The Hickman courier., 1882-10-20
CHASED BY GREAsERs.

es, a4s.ye l.au 4sse--> .sssslss's
escapes during nv career, 1-fefnarked
the lieutenant, as he puiiea lazily Mt his
cigar, "and / think my last adventure
may tend to interest you. 1t was
pretty tight squeeze, and at one time [
thought sure | should lose the number
of my mess, but touch and go is a
q good pilot, you know, and here am
to-day, as good as ever. VIII give you
the details, if you care TO listen.
It was the occasion OF q dinner party,
given on board the vessel 10 which the
Lieutenant was attached. His immeoi-
ate friends were on either side Of him,
and It is needless to state that the ofh-
GERS proposition for an after-dinner
yarn was eagerly accepted.
stSome Of YOU remember-lt is not so
long ago-when I received orders 10 join
the gun-boat fitted out specially to pa
troll the Rio Grande, with view of pro
tecting the interests of orr citizens on
the Mexican frontier.
- / never did like the race-all Of their
characteristics are repugnant to our
broad and enlightened ideas of civiliza-
ton. They are priest-ridden, silpersti
I tious. ignorant, bigoted, treacherous,
addicted to gambling, lying and throat
( cutting; and. gentleman, ] might con-
/ tinue the haS to an indefinite degree
/ were | not assSryd that you thoroughly
| understood the characteristics which In
I general predominant with the Greasers.
at was anything but pleasant pad
/ ding backward and forwerd in that con-
/ founded river, with clouds OF mlasma
/ rising every morning, heat sufficient to
scorch the boots of your feet, and no
amusement to break up the dreaT mo-
notosly which had become well-nlgh IN
| slpportable. One day followed another
| with the same dull routine there was
no society, no one to visit, and II was
the earnest wish Of all hands that we
might either have brush with the
yeilow-bellies, or else receive orders Tor
more active and congenial duty.
Finally, tempted by the clouds OF
wild duck. plover and other birds infest-
inc the reedy shores and lagoons, re-
solved to have a days sport. The OPP
portunity was good one, the engineers
having blowed down the boiler for a
general overhaul.
Accompanied by young Midship-
man. Harry Murdocl1 by name with ouI
double-barreled guns in the stern-sheets,
We took possession Of the dingy, a light,
aeet-pulling and sailing boat, and al
early daylight showed off from the Som
brero'S side.
1.-THE early nists Of morning were
slowly rolling up as we pulled in shore
The current was running swiftly agains
us wild detours had to be made to avoie
rocks. sand-bars and shoals which
, abounded on every side. Leaving tho
river. we proceeded leisurely up trlbu
tary. which was entirely new ground t.
both of us. The waters, contracted b.
the narrow channel, rushed furiously
, casting showers of spray in the air, com
! pelling us to exercise our utmost skill t
=, avoid the dangers which beset Us on al
sides. was wet, tired and cxhauste9'
with the long, fatiguing pull, and onl;;
s too gladly acceded to my companion,
! suggestion to tie the boat up to a tall
ovcrhanging trunk of a tree, and u
/ and tacks for while.
[ The ground was sticky and treacher
+ Gus like the natives. Wild serge gras
grew in detached masses, with here an
Lliore a clump of Spanish bayonet. an