Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-11

death, or run up the white Gag and surrender.
These seemed to be the only alternatives left to
him. Which should he choose, il either7
II he could only find some means Of making
his situation known he would endsavor to hold
out until relief reached him. but to send out
couriers, surrounded - he was BY the enemy,
would seem like sending them to certain death.
The nearest point from which assistance
could come was San Diego, and that was distant
some forty or fifty miles. II messenger wsut
at all they would have to 60 on foot and to I'M
dertake the journey would seem like embarkins
on an expedition Of forlorn hope, a. all Mexi-
cans, whether soldier or civilian, under the
state Of things that existed would consider
they would be rendering both God and their
country good service by shooting every Ameri-
can that came in sight.
Things were rapidly reaching a point when
something must be done, aud whatever had to
be done must be done quickly TO be Of any
avail.
TIE LrrrrHNANr's oFFEl.
It was at this juncture that the young leu
tenant who acted with such bravery in the
fight At San Pasquel volunteered to undertake
the journey to San Diego and make Kearney 9
situstion known to Commodore Stockton. In
considering the proposition IL vas deemed in
advisable for only one to start on such a peril
Gus undertaking but If two others would VOL
unteer, so that three different routes could be
taken, the possibility might be that one OF the
three would get through with safety. Il Was
no sooner made known that two volunteers
were wanted for the trip than Kit Carson and
an Indian companion presented themselves.
They had to wait for darkness TO set in before
starting, as it was impossible for them to make
their way through the Mexican lines during
| daylight.
That evening when it was sufficiently dark 50
that they could venture out Of camp without
being discovered by the Mexicans after many
warm handshakes and in the midst Of many
prayers and earnest wishes for their safety and
success, the three started out on their perilous
undertaking, each taking q different route.
The travelled roads were avoided rs to follow
them would lead to almost certain capture.
What, said the young lieutenant, q he was
about TO start, sis the risk Of my life when the
lives OF so many of INV comrades are at stalker
II fall it will be in the faithful performance
of duty. Should the Mexicans put an end to
my existence, have neither wife nor child 70
mourn my loss, and If can save Gen. Kesrney
and bis men BY offering myself asa sacrifice, I
am perfectly willing to pay the price,"
THE START ON rERrLous TRIP.
1t was with many misgivings as TO his safety
that the men saw the young lieutenant depart
upon his perilous journey, for his extreme
youth, coupled with the bravery he displayed as
Sal Pasquel, had made for him a very warm
place in their hearts. II leonine courage brave
requisites to success then he, OF all others was
the proper person to go, for all these qualities
he possessed to high degree. He had pretty
good knowledge Of the topography Of the coun-
try, and only a few weeks before had marched
from San Diego to San Pasquel to reinforce
Kearney. Ali through the nj ht he continued
his solitary march, climbing hills, descending
slopes. and often stumbling over unseen OBJ
jects, and when daylight came 20 rs to enable
him to take his bearings he was satisfied that
over one-half the distance had been covered
Now, however, he must move with greater can
ton, as there was no telling vhen or where
some scouting Mexicsns might appear. II
nothing unforeseen occurred TO DELAY him, he
ought to reach San Diego BY noon. or early in
the afternoon at latest. Though somewhat
tired and weary from his long night march. he
never stopped to rest, but pushed right on,
knowing that every minute was valuable and
that the delay of a few hours might determine
the fate of his comrades whom be had left At
Mule Hill" To avoid the habitations of set
tiers he often had to make wide detours. which
added greatly to the distance he had to travel
DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED.
Often he had to make his way through thick
growths Of prickly pear bushes, extensive
tracts Of sage brush and cactus, and now and
then would have to toll and labor through
great stretches Of sand. all Of which made
travel extremely difficult and greatly inpeded
his progress. Occasionally, as some mounted
Aexicans would appear in the distance he
would creep on his hands and knees to some
place OF concealment or cast himself prone on
the ground. where he would remain until ell
danger OF discovery was past, when he would
up and on again. Too much depended upon
the success OF his mission for him 10 run the
slightest risk Of being captured by exposing
himself.
The natural difficulties by which his progress
mad bsen retarded and the necessary stops he
was compelled to make caused him considerable
delay, and by the time he reached San Diego
the sun was rapidly sinking. As he entered the
place, scarcely able to lift one foot past the
other, he was certainly pitiabie-lookfng OBJ
ject.
As he then appeared few would have taken
him to be Lieut.. Beale of theUnited States navy,
the dashlng young officer who, 80 full Of spirit
lie ard energy, accompanied the detachment
that was sent to reinforce Kesrney at San Pas
quel several weeks before.
OF the three hostarted from Mule Hill the
night before he was the first to reach San Diego
Kit Carson arrived about twenty-four hours
later, and the third one Of the party did not
arrive at all, having been capturedby the Mexi-
cans.
HE REACHES SAN DIEGO.
The journey had been almost too much for
the young lieutenant. and when he reached San
Diego he was about ready to sink from exhaus-
uoi. 1his eseoaiIs were pro-rudlng ana badly
bloodshot, his cheeks were sunken, his tongue
was thick from thirst, his lips psrched and dry,
his clothes rent, his fesh torn and bleeding,
his feet swollen and badly blistered, and 90
covered with dirt and dust as to be almost past
recognition. 1t was only his indomitable pluck
and unyielding spirit that enabled him 10 COM
plete the journey.
Almost dropping from weakness and fatigue
he directed his steps TO the headquarters Of
Commodore Stockton, the men wondering the
while what could have happened to necessitate
his coming in such condition.
Little time, however. was allowed them to
speculate. for in the midst Of their wonderment
the assembly" sounded, which caused officers
and laen to hurry to their quarters in hot haste
When, in answer to the sudden call, the men
assembled on parade detachment of several
hundred was selected to start immediately TO
the relief Of kearney under command Of Lieut..
Gray.
One piece Of artillery went with the desach-
ment, which, in the absence Of draught animals,
the men had to haul themselves Each man
was furnished with four days rations, and by
the time they were ready to start darkness had
set in.
TIE RKrNFoRcEMENTs STARTED.
The object and destination of the expedition
having been made known to the men ali we're
eager to push ON as rapidly Is possible.
The march was continued all through the
night, with only . few minutes halt Of inter-
walls: and next morning just as the sun was g.