Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-01-29
CHAPTER XIX

At length. as April opened with its
warmer breath. Scott sent forth the order
for which the brave troops had been so
impaIiently waiting, and the city was
alive with the tramp of armed men and
the notes of martial music. The Ameri-
can army, not much over ten thousand
strong. were starting for the very center
of a great nation. They were to meet
and encounter one of the most bold and
experienced generals of the age, at the
head of troops nearly double their own
number, but they quailed not. The very
spirit that animated them was as a dou-
bic self to each particular man, and they
went boldly. confidently, upon their way
In their leader they saw man in whose
skill and Judgment they could fully rely.
and while he looked dUuntlessly on they
feared not to follow.
First ON the way came the stern and
rugged pass OF Ccrro Gordo where the
Mexican army, under Santa Ana in l,"r-
son. was drawn up to dispute the pas
sage. of our troops. Nature had fortified
it. On one hand dashed torrent down
through a deep ravine, and upon the 9th
er arose the abrupt and seemingly i'm
paSsab,c mountain. But the stout place
steel. and the doughty Mexican tied like
a frightened child. The Cerro was pass
ed. and with souls burning for another
meeting our troops pushed on.
Gen Worth moved ON in advance to-
wards Pucbla, and met the enemy at
Amozoque After sharp conflict he
routed them completely. and when he
reached PuebIa that city surrendered
IN,
Scott Joined him there The heart of
Clarence sank when he learned that the
army were likely to remain NJ Puebla for
some time. Negotiations were to be open
ed between the two countries and hence
active hOStiities ceased for the while.
At first the impatient youth held the
thought of pushing on alone. but it was
a wild. fugitive thought, and he quickly
came back TO reason.
One day, while Clarence was sitting
alone in one of the apartments of the
house where he had taken up his quar-
tiers. his boy Peter entered with Il look
of more than ordinary import upon his
countenauce-
What is it?" asked our hero, as he
noticed Peter looking around as though
10 assure himself that 10 one else was
pres. 1t.
Don't you remember those two In
dams that you pointed out to me ut
Vera CRUZ" the boy returned.
"Ay-ceryaiuly," replied Clarence, Gag
erly
Wei. they are here in Puebla. have
seen them to-day
Then be on the lookout for them. I
wtsh-but it may NOT be TOO late now.
Nou can lead NE 10 the spot where you
saw them:'
Yes, sir 1t was not far from here"
Then COME cried Clarence. Seiziug
lis ha. and sword, and slipping his re-
volvcr into his bosom. by my soul. I'll
sr-est them if | see them and then well
find ont who they are"
50 Clarence and his hoy went OUTPUT
though they searched for long while.
vet they could see nothing of the two
Indians The captain felt very sure that
his boy was mistaken. but Peer was 80
prompt and energetic in his assurance
tbay he could not dispute him. However.
he felt sure Of one thing; if the two To-
to2sQEeS had come thus far. they would
be hSy.y 90 show themselves aSaiu; and
ne was Determined To apVreaeud Jhem on
,ba 6v>; opportunity.
~ las, the heart os our hero was made
z.ad Icy tae announcement. on the sew
ea-h ot August. that che army was 10
move ou. The bug,c sounded once more.
ana aEai1 the impatieu, men commenced
-he tramp. Who. that has ever heard
-aa account. can forget the brilliant pas
SAKE 81 CauJrera> on the twentieth of
August? History does uo, record a more
woudrcUS victory than the owe cur noble
soldiers gained here The American
eagle SCARED 3,oft over the hoy5e> ot
Mexico. and the day was won against
such odds IS would have made many
stout genera, quail aud fa,,er.
Immediately afterwards followed the
battle of Churubu>co, where Santa Ana
commanded in person. and where he had
opportunity To employ his whole force.
The American army had many natural
difficulties 10 encounter; buc with 8 conf
dent impeJuosity that was Irresistible.
they swept into the valley. and after
sharp engagement the day was won. The
MeXicans lied in wild 6iSInay. and sought
shelter in the strongly fortified places in
and about their capital.
And now followed another armistice.
Scott gave the Mexican general another
opportunity for peace. But ere long it
was evident that Santa ARa was playing