The Worthington advance., 1879-05-22
A NARROW ESCAPE.
An Otllccr's Story Of the Mexican War.

- -NU<s"AOts v O"Ss sstsss
'st- g. A NARROW ESCAPE.
An Oficcr'S Story Of the Mexican War.
ut was during the Mexican war, when
l was a sub in the cavalry regiment, that
l found myself on duty Mt Vera Cruz.
Tempted by the high mountains in the
vicinity, the beautiful scenery, and, above
all, the superb hunting, l sailed forth
early one morning accompanied by no
one save my Newfoundland dog.
q II was an ardent sportsman, my double
barrcled gun worked to charm, and
not until the deepening shades Of even
ing, accompanied by an unmistakablc
growl eff thunder, did l give thought
to the flight of time Or the Importance
Of retracing my steps to the city.
ut was about the time that the blood
thirsty and cowartlly Canalcs had ordered
every Mexican to join the army, and
commanded that no quarter should be
granted to the hated Americans.
II had not antici pated danger from
the enemy, unless it might he in the
shape of some small band of guerillas
lurking amid the mountain gorges actua-
ted more by the hope Of plumber than by
patriotic motives.
II will not attempt to say how many
thousand feet l was above the level OF
the sea, but found the elevation sutii-
cient, even for the tried and practiscl
nerves Of seaman, had he been placed in
my position.
There is but little twilight, you know,
in the tropics. The sun had disappeared
in the folds Of all immense cloud which
was rapidly spreading itself over the en-
tire heavens, while from its sable depths
darted lurid sheets Of lightning, followed
by tho increasing r>ar Of thunder, which,
already found an echo through the valleys
and gorges Of the mountain.
II did not fancy wet jacket, and
whistling for my dog, an animal to which
l was warmly attached, I was on the
point of retracing my steps down the
rough mountain road, when the iinging
OF spurs and accoutrcments, the trampling
OF horses, and the oarsc word of command
was sufficient for me to draw back into a
tall tuft of grass and Spanish bayonct
growing beside me. The dog crouchcd
at my feet, growing ominously, as if con-
scious of the danger his master was in;
and faith, did not much like the situa,
tion found myself compelled to face.
IA number of Mcxicrn lanccrs were
before me, preparing to bivouac for the
night, and my retreat down the road was
out Of the question.
"High, precipitous rocks hemmed me
in on three sides, through which the road
| had travelled had been originally cut.
That outlet was now in possession OF the
lancers, while in front of me the steep
side Of tho mountain, vcrging almost on
to prccipice, sloped toward the city.
''To remain where was would be
only to court death, namclcss fate, an
unknown grave, for discovery was Ger
tain to follow when the sentincls should
be posted.
"Cautiously 1 examined the smooth
sides OF the precipice, covered here and
there by network of vines clinging to
the creviccs and riffs in the rock for its
uncertain life. Further on behold a
dark, irregular line disappearing in the
murky depths below. l strained nv ewes
to the utmost, for the gloom Of night and
the mists Of the storm, which threatened
every momont to burst above nv head.
envoloped all objects in darkness and un-
certainty.
''But for once, fortune favored me, and
never laid claim to being fayorite of
the tickle jade. The dark line proved to
be deep, dry gully, the channel of some
mountain stream, long since dried up.
''But how to reach the friendly cover?
that was the question which puzzled me.
"A sudden commotion among the CAV
ly-trapped gentry behind me soon decid-
ed my course of action. They had
kindled small campfire, were about to
cook their evening meal, and dozen men
tall, strapping fellows-werc radiating
from the main body in different directions
to perfom the duty Of scntincls.
zone in particular was mai ng for the
friendly clump of widc-sprcading limbs,
in hopes, possibly, to partially escape the
fierce gusts of wind and rain which had
begun to sweep about the mountain.
"Dropping my fowling- piece, and bid.
ding my noble d ,g to shift for himself, ]
swung myself over the precipice, cling
ing to the network of vines which shook
and complained beneath my weight.
"The darkness had increased with
astonishing rapidity, and as swung over
that rayless void I found it impossible to
pierce the gloom. I heard the short, sharp
howl of my dog as he darted off in search
OF ME; then, amid the rush of the squall,
came the confused shouts of men, a
struggling shot or two mingling with the
crash Of the heavy artillery rolling in the
vast expanse above me.
depending. principally upon the
strength and indurance of my arms, !
carefully and cautiously felt my way
along the verge of the precipicc, working
in the direction of the gully, which, once
gained, promised to afford me the means
of escape from the dangers which cncom.
passed me.
"Broad sheets Of lightning lit up with
dazzling distinctness the fearful scene
bringing out every undulation of the rocks
every crevice and blade of grass; and once
when had found slight support fo1
my feet, and was giving my aching arm!
rest, l glanced above amid the yellow
glare Of the lightning and beheld tn.
fierce, dark-whiskercd face of a Mexican
Peering over the brink, his eyes apparent
ly fastened upon me as hung suspended
and flattened against the cliff, but few
feet below him, while the electricit,
twisted and writhed, like tongues of in
fernal serpents, around the muzzle of hi.
carbine.
ut was trying moment, my friend
situation we'll calculated to inspire {
feeling Of terror in the heart of the bold
est. But whether it was the rain, which
was falling in torrents and driving furi
ously before the gale, or the glare o.
lightning, which prevented the lancer
from discovering me, am unable to say
: At all events I escaped his notice, th%
=, shot did not come, and watching m,
chance in the lulls of the tempest, / con
): .fnued my perilous course.
ut seems as if the food gates of HEAVIER
had been opened; and the scourging wind
sweeping with terrific violence around thu