San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-10-25
Written for the Pass Psss.
"Reminiscences Of Texas veteran...IAe
Santa Fe Expedition, etc.
Dv O. ERHAAD.
t0opyrishsed.l
XLIII.
xxNpAII,s sAnaAr1v, oosr1xuxD.

XLIII.
xxNpALI,s NAnRArIvE CONTINUED.
There was something anpremely
ridiculous, not only in his threat, but
in the appearance of our guard. We
could easily have fallen on the mic
erable apologies for men, who were
guarding us and disarmed them in Q
twinkling but We had no means OF
getting clear, and rejoining our men
afterward; and as recapture would
have been death, thoughts Of an es-
cape were not entertained.
A rapid march Of about an hour,
along the valley Of the Pecos, brought
us to the village Of Of Puertecito, the
residence of both Salezar and the
fellow who had charge of us. Here
we were halted for o short time to at.
ford the inhabitants an opportunity
Of gazing at five unfortunate prison
ers, and to convince them Of the
prowess of the redoubtable Dimasio
Salezar, and his equally valiantsecond
| in command, who had boldly conceiv-
ed and successfully carried into exc
cution a daring plan for our capture.
That the women all pitied us was ev-
ident, for the commiserating excla-
nation of poJrecitos ! (poor fellows),
as. they gave us bread, cheese and
such food as they had on hand, fell
from their tongues in softestmost feel
ing tones. They knew their hus-
bands and brothers, and knowing
them, felt that little ofmercy or kind
ness could we expect at their hands
A short distance above Puertecito
we were obliged to ford the the Rio
Pecos. The water was not more than
two feet deep; but as my lame and
weak ankle had now began to swell
from the active and unwonted exer-
else, was deferred from taking of
my boots by a fear that I could not
get them on again. To soak my feet
thoroughly, and to continuet to march
in this disagreeable plight, was there
fore my only alternative.
The distance from Cuesta to San
Miguel was some fifteen miles, and
it was nearly sundown before the
spire Of the little church of the latter
appeared in sight. Weary and faint
from the unusual exercise, and ex-
tremely unwell from the great change
which had recently taixen place in our
diet we were escorted to the principal
plaza (square). and taken to little
hole which was dignifed by the name
of room. A crowd followed us to
our prison doors, and continued TO
gaze on us until the last minute.
The alcalde, gruff, bad counten-
anced man, sent US miserablemeal of
tortillas and weak mutton broth,
while the priest of the place, more
liberal, sent his servant with gener-
GUS bowl OF hot coffee for each Of MS.
Our scanty supper over, our thoughts
were next turned toward sleep, but
the earthen aodfqf our quarters was
without q singleSmnket to relieve its
hardness, and and the chilling blast
= AAe down from the adjoining
mountains as the shades Of evening
drew nigh, told us, more plainly than
words, that we could expect neither
sleep nor comfort that night We
sent word 10 the alcslde Of our un
fortunate plighti he answered that
be could do nothing for US A kind
hearted woman living close by, sent
us buffalo skin and . single blanket
and another blanket / purchased Of .
man in the crowd, for which ] gave
him five dollars With these we
made up q bed for Eve persons /
suffered more than any Of nv cnm-
panions, the bread 1 had eaten CIV
giving me Q severe attack Of the cole /.
and / crawled from the ground IN the
morning all unrefresbed Thus did
ne spend our first night IN prison-
We bad no sooner risen than Dn
Jesus tod NJ that the e roor had
not jet airivsd- and that shO1h
march With ~ directly 10 S.nts Pc
q distance Of some sixty uis< n tbs
bops q meeting hin uPon the roed
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