The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1881-06-09
CHASED BY GREAsERs.

"Yes, I've had number of narrow
escapes during my career" remarked
the Lieutenant, as he puffed lazily at his
cigar, and I think my last adventure
may tend to interest you. 1t was q
pretty tight squeeze, and at one time I
thought sure 1 should lose the number
of my mess, but touch and go is a
good pilot, you know, and here / am
to-day, rs good as ever. / will give you
the details, if you care to listen"
1t was the occasion of dinner party,
given on board the vessel to which the
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.
81 never did like the racial of their
characteristics are repugnant to our
broad and enlightened ideas of .ciyiliza-
ton. They are priest-fld ld[ien. eirpersti-
tious, ignorant, bigoted, treacherous,
addicted to gambling, lying and throat
cutting and, gentleman, l 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.
&c 1t 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 a 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 days sport. The op-
portunity was good one, the engineers
having blowed down the boiler for
general overhaul.
Accompanied by young Midship-
man, Harry Murdock by name, with our
double-barreled guns In the stern-sheets,
we took possession of the dingy, a light,
fleet-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. Tho 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. 1 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 a tall,
overhanging trunk of a tree, and try
land tacks for a while.
''The ground was sticky and treaeher-
Gus like the natives. Wild serge grass
grew in detached masses, with here and
there clump oftSpanish bayonet, and
punches Of coarse rushes, all growing
uxuriously In the wet, soggy ground.
eve had fine run of sport, baggifig
more game than we could carry, and the
sun was well up before we thought of
returning to the boat, where we had left
a lunch, put up by the ward-room stew
ard. We had, as well, wandered con-
siderable distance inland, which fact was
forced most disagreeably and forciby up
on me when I assembled slight emin-
ence to obtain a better view of the sur
rounding country.
ga party of most vic1ous-looking
scoundrels, swarthy and bearded like
pirates, mounted upon wiry mustangs,
galloping directly toward us, their arms
and accoutrements glancing brightly in
the rays of the morning sun, met my
vision.
"There was no mistaking their er
rand, and, if the slightest doubt had ex-
listed, it was soon dissipated when the
party urged their steeds into round
gallop, at the same time unslinging the
carbines which were strapped to their
backs. With 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 point was reached, as nearly as
we could judge, that was abreast of the
tree, which was hidden from us by the
tall serge grass. The dry earth was left
behind, and with a plunge we went
ankle-deep into the mud and ooze, three
miles of which intervened between us
and the river. In the rear dozen we'll
armed men were urging their horses
along at furious gait; and, gentlemen,
if ever / felt scared in my life it was
when L cast a furtive glance over my
shoulder, taking In the whole situation.
There was one point IN our favor
we had the advantage of a good start,
and, as the Greasers reined up their
snorting mustangs for moment on the |
edge of the marsh, we were steadily |
plowing our way through the mud
and water. while showers of vile COM
pound flew high above our heads with |
every plunge. We were beyond the |
range of their rifles, they having tried |
their caliber, the balls expending them |
selves far astern, harmlessly in the mud |
Then, with a simultaneous yell, they |
came on, the animals plunging furiously |
as they sank deeply into the adhesive |
mud of the morass.
"Their object was murder and plum |
der. The opportunity was too good to |
be thrown away. There was no one to |
interfere, no one 10 witness ther deeds |
of violence, and In that mass of tangled |
weeds, grass, mud and mire no one |
would discover our hacked and disfg |
ured bodies.
"The rapid crack of the carbines re-
sounded continually in our ears, and, as
the horses gained upon us, the balls be-
gan to whistle uncomfortably close. But |
it is hard matter for mounted man to
hit a fleeing fugitive, so had but slight
ON that score. 1t only served /
to accelerate our pace, while the cattle
bandits wasted their ammunition In
hopes, presume, that luck would favor
them by winging one of us with stray
shot
1--WE had got fully over two-thirds OF
the distance, with chances in our favor,
when with groan, burst of agony, the
plucky little MILDLY fell at my feet.
thought at first he had been struck by
stray bullet, but such was not the case.
He was exhausted, beat entirely out, and,
pressing his hands on his side to repress
the pain, his white face met mine with
An expression shall never forget.
"' Go on, he gasped, with an effort;