^, THE UIFLE HAN&ERS; ADVENTURES IN SOUTHERN MEXICO BY CAPTAIN MAYNE KEID, ADTHOB OF 'IHB SCALP nDNTSSS," "WHITE CHIEF," "QUADROON," " HTnjTKRS' FSASB," " WAB TEAIL," ETC., KTO. Beautifu'Jy Illustrateii with Eight Original Designs. NEW YORK: ROBERT M. DE WITT, ' PUBLISHER, 160 A 162 NASSAU STREET. w^ PREFACE. ' The following interesting volume is based upon the various incidents and personal adventures which befel the author in his travels in the flowerv lands of Mexico, whither he had betaken himself on the first demand of hi> country for volunteers to sustain the supremacy of the stars and stripes— which supremacy was most nobly vindicated in many a bloody field, in all of which the author nobly acquitted himself. The war being ended, our gallant Captain betook himself to the contem- plation of the country and its fair dames, among whom he seems to have been an especial favorite. His attentions to the fair Mexicanas, though generally received with a sparkling eye and graceful smile, in many instances gavf umbrage to some proud noble, who scrupled not at any means to remove a formidable rival from his path. To the narration of the bitter and unceasinj: vengeance of one of these baffled lovers — ^Dubrosc — and the recital of the hair-breadth escapes of our author from the many deep laid plans for his capture, are we indebted for the volume which we present to the American reader, who we have little doubt will be willing to accord to Captain Eeid the same meed of praise as has been vouchsafed to him in England, where the work was first published under auspices as flattering as the results were ^'ratifying — the book having achieved an immense success. 938161 CONTENTS CHAPTER I. An Adventure among the Creoles of New Orleans . . • . 13 CHAPTER n. A Volunteer Rendezvous ....... ^ 17 CHAPTER m. Life on the Island of Lobes . • . . . • • i 43 CHAPTER IV. Lieutenant Sibleys' Story of a Georgia Hotel . . . • .25 CHAPTER V. Old Blowhard's Story of the Guyas-Cutis . . . . , .30 CHAPTER VI. Moonlight Scene— A Spy in Camp — A Skeleton Adventure « . . .40 CHAPTER Vn. The Landing at Sacriflcios . • ...... 46 CHAPTER Vm. The Investment of Vera Cruz .....•• 61 CHAPTER IX. Major Blossom ......•••• 66 VUI CONTENTS. Fags CHAPTEE X. Going on the Scout ••••••.,, 60 CHAPTER XI. Adventure with a Cayman •••••• c . 64 CHAPTEE Xn. Don Cosme Eosales •••... t ,. 71 CHAPTER Xm. A Mexican Dinner . . . . . , , , .77 CHAPTEE xrr. A Subterranean Drawing-room . . . . , , . . 83 CHAPTEE XV. The Norther ••••....,. 89 CHAPTER XVI. A little Fair "Weather again . •...-.. 93 CHAPTEE XVn. the Scout continued, with a variety of Reflections . , , , .97 CHAPTEE XVm. One way of Taming a Bull .••...,. 100 CHAPTEE xrx:. A Brush with the Guerilleroa •••...,, 105 CHAPTEE XX. A Herculean Feat ••••.••.. 109 CHAPTER XXI. Running the Gauntlet •.....,,. 112 CHAPTEE XXn. A Short Fight at " Long Shot " 117 CONTENTS. li CHAPTER XXm. The Rescue ......,,.. 125 CHAPTER XXIV. The Cocuyo 129 CHAPTER XXV. .jupe and Luz ......•••• 134 CHAPTER XXVI. A Tough Night of It after all 138 CHAPTER XXVn. The Light after the Shade 141 CHAPTER XXVin. A Disappointment and a new Plan .....*. 147 CHAPTER XXIX. A Fool-hardy Adventure ......... 151 CHAPTER XXX. Help from Heaven . . . . . . . . .154 CHAPTER XXXI. A Shot in the Dark • . .161 CHAPTER XXXn. Captured by Guerilleros ........ 166 • CHAPTER XXXlil. A Blind Ride 171 CHAPTER XXXIV. A Stampede .......... 174 CHAPTER XXXV. A Drink k la Cheval . . 177 X CONTENTS. Pag. CHAPTER X XX VI. A a Odd way of Opening a Letter . . . . • . .180 CHAPTER XXXVn. The Cobra di Capello 184 CHAPTER XXXVm. The Hacienda .......••• 187 CHAPTER XXXTX. The Head-quarters of the Giieirilla . . . . • • • 193 CHAPTER XL. Chane's Courtship . . • • • • • . . 197 CHAPTER XLL The Dance of the Tagaroto . . . . . , . . 202 CHAPTER XLH. A Kiss in the Dark 206 CHAPTER XLHL Maria de Merced ........•• 210 CHAPTER XLIV. The Pursuit .... 214 CHAPTER XLV. A new and terrible Enemy . . . • • • • .217 CHAPTER XLVI. A Rattle with Bloodhounds TIO CHAPTER XLVn. An Indian Ruse ,.......•• 222 CHAPTER XLVin. A Coup d'Eclair ^ • 22a CONTENTS. XJ CHAPTEE XLIX. A Bridge of Monkeys ......••. 22P CHAPTER L. The Jarochos .......••• 23- CHAPTER LI. Padre Jarauta . . . . . . • - • '237 CHAPTER LH. A Hang by the Heels 243 CHAPTER Lm. A very short Trial . . . 24P CHAPTER LIV. A Bird's Eye View of a Battle 25.'. CHAPTER LV. An odd way of Escaping from a Battle Field . , • • • .257 CHAPTER XVI. A Wholesale Capture . . . . . . • . .261 CHAPTER LVn. A Duel, with an odd Ending ... • • • . 268 CHAPTER LVni. An Adios .......•••. 