The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-08-12

y "About twelve miles nortbward r
) the little silver mining town of Tuba
o we came upon an Apache encampmen,
9 1 at once discovered two white me
Il among the Indians. These were tb
captive priests.
D "One of them was n Frencbma
r named LHerbier. The other was n
I Englishman named Penrose. The
owed their lives to the influence of tw
. powerful considerations among tb
Indians. Unhappy L'Herbier lost hi
: senses under the horror Of the nigh
massacre. Insanity, us you may hav,
heard, is sacred thing in tho estima
tion of the American savages-they re
gard thispo madman as mysteriousl,
inspired person. The other priest, Pen
rose. had been in charge of the mission
medicine-chest, and had successful,
treated cases OF illness among th,
Apaches. AS a great medicine man
he too is privileged person-under the
strong protection of their interest In
their own health. The lives of the
prisoners are in no danger, provided
they can endure tho hardship of the
wandering existence among the Indians,
Penrose spoke to me with the resigna.
ton of a true hero. Il am in the hands
of God,' he said, 'and if die, die in
Gods service.
"I was entirely unprovided with the
means of ransoming the missionaries,
and nothing that could say, or that
could promise, had The smallest effect
on the savages. But for severe and
tedious illness, l should long since have
been on my way back to Arizona with
the necessary ransom. AS it is, am
barely strong enough to write this let
tor. But can heau a subscription 10
pay expenses, ard l can give instruc-
tions to any person who is willing to
attempt the deliverance of the priests. !"
So the letter ended.
Before had read it was at loss to
know where to go or what to do when
| leave st German. am now at no
loss. l have found an object in life and
a means of making atonement to Stella
for my own ungracious and unworthy
words. Already l have communicated
by telegraph with Mr.. Murthwaite, and
with my sailing-master. The first is
informed that 1 hope to lie with him
in London tomorrow morning. The
second is instructed to have the yacht
fitted out Immediately for long voy-
age. If can save these men-especial-
ly Pcnrose-I shall not have lived in
vain.
London, 18th September. No. 1
have resolution enough to go to Arizo.
ma, but have no courage to record the
parting scene when 1t was uIno to say
goodbye.
I had intended to keep the coming
enterprise secret, and only TO make
the disclosure in writing when the ves-
sci was ready to sail. But after read.
ing the letter to the Times, Stella saw
something in my face Gas suppose)
that betrayed me. Well it's over now.
AS long as l don't think of it my mind
is calm.
Mr.. Murthwaite has not only given
me valuable instructions, he has pro-
vided me with letters of introduction
to persons in office, and to the padres
Cor priests) in Mexico, which will be
of incalculable use in such an expedi.
tion as mine. In the present disturbed
condition of the United States he recon-
mends me to sail for port on the east. |
ern coast Of Mexico, and then to travel |
northward overland and make my first |
inquiries in Arizona at the town OF |
Tubac. Time is OF such Importance, in
his opinion, that he suggests making
inquiries in London and Liverpool for
Q merchant vessel under immediate |
sailing orders for Vera Cruz or Tam
pico. The fitting out Of the yacht can
not be accomplished, find, in less
than fortnight or three weeks. have,
therefore, taken Mr.. Murthwaites ad-
vice.
10TH September. favorable answer
80 far as the port of London is concern.
ed. Very little commerce with Mexico,
and bad harbor in that country when |
you do trade. Such is the report.
17h September. Mexican brig has
been discovered at Liverpool, under or
ders for Vera Cruz. But the vessel is
in debt, and the date of departure de-
pends on expected remittances. In this
state Of things I may wait. with my
conscience at ease, to sail in comfort on |
hoard my own schooner
18Th TO 30h September have settled
my affairs; 1 have taken leave OF my
friends (good Mr.. Murthwaite iuciudsd);
have written cheerfully to Stella, and
I sail from Portsmouth to- morrow. we'll
provided with the jars of whisky and
kegs Of gunpowder which will effect
the release of the captives.
II is strange, considering the serious
matter l have to think of, but 1t is
also true that feel ont of spirits at the
prospect of leaving England without
my travelling companion, the dog. lam
afraid to take the dear old fellow with
me, on such perilous expedition as
mine may be. Stella takes care of him,
and if don't live to return, she will
never part with him for his masters
sake. 1t implies a childish sort of
mind, suppose, but it is comfort to
me to remember that have never said
a hard word TO Traveller, and never
lifted my hand on him in anger.
All this about a dog! And not q
word about Stella? Not a word.
Those thoughts are not to be written.