Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-07-17


foam of that maddening whirl.
II think must have lost myself for mo-
ment, but walked, amid the darkness and
roaring waters, nearly strangled to death.
Another instant and | was whlrled heavily
against some yielding object. l rallied my
strength for final effort. The next flash re.
vealed the wreck of tree, with the roots
still clinging tenaciously to the side of the
bank. - ..i s-- .si ~
81 drew myself up out of the rush of the
current, and crawled to firm foot-hold on
the shelving bank of the torrent
"The cool rain revived me. The terrible
strain upon my nervous system had robbed
me to great extent Of the strength and vi.
tality natural to my strong constitution. But
my power of endurance was great. l STUN.
bled forward, feeling my way amid debris OF
fallen trees, pit-holes and huge rocks all
scattered promiscuously about on the steep
side of the mountain, until faint glimmer
of light streamed tremulously across my
path. 1t was welcome sight, and, prisoner
or no prisoner, made up my mind to risk
life and liberty, and demand shelter from the
storm, which still ragged, but gave signs Of
abating. ..--s
81 was unarned; the only weapon / had
sailed forth with had been abandoned on the
edge OF the precipice, previous to my attempt
ing the perilous passage. felt my heart
beat faster as I neared the door of that tum-
BILE down rancho, which loomed up, huge,
shapeless mass, amid the gloom and solitude
of that wild spot.
"A moments hesitation, and l knocked
resolutely at the door.
"Quiero uipe,' (who comes there y and |
heard the click Of a weapon.
"1 am an American, replied bitterly, in
English; "a United States officer, who has
lost his way on the side of this cursed noun.
tain
"With jerk the door was thrown back on
its rusty hinges, revealing the figure Of man
of brawny proportions, armed to the teeth,
and Of most villainous aspect.
"He held a faring torch on high, the un-
certain light of which fell across his SCARED
and scowling visage. Keenly and deliber'
ately he scanned the torn and tattered re-
mains of my uniform, then, in voice harsh
and growing, he demanded:
"What do you want here, and how many
of you are there?'
II replied in the best Spanish I could mas
ter, that was alone, and repeated my dole
full story Of being lost in the storm.
"At that moment, to my surprise and as
tonishment, my faithful Newfoundland, who,
by some keen instinct of his nature had sue
ceeded in scenting me, burst from the sur
rounding obscurity, testifying his JOY by leap
ing upon me and baying in his deep, power
full tones.
cit was welcome surprise.t me. felt
that had at least one friend upon whom !
could rely in case of an emergency.
"The mans appearance was indicative of a
mixtured ferocity and cunning, while his eye,
wild and unsettled, lit up with an expression
I could not fathom, as he bade me enter.
"Strange forebodings filled my heart as I
gazed about the recesses Of the howell. 1t
was almost bare of furniture, save table
and two broken chairs A fire blazed cheer.
lily in the fireplace, beforewhich were stretch.
ed three dark forms wrapped in tattered and
greasy blankets. The CLEAN Of firearms, as
they lay piled in the corner, did not escape
my attention and you may depend did not
feel the easiest in my mind as drew up be-
fore the fire, with my dog coiled at my feet.
"In my exhausted state, despite the danger
I felt lurking about me, must have dropped
off asleep, my head finding support against
q projection of the chimney.
"The low monotonous hum of voices fell
upon my ear, and cautiously reconnoitering
from beneath the visor of my cap, | found
that the three sleepers had aroused them
selves, and were in deep, earnest consultation
with the man whom l had first accosted.
"Straining my ears to the utmost, could
manage to catch occasional fragments of sen.
tences as they dropped from the lips Of the
four comrades, who were as promising candl-
dates for the gallows as ever care to meet
again under like circumstances.
"The howl and rush of the gale had ceased,
but the occasional patter Of rain drops from
the leaves and roof of the rancho proved that
the storm had but recently passed away.
"'Do you notice the glitter of those but
TONS? remarked one of the four.
"Curse the buttons! broke in another,
fercely; of what value are they? It's the
glitter of gold 1 like to see; and we have al
ready wasted too much valuable time. for
one say kill him. If the Yankee dog had a
dozen lives they should all be forfeited. He
has come here Masked he shall not depart
so easily
"'Hush, Juan you are too hasty. The
question is, will it pay to dispose Of him our.
selves and share the plunder, or take him to
Canales? He might come down handsome.
Suppose the fellow should prove to be an Of
ficer of importance?'
"'Bah! You talk like fool. Do you not
see that he is too young to have gained i'm
portance. AS for Canales, carrajo! you will
get nothing for your pains from him..
call this heard distinctly and much more
which it is unnecessary to repeat. That my
life was doomed was beyond all doubt. but l
was not disposed to make vacancy in the
corps without struggle, and, especially un-
dergoing what had escaping from the Ian
GERS. .s5. -..-. ....-..... .a...
81 felt the blood coursing through my veins
with renewed vigor as looked the situation
square in the face. My brain grew clearer
as the imminence Of the peril | was in grew
more apparent.
"The dying embers of the fire emitted it,
full CLEANS which fell across the arms of the
scoundrels piled promiscuously together in
the corner Of the rancho.
cat that moment, and as was casting
wistful glances at carbiue, the beetle-browed
rascal who had lighted me into the garden
glided across the floor, slipping stout bar
across the door,
"'Now boys, finish the job, and then share
alike were the words heard.
every nerve in my body Jared; the blood
rushed back to my heart as the decisive mo-
ment arrived. Up to that time | had not