Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-02-10
A TERRIBLE ADVENTURE.

In the spring of 1876 Mexico was in q
tumult. Lcyio. the chief justice, sue
ceeding to ,le presidency Mt the death OF
Jusrez, and Hfterward elected for a sec
ond term, announced himself as can
didate 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 ruflians were
securing the outskirts of the cities and
towns, stealing from the farmers, and
leaving behind them desolation and
despair-truly a peculiarly dangerous
and unfortunate time for a 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 a single
misstep OF the horse or mule would hurl
the rider far down into the valley below.
1t is as IL the great mountain had been
followed out, and the jagged sides left
standing, Win rude path trcnding
from the base to the summit. The
American was accompanied by six ma
tive horsemen mounted on mustangs
similar TO his own, and four footmen.
The whole party were armed. After
passing about halt way up the mo main
side the traveller halted, and moti>uCc
to his followers TO do the same. For n
long time he sat motionless in bis sadd le
gazing out at the exquisite picture be-
fore him. In the distance, far below.
lay the wonderful valley of Matanzas,
the Garden of Mexico" The rich,
excessive vegetation could plainsy be
discernsd, and few light and graceful
clouds hung drifted against the tower
ing rocks. The beams of the lately
risen sun were pouring over the hill
tops q d Illuminating the vast plain
beneatL with fresh and rosy light. He
raus. have been indeed a prosaic and
urLp.r reciative man who would pass
carelessly 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 "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 start
ling. The entire body of native horse
men, with one exception, and all the
footmen, turned sharply around and
inside their way rapidly down the noun
tain side, without a word of explanation
or farewell to their employer. The only
one who remained was Filomeno, who
had been sent by his master, friend Of
the traveller, 10 sccc mpany him TO Ja-
lapa, and who understood English after
a fashion. He sat motionless in bis sad
die, gazing after his countrymen, now
fast disappearing around the curves of
the pathway.
What's the matter, Filomeno7" ask
ed the American at length, rising in his
saddle as ne spoke, and shading his eyes
with his band. as he looked after the
deserters, "whst did that fellow say
that has made all this fussa"
"IIe said" replied the Mexican slow.
ly, THAT revolution has already broken
out at Jalapa; that the terrible soldiers
of the plains are before US, and that II
you proceed you will be surrounded and
killed"
"Stuff," said the American" :" ] an
not afraid. Filomeno, let Us go on
And, as he spoke, he frightened his hol
on his horses rein, and was about tc
proceed, when he saw that Filomenc
had not stirred.
Come, Filomeno," said he, "tima Il
slipping by and we must be of. Surely
YOU are not afraid to accompany me p
"No matter" :" answered the Mexican
"but I cannot go as ! am. All these
robbers know FiIomeno, and would give
a good price for my head. II 90 will
you ! rnuat go disguised. Waltz" and
turning around. he scramblcd lightly
and quicsly ack from tie road toward
little hut near b.. whence thin wreatt
of smoke was curling laziIy up throngi
ths clear morning cir. lie was gcn'