forked tail, / suppose, senior doclor?'
he said, laughing lightly.
mo" | said, boldly, 81 have not the
superstition of the ignorant. thought
TO see the mark of Cain"
lie started forward angrily, but Tho
fire in his eye cooled as he said:
"This is trifiing. You have beer
brought here tonight on a matter whicl
affects materially the future interest, o
the Argentine Confederation. On IN,
word of honor you shall leave here TO
night safely ifyou accede to our wishes
il not"
lie gave significant glance. knew
its meaning too well.
"Your word of honor. have had {
practical illustration of its value in the
conduct of my guide hither"
"We will not speak of that, Senol
Doctor. You are aware that we are {
brave band of prosecuted"
'Tiuflians and assassins," added
calmly.
"Dioble! am almost inclined to enc
this thing" he exclaimed, maddcnins
instantly as he spoke. "But TO pro
ceed: our object is to free ourselves
from the servitude imposed upon us b,
Juan Fernido and his followers. To dc
this, it is necessary that he should be
put out of the way. You understand? p
Perfectly, my worthy captain; bu
how does that affect me?"
81 am coming to that presently. w,
require you to give to Juan Fernido
who Is under your care at present, lit