Louisiana capitolian., 1880-05-22
A RIDE FOR LIFE.

l1OrNIA adventure VI Uluo I1uciOI
life, may well call it asked old Major
Ransome, IA b. settled himself back into
tho depths Of sn easy chair sltnsted At
the head rf the MesstSble.
The long, breezy hsll WIS we'll filled
by officers Of the regiment, mostly young
mon, Who had seen but little active
service, and the "reminiscences Of the
older gentlemen Of the corps wore always
eagerly listened to with respectful
consideration.
well, it nay servo 10 while swsy m
idle hslf-bour, and if you are all 70
disposed, ] will relate the circumstances.
The details IRE indellibly stamped upon
my memory can assure YOU"
The time-bonored regimental can
clrcul stsd areund the table, cigars were
lighted, and the Major clearing up bic
throat. commenced:
when California was first admitted
int the Union it was filled with moro
than its quota Of desperate characters
gathered from all parts of the globe.
Perhaps the worst element, the most
treachsrous, tricky aud cowardly was
the Mexican elemout-half.breed Mexi.
cans, or, 90 they are more commonly
known in the vernscular Of the country
Greasers-and it il with that particular
class of yellow.skiunsd rascals that the
burden Of my yarn will principally deal.
IT had been ordered BY the depart
meut to proceed to southern California
to pay of the troops stationed ~ Los
Apgelos-a most delightful spot by the
way, favored alike by Heaven and
nature. ! had discharged the duty to
the entire satifaction Of all concerned,
and with account balancing to = cent !
n,ok leave of the jolly old commandant
aud mounted on u rather sorry-looking
specimen Of al army horse, turned my
back on the town, having slowed in my
saddlebags sbout $50, 900, mostly in crisp,
rustling bank notes, mixed up with
more or less gold-more than J wished
there was before got through with it.
Through the kindness Of the command
inc officer, l had been furnished with an
escort in the shape of two troopers. who.
fully armed and equipped, rode behind
me 10 guard Uncle Sans treasure from
the ravenous paws of wandering
despeyadoes and vagrants WHO received
alarming reinforcements to their
ranks owing to the gold fever which had
broken out aud was carrying everything
before it in boandleSs wave OF excite
ment.
my destination was camp situated
in the mountains some ttty mles
distant from Los Angeles, and as my
two troopers were thoroughly conver-
SAINT with the way; l gave myself no
concern abont the route.
''At the close of the first days ride
I've did not hurry at alD we sAmped in
a delightful orange grove, close to
rancho where band of horses were
quietly grazing. looked at them with
longing e?es as they tvisked about on
the open plain, more especially as my
old hack, in addition to being most
contonndedly hard under the saddle, was
already lame, and in fact, about ready
to knock under.
'.The soldiers told me that for $50 l
conla make selection from the entire
ranche. A ASpanisrda a courtly gentleman
me. me and Immediately upon my errand
being made known he had the animals
corralled.
The object Of my choice was a snperb
roa,- black steed, three-quarter blood,
who. by some means, had become mixed
with inferior stock. The horse was
sent]e, but lacked training, having
meyer been subjected to the saddle.
However, as ! was au accomplished
Lorseman, ! cared little for that fact.
rhe price was paid, and that night l
.Iept in the Spanlards hospltable
while one Of his vacqueos
.addled the horse. whom / dubbed
Prince. and with Mexican bit he
,.Lavel with the steadiness Of veteran
was delighted, and that night retired
% my luxurious couch happy and
in mind and at peace with
II the world, and with my precious
carefully deposited on the
,ack side of my old-fashioned bed.
never lost sight of them-upon that you
nay depend.
Early next morning was in the saddle
r;th nv escort trotting in the rear, and
waving last adieu to the courteous
:,an;ard we struck for the foot hills,