The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-10-11

fieh-ammanition, we took some soiace 10
our souls. - IA '~-@
Upon the security Of the second story
we relied for our main defense, and here
we had gathered, reserving our fire for .
decisive moment, when each, by deliberate
and announced choice, could pick out the
man he proposed bringing down. The
disposition of the mob was made with
some attention to the requirements OF
effective attack and some knowledge Of
street-fghting; IN few moments steady
fire was opened upon us, but without the
least effect, the adobe walls and barri-
cades resisting the impact of the bullets.
What we had most to fear was sudden
rush, the successful planting of ladders
against the balcony, or the bursting OF
the doors either below or above; and this
now seemed the design of the besiegers.
As yet we had not fired a gun, but re-
port from the rear room drew few of US
there, when we learned that Jack and one
Of the peones had discovered an attempted
flank attack just in time to knock over
two of the party, and drive back the
others.
Scarcely had we made our congratula-
tions, when the sudden and continuous
rattle of shots betokened new move
ment, and called us to the front of the
heuse in season to find our friends firing
quickly and steadily ut the advancing
mob.
This was the crisis, and, as fast as we
could load, we aimed and fired, half the
party discharging, and the others loading,
the pieces. Every shot told, yet still they
swarmed toward us. their dread cry Of
vengeance swelling on the night-breeze
like the howl of hungry wolves, scenting
from afar their carfion in the northern
wilderness, and making the bravest of us
shrink with forebodings of the fate in
store for the defenseless women whose
pale faces almost unnerved us for the task.
In moment, and despite our efforts, they
planted ladders against the walls, mount
ed them, took possession Of the balcony,
and even forced their musket- barrels
through our loopholes. A few shots dis
lodged these last adventurous marksmen,
but not until they had severely wounded
two of our party, and their bullets, pierre
ing the floor, told us they had burst the
lower doors, and that the barricades be-
low were giving way.
We hurried the women to the floor
above, for we could hear the crunch and
crash of their axes and the dull, measured
thuds of their improvised battering rams.
Our efforts were now severely taxed to
load and fire, until in a moment of sorest
need, two pale but beautiful faces lighted
up the gloom of the apartment, and q
voice, sweeter than the music of the rarest
master, asked if two girls could help, no
matter how.
"You know, Senor 1eniente, I am half
Yankee, and as for Cousin Rosa, am sure
she fears not these fierce gentlemen be-
low"
Tt was useless to reason, useless to bid
them go, and, besides, they where as safe
there as in any other place; so stay they
would and did, loading with calmness and
tot, the paleness of their faces,
tn : - determination of their closely
dI@TTn IDS, and the weird brightness of
their eyes, alone showing they realized
the part they were playing in the drama
Of that night.
God bless those brave girls! those gal
lant comrades, unused to dangers and to
fears which our ripper experience had
taught us to despise, and yet bearing
themselves as heroes every one!
The Plaza was sea of madmen, filled
with the passion of killing, the desire for
,, blood, shouting, gesticulating, and crazy
for the lives of those who bade defiance
to their unskilled efforts; but above all
one figure loomed up-the incarnation of
evil and of lawless passion, the scofing
demagogne that had let slip these dogs
of war and rain! Never can forget the
thrill Of horror that filed me when the
3 bugle blew "Cease fring!' and, as clar-
ion, the voice of Guitterez rang out, and
with curse.
"Fire the rookery, fools! Let the sing.
, ing-birds and their mates roast for the
, good of La Iadependencia q la Constitu-
ciOn"
, My right arm was almost powerless
t from a wound, but felt the strength OF
r two men when saw that fiend sitting
!, there on the dead commentaries steed
g and giving us to the flames as he would q
9 rabbit from the warrens in the meadows
1 beyond. He sat the horse uneasily, sway.
{ ing somewhat in the saddle, for he was
drunk with victory and with rage; and yet