The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1881-04-29

his clothing, arms and valuables were
divided. The leader of the band, with
the Americans q watch dangling from his
belt shouted out an order to his men.
Two troopers armed with matchezies
rode up to the prisoner and commanded
him to walk before them. "You Ameri
can devil, they exclaimed in Spanish,
styou dog of spy, be off to Jalapa.
When we get you 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 matchezies till the
blood 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 indig-
nitar1es, and especially for depriving
him of his clothes. In reply, one of the
soldiers pulled out from under his saddle
piece Of coarse and filthy mating and
tossed it to the prisoner.
'"Take this, he said; sit is too small
for you, but. the fsas in it will keep you
warm.
And so, wrapping this dirty covering
started on his painful march to Jalapa.
reached the town. The American was
hustled into wretched adobe hut on the
outskirts of the village, ,and. the Mexicans,
after placing guard. around the place,
tied their horses under shed and gave
themselves up to rest and boisterous
recreation. Inside the hut on a 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 walls only echoed
his cry of aqua! aqua!"
ALI the next day too, the prisoner was
kept without food or drink or clio thes.
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 newcomer some
of the amusements that had been
planned for the occasion.
"We are going to have shooting
match at noon, " said one; "we have got
an American spy in that box yonder, and
we are going to tie him to stake
and 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
on the American like pail.
IT, uoc ohoh h1v r,y7oh loco fhon
hour that the prisoner lay insensible.
Then he reused himself, and, like the
brave man that he was, looked his doom
in the face. So he was to die, and die
the death of a miserable cur. He, the in
habitant of pleasant Northern city with
youth, health, kind friends and fortune.
To be tied to stake in Mexican market
place and shot at for paltry prize.
These thoughts were maddening. He
called iercely to his captors to iberate
him, he strobe fiercely up and down
the room; he rushed to the window and
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
crept in through the bars, that day-his
last day-was not far away. Then he
heard cock crow; and then he saw a
bright ray of sunlight come flashing
into his miserable hut, and he was sure
that he had but few hours more to
live. He had made up his 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
the sound of horses galloping toward
him. He rushed to the window and
looked out. A cavalry officer, in fine
uniform, with flashing arms and equip
ments, and followed by squad of men,
was coming every moment 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 command to the
guard at the door the bolt was drawn
back.
The American, entirely naked, was
standing into the middle of the room.
Advancing, and speaking in English, the
officer said:
VINO are you, and where 90 you
come from ?"
Il am an American traveller from Mas
sachusetts, +" was the reply.
Massachusetts said the other; stthat
is near Connecticut. L went to school in
that State years age. ! like Americans.
Yesterday I heard, in this city, that some
rascally devils had captured an American
and were going to torture him at the fair
to-day. It is fortunate for you that I
have come.
Then taking of his coat he insisted on
the American wearing it, and in response
to his call, other garments were soon OBJ
tanned.
s'Now, said the officer, take this horse
and come TO my quarters" /"
Then, turning around, he shouted out,
in Spanish, to the chief of tho guerril-
las:
francisco, if T hear Of another prank
like this, I shall send my orderly to blow
out your brains.
At the officers 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.
Mesmerism is the latest New York So
ciety craze Old men and matrons are
daily hypnotized and make fools of them
selves for the amusement of the little
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