The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1895-12-26

tient, [ knew nothing about him: even
his name, save that Of Don GregoriO,
which [ had heard him called by the
family in whose house I had first met
him, was unknown to me: had, how
ever. heard that he held a commission
in the Mexican army, but what that
commission was [ had not been in
formed. In fact. had I ascertained
for a certainty that he belonged to
TO the forces Of the enemy, would IN
strict duty have been obliged to have
entered his name on my sick reports
as such. I, therefore. out of regard
to his helpless position, refrained
from making inquiries respecting my
patient. But | was now conviced if
there were really any virtue III the
pass he had given me, land | did
not il. the least doubt it, he must Ger
tainly be a person of no small cODsld-
GRAFTON with the guerillas.
"Revolying this matter IN my mind,
I rode along iesurely till the middle
of the day, when We began to ascend
into the first pass of the sierra My
attention was now entirely asOrbed by
the wild scenery about me. The road
appeared entirely deserted: | had not
encountered a rancherO or mulete7r
since leaving the plain. Mikey Guile
van, NY servant, was IN the advance,
when as we came to point in the
pass, overhung by jutting rocks. he
suddenly drew rein. and, with cOnsld
cradle excitement expressed upon his
honest face, motioned me to join him.
BE iabers, sir, [ don't like the ap-
pearance Of things here enti7 ely
How so. Nike" / inquired, what
discovery have you made,
BY my soul'sir, it's myself believes
there's greasers about, SIR
Hardly had the man spoken when
We heard persons calling to each 9th
er among the rocks.
".They're internal Americans" l
heard a voice say.
How strong IS the party?" asked
another at little distance.
There are but two Of themn was
the answer.
Good was the reply.
and the next moment three ugly
looking. leathern clad Mexicans pre-
sented themselves in the road before
us. and ordered Us to halt aGd dis
mount. But this uncerimonious order
Mikey had no more intention to obey
than myself; for, before | could draw
my revolvers. the brave Irishman lev
eled his pistol, and stretced one of the
robbers dead upon the road; leaving
the other two for me to despatch: So
sudden and unexpected was the at
tack. that Gregorio and his talisman
We're driven entirely from nay thonghts
for. under these circumstances, the
coolest heads will become confused;
[ will confess, I was in no slight de
gree excited.
The rocks instantly became alive
with armed men who, maddened by
the death of their comrades, poured
forth volley Of carbine shots upon
us. My gallant Virginian fell under
me, and | was Mortified at seeing my
faithful, brave Mike stretched a corpse
by the side of his nag.
My blood was now up, and | deter
mined to yield only with life. With
fierce imprecations, the guerillss, oi
robbers, now descended from then
hiding places from all directions about
me, ahd surrounding me, at a respect
ful distance. however, for they per
ceived | was well armed, ordered 1t
to surrender replied with my re
volver, which | soon emptied, anC
was about to draw the other when /
carbine shot struck my right arm, anC
il fell paralyzed by my side. Before
| could recover my pistol with N!
| left hand. one Of the brigands leapeC
upon me from behind, and with th'
breech of his gun stretched me help
| less upon the road.
In another instant | fonhd mysel
| bound, bleeding profusely, dragget
| bleeding from the path. In fact th,
| guerillas were SO eager to rifle M
| person, that they did no6 take to mur
der me first.
while some We're unbuckling III,
silver spurs, othcrs were turning m,
pockets inside ont for their contents
My purse was well filled. for on leav
ing Monterey, called upon the pay
master. ana drawn three months pay
The sight of this gold perhaps save,
! my life. aud as one Of the Mexican
; emptied 1t upon his outspread hand
Eerchief he uttered an exclamation @
pleasure which drew the attention c
his comrades from me to the yelloV