Year: 1879

BY LIEUT. r. D. SMITH.


BUSINESS connected with the firm of
which l was junior partner compelled
me to visit San Francisco, and having
a desire to see something of the coun-
try, selected the Union Pacific in pref
erence to all other routes.


The train was well filed, and when
nearing Omaha, a tall, soldierly-ap-
pearing man entered the car, to whom
l offered half of my aat.


The air was sharp; my military
neighbor drew the ample folds of his
cloak closer about him, and l, produe-
ing pocket-fask, presented it to my
companion, feeling assured that it
would not be refused.


1t was a simple act of courtesy, but
one that paved the way to friendship
that has grown warmer with the lapse
of years. But that has little to do with
the story which my friend related to
me one bright afternoon as we were
bowling fuTiously along over the level
surface of the mighty prairie.


1t was personal adventure, the mar
rator occupying to-day proud and re-
sponsible position in the Army of the
United States, and who would not care
to sec his name in print:


''It was during the Mexican War,
when 1 was a sub in a cavalry regi-
ment, that found myself on duty at
Vera Cruz. Tempted by the high
mountains in the vicinity, the beauti-
full scenery, and above all the superb
hunting, l sailed forth early one morn
ing accompanied by no one save my
Newfoundland dog.


I was an ardent sportsman, my
double-barreled gun worked to aehsrm,
and not until the deepening shades of
evening, accompanied by an unmis-
taxable growl of thunder, did give
a thought to the fight of time or the
importance of retracing my steps to
the city.


alt was about the time that the
blood-thirsty and cowardly Canales
had ordered every Mexican to join the
army, and commanded that no quarter
should be granted to the hated Ameri-
cans.


al had not anticipated danger from
the enemy, unless it might be in the
shape of some small band of guerillas
lurking amid the mountain gorges, ac-
tua5ed more by the hope of plunder
than by patriotic motives.


''I will not attempt to say how many
thousand feet was above the level of
the sea, but found the elevation sufi-
cient, even for the tried and practiced
nerves of a seaman, had he been placed
in my position.


"There is little twilight, you know,
in the tropics. The sun had disap-
peared in the foIds of an immense
cloud which was rapidly spreading it
self over the entire heavens, while from
its sable depths darted lurid sheets of
lightning, followed by the increasing
roar of thunder which already found an
echo through the valleys and gorges of
the mountain.


''I did not fancy a wet jacket, and
whistling for my dog, an animal to
which was warmly attached, was on
the point OF retracing my steps down
the rough mountain road, when the
jingling of spurs and accouterments,
the trampling of horses and the hoarse
word of command was sufficient for me
to draw back into a tall tuft of grass
and Spanish bayonet growing beside
me.


"The dog crouched at my feet,
growing ominously, as if conscious of
the danger his master was in, and, faith,
l did not much like the situation I
found myself compelled to face.


"A number of Mexican lancers were
before me preparing to bivouac for the
night, and my retreat down the road
was out of the question.


"High, precipitous rocks hemmed
Lie in on three sides, through. which
the road had travelled had been origin
allv cut. The outlet was now in pos
session of the lancers, while in front of
me the steep side of the mOuntsin,
verging almost on to precipiee, slOped
toward the city.


"To remain where I was would be
only to court death, a nameless fate, an
unknown grave, for discovery was GER
tain to follow when the sentinels should
he posted.


Cautiously 1 examined the smooth
sides of the precipice, covered here
and there by a network of vines cling
ing to the crcvices and riffs in the rock
for its uncertain life. Further on be.
held dark, irregular line disappear.
ing in the murky depths below.
strained my eyes to the utmost, for the
gloom of night and the mists of the
storm, which threatened every moment
to burst above my head, enveloped al
objects in darkness and uncertainty.


"But for once fortune favored me
and 1 never laid claim to being favor.
ite of the tickle jade. The dark line
proved to be a deep, dry gully, the
channel of some mountain stream long
since dried up.


"But how to reach the friendly
cover? That was the question which
puzzled me.


"a sudden commotion among
gayly-trapped gentry behind me soor
decided my course of action. They
had kindled a small camp fire, were
about to cook their evening meal, anC
a dozen men-tall, strapping fellows :
were radiating from the main body il
different directions to perform the dut.
of sentinels.


Zone in particular was making TO
the friendly clump of wide-spreadinl
limbs, in hopes, possibly, to PARTIAL.
escape the first gusts of wind and rail
which had begun to sweep about tn
| mountain.


dropping my fowling-pieee, an,
bidding my noble dog to shift for him
self, l swung myself over the precipice
clinging to the network of vines, whicl
shook and complained beneath m
weight.


The darkness had increased wit
astonishing rapidity, and as l swuni
over that rayless void [ found it impos
sible to pierce the gloom. | heard tn
short, sharp howl of my dog as h
darted off in search of me; then, ami
the rush of the squall, came tine con