Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1878-10-26
Death of Young Henry Clay.

Death OF lOuny henry Clay.
1t was near the setting OF the sun
when the men Of Palo Alto, Resaca d,
Ia Palma and Monterey saw the cloud
come down on the charge of Buen
Vista, that splendid scene, worthy O
the days of Washington, closed tn
day in glory.
Do you behold that dark ravine, deel
sunken between those PERCEPTIONS
banks? Here no sunlight comes, fol
the walls of rock wrap up the pass il
eternal twilight. Withered trees grow
between masses of granite, and scat
tered stone make the bed of the ravine
uncertain and difficult for the tread.
Hank! That cry, that rushes like 9
mountain torrent bursting its barriers
and quick as the lightning flashes from
darkness. the dismal valley is bathed
in battle light. From its northern ex.
tremity confused band of Mexicans,
An army in itself, came yelling along
the pass, treading one another down as
they fly; their banners, spears, horses
and men tossed together in inextricable
confusion.
By thousands they rush into the
shadow of the pass, their dark faces
REDEEMED with the heated blaze OF
musketry. The caverns of the ravine
send back the roar of the panic, and
the gray walls are washed with their
blood.
But the little band who pursues this
army-who are they? You may SEQ in
their firm, heroic ranks the volunteer
costume of Illinois and Kentucky. AT
their head, urging his men with shouts,
rides the gallant Mckee; by his side
young Henry Clay, that broad forehead
which reminds you of his father, bathed
in the glare, as his sword Quivers on
high ere it falls to kill. There, too, a
Wild figure, red with his own blood and
the blood of his Mexican foes, his uni.
form rent in tatters, his shoulders strik-
ing terrible blows with his good sword
Hardin, of Illinois-came gallantly
forward.
The small but iron band hurl the
Mexicans from the heights in the ra.
vine, and follow up the chase far down
into the eternal twilight of that noun.
tain pass.
Look! As their musketry streams
into steady blaze, you would think that
q ceaseless sheet of lightning bathed
these rocks in flames!
Over the Mexicans, men and horses
hurried back in mad disorder, the
Americans dash on their way, never
needing the overwhelming numbers oil
their foes, never needing the palpi.
tating forms beneath their feet, with
bayonet and sword they press steadily
on, their we'll known banner evel
streaming overhead.
The howl Of the dying war-horse-
bark! Does it not chill your blood Il
hear it? The horrible cry of the
wounded man, with tho horses hooi
upon his mouth, tramping his face TO 9
hideous wreck-does it not sicken youl
soul to hear it!
A hundred yards or more into the
pass the Americans had penetrated,
when suddenly young Mexican, rush.
ing back, opens their ranks. raises the
fallen flag Of Alahanac and dashcs b
death.
To zee him, young and beardless, Q
very boy, rush With his country's Dag
with barred breast upon that line Of
sharp sseel-it was . sight 10 stir Gov.
ards into manhood, snd il shot in1r
Mexican hearts like IN electric flame.
Even in their panic stricken disordea
they rallied BY hundreds. they graspsd
arms and rolled into one long wave a
lances and hayoneas upoa the foe.
Woe 30 the brave men of Illinois end
Kenfuciyi Locked in that deadly pen,
. vail If infuriassd Nexicsns bstvser
them and that vail of rocks, shove thsiz
heaas. through every aperture anona
the eliza. the blaze Of maskess pouring
asho~er Of b1iless in their fscss-wben.
ever they turned the long aud desAly
lEnce pointed ss their throsss--if vss Q
moment 30 think oncs Of Lone-And
die.
Thsse vko Survived that fearful no
Eezt tell with shu.7ierisg trinnph tbs
de~is Of three heroz-NcKee. Haranr
aaa Clay.
Mckee. you ere yonaer With his sAas.
tered sword dripping with blood. h
eoa~axasx 80 ward al thans ds~liy
kAno<>. ani 6Skts On his knees vhen II
en- ss~s9 No longer, sad then the com