Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-07-11
A MEXICAN ADVENTURE.
4 TRAVELLERS STORY.


er, one simmer afternoon. after going
through half the claims on Sandy Bar,
when / came upon camp OF Mexlcans,
some ten or dozen in number. The
day was unusually warm. No, that is
not the word; it was hot, sweltering hot.
and I felt tired and worn out with my
long ride and hard eXertiOns.
In fact, my condition was such that
| determined to accept the proiiered
hospitality of the MeXicans, rather than
travel on eight or ten miles farther to
the town. So, taking the saddle off
"Gringo," my tough little mustang, L
staked him out and rejoined the party,
a portion Of whom were busily employ
ed getting ready something to eat
They did not appear to notice my pres
ence particularly, treating me with that
marked politeness which they generally
show to a stranger.
But one among them could speak
English, and from him | learned that
they were miners, who had come from
an adjoining county in search of better
diggings. On the way quarrel had
arisen between two of the party about
that fruitful cause of q mans troubles
as well as blessings woman. The
female in question was a copper-colored
cOuntry-WOman of their own, of I'M
questionable character-that Is, it was
unquestionably bad-but this did not
prevent the individuals referred to from
loving her after their peculiar fashion;
nor did it occur to them that she was
an ignoble and unworthy object of quar-
rel between old friends, for such they
would seem to have been.
Antoine, my informant, stated to me
that he had made every effort to stop
the difficulty without effect, and now it
was proposed TO fight it out early next
morning with bowie-knives. My arrl-
val, Antoine stated, had caused them
some uneasiness, as | was looked upon
rs an officer of the law, and they were
even now undecided what to do, al
though the general idea was to postpone
the combat until my departure in the
morning.
Here, thought |, is q chance for me
to play the part OF q peacemaker, and
there and then, through the medium of
Antoine as interpreter, my work began.
The aggrieved parties were brought to-
gether, and the folly and madness of
proceeding to extremes strongly repre-
scented. My eloquence prevailed; mu-
tual explanations followed, the MeXieans
shook hands, and friendship was appar-
emily fully restored After this we all
felt in such good humOr that the bottle
passed freely, and fear that more than
one of our number drank little too
much of the ardent. At all events, [
know that my head appeared to have
attained most remarkable growth the
next morning.
During the evening, however, one of
the Mexicans, big, swarthy fellow,
with an ugly scar on his cheek-evinced
rather an unusual interest in piece of
personal property belonging to me
namely, large sized six shooter, with
an ivory handle, and hansomely mount
ed. Twice he requested me to let him
see it, and his eyes fairly danced with
pleasure while examining and handling
the weapon. Time and again. through
the medium of an interpreter, he wanted
to know how much | would sell it for,
until worn out by his OPPORTUNITIES I at
last consented to trade the revolver for
one that he had, and six ounces of gold
dust into the bargain. This, you will
all agree, was a pretty good trade, even
for those days; but then, really priced
the weapon, and did not want to part
with it.
Tired from my journey and dfowsy
with drinking, | finally rolled over in
my blanket for a sound sleep, leaving
the Mexicans, including the happy pos
sor of my pistol, deeply engaged in 4
game of monte.
Despite the effects Of the brandy, OF
which | had certainly got my full share,
my sleep was disturbed and broken, and
l awoke early next morning, just as day
was breaking, sick at stomach, and with
a racking headache. Looking around |
could see my companions of the night,
each wrapped in his blanket or serapa,
and to judge from their heavy breathing.
AL fast asleep.
Having long days ride before me,
and feeling vexed and disguised with
myself, quietly arose and went out to
where Gringo was doing his best to get
a square meal from the stunted and
scorched grass within range of his
tether. To unblanket and saddle him
was the work of few minutes, and we
We're soon galloping away, without the
formality of leave-taking, or even
saying goodbye to a single one of the
party.
/ had not gone more than mile be-
fore [ found that some one was riding
hard in pursuit, or at least coming at a
furious rate from the direction of the
camp. The sound of the horses hoofs
rang ominously in my ears. For some
cause or other felt all was not right,
and apprehended danger. A sharp bend
in the road brought the horseman into
full view, and the first glance showed
me that it was none other than
the ugly looking customer with whom
had snapped pistols the night before.
My first impulse was to draw nay six
shooter, but horrors! | saw instantly ii
was not loaded! The next movement
was to strike my spurs into the fanks
of poor Gringo, determined on a race
for life. Looking back, the swarthy
Mexican could be plainly seen urging
his horse with lash and spur, while, to
add to my terror he was brandishing my
white-handled revolver over his head III
threatening manner.
We had now entered a piece of woods
which was but little travelled. In fact
it was nothing more than trail, which
[ had resolved to take as a cutoff. i
knew, however, that few miles further
on we should strike mining camp, and
then [ should be all right. But poor
Gringo, never much for speed at his