The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1881-04-29
TERRIBLE ADVENTURE.

| ceeding to the Presidency at the death
of Jaurez, and afterward elected for q
second term, announced himself as a
candidate for the third. His political
opponents, enraged at the thought of a
third term, uprose in all directions and
declared for Diaz. In March of this
year only the rumblings of the rebellion
were heard, but society was daily be-
coming more and more disturbed.
Armed men were everywhere about, and
many bands of lawless ruffians were
securing the outskirts of the cities and
towns, stealing from the farmers, and
leaving behind them desolation and de-
spair-truly peculiarly dangerous and
unfortunate time for foreigner to set
out on journey.
On lovely morning in early March a
young American gentleman left the town
of Matanzas to travel to Jalapa. The
narrow road at first winds up the side of
the mountain, turning sharply around
sudden bends, where single misstep of
the horse or mule would hurl the rider
far down into the valley below. It is as
if the great mountain had been followed
out, and the jagged sides left standing,
with rude path trending from the base
to the summit. The American was ac-
4
mounted on mustangs similar to his
own, and four footmen. The whole
party were armed. After passing about
half way up the mountain side the trav-
eler halted, and motioned to his follow
ers to do the same.
For long time he sat motionless in
his saddle, gazing at the exquisite
picture before him. In the distance. far
below, lay the wonderful valley of Mat
anzas, the Garden of Mexico" The
rich, excessive vegetation could plainly
be discerned, and few light and grace
full clouds hung drifted against the tow
ering rocks. The beams of the lately
risen sun were pouring over the hill
tops, and illumining the vast plain be-
meath with fresh and rosy light. He
must have indeed been prosaic and un-
appreciative man who would pass care
lessly by such wonder-work of nature.
His reverie was suddenly broken by a
shout from above. Looking up he saw
single horseman picking his way care
fully toward him. He was soon recog-
nized by the men as a resident of Mat
anzas. When he drew near he spoke
rapidly and excitedly to the escort in
their peculiar patois. gesticulating vio-
lently all the while.
The effect was immediate and startling.
The entire body of native horsemen,
with one exception, and all the footmen,
turned sharply around and made their
way rapidly down the mountain side,
without word of explanation or fare
we'll to their employer. The only one
who remained was Filomeno, who had
been sent by his master, a friend of the
traveller, to accompany him to Jalapa,
and who understood English after fash
ion. He sat motionless in his saddle,
gazing after his countrymen, now fast
disappearing around the curves of the
pathway.
'sWhat's the matter, Filomeno?" asked
the American at length, rising in his
saddle as he spoke, and shading his eyes
with his hand, as he looked after the de-
serters, sswhat did that fellow say that
has made all this fuss?"
ssHe said, replied the Mexican slow
ly, 'sthat revolution had already broken
out at Jalapa; that the terrible soldiers
of the plains are before us, and that if
you proceed you will be surrounded and
killed"
s'Stuff," said the American, st am
not afraid. ,Filomeno, let us go on. ;"
And, as he spoke, he frightened his hold
on his horses rein, and was about to
proceed, when he saw that Filomeno
had not stirred.
s.Come, Filomeno," said he, s'time is
slipping by and we must be off. Surely
you are not afraid to accompany me?"
''No matter" answered the Mexican.
stbut I cannot go as I am. All these
robbers know Filomeno, and would give
q good price for my head. If I go with
you must go disguised. Watt" and,
turning around, he scrambled lightly
and quickly back from the road toward
little hut near by, whence thin
wreath of smoke was curling lazily up
through the clear morning air. He was
gone scarcely fifteen minutes, and when
he again drew near the American hardly
knew him. Filomeno had disappeared
under the guise of charcoal-burner.
s'Now I am ready; I have left my
horse where it will be taken care Of" he
said, and now on foot he fell into his old
place close behind the Americans mus
tang.
And so they iourneyed on, up into the
rich breasts of valleys which are only
sfound in the tropics, and along the
tracks of old watercourses, and through
brooks and little rivers of peculiar
greenish hue. Around them was nature
in all her wasteful luxuriance, and no
sign of anything human to help or him
der them.
That night they encamped in small
valley, and resumed their journey at
daybreak. At IL o'clock on the morn
ing of this day they were drawing near
Jalapa. The sun was beating down out
of cloudless sky; the heat was intense;
and deep stiffness seemed to have set
tied over the great plain. Before them
was the Valley of Jalapa; on the right
the Volcano of Oriziba, its sides covered
with that luxuriance of foliage only
known where eternal summer reigns.
The American, too tired even to mo-
tice this, was nodding in his saddle, and
for long time had not spoken to his
companion. He was aroused by low
cry from Filomeno. Turning toward
him and following the direction of his
eyes, he saw large body Of horsemen
galloping toward him. He could see at
once that they were not regular soldiers.
It was a squad of the dreaded guerillas
on foraging expedition. With ter
rible feeling Of despair the American
again looked around for Filomeno. He
had fled. The American was alone, with
q hundred Mexican robbers bearing
down on him, like q rushing river across
placid lake.
Tn a moment. as Il seemed thew were