Year: 1870

bringing in on each occasion from fifteei
hundred to three thousand head of cattle
At length, however, the Paraguayal
government came TO the conclusion tha
it was squandering too much gold fo
supplies which it had the power to appro
pirate by force and, accordingly, Signol
Barioros was arrested on some predeter
mined charge by the small cavalry com
mand sent along to guard the cattle
throus sh the frontier, and all his posses
sions seized. .,-


The petty officer in charge of thii
coupe had, no doubt, counted on getting
considerable amount of treasure in ad
dition to the live stock. But in this he
was disappointed, MT knowing the secret
of Signor Barioros' deposits. Happily
| was little better informed in this mat
ter, or |, too, should have been disap
pointed in my expectation of receiving
pecuniary reward for my services. AS i
was, however, by the exercise of little
of that Yankee shrewdness of which
come in for share by virtue of my dem
ccratic nationality, succeeded in com
ing off considerably heavier in purse
than l should have been but for this
event, and with no one the worse for il
except those thieving guerilleros.


Then | fed from those parts. Might
and day put Paraguayan territory be
hind me as rapidly as puemos citd could
supply motive power to mule flesh. II
was not healthy place back there.
made halt at San Tonic, small towr
on the La Plata, about ten miles below
Rosario.


Here / sold my mule and saddle to an
old Malaquay pearl diver, and myself
personated Prof Rarey, for the instruc
ton and entertainment of the wealthy
senors of those parts, and for my own
pecuniary profit maintained this rott
with eminent success, and with, perhaps
as much satisfaction as the illustrious
horse-tamer himself could have elected
making to myself many friends in town
and country.


But soon tired of this tame existence.
A strong desire to roam took possession
of me, and as there was nothing to hold
me longer where was, | decided upon
making a journey across the country to
Valparaiso, where hoped to find greater
number of my own countrymen.


with this end in view / set about
providing the outfit necessary for such a
journey, l purchased two stout mules,
with paniers to stow provisions and
baggage in, and employed native chm
carero guide and conductor, one who
was noted for strength and skill and
courage, to take charge of the animals
and outftting equipments.


While these preparations were being
made, one day vessel entered the mouth
of the La Plata and passed by with the
tide in the direction of Rosario. 1t was
the Albert King She was running in
for freight of cattle, hides and ores /
Immediately hastened to Rosario, where
I arrived soon after the landing of the
vessel.


1.-The ships purser, who also held the
Office of steward, was my friend, and the
only one on board the vessel whose inti-
mate acquaintance / had cared to culti-
yate. To him | went, therefore, and
gave an account of my employment on
shore, and requested his influence with
the Captain in recovering my back pay,
which amounted to quite seven months
wages. He readily promised assistance
in this, with assurance of very fair
prospect of success.


A very important and favorable
change had taken place in the manage
ment of the vessel, and in the affairs of
the dignitaries of the cabin. The imme-
diate cause of this was terrible quarrel
between the Captain and his late favorite,
Stombard, which resulted in the dis
missal of the latter, to the great satisfac-
ton of all on board The fellow had
not left the ship yet, and even stoutly
declared his intention OF remaining on
board. The Captain, however, had just
given him notice to leave at Rosario, TO
save himself forcible election.


There were those who wondered
much at the evident forbearance exer-
cised by the Captain, in dealing with
this desperado; but /, knowing some
thing Of the intimacy that existed
between them while Stombard was will
ing to remain the plant tool Of the
other, could not experience any degree
of surprise. The Captain thought it
advisable to handle him tenderly, and
get well rid Of him in the easiest possi-
bic manner.


THE purser presented my case. |
did not at first 90 near the Captain. i
was represented as having been pretty
largely engaged in the shipping Of cattle,
and an inference was drawn therefrom
that would be able TO furnish freight to
the vessel at times thereafter, if were
so inclined.


The application was successful. The
Captains past displeasure was oblitera-
ted, and once more ] seemed to stand
high in his esteem. Not only was my
account allowed, but he, also, invited me
into the cabin to crack a bottle with
him, to inaugurate a new lease Of friend
ship. 81


The purser was standing az the gan
rail when / Joined him again, few
minutes later. We fingered there some
time IL conversation. | told him Of my
prospective journey, and received his
kindly wishes for my safe conduct We
also arranged for a meeting al Faipa-
raiso. or elsewhere on the Pacific coast,
Il the Albert King should plov her way
into those waters


Suddenly, as We were talking, my
friend touched my arm, and directed my