Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-04-25

once gained, promised to afford me the
means of escape from the dangers
which encompassed 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 l had found
slight support for my feet, and was Civ
ing my aching arms q rest, glanced
above amid the yellow glare of the
lightning and beheld the fierce, dark
whiskered face of a Mexican, peering
over the brink, his eyes apparently fast
ened upon me as l hung suspended
and flattened against the cliff, but a few
feet below him, while the electricity
twisted and wTithed, like tongues of in
fernal serpentS, around the muzzle of
his carbine.
"It was trying moment, my friend,
a situation well calculated TO inspire a
feeling of terror in the heart of the
bOldest. But whether it was the rain,
which was falling in torrents, and dri7-
ing furiously before the gale, or the
glare of the lightning, which prevent
ed the lancer from discovering me, l
am unable to say. At all events es-
capped his notice, the shot did not come,
and, watching my chance in thelulls of
the tempest, continued my perilous
course.
"It seemed as if the flood-gates of
heaven had been opened, and the
scourging wind, sweeping with terrific
violence around the mountain, disput-
ing every inch of the way which gained
with the utmost difficulty, oftentimes
threatening to tear me bodily from the
oscillating ladder which had served me
so well.
al had but little strength to spare
when at last found myself crouching
on themuddy bottom of the old mount
ain gorge.
"The earth yielded beneath my feet,
sand and pebbles swiTled by, and rising
above the crash of the elements, heard
the increasing roar of some unknown
torrent, as it swelled and gathered force
far above me.
"Nerved on by the strength of de-
spair Irushed down the steep decliVity,
reckless as to where my feet might
wander. Completely blinded between
IllC LllnSlCO GAoAC VI LL4O lAk lALnl1AG anu
the intense darkness that followed each
flash, stumbled on, feeling that every
moment my steps were becoming un-
steadier.
"The water was already up to my
knees, and rushing by with a force
that made me grip desperately to
whatever projections could find along
the side of the ravine.
1.-The Inexorable waters rose yet
faster, and the danger of the tempest
grew wilder still. My strength and
even faculties were failing fast, my
feet were lifted from beneath me, and
quicker than thought 1 was rushing
helplessly along and enveloped amid
the spray and foam of that maddening
Whirl.
81 think must have lost myself for
a moment, but walked amid the dark
ness and roaring waters, nearly stran-
gled to death. Another instant and I
was whirled heavily against some
yielding object. l rallied my strength
for a final effort. The next flash re-
vealed the wreck of tree, with the
roots still clinging tenaciously to the
side of the bank.
81 drew myself out of the rush of
the current, and crawled to a firm
foothold on the shelving bank of the
torrent.
"The cool rain revived me. The
terrible strain upon my nervous system
had robbed me, to a great extent, of
the strength and vitality natural to my
strong constitution. But my power of
endurance was great. l stumbled for
ward, 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 a light streamed
tremulously across my path. 1t was
welcome sight, and, prisoner or no
prisoner, l made up my mind to risk
life and liberty, and demand shelter
from the terrible storm, which still
ragged, but gave signs of abating.
al was Unarmed; the only weapon L
had sailed forth with had been aban-
doned on the edge of the precipice,
previous to my attempting the perilous
passage. 1 felt my heart beat faster
as l neared the door of that tumble
down ranch which loomed up, a huge,
shapeless mass, amid the gloom and
solitude of that wild spot.
A moments hesitation and knocked
resolutely at the door.
y s''QuierO UiUe?' (who comes THEREBY
and l heard the click of weapon.
"'I am an American replied bit
terly, in English. "A United States
officer, who has lost his way on the side
of this cursed mountain
"With jerk the door was thrown
back on its rusty hinges, revealing the
figure of a man of brawny proportions,
armed to the teeth, and of most villain
Gus aspect.
"He held a fiaring torch on high,
the uncertain light of which fell across
his scared and scowling visage. Keen
ly and deliberately he scanned the torn
and tattered remains of my uniform,
then in voice harsh and growing, he
demanded:
"'What do you want here, and how
many of you are there?'
81 replied in the best Spanish l
could master that l was alone, and re-
peated my dOleful story of being lost in
the storm.
cat that moment, 10 my surprise
and astonishment, my faithful New
foundland, who, by some keen instinct
of his nature, had succeeded in scenting
me, burst from the surrounding OBJ
scurity, testifying his Joy by leaping
upon me and baying in his deep, pow
erful tones.
alt was a welcome surprise to me.
1 felt that had at least one friend up
on whom could rely in case of an
emergency.
"The mans appearance was indica-
tive of a miXtured ferocity and cunning,
while his eye, wild and unsettled, lit up
with an expression could not fathom.
as he bade me enter.
"Strange forebodings filled my heart
as I gazed about the recesses of the
hoveI. 1t was almost bare of furniture,
save table and two broken chairs. A
fire blazed cheerily in the Fireplace, be-
fore which was stretched three dark
forms wrapped in tattered and greasy
blankets. The CLEAN of firearms, as
they lay piled in a corner, did not es-
cape my attention; and you may de-
pend did not feel the easiest IN my
mind as l drew up before the fire, with
my dog coiled up at my feet.
"In my exhausted state, despite the
danger felt was lurking about me, l
must have dropped off to sleep, my head
finding support against projection
of the chimney.
1.-THE low, motiOnless hum OF voices
/ fell upon my ear, and cautiously recon-
/ uoitsriup from beneath the visor of my