Connecticut western news., 1881-08-10

muzzle of his carbine. It was a tryina moment, situation we'll calculated tc inspire feeling of terror in the heart of the boldest. But whether it was the rain which was falling in torrents and driving furiously before the gale or the glare of the lightning which prevented the lancer from discovering me am un- able to say. At all events escaped his notice, the shot did not come, and, watching my chance in the lulls of the tempest, I continued my perilous course.
 I had but little strength to spare when l at last found myself crouching on the muddy bottom of the old mountain gorge.
 Nerved on by the strength of despair, l rushed down the steep declivity, reck- less as to where my feet might wander. Completely blinded between the mingled glare of the lightning and the intense darkness that followed each flash I stumbled on, feeling that every moment my steps were becoming unsteadier.
 The water was already up to my knees, and rushing by with force that made me grip desperately to whatever projec- tion I could find along the side of the rayine. The memorable waters rose yet faster and the danger of the tempest grew wider still. My strength, and even faculties were failing fast, my feet were lifted from beneath me, and quicker than thought was rushing helplessly along, enveloped amid the spray and foam of maddening whirl. I think I must have lost myself fol moment, but walked amid the darkness and roaring waters, nearly strangled to deat 1 Another instant and I was whirled heav | fly against some yielding object. I ral lied my strength for a final effort. The next flash revealed the wreck of tree, with the roots still clinging tenaciously to the side of the bank.
 I drew myself out of the rush of the current and crawled to firm foothold on the shelving bank of the torrent. The cool rain revived me- I stumbled forward, feeling my way amid debris of falling trees, pit-holes, and large rocks, all scattered promiscuously about on the steep side of the mountain, until 8 faint glimmer of light streamed tremulously across my path. It was welcome light, and, prisoner or no prisoner, made up my mind to risk life and liberty, and demand shelter from the terrible storm which still ragged, but gave signs of abating.
 I was unarmed; the only weapon had rallied forth with had been abandoned on the edge of the precipice previous to my attempting the periIous passage. I felt my heart beat faster as neared the door of that tumble down ranch which loomed up, huge, shapeless mass, amid the gloom and solitude of that wild spot. A moments hesitation and I knocked resolutely at the door.
 "Quiero vive?" (who comes there p and heard the click of a weapon.
 'I am an American" I replied, bit terly, in English. s'A United States officer who has lost his way on the side of this cursed mountain" .h.
 With jerk the door was thrown back on its rusty hinges, revealing the figure of man of brawny proportions, armed to the teeth, and of most villain ons aspect. He held faring torch on high, the uncertain light of which fell across his scared and scowling visage. Keenly and deliberately he scanned the torn and tattered remains of my uni form, then in voice harsh and growing he demanded:
 ''What do you want here, and how many of you are there ?"
 I replied in the best Spanish that I could master that was alone, and re- peated my doleful story of being lost in the storm.
 At that moment, to my surprise and astonishment, the faithful Newfound- land, who, by some keen instinct of his nature, had succeeded in scenting me, burst from the surrounding obscurity, testifying his joy by leaping upon me and baying in his deep, powerful tones
 ''The mans appearance was indicative of mixture of ferocity and cunning, while his eye, wild and unsettled, lit up with an expression I could not fathom, as he bade me enter.
 Strange forebodings filled my heart as I gazed about the recess of the hovel. It was almost bare of furniture, save a table and two broken chairs. A fire blazed cheerily in the fireplace, before which were stretched three dark forms wrapped in tattered and greasy blankets. The gleam of firearms, as they lay piled in a corner, did not escape my at tention, and you may depend I did not feel the easiest in my mind as I drew up before the fire with my dog coiled up at my feet.
 In my exhausted state, despite the danger I felt was lurking about me, I must have dropped off to sleep, my head finding support against pro- jection of the chimney.
 The low monotonous hum of voices fell upon my ear, and cautiously recon noitering from beneath the visor of my cap found that the three sleepers had aroused themselves and were in deep. earnest consultation with the gentleman whom had first accosted,
 Straining my ears to the utmost I could manage to catch occasional frag- ments of sentences as they dropped from the lips of the four comrades, who were as promising candidates for the gallows as ever I care to meet again under like circumstances.