The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1880-05-19
A RIDE fOR LIFE.

Ibid | ever tell you about tha,
California adventure of mine A
ride for life may well call it," said
old Msjor Rsnsom, as be settled him.
self back into the depths of large
easy chair, situated st the head of
the mess table.
The long, breezy hall was filed
by officers Of the regiment, mostly
young men. who had seen but little
active service. and the Renaissance
of The older members OF the corps
were always eagerly listened TO
with respectful Consideration.
"Well, it may serve to while away
al idle half an hour, aad if you are
all so disposed, l will relate the cir.
cumstances. The details are indeii-
bly, stamped on my memory, | can
assure you"
The lime-tonored regimental can.
teen circulated around the table, ci-
cars were lighted, and the Major,
clearing his THROAT announced:
"When California was FIRST admit.
ted ia the Union, it was filed with
more than iIs quota of desperate
characters gathered from all quarters
of the globe. Perhaps the worst ele-
ment, the most treacherous, tricky
and cowsrdly was the Mexican ele.
ment-the half breed Mexican, or as
they are most commonly known 10
the verpacnlar of the country. Greas-
ers-and it is with that particular
class of yellow skiuned rascals that
the burden of my yarn will principal
ly deal"
81 had been ordered by the De
partment to proceed TO Southern
California, and pay off the troops
stationed at Los Angelos-a most
delightful spot by The way. favored
alike By hssven and nature. had
discharged the duty TO the entire sat.
isfactiou of all concerned. and with
accounts balanced to q cent | took
my leave of the jolly old command
ant, and mounted on a rather sorry
looking specimen Of al army horse, l
turned my back to the town, having
stored in my saddle bags about $50.
900, mostly 10 crisp. rustling bank
uoles, mixed up with more or less
gold-more than | wished there was
before got through with it,"
Through the Kindness of the com
msnding officer, had been furnished
with al escort 10 the shape of two
troopers, who, fully armed and equip.
ped, rode behind me to guard Uncle
Sans treasure from the rayenous
paws of wandering desperadoes and
vagrsnts, who received of late alarm
iug reIuforcements 10 their ranks,
owing 10 the gold fever which had
broken out, aud was carrying every
thing before il 10 bouadless wave
Of excitement
my destination was camp situa-
led in the mountains some Fifty miles
distant from Los Angelos, aud as nv
Two troopers were thoroughly con
versani with the way, | gave myself
40 Concern about ibe route.
''AJ ihe close of the 6rsI days.
ride We did not hurry at all, we
camped ia deligh tfnl orange grove.
close 10 q rancho where q band of
horses were quietly grazing l look
ed at Them with logging eyes IA they
frisked about Oh the open plain, es.
pecislly as my old hack. in addition
70 being most confounded asrd under
he saddle was already lame, and 10
fact, about ready to knock under
The SOLDIERS told me that for $50 |
could make selection from the en-
tire ranche. A Spaniard, co1rlly
gentleman met me, and upon my er-
rand being made kn0wn be had the
animals coraled
'Tte object of ny choice was su-
perb coal black s,eed, three quarters
blood, DO by some means, bad be-
come mixed with Inferior stock. The
horse was gentle, but lacked train.
log, having never been subjected TO
The saddle However, as | WAS an
horsemsn, | cared lit
tie about that fact The price was
paid, and that night | slept 10 the
hospi,able mansion, while
one Of bis vscquerors ssddled the
horse, whom / dubbed Prince, aud
with a Mexican bit be behaved with
the steadiness Of veteran | vas
deligh ed, and that night retired to
my luxurious couch happy and con-
tented 10 mind and at peace With all
the world, with my saddle bags care.
fully deposited on the back Of my
old fashioned bed | never lost
sight Of them-upon that you may
depend
Early the next morning | was in
my saddle, with my escort trotting
in the rear, and waving lsst sdieu
10 the courteous Spsniard, we struck
for The foot hills, aud when we halt
ed to max cup of coffee, we found
ourselves ic altogether . different
country from the level plains behind
"HiIls and valleys, with gentle un-
dulsting plsteaus intervened, greet
ed the eye in pleasant succession,
while trees, shrubs and an endless
variety Of running plants abounded
on all sides.
"The day had been extremely
warm, the sun pouring down with
relentless fury, and the parched dry
earth re6eciing back the heat in .
msuuer truly eAasperating to man
aud beast. Hot, dusty aud exhaust
ed, | sought out shady spot, placed
my bead on the saddle-bsgs, and
dropped off into . sound siests.
"ls was late 10 the afternoon when
1 opeoed my eyes, stretched, yswn.
ed and struggled TO nv feet with the