The herald., 1895-12-29

company had been severely whipped.
1t should be remem pered that law and
order we're unknown terms 1T this
time in this portion of Texas, and that
man in French's situation could 20
to any extreme of tyranny to which
his fancy might impel him.
At length, when nearing Ell Paso, he
ordered his hoodlums to tie up and
whip an old frontiersman. Tney at
tempted to carry out his commands,
with the result that three of them bit
the dust with bullethol through
their bodies. The remainder we're put
to flight and the gentle hint thrown
out that the old Westerner would
make it lively for French hims if he
attempted any more Of his high-handed
proceedings.
The larger number OF emigrauts,
while they Hbhorred French's tyranny,
were SO anxious to get to California
that they adhered to him. They had
already paid for their transportation
and did not propose to allow thu pri-
vate quarrels between individuals of
the company and their commander to
interfere with the supreme object of
the expedition. They were mostly
northern and eastern people. Those
in rebellion were almost to a mau, old
frontiersmen, aud with that reckless
daring peculiar to the west went into
the fight like going to holiday fete.
The opposing combatants were drawn
up on the plain just beyond Ell Paso.
French and his company had possess
sion of the larger part of the wagon
train, prov sious and horses. After a
snort p4rley, which resulted only in
abuse upon both sides, making breast
works Of their wagons on either side
they opened fire. The Texans though
largely outnumbered made up for this
deficiency in the accuracy OF their aim.
I A continual fusiliade was kept up for
an hour, when French perceived be
must stake his all on a haud-to-hand
struggle, as the deadly aim of the reb.
els was creating fearful havoc in his
ranks.
Accordingly, he drew the men up in
line outside their brlastwork of wagons,
and, placing himself at their head, led
the charge. However great his will Amy
might b., he was not lacking in a gu
psrb courage that commanded the ad.
miration OF his folio wers. He WAS the
only man mounted in the charging
column, and. knowing full we'll the per.
sonal grudge of the enemy, kept sharp
lookout for them. As they started in
the charge he perceived at least fifty
c.rblnes leveled at him, and, with rare
presence of mind, refined his horse 90
tightly that the animal reared and i'm.
mediately fell dead, with fifty bullets
through it's body. French lighted
nimbly on his feet and mingled with
his men, but his voice could now and
then be heard in command above the
roar CT the guns.
When nearing the wagon breastwork
of the Texans. French's men broke
into run and, leaping over, both sides
we're soon mingled in confused mass.
: With dubbed guns they fought like
tigers. Long knives cleaned in the
sunshine, and at each fash soul was
launched into eternity. Pistols, after
being emptied, we're thrown with des
perate force. Tne shouts, shrieks and
| curses could be heard in the town O
mile away. At length the power OF
/ numbers began to tell upon the hard
pressed Texans. They were forced bach
and the wagon breastwork captured
Every inch of ground was 80 stubborn.
ly contested, however, that they wer.
pursue only short distance, French
being very we'll satisfied with the DOS.
session of the wagons.
This of course placed the Texans ir
great straits; stranded in this far-otf
place, beyond the verge OF civilization
without money or means whereby the,
could continue their journey. they re
treated slowly toward the town fol
some time. Looking back over The
field they perceived the enemy busily