Year: 1877

| OH Gn6 very spOG WueIo NC WclO GL0u'


A wild looking spot it was, in sooth, for a
camp On each side of the path was dense
forest, seemingly impenetrable to man or
beast 80 much so, that we had to tether our
horses, in the road, to the trees on either side.
The mountains frowning down upon US, and
the black forest, full of untold dangers, on
either hand, all conspired to make the place
as wild and gloomy as it we're possible for any
place to be. 1t makes me shudder, even now,
with all of you about me, when l think of
our situation that night; and then | almost
wished that the heavy bag of gold that was
slung at my belt, and which seemed to weigh
me down as had never known it to do be-
fore, was back among thetreasures from which
it had been gathered.


We had plenty of food with us; and, after
making hearty supper, we, having previous
ly constructed shelter, turned in, all save
myself. l preferred to keep the first watch,
for knew if I laid down it would be impos.
sible for me to sleep. A presentiment Of dan
ger that I could not get rid of hung over me,
and entirely precluded all thoug hts of repose.
An hour passed. and heard nothing but the
patter of the rain.drops, and the wind sigh
ing among the branches of the trees, save in
deed, now and then, the startling cry of some
wild animal, far in the depths of the forest.
But these we cared not for. Brutes are Of
tentimes better friends than men.


Half an hour more, and my hour was up !;
but I did not call the one that was to succeed
me. I never was more wide-awake in my
life, and felt not the need of rest.


Suddenly I was startled by dismal sound,
and I listened intently. Again I heard it
away back on the road over which we had
come, and 1 was all attention. Again the
sound fell on my ear, aud this time there
could be no mistake 1t was the tramp of q
score of horses picking their way along the
road at as swift pace as it was possible for
them % pursue, and at no great distance
away.


woke up my companions, and told them
what I had heard. That the approaching
horsemen were banditti that infested the
mountains, there could be but little doubt /;
and that their number was treble that of
our own, there was still less doubt, we judged
by the sound that every moment grew nearer.
But one resource was left for US and that,
flight in the darkness. A minute more, and
each man was by his horse. Another, and
the brides were arranged, and we were upon
their backs. By this time the approaching
horsemen we're close upon us-so close that
their voices could be plainly heard as they
urged their horses.


Just as we were about to move forward
voice exclaimed, in Mexican jargon, "But
tell you they are not far off. 1t is impossible
for them to have kept on in the darkness, at-
ter I had done all could to mislead them"
|. recognized the voice in moment. 1t
was that of the inn.keeper, who had told US
of the way, in the village we had left.


This was enough. There was no mistaking
who we had to deal with now; and plunged
the spurs into my horse, and, giving him the
reins, led the way at break-neck pace in the
darkness. A loud shout came from behind,
proclaiming that our presence was known,
and our motive discovered; and the next mo.
ment shower of balls went whizzing past,
on either side, and above our heads. We
were unhurt, and went on. Ours was ride
for life that night ...


Onward we went, with the rain pouring
down in torrents, and the darkness so dense
that we could not see hand before our faces,
leaning forward with our heads close to the
necks of our horses to avoid the long limbs
of the trees that hung over the road and on
came the blood.thirsty crew behind US, eager
for our money and our lives ,.


That was indeed terrible ride such a
one as hope never again to have Every
moment / expected that my horse would
stumble in the rough path, and throw meup-
on the rocks whose sharp edges lined every
foot of the way, which was now rising con-
siderably, and every step forward told upon
the wind of our horses But there was moth
ing to do but to 60 on; for behind came the
demons, sometimes gaining US, so that
shower of bullets would fly past US.


Had not been riding for so great stake,
I think I could not have kept my seat; but
to fail now was death. A man will do much
when his life is at stake, and I thought bro
ken neck could be no worse than the cold
steel of the Mexicans.


For some minutes dull roar had been
sounding in our ears, and I knew we were
approaching one of those mountain streams
that are so numerous in Mexico, and which
are passed by frail bridge, oftentimes
great distance above the water, and which
have to be crossed with the utmost caution
by horsemen. One of these was before us,
and here, With sudden thought, l determined
that the race should end.


I reined in my horse, and my companions
passed over before me. The frail structure
trembled like thing of life, and | did not
know but that it would 20 down into the roar
ing torrents, so far below, before had reached
the other side. But it bore me safe across
and no sooner did my horses hoofs strike the
rocks, than sprang down, and, with the aid
of one of the men whom I called to my as-
sistance, I moved one of the supports of the
bridge little way but with all our force we
could not throw it in the gulf below. called
to the others for aid; but before they could
reach me, the foremost Of our pursuers dash
ed on the bridge. l shouted for him to turn
back, but my cry was not needed. Another
followed, and another; and then, with
crash, and a cry of mortal terror, the mass
fell into the roaring torrent beneath, and our
ride for life was over those of our foes that
remained alive being on the other side, where
they could not harm US.


THE VOLUNTEER COUNSEL.


John Taylor was licensed, when youth
of twenty one to practice at the bar. lie
was poor, but we'll educated, and possessed
extraordinary genius. He married beauty
who afterwards deserted him for another.


On the ninth of August, lS41, the Court
House at Clarksville, Texas, was crowded to
overAowiug An exciting case was to be
tried. George Hopkins, a wealthy planter,
offered gross insult to Mary Allison, the
Young and beautiful wife Of his overseer.
The husband threatened to chastse him for
the outrage, when Hopkins went to AIllson's
house and shot him in the door. The muir.