The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-08-18
found myself dragged on by Ramon,

I found myself dragged on by Ramon.
scrambling up the steep ascent of hill.
After about half an hour of tulnblng
and running, Ramon stopped.
ssWhere ?" I started to ask. Ramon
struck his hand on my mouth.
"Silence," he whispered; "the French
are below US, and Henrique is either
killed or a prisoner. We must make
our way to Queretaro / know the paths,
follow me, day viii soon break"
/ found afterward that we had fallen
In with French company of the line,
who we're resting on the roadside until
daylight should appear.
Ramon took the lead, and soon struck
by-path which he appeared to know.
l followed. The stars were shining In
all their brilliancy, and the horizon to the
east was now and then fecked with in
definite streaks of reddish hue, which
announced approaching day. I was GER
tainly dreaming; He1fique, Mathilda,
passed and repassed before my eyes;
when suddenly Ramon seized me by the
arm and brought me back on my knees.
Hist p he almost Missed. The
French! Not a step forward p
Sure enough the French were within
two gunshots of us they had retraced
their steps, and our path was leading us
exactly on them.
s.They are on the road to the capital,
said Ramon; :" they must be taking
Henrique there. He is not killed"
We waited. The steady tramp of the
escort, the metallic click of the arms of
the soldiers, keeping time to the regular
step of the company, sounded to me as
the death knell of Henrique. So young
and yet so true to his cause
AS soon as the sound of the passing
French was far enough away to make it
safe for us to proceed, Ramon started at
a rapid rate, and, after long, weary
march, we reached the hut we had left
the day before.
care you not afraid of the peon who
betrayed us p asked.
Ramon smiled CHASTITY smile. "He
is where tongue never tells and eyes
can't see, /" pointing to the ground.
Having a regular American passport,
I FASTENED to Queretaro to take the
stage and be at the capital to try and
help Henrique, if such thing was pos
sible.
CHAPTER Y.
Once in the City of Mexico, I be-
thought myself of DR.. ,Bertalli, who was
a large contractor, and in favor with the
Government. / fastened to his resi-
dence, and, fortunately, found him
alone.
"Doctor. I have called on you for a
service which you can render"
"My friend" he answered, "I am at
your service, provided it is neither
conspiracy nor an elopement.
[ entered at once into the details of
Henrique's misfortune, and entreated
him to see for me if anything could be
done.
"I must hasten then" said the doctor.
"for you know French court-martials are
Tot ceremonious, and the execution fol-
lows Immediately after the conviction.
But there is very little hope. These are
bad times, the end of which no one can
tell"
The good doctor started at once, with
the promise to let me know the result at
my hotel, and there went, hoping al
most against hope.
In due time the doctor made his APP
pearance. dared not speak. He shook
his head in an ominous way, and seized
my hands.
No earthly hope" he said. ct will
relate to you what happened, rs the
scene has left an impression on my
mind which I never can forget. When
[ reached headquarters the court-mar-
tial had been in session for some time,
and score of prisoners had already
been disposed of. The Judge Advocate
was calling for Henrique Martinez.
cat his name the young man stood
up, his eyes glaring defiance at the ar
ray of brilliant uniforms before him.
"You are accused of sedition, said
the Judge Advocate, carrying arms
against the empire, and being bearer 81
dispatches to the insurgents
What have you to say? adde9 the
Judge Advocate.
Henrique remained silent.
"' His Majesty, the Emperor, con-
tinued the Judge, : has been pleased, in
consideration of your youth and high
standing Of your fam-at, to offer you
your pardon, on condition Of your aban-
doning the cause of the insurgents. In
case of your accepting the generous
boon offered you by his Majesty, he fur
Their tenders you the command of COM
pany in his service, and he will assign
you on the staff of General Uraga.'
"Henrique, with flashing eyes, made a
few steps forward.
"'Me pardon ThaYk you, friends,
(gracios amioos)! All the doubloons
purloined from my country by the in.
vaders, all the titles in tile gift of the
usurper will never make the knees OF
Henrique Martinez cringe to his power.
Forward, then, to the executions I am
ready.
Tomorrow morning." continued the
doctor, 'they will be executed. There
will be long file Of victims, as they
wish to clear off the docket, day after
tomorrow being Christmas. And,''
added the doctor, with quizzing ex-
preston, t'you know that we French
transact no business on holidays"
| wendell my way toward the house
where Mathilda lived. l inquired for
her. An old Mexican servant, who had
answered my summons, seemed doubt
full how to answer, but, on my mention
ing the name of Henrique, she came up
close to me and whispered that Mathilda
had gone to the Ursuline Convent.
TO stay ?" [ asked, astonisbed.
"Yes, sir" she answered, and, court
esying, she left me standing on the
porch.
CHAPTER VI
Next morning I rode by day. deter
mined to assist at the execution Of the
prisoners, hoping I might receive some
message from Henrique. When ]
reached the doomed place the bulk OF
the prisoners had already been executed,
having been shot in squads of ten. The
remaining victims were being placed in
position ); Henrique was one of the
number.
A great many spectators were pres
ent; nearly all natives of the low class,
men and women, and few foreigners.
Kneeling outside and on the front of the