Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-07-10
a MARION ESCAPE

ttIt Was during tho Mexican war, when
wasa sub, in q calvary regiment, that /
found myself i on duty at Vera Cruz.
Tempted BY tho mountains and tho vicinity,
tho beautiful scenery, and above all, the
superb hunting, I sailed forth early one
morning accompanied by no ono save my
Newfoundland dog
III was an ardent sportsman, my double
barrelled gun worked to a charm, and not
until tho deepening shades Of evening, ac.
companied by an unmistakoablo growl of
thunder, did i give athought to the flight
OF tune or the importance Of retracing my
steps to the oity. pags
SIT was about tho time that tho bloody
thirsty aud cowardly Canales had COM
mauded that no quarter should bo granted
to tho hated Americans.
III had not anticipated danger from tho
enemy, unless it might bo 10 tho shape Of
some sGall band Of guorillas lurking amid
tho mountain gorge, aotuated moro by tho
hope of plumber than by patriotic motives
''[ will not attompt to- say illow many
thousand fcot was abogc tho levol Of tho
sea, but found tho elevation sufficient; oven
for the tried and praoticed nerves of sea-
man, had he been placed in my position.
"Thoro is but little twilight in tho tropics.
Tho sun had disappeared ia tho fold of an
immense cloud which was rapidly spreading
itsclf over the entire heavens, whilo from
its sable depths dortcd lurid sheets of
lightning, followed by tho increasing roar of
thunder which already found an ooho through
tho mountain. iS,
III did not fancy wet jacket, and whist.
ling for my dog, an animal to which 1 was
warmly attached, was on tho point Of re-
tracing my steps down tho rough mountain
road, when tho jinglipg Of spurs aud accou-
trcmcnts, the tramplipg of horses and the
hoarse command was sufficient for me to
draw back into tall tuft Of grass and Span.
ish beyopet growing besido me.
SThSdog,crouehed at my feet, growing
cautiously, asSif conscious Of the danger his
master was ip; apd, faith, Il did not much
like tho situation found myself compelled
to face.
"a number Of Mexican lancers were
before me, preparing to bivouao forathe
night, and my retreat down tho road was
out of tho question. ,i ''''
"High, precipitous rocks hommcd me
10 on three sides through which road had
travelled had been originally out. Tho out
let was now in possession of tho anoers,
while in front Of mo tho stcop sido,, of tho
mountain, verging almost on to q prcoipice,
sloped toward tho city. ' S$s
"To remain whero 1 was would be only
to court dcath, q nameless fate, an unknown
grave, for discovery was certain to follow
when tho sentinels should be posted.
"OautiouslyI examined the smooth sides
of tho prccipico, covered hero and there by
network of vines cinging to the oroyioes
and riffs in the rock for its uncertain life.
Further ON behold dark, Irregular line
disappearing in murky depths below. I
strained my eyes to tho utmost, for tho
gloom of night and tho mists of tho
storm, which threatened overy moment to
burst above my head, cnvclopcd all objects
in darkness and uncertainty.
"But fortune favored inc, and I never
laid claim to being favorite Of the fioklo
jade. The dark line proved to be a deep,
dry gully, tho channel of somo mountain
stream long sinoo dried up.
"But howito reach tho fIiondly ooycr?
That was tho question which puzzled mo.
"a sudden commotion among tho gayly
trapped gontry behind me decided my course
Of action. They had kiudled small camp
fire, were about to cook their evening meal,
and dozen men--talI, strapping follows
wero radiating from tho main body in diffe-
rent directions, to perform tic duty of sen
tinels.
a"Onc in particular was making for tho
friendly clump Of widespreading limbs, 10
hopes, possibly, to partially escape the fierce
gusts Of wind and rain which had begun to
sweep, about the mountain.
dropping my fowling picce and bidding
my noble dog to shift for himself, swung
myself over the prcoipioe, clinging to tic
network Of vines which shook aud com--
planned beuoath my weight.
"The darkness had Increased with aston
ishing rapidity, and as swung over that
rayless void ! found it impossible to picrco
tho gloom. / hoard the short, sherp howl
Of my dog as he darted off in search of me:
then, amid the rush of the squall came the
confused shouts Of mon, a struggling shot
or two, mingling with tho crash Of tho
hcavy artillery rolling 10 tho vast expanse
above me.
"Dopending principally upon tho strength
aud endurance Of my arms, carefully and
cautiously felt my way along the verge of
the preoipioe, working in tho direction of
the gully, which, onco gained, promised to
afford mo means Of escape from tho dangers
which oucompassed me.
"Broad shoets Of lightning lit up with
dazzling distinctness the fearful scono.
bringing out every orevice and blade of
grass; aud once, when had found q slight
support for my feet, aud was giving nv
aching arms rest, | glanced above amid
the yellow glare Of the lightning aud beheld
stho fierce, dark k-whskered face of M Mcxican
fasarirn nunr Tho hxink liz 10. ]. o..