Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-01-06

| men seemed dressed alike. IL wps n
squad OF the dreaded guerrillas ON a for
| aging expedition. With a terrible feel
ing OF despair the American again looked
around Tor Fllomeno. He had fed. Tho
American was alone, with a hundred
| wild and lawless Mexican robbers bear
ing down ON him, like rushing wind
across placid lake.
In moment, as it seemed, they were
upon him and around him. Resistance
was useless. A score of pistols pointed
at him, score of swords were raised
above his head, and a score of long sticks
with knives on the ends, called matches
tes were prlcking him in all directions
He was pulled off his horse in a twink.
ling, stripped naked in the midst of n
dense circle OF bowling savages. who
were curslng and fighting for his various
articles OF dress. AT length his clothing.
arms and valuables were divided. The
leader OF the band, with the Americans
watch dangling from his belt, shouted
out an order to his men. Two troopers
armed with Dldtchosies rode up to the
prisoner and commanded him to walk
before them. You American devil"
they exclaimed in Spanish, you dog of a
spy, be off to Jalapa. When we get Won
there We'll teach you to sneak around
our lines. March,"
And in order to add emphasis to their
words they prodded the prisoner With
the points OF their mdtchezies till the
9lool started from more than one wound
ON his arms and legs. Angry, faint and
sore, and half blinded by the fierce rays
OF the sun, the American wheeled around
and upbraided the leader for these in
dlgnltles, and especially for depriving
INN OF his clothes. In reply, one of the
soldiers pulled out from underhis saddle
piece of coarse and filthy mating
which he carelessly tossed to the pris-
oner.
Take this he said; "it is too small
for you, but the fieas In it will keep you
warm.
And so, wrapping this dirty covering
about his shoulders, our conntryman
started on his painful march to Jalapa.
AT o'clock in the afternoon they
reached, the town. The American was
hustled into wretched adobe hut on
the outskirts of the village, and the
Mexicans, after posting q guard around
the place, tied their horses under a shed
and gave themselves up 10 rest and bois-
ferrous recreation. Inside the hut on
rude bench the American sat silent hour
after hour. AT length he walked to
little window and begged for water
There was no response. The bare wall
onl y echoed his cry of "AQud aqua !
All the next day, too, the prisoner was
kept without food or drink or clothes.
At times his mind wandered little. At
sunset the cool evening air somewhat re-
vived him. He moved his bench under
the window of the hut, and stretching
himself under it listened carelessly to
the idle conversation of the soldiers out
side. Suddenly his heart gave terrible
throb ; cold perspiration overwhelmed
him, and he tainted.
What he had heard was this: The SOL
diers were talking about fair that was
to open in Jalapa ON the morrow, and
they were detailing to a newcomer some
OF the amusements that had been
planned for the occasion.
6 We are going to have a shooting
! match at noon, said one "we have got
an American spy in that box yonder,
and we are going to tie him to a stake
aud shoot at him with our revolvers.
Whoever kills him will get five silver
dollars. The dogs hours are num-
bered."
These were the words which had fallen
Oh the American like pail.
1t was probably much less than hour
that the prisoner lay insensible. Then
he reused himself. and, like the brave
man that he was, looked his doom III the
face. So he was to die. and die the death
of miserable cur he, the inhabitant
Of pleasant Northern city, with youth,
health, kind friends and fortune. TO be
tied to a stake in Mexican market
place and shot at for paltry prize
These thoughts were maddening. He
called fiercely to lis captors to hberate
him he strobe furiously up and down
ratified the bars and finally from sheer
| exhaustion he sank down on the floor in
despair.
He lay still for long time.
He could not mark the hours. but at
| length he knew by the cool wind that
c-ept in through the bars, that day--his
last day--was not far away. Then he
heard "a cock crow; and then he saw a
bright ray of sunlight come flashing
into his miserable hut, and he was sure
| that lie had but few hours more live.
He made up bis mind that he would die
bravely. He rose to his full height,
| stretched his limbs, and raised his head
proudly. As he did so he heard sound of
horses galloping toward him. He rushed
| to the window and looked out. A cavalry
officer, in fine uniform, with flashing
arms and equipments, and followed by
squad of men, was coming every mo-
ment nearer and nearer.
The lounging guerrillas around his
prison started up and stood respectfully
aside several who fingered were knocked
over by the hurrying hoofs Of the horse
men. The officer rode close up to the
hut, and, pulling his horse almost on to
his launches, he leaped to the ground.
| With Quick and angry cammand to
| the guard at the door the bolt was
| lrawn back.
The American, entirely naked, was
standing in the middle of the room.
Advancing, and speaking in English, the
| officer said
"Who are you, and where do you
come from?"
II am an American traveller from the
| State of Massachusetts, (" was the reply.
Massachusetts said the other;
that is near Connecticut. / went to
school in that State years ago. | like
Americans. Yesterday heard, in this
citv, that some rascally devils had cap
| tured an American and were going to
torture him at the fair to-day. 1t is
fortunate for you that have come.
Then taking off his coat he insisted on
the American wearing it, and, in re-
spouse to his call, other garments were
| soon obtained.
"Now," said the officer, stake this
horse and come to my quarters.
Then, turning around, he shouted out,
in Spanish, to the chief Of the guerrillas !:
Francisco, if hear of another prank
like this, / shall send my orderly TO
blow out your n aims. F"
At the office s quarters, in the city,
our countryman received every possible
| attention, and as soon as he was rested
and refreshed he was furnished with
horses and money and escorted safely to
Vera Cruz.
/