Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-15
VAMPIRES OF MEXICO.
The Horrible Things Not Myths-A
Traveller Describes an Attack by
the BloOdthirsty Creatures.
A Story Of the Dangers of Sleeping
Out Of Doors in the Fair
Land of Mexico.

travelling tor a San Antonio paper and
printing house and was just returning from
trip to the extreme southern portion of
Mexico. | was on my way from Oajaca to
Tuxtla and Vera Cruz, on the gulf coast,
intending to take a train at the latter
place for the States. 1t was one of the
most uncomfortable journeys | had ever
undertaken. | had ridden for the latter
part of two days in a volancoche, vehicle
with two wheels and no seat, the bottom
being made of ropes holding up mattress.
on which | could either recline or sit Turk
fashion. The motive power consisted of
three little mules abreast, spurred on by
worthy native. Jose, by name, who alter
nately rode the left-hand mule and ran
alongside, Keeling off a string of Spanish
profanity that was positively shocking
whenever the little animals would not
go exactly as he wished them to. The
road was one of the toughest | ever trav-
eled over. The rocking and pitching of
the volcano reminded me more than any
thing else OF vessel in storm at sea,
only it was worse.
1t was nearing night when we drew up
at small place called Oxite There had.
IN times gone by. been quite a collection
of houses at OXite, but now, since the
there, the main road having been some
what changed, and running three leagues
to the west, there was nothing there habit
able but the posara. or hotel, which in its
day had been quite large building. The
walls of court, with sheds and Sleeping
apartments on the inside, showed its for
mer dimensions, but only four of all the
rooms were in fit condition for human
being to live in. All in all, the building
had a deserted and forlorn appearance.
The regular inhabitants of the place were
limited to three souls, Senior Don Tivurcio
Beltran his wife and daughter.
After supper | sat on the hosts veranda
with his family, chatting as much as my
limited powers as lingujst would permit.
Miss Juanita entertained me singing sew
eral old Spanish and Mexican ballads in
way that thrilled me. She was very
piquant, and what music the dilapi-
dated guitar lacked was made up by her
really fine voice and our romatic surround
ings, | was charmed and, though tired
from my day s travel, it was with regret
that heard Don Tivurcio's polite offer
to show me NY quarters for the night.
My room wass somewhat removed from
the others, and furnished, as well as |
remember, with broken stool, jar of
water and a bull hide; the latter knew
from experience, was my bed, so spreading
my blanket upon it lay down, but sleep
| could not. The night was sultry, the
apartment poorly ventilated, and there
seemed to be a thousand creeping things
on my body bore this as long as pos
sible, and then, Selling my blanket, rush
ed out into to the open air. After walking
about for while, spread my blanket
under stunted palm some distance from
the house, and disrobing, | gave each of
my garments a good shaking. and having
donned them, | lay down, determined to
sleep as much of the night as possible.
Here, | said lit is cool; | can sleep
now. The thousand voices of a tropic
night seemed to invite to slumber and my
feet were on the threshold of dreamland
when there came a breezy, whistling sound,
and what took to be large night bird
swept pass me, actually brushing my face.
| must say this was rather startling, but
looking about me and seeing nothing lay
down again. Scarcely were my eyes closed
before the rustling noise was heard again.
Though this time its wings did not touch
me, the creature passed quite near enough
to bring decided GOODNESS to my face. |
am not superstitious, but am ready to con-
fess that every wild story and legend of
ill-omened birds that | have ever heard or
read came back to me with remarkable
force, and for the moment | was as much
terrified as a child listening to a blood
curdling ghost story. lay still, however,
for what else was left me? at will never
do | said, ''to 60 back to the house; |
can never sleep in there, and" those
wings again! They came as regularly as
the movement of clock. Yes, with even
fascinating precision, and fascinating is
the word, for those wings row had an in
terest for me akin to magnetism. The
regularity with which they came and went
seemed analogous to the well-timed passes
of mesmerist. Once more-they are
here and gone! | was waiting anxiously
now each time for their coming, and | re-
member thinking that the failure of my
aerial visitor 70 put in an appearance at
the proper moment would render me
wretched. Now said, Il can Sleep"
and slept.
To my mind there is nothing well de-
fined as regards the remainder of that
night. | have faint recollection of plac-
ing my hand on my neck and being
startled when it came In contact with a
large, living something's something that
In my hand and was glued to my
throat. There was another creature
fastened to my cheek, near the left temple,
and yet another was clinging TO my breast,
which had left barred, owing to the
warmth of the night. Even in my semi
conscious state | was aware that these
creatures were drawing the life tide from
my veins, but had neither the strength
nor inclination to rid myself of them. An
utter Indifference to all things came over
me. My mind was troubled by no regrets
as to things past or misgivings in regard
to the things OF the future; for once In my
life, at least, | experienced sense of
absolute rest. Another moment and sleep
was upon me- Not dreamless sleep
though. 1t seemed that / was prone at
within some shady grove, while
the air was heavy with the breath of count
less rare and beautiful flowers. Strange,
shadowy forms, borne on huge pinions,
circled about me, but their ever-restless
wings cooled my fevered frame and | felt
no dread of them whatever.
But at last awoke. | was aroused by
the frightened cries of Juanita. She was
holding my head in her arms and | re-
member hearing her say: Awake. sir!
awake! You should not sleep-My God.
The Blood the blood. Oh. mother, come
1t once. The poor American has been
killed by the vampires. Ny God! what
IAN do? He is dead" Then ] felt one
If her hands as she placed it over my
leart. | remember hearing her say joy
,ully: " No: he yet lives. God | thank
heel And then | lost consciousness.
1t was five weeks before | recovered
to continue ON my journey.