Daily globe., 1879-05-18

The lesson thou hast taught to me,
pray never may forget
Chambers Journal.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
An Officers Story of the Mexican War.
1T was during the Mexican war, when
I was a sub in the cavalry regiment, that
I found myself on duty at Vera Cruz.
Tempted by the high mountains in the
vicinity, the beautiful scenery, and, above
all, the superb hunting, / sailed forth
early one morning accompanied by no
one save my Newfoundland dog.
Il was an ardent sportsman, my double
barreled gun worked to charm, and
not until the deepening shades of even
ing, accompanied by an unmistakable
growl eff thunder, did I give thought
to the flight of time or the Importance
Of retracing my steps to the city.
1T was about the time that the blood
thirsty and cowardly Canales had ordered
every Mexican to join the army, and
commanded that no quarter should be
granted to the hated Americans.
81 had not anticipated danger from
the enemy, unless it might be in the
shape of some small band of guerillas
lurking amid the mountain gorges, actua-
ted more by the hope of plunder than by
patriotic motives.
~ will not attempt to say how many
thousand feet was above the level of
the sea, but,I found the elevation suffi-
cient, even for the tried and practised
nerves of a seaman, had he been placed in
my position.
There is but little twilight, you know,
in the tropics. The sun had disappeared
in the folds Of an immense cloud which
was rapidly spreading itself over the en-
tire heavens, while from its sable depths
darted lurid sheets of lightning, followed
by the increasing roar Of thunder, which
already found an echo through the valleys
and gorges of the mountain.
II did not fancy wet jacket, and
whistling for my dog, an animal to which
| was warmly attached, was on the
point Of retracing my steps down the
rough mountain road, when the jingling
OF spurs and accoutrements, the trampling
OF horses, and the oarse word of command
was sufficient for me to draw back into a
tall tuft Of grass and Spanish bayonet
growing beside me. The dog crouched
at my feet, growing ominously, as if con
scious Of the danger his master was in
and faith, did not much like the situa-
ton | found myself compelled to face.
"a number of Mexicrn lancers were
before me, preparing to bivouac for the
night, and my retreat down the road was
out Of the question.
, High, precipitous rocks hemmed me
in on three sides, through which the roa0
l had travelled had been originally cut
!, That outlet was now in possession Of the
lancers, while in front of me the steer
, side of the mountain, verging almost OF
to prccipice, sloped toward the city.
''To remain where I was would BIZ
only to court death, a nameless fate, ar
unknown grave, for discovery was Ger
tain to follow when the sentinels shoulc
| be posted.
"Cautiously examined the smooth
sides Of the precipicc, covered here ant
? there by a network of vines clinging tc
the crevices and riffs in the rock for it,
$ uncertain life. Further on l beheld
g dark, irregular line disappearing in th'
:. murky depths below. strained my eve
to the utmost, for the gloom Of night ant
! the mists Of the storm, which threatened
every moment to burst above my head
c enveloped all objects in darkness and un
i certainty.
}. "But for once, fortune favored me, an,
e 1 never laid claim to being a favorite 0
:, the tickle jade. The dark line proved t
t be deep, dry gully, the channel of som
mountain stream, long since dried up.
> ''But how to reach the friendly cover
that was the question which puzzled me
- "a sudden commotion among the gay
y ly-trapped gentry behind me soon decid
e ed my course of action They ha,
: kindled small campfire, were about t
g cook their evening meal, and dozen me-
tall, strapping fellows-were raciiatin
a from the main body in different direction
to perfom the duty of sentinels.
u "One in particular was mai ne for til
y friendly clump Of wide-spreading limb:
Il in hopes, possibly, to partially escape tn
d fierce gusts of wind and rain which ha
I begun to sweep about the mountain.
u dropping my fowling piece, and bic
I ding my noble d g to shift for himself,
y swung myself over the precipice, cling
it ing to the network of vines which shoe
C and complained beneath my weight.
I "The darkness had increased wit
n astonishing rapidity, and as swung Owe
l that rayless void [ found it impossible t
s. pierce the gloom. heard the short, shar
II howl of my dog as he da1ted off in scare
d of me; then, amid the rush of the squal
= came the confused shouts of men,
" struggling shot or two mingling with tn
l. crash Of the heavy artillery rolling in tn
le vast expanse above me.
a depending principally upon tn
strength and Endurance of my arms,
he carefully and cautiously felt my wa
g along the verge of the precipice, workin
s in the direction ofthe gully, which, ono
n gained, promised to afford me the NEAR
10 Of escape from the dangers which encon
passed me.
fe "Broad sheets of lightning lit up wit
i'd dazzling distinctness the fearful seen
is bringing out every undulation of the rocl
every crevice and blade of grass; and ono
when had found slight support f;
y. my feet, and was giving my aching arm
IL a rest, glanced above amid the yello
Be glare of the lightning and beheid Il
to fierce, dark-whiskered face of Mexics
ds peering over the blink, his eyes apparen
to ly fastened upon me as I hung suspend,
and fattened against the cliff, but fe