Connecticut western news., 1881-08-10
WHO COMES THERE 2"


 was a sub in cavalry regiment, that I found myself on duty at Vera Cruz, Tempted by the high mountains in the vicinity, the beautiful scenery and above all the superb hunting, sallied forth early one morning accompanied by no one save my Newfoundland dog. I was an ardentsportsman, my double -barreled gun worked to charm, and not until the deepening shades of evening, &C., companied by an unmistakable growl Of thunder, did I give thought to the flight of time or the importance of re- tracing my steps to the city. I had not anticipated danger from the enemy un- less 1t might be in the shape of some small band of guerlllas lurking amid the mountain gorges, actuated more by the hope of plunder than by patriotic mo- tlves. There is little twilight. you know in the tropics. The sun had disappeared In the folds of an immense cloud whic., was rapidly spreading itself over the entire heavens, while from it's sable depths darted lurid sheets of lightning. followed by the increasing roar of thun- der which had already found an echo through the valleys and gorges of the mountain. l did not fancy a wet jacket, and, whistling for my dog, I was on the point of retracing my steps down the rough mountain road when the jingling ot spurs and accoutrements, the tramp ling of horses and the hoarse word of command was sufficient for me to draw back into tall tuft of grass growir g be- side me. A number of Mexican lancers were before me preparing to bivouac for the night, and my retreat down the road was out of the question. High, pre- cipitous rocks hemmed me in on three sides, through which the road I had travelled had been originally cut. The outlet was now in possession of the lancers, while in front of me the steep side of the mountain, verging almost to a precipice, sloped towards the city. To remain where was would be only to court death, anameless fate, an unknown grave, for discovery was certain to fol- low when the sentinels should be posted.
 Cautiously I examined the smooth sides of the precipice, covered here and there by network of vines clinging to the crevices and rifts in the rock for it's uncertain life. Further on I beheld dark, irregular line disappearing Tn the murky depths below, which proved to be deep, dry gully, the channel of some mountain stream long since dried up. Dropping my fowling-piece and bidding my noble dog to shift for him. self, l swung myself over the precipice, cllnglng to the network of vines which shook and complained beneath nv weight.
 The darkness had increased with astonishing rapidity, and as I swung over that rayless void I found it im- possible to pierce the gloom. I heard the short, sharp howl of my dog as he darted off in search of me; then, amid the rush of the squall, came the con- fused shouts of men, a struggling shot or two mingled with the crash of the heavy artillery rolling in the vast ex- panse above me. Depending principally upon the strength and endurance of my arms, I carefully and cautiously felt my way along the verge of the precipice, working in the direction of the gully, which, once, gained, promised to afford me the means of escape from the dangers which encompassed me. Broad sheets of lightning lit up with dazzling dis tinctness the fearful scene, bringing out every undulation of the rocks, every crevice and blade of grass, and once when I found slight support for my feet, and was giving my aching arms a rest, glanced above amid the yellow glare of the lightning and beheld the fierce whiskered face of Mexican, peering over the brink, his eyes ap- parently fastened upon me as I hung suspended and fattened against the cliff but few feet below him, while the electricity twisted and writhed like topeHes of internal sernants araaad tha,,