The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-26

The Scourge Of the Mines.

C0
During the reign of terror in the early
days of California, there was one man
whose name was terror to all who heard
it.
This was Manuel Garcia or the
"Scourge of the Mines" as he was better
known.
A more blood-thirsty scoundrel never
lived.
He killed through pure love Of blood.
1t is estimated that over three hundred
lives were cut short by his hand during
his brief career.
On one occasion Garcia, with one COM
panion Floresco, left the camp in quest
of adventures, hoping to pick up some
dust-laden miner along the trail leading
into Mariposa.
They had not long to wait. Just be-
fore sunset they spied three footmen
slowly approaching the spot where they
lay in the bush.
"Take the right hand one, Napal-blos-
som. I'm good for the other"
The miners, little suspecting their dan-
ger, came on in high glee, discussing the
high old spree they would have in Mari
posa, when they had disposed Of their
hard-earned dust,
"Noww gritted Manuel, as the doomed
men came abreast of the ambush.
The two revolver shots sounded at
once, and the middle miner was left
standing between his fellow-comrades,
petrifed with surprise and horror With
a brutal laugh, Garcia sprang forward,
drawing his knife. .}
This was his favorite weapon when
personal safety permitted it to be used.
>"Down on your knees, cursed heretic!"
yelled Garcia.
But the miner was made of sterner
stuff.
AS soon as he caught glimpse Of the
outlaw, he whipped cut his revolver, and
drew bead upon him.
Unfortunately for him, the cap failed |
to explode, and ere he could revolve the
cylinder, Garcia had plunged his knife
hilt-deep into his breast. a.
With a chuckle of delight, Garcia be-
gan to rifle the murdered miners, when
cry from Floresco startled him.
AS he turned there was no need Of his
asking what had caused the cry.
A body of horsemen, spurring rapidly,
were Just crossing the hill beyond.
They had evidently heard the report
of firearms, and were bound to investi-
gate the matter.
They're no friends of ours-to the
horses, Floresco!" cried Manuel, aban-
doning his booty. "It's risk or nothing
they mean business up to the handle"
The outlaws mounted and fed at top
speed, closely pursued by the miners who
seemed to have recognized the fugi ives,
judging from their vindictive shouts.
But Garcia laughed loudly at them,
for he felt implicit confidence in his ,
Horse, a noble beast.
But before many miles had been ira
versed, it became evident that the Amer
leans were also well mounted, and the ,
outlaws barely held their vantage, prof. q
clients though they were in rough riding.
Though they knew it not at that time, g
Garcia and Floresco were pursued by 5
Captain Harry Loves command Of
United States cavalry, raised expressly q
for putting down Garcia and his men, f
their horses being selected with an eye to ,
just such wild races as this.
Before five miles had been traversed, I
Fioresco found that Garcia was distanc-
ing him, while the man-hunters were close
at his heels. i ......
Then deft'y-planted revolver bullet
forever ended bis earthly career -. |
a@ As he heardthe $tifed shrek of agony,
Garcia clenched his teeth, and spurred
his animal ON.
He knew that it was life or death, and
for once fear crept into his heart.
The ground grew worse and more bro
ken.
Garcia dared not allow his painting
horse to slacken his mad pace, land the man ,
hunters would not be biufftd by "grea-
SER" -
Only by really wonderful dexterity
were the animals kept upon their feet. II
Suddenly the outlaw saw wide can
yon yawn before him, transverse with his |
path.
TO advance seemed death. |
To turmaside would give his pursuers t
a fearful advantage, and bring them |
within easy pistol range. t
He took the only course that afforded
a chance for life. ..,.. '
Plunging his spurs rowel deep, he n
urged his horse on with wild yell, lift +
ing him in the leap. c
. A brief moment-a moment that ap- h
peared an eternity, he hovered above the
abyss, and then heavy shock, con- t
fused scramble, and the gallant animal h
fell upon the rocks beyond the canyon,
with a groan Of agony. v
II had saved his masters life, though t
Doth fere legs were broken upon the
boulder he had stumbled over.
Garcia, like cat, alighted upon his r
feet, and seeing that his horse was past v
further use, he leaped behind boulder,
drawing his revolver. : h
If fight he must, this was as good a il
point as any. h
j., In order to reach him, the man-hunt- G.
RS must first leap the canyon.
But their animals, already overtasked, m
refused the leap, and when Garcia sent ii
Al | n