The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-06-23

d'Armes. I could at least look at the
coloune. They could not pull that down,
Maybe had helped to build it at Lodi.
Austerlitz, Marengo, when a boy
Waterloo, yes!
ga plain-looking man said:
=" You look up at that eagle?
They will not punish me-
You know of those names inscribed?'
"sYes, have served under some. mon
6raUe.' ~
Said he, What do you do for employ
II told my story, showed my descrip-
tive list and discharge. I did not know
but he might wish to. punish me. We
soldiers know little of the law. do not
understand much now, though / am an
hatissier of the Court. The Emperor made
the law for us every morning. It was
Ie mot a. GOrolre. But said that would
go to my village, where had worked in
the field when boy. I could do so
again. The man came closer to me.
"'Comrade, said he, 4 wish to do
something for men like yourself. There
is for us nothing in this country, and we
must go abroad. We are founding col
onies in America. / am to make an
asyle in Brazil. Do you wish to go?'
"Upon what termsY
"'You will be carried to that country
and supported for q year. You will have
land assigned you.' gr
(" I must reflect sa
Take this paper, read it, or have it
read to you, and report, if you choose,
to such number on such street.
eft is sufficient that this was an enter
prise in good faith, and I accepted it.
'I emigranted to Brazil. 1t became
my duty as colonist to go sometimes to
Rio for supplies. While there at one
time used to walk on the shore. 1t
seemed to me there was nothing except
distance to separate me from France.
sFor several evenings had observed
an Indian who, without strictly follow
ing my steps, seemed to keep me in at
tentive view. He was tall, well formed,
and handsome man, dressed like one of
the better classes of that people. re-
member he wore q fine Panama SOM
brero, an upper dress of European cloth,
pantaloons of dressed leather, opened at
the lower side, and ornamented with
silver bell buttons. His linen was fine,
and his jewelry rich, but simple. OF
course, I was Indifferent to personal
danger; but my curiosity was excited, as
L thought it possible he might have
something to ask at my hands, rather
than any intention to offer me violence.
accordingly turned, and asked in the
language of the country: s
"'Why do you follow meY
1t is because you are foreigner
"'I am Frenchman.' a..-
"tAre you man of courage?'
t1 am not afraid of YOU
"'Are you poor?
"'Not very rich.'
"'Do you wish wealth 2 e
"sI came to this cursed country to
to gain wealth. So far, it has not ar
rived.
Would you risk your life for
wealth p
"'I have risked it for thirty centimes
day.
"'You are a soldier?'
"I have BEEN
"T need your services
For what purposes?
"'Not for assassination, or for rob-
berry, es
"'For what thenr
"I can not tell; but if you wish to
risk your life against the certainty of
wealth, go tomorrow to the garita on
the western road. You will find man
with mule saddled and fitted for q
journey. He will accompany you days
journey. You will be received at the
venta Ctavern). The day after you will
find another guide and mule He will
carry you another days journey. You
will stay at the venta, where you will
find another guide, who will accompany
you on the journey of the third day.
Ask no questions, either of your guide or
at the venta. You will receive no salts
faction. All you want will be supplied,
and you will be safe from any danger.
Do you fear !?
"1 may lose my contract of passage
to France?'
"'You had better do so.'
"1 consent
'An this occurred as intended. NV
journey was into, and through the forest;
it passed estates of sugar, coffee, and
fruits. We crossed streams on rude fer
ries and rugged fords. It rose through
the luxuriant trees, and vines, and flow
ers, with the parrot, the parroquito, and
the monkeys-once there was serpent
and once sight of Brazilian tiger.
"Un tigre royal?
'Varineent, neesseurs, u,ae tigre
veritable avec les raye '.air.
"At the end of the third day cur
course was into the heart of the mount
aims. We arrived in the night at q
venta, in a solitary place. My guide
spoke a few words to the proprietor, who
ordered the mule to be taken. My bag
gage was carried into a room, and had
rest and refreshments. I remained in
that venta for two days. ALI my wants
were supplied, but no one asked me
| any questions. I had become tired of
this uncertainty, when one day an In
dian rode across the prairie, and up to
the door of the venta. I heard him ask:
"s LIS there Frenchman here?
There is an estran gero'
'Senor, the Indian asked, ARE you
| Frenchman?'
| "sYes.'
Then you will follow me-
81 paused and reflected.
You will follow me- he repeated,
if you wish, or you will return. 1t is
with you. 1t is the message of the
Padron.'
why should fear for my life? OF
what value was that to any except my
self?'
"' Peste! Diab1e! Ell, avant!
"And SO We departed. During the
day the guide halted and said:
'Senor, we must now bandage your
eyes,
Decidedly this was becoming more
mysterious; but my curiosity and inter
est in the case put aside all fear, and l
rode with the guide, with my eyes as if
had been playing cache cache! for n
treasure So, I again cried, en- arant'
and we rode until heard great noise
of shouting and of Instruments of the
country. This was a fete and n fandango.
My bandage was taken off. and l was in
camp. There were hundreds of miners
and people of the country. There were
many blacks who I have now no doubt