Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-07-11
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against ADfOtnefS. and many OF them, LOT
whom politics were only a pretext, took
advantage of the medley to satiate per-
sonal hatred and avenge old insults.
However, this could not 90 on for long
thus, and it was necessary to get out of
the situation at all risks. General Guer-
zero. unaware of the occupation Of his
house, resolved to fight his way thither,
barricade himself and obtain an honor
able capitulation for himself and his COM
rades
No sooner was the plan conceived than
the execution was attempted. Don Sebas-
tan collected round him all the fighting
men left. and formed them into a small
band-for the canister and bullets had
made frightful ravages in the ranks of
the insurgents-and placed himself at
their head.
Forward, forward" he shouted, as
he rushed at the enemy.
His men followed him with yells of
fury. The collision was terrible. the fight
fearful for four or FIVE minutes a fune-
real silence brooded over this confused
mass of combatants, who attacked each
other so savagely.
At length the Presidents troops fell
back slightly, the insurgents took ad-
vantage of it to redouble their efforts,
which were already superhuman, and
reached the generals house. The doors
were broken open in an instant and all
rushed pell-mell into the court yard. They
were saved since they had at last reached
the shelter where they hoped to defend
themselves.
At this moment a frightful thing hap
pened; the gallery commanding the court
yard and the stairs were entirely occu-
pied by soldiers, and so soon as the in
surgents appeared the muskets were
pointed down at them, a tornado of fire
passed over them like the blast of death.
and in a second a mass of corpses covered
the ground.
The insurgents, terrified by this sudden
attack, which they were so far from anti
cipating, hurriedly fell back, instinctively
seeking an outlet by which to escape.
The tumult then became terrible, and the
massacre assumed the proportions of an
organized butchery. Driven back into
the court yard by the troops who pur-
sued them, and met there by those who
had attacked them and now charged at
the bayonet point, these wretched men,
rendered senseless by terror, did not
dream any longer of employing their
weapons, but falling on their knees before
their executioners, and clasping their
trembling hands, they implored the mercy
of the troops, who. intoxicated by the
smell of blood, and affected by the horri-
bic murder fever which seizes upon even
the coolest man on the battle field. killed
them like oxen in the shambles, and
plunged their sabres and bayonets into
their bodies with grins of delight and
ferocious laughter, and felt a horrible
pleasure in seeing their victims writhe
with heartbreaking cries in the last con-
vulsions of death.
General Don SEBASTIAN. though wound
ed, and who seemed to have been pro-
tected by a charm throughout this scene
of carnage, defended himself like a lion
against several soldiers, who tried in vain
to transfix him with their bayonets Lean
ing against column, he whirled his
sabre round his head, evidently seeking
death, but wishful to sell his life as dear
ly as possible.
Suddenly Valentine cleft his way
through the combatants, followed by Bel
mumeur. Black Elk and Curumilla. who
were engaged in warding off the blows the
soldiers necessarily made at him, and
reached the general.
All" the latter said, on perceiving
him, here you are at last, then?"
And he dealt him a terrible blow, but
Belhumeur parried it, and Valentine con-
tinued to advance.
Withdraw" he said to the soldiers
who surrounded the general, this man
belongs to me-"
The soldiers though they did not know
the hunter, intimidated by the accent with
which he uttered these words, and recog-
nizing in him one of those rare men who
can always impose on common natures,
respectfully fell back without making the
slightest objection.
The hunter threw his purse to them.
you dare to defy the lion at bay"
the general shouted, crashing his teeth;
although attacked by dogs, he can still
avenge his DEATH"
You will not die" the hunter said,
coldly; throw away the sabre, which is
now useless"
"Ah, ah.' Don Sebastian said, with
grin of rage; Il am not to die? And
why not pray?"
Because" he answered. in a cutting
voice, death would be mercy to you,
and you must be punished"
"Oh - he shrieked, and, blinded by
rage. he rushed madly at the hunter.
The latter, without falling back step,
contented himself with giving a signal.
At the same moment slip-knot fell on
the generals shoulders, and he rolled
on the ground with yell of rage. Curu-
milla had lassoed him.
In vain did Don Sebastian attempt fur
Their resistance: after useless efforts he
was reduced to utter Impotence, and
forced not only TO confess he had been
vanquished, but to yield himself to the
mercy of his conquerors.
The massacre was ended, the insur-
rection had been drowned in blood. The
few rebels who survived the carnage were
made prisoners; the yictors. in the first
moment of enthusiasm, had shot several,
and it required the most energetic inter
ference on the part of the officers to
check this rather too summary justice.
At this moment joyous shouts burst
entered the courtyard at the head of
large staff, glistening with embroidery.
'Ah, - he said, as he took a con-
temptuous glance at the general; 80 this
is the man who wished to change the in
situations of this country?"
Don Sebastian did not deign to reply;
but ne looked at the speaker with such
an expression of implacable hatred that
the President could not endure it, and
was forced to turn his head away.
did this man surrender" he asked
one of his officers.
NO coward" the general answered,
with clenched teeth, Il will not surrender
to hangmen.''
Take this man to prison with the 9TH
ers," the President continued, IAN exam
pie must be made; but take care that
they are not insulted by the people,
YES" the general muttered, lever the
same system"