Year: 1879




myself on duty at Vera Cruz. Tempted by
the mountains and the vicinity, the beautiful
scenery, and, above all, the superb hunting, l
sailed forth early one morning accompanied
by no one save my Newfoundland dog. -,
q 81 was an ardent sportsman, my double
barreled gun worked to charm, and not
until the deepening shades of evening. accom-
panied by an unmistakable growl of thunder,
did I give thought to the fight of time or
the Importance of retracing my steps to the
city.


1T was about the time that the blood
thirsty and cowardly Canales had command.
ed that no quarter be granted to the hated
Americans. ~


81 had not anticipated danger from the en-
envy, unless it might be in the shape Of some
small band of guerillas lurking amid the
mountain gorge, actuated more by the hope OF
plumber than by patriotic motives.
II will not attempt to say how many thou
sand feet was above the level Of the sea, but
/ found the elevation sufficient, even for the
tried and practiced nerves of a seaman, had
he been placed in my position. T.


"There is but little twilight in the tropics
The sun had disappeared in the fold of an
immense cloud which was rapidly spreading
itself 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
mountain.


81 did not fancy wet jacket, and whist
ling for my dog, an animal to which l was
warmly attached, was on the point of retrac-
ing my steps down the rough mountain road,
when the jingling of spurs and aceoutre-
ments, the trampling of horses and the hoarse
word of command was sufficient for nae to
draw back into tall tuft of grass and Span
ish bayonet growing beside me.


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


"a number of Mexican lancers were be-
fore me, preparing to bivouac for the night
and nv retreat down the road was out OF the
question.


"Eigh, precipitous rocks hemmed me in on
three sides through which the road had trav-
eled had been originally cut. The outlet was
now il the possession of the lancers, while in
front of me the steep side of the mountain,
verging almost on to a precipice, sloped to-
ward the city. -. '". ..@'


ITO remain where I was would be only to
court death, nameless fate, an unknown
grave, for discovery was certain to follow
when the sentinels should be posted.


Cautiously examined the smooth sides
of the precipice, covered here and there by
network of vines clinging to the crevices and
&C. tho rnoLs for tic nncortain life Fur-
ther on beheld dark, irregular line disap-
pearing in the murky depths below. strain.
ed 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 all objects in darkness and
uncertainty.


"But for once fortune favored ne, and |
never laid claim to being favorite of the
tickle Jade. The dark line proved to be
deep, dry gulley, the channel Of some noun
tain stream long since dried up.


ssBut how to reach the friendly cover that
was the question which puzzled me. -


"A sudden commotion among the gayly-
trapped gentry behind me decided my course
of action. They had kindled small camp
fire, were about to cook their evening meal,
and dozen mental, strapping fellows
were radiating from the main body in differ
ent directions, to perform the duty of senti-
nels.


'One in particular was making tor the
friendly clump of wide.spreading limbs, IN
hopes, possibly, to partially escape the fierce
gusts of wind and rain which had begun to
sweep about the mountain. .-.


"Dropping my fowlingpiec ana bidding
my noble dog to shift for himself, swung
myself over the precipice, clinging to the net
work cf vines, which shook and complained
beneath my weight. r..


'sThe darkness had increased with astonish.
ing rapidity, and as swung over that ray.
less void, found it impossible to pierce the
gloom. l heard the short, sharp howl of my
dog as he darted off in search OF me; then,
amid the rush of the squall came the confused
shouts of men, struggling shot or two ming
ling with the crash Of the heavy artillery
rolling in the vast expanse above me.


depending principally upon the strength
and endurance of my arms, carefully and
cautiously felt my way along the verge of the
precipice, working in the direction OF the gull
.ly, which, once gained, promised to afford me
the means of escape from the dangers which
,encompassed me. ..


Broad sheets of lightning lit up with daz.
.zling distinctness the fearful scene, bringing
out every crevice and blade of grass; and
once, when had found slight support for
my feet, and was giving my aching arms
rest. glanced above amid the yellow glare
of the lightning and beheld the fierce, dark
whiskered face of Mexican peerng over the
brink, his eyes apparently fastened on me as
/ hung suspended and aattened against the
cliff, but few feet below him, while the
electricity twisted and writhed, like tongues
of Internal serpents, around the muzzle Of his
carbine. -...-


1T was trying moment my friend a stu:
alton well calculated to inspire feeling of
terror in the heart Of the boldest. But wheth-
er it was the rain, which was falling in tor
rents and driving furiousy before the gale,
or the glare of the lightning, which prevent.
ed the lancer from discovering me, l am un-
able to say. AT all events, escaped MS no.
tice, the shot did not come, and, watching my
chance in the fuss of the tempest | continued
my perilous course.


lit seemed as if the food gates of heaven
had been opened, and the scourgng wind,
sweeping with terrible violence around the
mountain, disputed every inch of the way
which I gained with the utmost difficulty,
.oftentimes threatening to tear me bodily from
the oscillatng ladder which had served me
so we'll.


II had but little strength to spare when |
at length found myself crouching in the mud
dy bottom of the old mountain gorge.