Daily globe., 1879-05-18

question is, will it pay to dispose Of him
ourselves and share the plunder, or take
him to Canales? He might come down
handsome. Suppose the fellow should
prove to be an officer of Importance
"'Bah! You talk like a fool. Do you
not see he is too young to have gained
any Importance. As for Canales, carrajo
you will get nothing for your pains from
him.
"All this heard distinctly, and much
more which it is unnecessary to repeat
That my life was doomed was beyond all
doubt; but was not disposed to make
vacancy in the corps without struggle,
and especially after undergoing what |
had in escaping from the lancers.
~ felt the blood coursing through nv
veins with renewed vigor as I looked the
situation square in the face. Ny brain
grew clear as the imminence Of the peril
l was IN grew more apparent
''Thc dying embers of the fire emitted
titful CLEANS which fell across the arms
OF the scoundrels piled promiscuously to-
gether in the corner OF the rancho.
"At that moment, and as was casting
wlsttul glances at a carbine, the beetle
browed rascal who had lighted me in to
the den glided across the floor, slipping
stout bar across the door.
Now, boys, finish the job, and share
alike were the words heard.
Every nerve in my body Jared; the
blood rushed back to my heart as the
decisive moment arrived. Up to that
time | had not stirred or changed my
position, leading the scoundrels to count
upon an easy victory, no doubt. The odds
were fearfuily against me, and as the
four turned their wolfsh eyes in my
direction, the clear, ringing notes Of
bugle came rising and falling, filing the
air with its melody.
"A wild cry of joy burst involuntarily
from my lips, thrill Of hope pervaded
my whole being, as I listened. It came
from my own gallant lads-a detachment
sent out, in all probability, in search for
their missing officer.
"My four friends had paused, their
| hands on their murderous knives, un-
certain and undecided how to act. They
turned for an instant towards the door,
leaving me to take advantage of their
stupidity.
when they again confronted me,
was in possession of the coveted corner,
with a rifle to my shoulder, Looking them
grimly in the face, while my dog, his
hair bristling with rage, stood bravely be-
side me, displaying his white fangs to
the cnraged gaze Of the greasy four.
| s Knife him, lads, before they are atop
of US. Put him out of sight, or we'll all
swing, but not one of them stirred.
''That dark, death-dealing riAe-barrcl
had a wonderful tranquilizing effect.
"'Curses on ye!' shouted the leader,
toaming with rage, as he dashed forward,
knife in hand Are you all afraid Of the
Yankee? 1 let him in here, and this
knife shall give him permission to leave
'Perhaps the villain expected to shake
my nerves, and cause me to throw away
my shot, but I never felt frmer, more
determined in my life.
"On he came, brandishing his knife
closely followed by his adherents.
Il covered his left breast with the
sight OF the weapon, and with the report
the scoundrel went headlong to the floor
"Charging through the smoke the re.
naming three rushed upon me, but
were met by the dog, who buried his
teeth in the flesh of one of them
II remember striking out with my
clubbed rifle, of pairing rapid thrusts and
cheering on the dog, when, by some
means, in the melee, horn or canister Of
powder must have fallen amid the red
hot embers Of the fire.
| "It exploded with tremendous violence
blowing off the roof of the house, rendine
| the house asunder, and hurting me to one
side half suffocated and nearly insensible
'When fully realized what was pass
ing about me, my own troops were re
) moving the debris of the rancho from m,
limbs, and the Newfound was licking
! my face.
, ''It was, as supposed, a party sent ou
in search of my unfortunate self; and the,
were returning from bottles
search, when the report of a rifle fol
3 lowed by an explosion and the glare o
s flames attracted their attention
"Of course, my friend, we made shor
: work Of the three miscreants who wer
4 dragged forth from the burning wreck
/: They howled vigorously for mercy, bu
' it was not to be thought of in their case
A swing from the nearest bough termi
l mated their career, and rode back to Yer
/ Cruz, with my mind firmly made up tina
e during the remainder of the campaign
nothing should ever tempt me to wande
alone among the hills Of Mexico in ques
|, Of game"