Year: 1872

One Senor Bassot, Frenchman residing in
the city of Mexico, unaccountably disappeared
one evening in June last, and all inquiries failed
to reveal what had become of him. But few
weeks ago he was found in the streets of the
capital without clothing and covered with filth
and yermin. He told the following story of his
misortunes and escape:


As above stated, on the evening OF the 22d of
June, on leaving his mill, he was seized by four
bandits in waiting and hurriedy conducted TO
their little village at AtzeapazalcO, not far from
the historic town Of Tacuba. Here he was
forced to entera small Indian hut, and was at
once placed in sepuchre underneath the floor
Of about two yards IN dimension, the opening
being covered with boards fastened down by
large stones All of his clothing was taken
away, and in this condition, chilled with the
dampneSs of his living tomb, and sustained by
only half dozen tortillas and half glass OF
pulque per diem, he dragged out three wretched
months, suffering every conceivable misery, to-
gether with the inhuman tauntS and insults,
alone the inventions of devils. For his ransom
the small amount OF 100000, together with a
sufficient number of rifles to arm his captors
and certain number Of their conederateS, was
demanded, and the unfortunate victim was told
that three months only would be allowed him
TO comply with this triding demand, upon the
failure of which he would be tortured to death.



monsters, on the evening Of the 23d of Septem-
Der, (the expiration of the three months), al
though in a state of extreme feebleness, he de-
termined to make an effort at escape trusting
alone in Providence for its successful issue.
With desperate effort, gathering all his re-
naming strength, he succeeded in lifting the
boards with their weight of stones from off his
tomb, and, silently dragging himself out, forced
his way through the light covering of the roof,
and was once more permitted TO breathe the
pure air Of heaven. Here he was again obliged
to encounter a double danger-that Of dropping
himself from the roof into unknown difficulties,
and also Of making noise sufficient 10 attract
the inmates Of the hut to his unhappy. position;
but his venture was a successful one, and re-
suited in nothing more serious than landing in
a ditch partly filed with mud and water, which
Soltened his fall as well as the noise accompany
ing the effort. Making his way out of this mire
he crawed upon his hand and knees for fear of
being observed, through q small garden path,
and came upon small by-path leading to the
main road. Here he was horri6ed to hear ap.
preaching footsteps and voices. Too feeble to
make a run, and never doubling that his cap.
tors had discovered his escape and were search.
ing for him. he gave himself up TO despair, and
on their approach begged them most piteously
10 shoot him at once and not return him to his
horrible captivity


Conceive then bis transport Of joy when he
became assured that his surprisers were simple
Indian musicians, en- route for a country ball,
who. far from desiring TO iniure him upon learning
his real history, in turn brought him upon their
backs all the way TO the capital.


Five OF the brigands were identified and, af-
ter q speedy trial, sentenced to death. Among
them was a boy of twelve wears, said to be the
most ierooogs aud boodthirsty member Of the
gang. One Of them has been executed, one was
pardoned, and the others had their sentences
commuied to Imprisonment for terms Of two 10
eight years,