The Mineral argus., 1884-08-28
A MEXICAN ROMANCE.

States. with the army under Genera.
Scott on board, lay before the city Of
Vera Cruz. All the morning the guns
of the feet had poured their shot upon
Che castle of San Juan de Ulioa, which
commanded the city, and on the beach
where the Mexican army had gathered
to oppose the landing of the Americans.
Finally the heavy fire drove the Mexi-
cans from the beach, and they retired
to the castle and the city.
Then the boats of the ships were
lowered away and arranged themselves
in a long line, parallel with the beach.
Soldiers, sailors and marines filed the
boats, and in the bows, all along the
line, there stood a sailor, with one foot
on the gunwale, who held a flag furled
around the staff in his hand. Not a
sound was heard but the splashing of
the waves against the boats, and all eyes
were turned toward the flagship as the
sailors lay on their oars awaiting the
signal to advance. A little ball of
bunting sped up to the masthead of the
flagship, and then unrolling itself,
spread out into the watched-for signal.
"Give wayl" The oars fell into the
water from end to end of the long line,
as if moved by one gigantic impulse,
and a race for the shore was begun.
Finally, n Of the boats grated on the
sand, the sailor in the bows leaped to
the beach, and amid wild hurrahs I'M
furled the American flag on the hostile
shores of Mexico.
Among the officers in the boat which
touched the shore that day was a young
lieutenant of infantry named Edward
Ives.
In person the young lieutenant was
of medium height, and of slight but firm
build, with light hair and blue eyes.
His face was Drowned by exposure to
the weather, and his expression was one
of courage and decision of character.
he was recently graduated from West
Point, and as yet love, except hat of
kindred, was to him but a name. In
fact, though only "a, Ives was known
among the officers of his regiment as
"the bachelor" he having announced to
each of them in the "strictest confidence"
that he considered all men who got
married slightly insane.
"Mr. IVES" said the young ~lieuten-
ants captain soon after the landing had
been effected. "the colonel wants a
scout made in the direction of that house
over yonder. Take half a dozen men
and go see what thre is there and report
to me-"
The house which Edward Ives ap-
preached with his scouting party was
situated in a grove of palms and giant
ferns, something over a mile from the
shore. At the main entrance of the
house stood a wagon in which some In
dian servants were loading the house
hold effects of the family. A tall Mexi-
can, of middle age, was experimenting
the operation, and g~esticulating violent
ly with his cane, as he urged the Indians
to greater efforts. Near by stood a
young girl of 10, of surprising beauty.
On her olive cheek there was a warm
flush, and her dark eyes were hid be-
meath long, dark lashes. She wore a
Spanish mantilla over her head and
shoulders, and altogether formed a
most charming picture.
The approach of Lieutenant Ives and
his men had been so cautious that he
was close to the house before his pres
ence was perceived. One of the Indians
a him first, and catching sight of the
blue uniform, uttered an exclamation
and fled precipitately, followed by all
his companions. The Mexican gentle
man who had been experimenting the
leading of the wagon turned his head,
and, seeing that there was no escape
and no chance of successful resistance
stood proudly waiting for the lieutenant
to speak. His daughter grasped her
fathers arm, and a pallor over spread her
face.
Fear nothing, senor," said Lieu
tenant Ives, in Spanish. "I have only
to see if there are any soldiers con-
cealed hereabouts."
Fear y returned the Mexican" Wedo
not fear Northern invaders and robbers.
We hate and despise them"
Before the lieutenant had time to re-
ply. a soldier ran up and exclaimed:
"A party of Mexican cavalry are right
IN us, STRIP
The words were scarcely out of his
Mouth when. with clanking sabres and j
spur, thirty horsemen dashed
trough the trees. |
TIE Americans made a desperate
ssistance, during which four of the |