Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-12-15
CHASED BY GREASERS.

"Yes, I've had number of narrow
escapes during my career" remarked
the Lieutenant, as he pulled lazily at his
cigar, " and think my last adventure
may tend to interest you. 1t was a
pretty tight squeeze, and at one time ]
thought sure I should lose the number
of my mess, but touch and GO is
good pilot, you know, and here I am
to-day, as good as ever. l will give you
the details, if you care to listen"
1t was the occasion of dinner party,
Lieutenant was attached. His immedi-
ate friends were on either side of him,
and it is needless to state that the Off
GERS proposition for an after-dinner
yarn was eagerly accepted.
"Some of you remember-it is not so
long ago-when [ received orders to join
the gun-boat fitted out specially to pa
troll the Rio Grande, with view of pro-
tecting the interests of our citizens on
the Mexican frontier
a" I never did like the racial of their
characteristics are repugnant to our
broad and enlightened ideas of civiliza-
ton. They are priest-ridden, supersti-
tious, ignorant, bigoted, treacherous,
addicted to gambling, lying and throat
cutting; and, gentleman, I might con-
tinue the list to an indefinite degree
were not assured that you thoroughly
understood the characteristics which in
general predominant with the Greasers.
" It was anything but pleasant pad
ding backward and forward in that con-
founded river, with clouds of miasma
rising every morning, heat sufficient to
scorch the boots off your feet, and no
amusement to break up the drear mo-
notony which had become well-nigh in
supportable. One day followed another
with the same dull routine there was
no society, no one to visit, and it was
the earnest wish of all hands that we
might either have brush with the
yellow-bellies, or else receive orders for
more active and congenial duty.
FINALLY, tempted by the clouds of
wild duck, plover and other birds infest-
ing the reedy shores and lagoons, I re-
solved to have a days sport. The OPP
portunity was a good one, the engineers
having b1owed down the boiler for
general overhaul.
Accompanied by young Midship-
man, Harry Murdoch by name, with our
double-barreled guns in the stern-sheets,
we took possession Of the dingy, a light,
feet-pulling and sailing boat, and at
early daylight showed off from the Som
brero's side.
"The early mists of morning were
slowly rolling up as we pulled in shore.
The current was running swiftly against
us wild detours had to be made to avoid
rocks. sand-bars and shoals which
abounded on every side. Leaving the
river, we proceeded leisurely up tribu-
tary, which was entirely new ground to
both of us. The waters, contracted by
the narrow channel, rushed furiously,
casting showers Of spray in the air, COM
pelling us to exercise our utmost skill to
avoid the dangers which beset us on all
sides. was wet, tired and exhausted
with the long, fatiguing pull, and only
too gladly acceded to my companions
suggestion to tie the boat UP to tall,
overhanging trunk of tree, and try
land tacks for while.
'sThe ground was sticky and treacher-
GUS like the natives. Wild serge grass
grew in detached masses, with here and
there clump of Spanish bayonet, and
punches Of coarse rushes. all growing
uxuriously in the wet, soggy ground.
"We had a fine run of sport, bagging
more game than we could carry, and the
sun was well up before we thought Of
returning to the boat, where we had left
lunch, put up by the ward-room stew
ard. We had, as well, wandered a con-
siderable distance inland, which fact was
forced most disagreeably and forciby up
on me when [ assembled slight emin-
ence to obtain better view of the sur
rounding country. e
GA party OF most vicious-looking
scoundrels, swarthy and bearded like
pirates, mounted upon wiry mustangs,
galloping directly toward us, their arms
and accoutrements glanclng brightly In
the rays of the morning sun, met my
vision.
miles of which interviewed between us
| and the river. In the rear dozen we'll
armed men were urging their horses
along at a furious gait; and, gentlemen,
if ever [ felt scared in my life it was
when / cast a furtive glance over my
shoulder, taking in the whole situation.
"There was one point in our favor
we had the advantage of good start,
and, as the Greasers reined up their
backs. With a ferocious yell they came
swooping down upon us, and I, hastily
summoning Harry to follow in my wake,
struck for the old trunk of the tree
which marked the spot where we had
disembarked
"Clinging to our guns, while game
bags and contents were tossed aside, we
sought the hardest and dryest ground,
until a point was reached, as nearly as
we could judge, that was abreast of the