Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-02-18
Terrible Adventure.
By BENZ. i. CCRTISS.

By BENZ. Il. CURTISS.
In the spring of 1876, Mexico was in
. tumult. Ilerdo, the Chief Justice,
succeeding to the Presidency at the
death of Juarez, and afterwards elected
sor O second term, announced himself
ID Q candidate for the third. His po-
litical opponents. enraged at the
thought OF third term, uprose in all
directions and declared for Diaz. In
March of this year only the rumblings
Of the rebellion were heard, but So
aiety was daily becoming moro and
more disturbed. Armed men were
everywhere about, and many lands OF
lawless ruflans were securing the out
akirts of the city and towns, stealing
from the farmers, and leaving behind
ahem desolation and despair. Truly a
peculiarly dangerous and unfortunate
sime for q foreigner to set out on q
journey.
On lovely morning in early March
. young American gentleman left the
town of Matanzas to travel to Jalapa.
The narrow road at first winds up the
aide of the mountain, turning sharply
around sudden bends, where single
nisstep 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. with rude path
trending from the base to the summit.
The American was accompanied by six
native horsemen mounted on mustangs
similsr to his own, and four footmen.
The whole party were armed. After
PASSING about half way up the noun
1ain side the traveller halted, and
Aotioned to his followers to do the
same. For long time he sat motion
less in his saddle gazing out at the ex.
quisite picture before him. In the dis
sance, far below, lay the wonderful
valley of Matanzas, the Garden OF
Mexico" The rich, excessive vegeta.
hon could plainly be discerned, and a
Jew light and graceful. clouds hung
ariited against the towering rocks.
The beams of the lately-risen sun were
pouring over the hill-tops and illumin.
aaing the vast plain beneath with a
Fresh and rosy light. He must have
aeen indeed prosaic and unapprecia-
live man who would pass carelessly by
zach wonder work of Nature.
His reverie was suddenly broken by
y shout from above. Looking up be
Jaw single horseman picking his way
carefully toward him. He was soon
recognized by the men as resident OF
Natanzas. When he drew near be
spoke rapidly and excitedly to the es.
aoYt in their peculiar patois, gesticula-
hing violently all the while.
The effect was immediate and start
ling. The entire body of native horse.
men, with one exception, and all the
jootmen, turned sharply around and
made their way rapidly down the noun.
Aain-side without word of explanation
OF farewell 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 Jalspa, and who understood
English after fashion. He sat mo.
fonless in his saddle gazing after his
oountrymen, now fast disappearing
around the curves of the pathway.
What's the matter, Fil0meno p
said the American, at length, rising in
his saddle as he spoke, and shading his
hand, rs he too looked after the de.
serters, "whst did that fellow say that
had made all this fuss ?"
"He said" said the Mexican slowly,
that the revolution had already
broken out at Jalapa, and that the ter
rible soldiers of the plains are before
rs, and that if you proceed you will be
surrounded and killed."
"Stuff," said the American, 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 Filomene
lad not stirred.
"Come, Filomeno," said he, time
IL slipping by, and we must be off
1st"
"No, MASTER" answered the Mexican
shut cannot go as I am. All these
robbers know Filomeno, and would
give a good price for my head. If I &c
With you I must 60 disguised. Watt
md turning around he scrambled light
~ and qnickly back from the road to-
ward little hut near by, whence thir
wreath of smoke was curling lazily ur
through the clear morning air. He was
gone scarcely fifteen minutes, and wher
he again drew near, the American hard.
" knew him. Filomeno had reappeared
ander the guise of charcoal burner.
snow I am ready; I have left my
horse where he will be taken care of, he
said, and now on foot he fell into his
old place close behind the American
mustang.
And 30 they journeyed on, mp into
he clouds and then 9o3n again, over
the rich breasts Of ssleye which are
only found in the IT, IS md along