Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1895-11-28


from questioning me. Ny heart beat
fast, but with an affectation of indiffer-
ence / saluted and said, 'Buenas
noches, senores. They all returned my
salutation, but looked at each other
eagerly, each waiting for the other 10
question me.
stepped 70 the counter and asked for
bread Two loaves were given me.
picked up some cakes and paid for
them. From the door turned, and put
ting my dignity into bow ! said good
flight They all seemed held by spell,
but they looked and were dangerous as
death closed the door, fully realizing
my peril, feeling the storm would break
the instant was out Of sight. Fortu-
nately there was no one near, and ran
swiftly across the street into the pro-
tecting shadow and crouched down in
a dark space between two houses. The
cactusike weeds grew there and pricked
me, but needed them not, for that in
slant the soldiers poured out Of the shop,
an angry and excited mob, buckling on
their belts, cartridge boxes and bayonets
as they ran. Some had their muskets,
others hastened TO get them, and all save
two stragglers rushed out of the town
in the direction from which l had en-
tered I wondered at this, but soon dis
covered the reason. Some few women.
hearing the tumult, came into the street,
but seeing nothing went in again. The
stragglers all disappeared, and the street
was quiet.
came out Of my corner and hurried
in the shadow down the road IN the op-
posite direction to the course followed
by my pursuers. Arriving at the last
house at the foot of the street, l found
myself confronted by a small river,
quiet and apparently deep, with all the
space from the last house TO the river
one impossible barrier of giant cactus
l had either TO swim the river or turn
back, and 1 ought to have plunged in
as I was, revolver and all, the distance
over being short, and rs l am an expert
swimmer could easily have got across,
loaded down as was. But a contempt
ible trifle had weight enough TO cause
me to adopt the suicidal course of turn
ing back.
was very hungry and longed for the
cakes and bread carried, and thought
If I swan the stream they would be
soaked and probably lost, for had them
loose in my arms. Besides was over
confident Of my ability to escape my pur
suers They had marched by the road
that led behind the village to the bridge
crossing the river some distance up.
Evidently not seeing me, they took II
for granted l knew Of the bridge and
had gone that way.
In fatal moment retraced my steps.
AS / passed house three women came
out. They spoke to me, and in my ex-
citement, instead Of saying GOOD even
ing" in Spanish (Buenas noches), I said
Good morning" (Buenas dias). They OF
course saw I was a stranger.
Just then four soldiers came hurried
ly into the street from the road, and
was forced to leave the women and
crouch down in my former hiding place.
Then they did what women seldom dc
betrayed the fugitive. Calling to the
soldiers, they pointed out the place
was in. All four came running, and in
a moment were almost on top Of me.
presented my revolver and snapped the
trigger twice without exploding the
cartridges. They were too close or toe
excited to use their muskets, but al
four grappled with me and naturally
used me pretty roughly.
TI1ero-uas 4, torItffO nu11ueoleo os IA
response to their cries their comrades
came running in. By the time they had
hustled me across the street into the
shop there was mob of half hundred
around me- Soon the commander, 6
captain, appeared wish I could say
he was a gentleman, but he was not
He was little, peppery young fellow
apparently with negro blood in his veins
and dictatoral and insulting in manner
Surely I was an object-a tramp II
appearance-but with a diamond ring
on my finger, which l had taken from
my pocket and slipped on, revolver
strapped to my waist and q splendid
chronometer in my pocket. Such an oh
ject had never before loomed on theil
horizon Was not one glance enough K
show that l must be notable rebel
And there was but one doom for such.
Ny desperate situation cast out al
fear, and 1 was cold and naughty. Flour
ishing my police passport, Informed
him that l was Stanley W. Parish o.
New York, correspondent Of the New
York Herald, and he had better look on
what he was about.
But 1t was evident that police pass
ports made out in Havana had no cur
rency in the face Of the enemy, but a
any rate it proved that whatever my in
tentions might be had at least hailec
last from Havana, and this would preven
my peppery captain from enjoying thu
pleasure Of standing me up in the morn
ing to be fusilladed. such being the Law
for captives in the savage contest.
Down my gentleman sat on barrel
pompous and important, and ordered m,
to be saarched All this time dozeI
hands were holding me fast told my
officer he was fool and a clown, bu
my captors began to 60 through my
pockets. and speedily there was heay
Of gold and paper money ON the barrel
and my little friend fingered II with {
oovetous eye. Ihad my SIC. 900 in bond
pinned In the sleeve of my undershirt
This they missed, but found all else
carried In the meantime there was al
eager audience looking on, absorbed IL
the interest Of the scene.
There was a collection indeed ON tha
barrel Besides my ring. there were five
other valuable diamonds, and my chro
nometer, with It's regular beat ant
stem winding arrangement, was grea
curiosity. Then the heap Of money wa
loadstone for all their hungry eyes
The captain was making out an inven
tory and statement. while 1 stood white
with rage to see the half breeds, blacks
browns and yellows handle my property
80 freely. was especially In a rage
with the impudent captain, who had the
nerve to put my watch in his pocket
Absorbed by the interest Of the scene,
my captors had insensibly loosened their
hold, and 1 determined to have some
satisfaction out Of the captain. Sudden
ly seizing one Of the revolvers before
could be stopped, gave him stingine
blow with 1t and sprang on him. We
rolled ON the floor, and there was Q
scene l was dragged off by so hands
every one trying to seize me il only by
one hand. The captain got up with the
blood running down his face, and rush
ing 10 a peg he seized a saber bsyone'
and flew at me like mad bull Ishout
ed at him In Spanish, calling him G
cur and coward, bidding him to come