273 THE EIFLE RANGERS CHAPTER I. AN ADVENTCRE AMONG THE CREOLES OP NEW ORLEANS. In the " fall" of 1846, 1 found myself in the city of New Orleans, filling up one of those pauses that occur between the chapters of an eventful life — doing nothing. I have said an eventful life. In the retrospect of ten years, I could not remember as many weeks spent in one place. I had traversed the conti- nent from north to south, and crossed it from sea to sea. My foot had pressed the summits of the Andes, and climbed the Cordilleras of the Sierra Madre. I had steamed it down the Mississippi, and sculled it up the Orinoco. I had hunted buffaloes with the Pawnees of the Platte, and ostriches upon the Pampas of the Plata: to-day shivering in the hut of an Esquimaux — a month after, taking mv siesta in an aery couch under the gossamer frondage of the Oorozo palm. I had eaten raw meat with the trappers of the Rocky Moun tains, and roast monkey among the Mosquito Indians ; and much more, which might weary the reader, and which ought to have made the writer a wiser man. But, I fear, the spirit of adventure — its thirst — is within me slakeless. [ had just returned from a " scurrj^" among the Comanches of Western Texas, and the idea of " settling down" was as far from my mind as ever. ' What next ? what next 1" thought I. " Ila ! the war with Mexico." The war between the United States and that country had now fairly com 14 THE KIFLE KANGEKS. taenCed. My sword, a fine Toledo, taken from a Spanish ofiBcer at San Ja« cinto, hung over the mantel, rusting ingloriously. Near it were my pistols, a pair of Colt's revolvers, pointing at each other in sullen muteness. A warlike ardor seized upon me ; and clutching, not the sword, but my pen, I wrote to the War-department for a commission, and, summoning all my patience, awaited the answer. But I waited in vain. Every bulletin from Washington exhibited its list ; but my name appeared not among them. Epaulettes gleamed upon every Hhoulder, while I. with the anguish ef a Tantalus, was compelled to look idly on. Dispatches came in daily from the seat of war, filled with newly-glorioui names ; and steamers, from the same quarter, brought fresh batches of heroes j some legless, some armless, and others with a bullet-hole through the cheek, and, perhaps, the loss of a dozen teeth or so ; but all thickly covered with laurels. November came, but no commission. Impatienct and ennui had fairly mastered me. The time hung heavily upon my hands. "How can I best kill it ? I will go to the French theatre, and hear Calve."* Such were my reflections, as I sat one evening in my solitary cnamber. In obedience to this impulse, I repaired to the theatre ; but instead of soothing, the bellicose strains of the opera only heightened my warhke enthusiasm ; and I walked homeward, abusing, as I went, the President and the Secretary of War, and the whole department. " I have ' surely put in strong enough,' for it," thought I to mvself j " my political connection — besides, the govern- ment owes me — " " Clar out, ye niggers ! what de yer want ?" This was a voice that reached me, as I passed the dark corner of the Fau- bourg Treme.f Then followed some exclamation in French, a scufile ensued, u pistol went off, and I heard the same voice again, calling out • " Four till one ! Injuns ! — murder ! — help, hyeer !" I ran up. It was very dark, but the glimmer of a distant lamp enabled me to perceive a man, out in the middle of the street, defending himself against four others. He was a man of giant size, and flourished a bright weapon, which I tpok to be a bowie knife, while his assailants struck at him on all * The prima donna of a French operatic troupe, then highly popular "juong the Cre- dies. Ilalf a score of duels were fought on her account by this fiery race t A quarter of New Orleans nated as the scene of frequent as3assinati<»n3 and midnight qmftrrek.' The neighborhood of the Quadroon and masked b&lla. TH.i; EIFLE KANGEES. 15 sides with sticks and stilettoes. A small boy ran back and forth upon the banquette, calling for help. Supposing it to be some street quarrel, I endeavored to separate the parties by remonstrance. I rushed between them, holding out my cane ; but a sharp cut across the nuckles, which I received from one of the small men, together with his evident intention to follow it up, robbed me of all zest for pacific mediation, and, keeping my eye upon the one who had cut me, I drew a pistol (I could not otherwise defend myself) and fired. He fell dead in his tracks, without a groan. His comrades hearing me re-cock, took to their heels, and disappeared up a neighboring alley. The whole scene did not occupy the time you have spent in reading this relation of it. One minute I was plodding q uietly homeward ; the next I i stood in the mid lie of the street ; beside me a strangeFoffigaiitic propor- tions; at my feet a black mass of dead humanity, half doubled up in the mud! as it had fallen ; on the banquette the slight, shivering form of a boy ; whil«' above and around were silence and darkness ! I was beginning to fancy the whole thing a dream, when the voice of the man at my side dispelled this delusion. •' Mister," said he, placing his arms akimbo, and facing me; '-if je'il tell ■oe yer name. I aint a gwine to forgit it. No, Bob Lin kin aint that sorter," " TThat ! Bob Lincoln ? Bob Lincoln of the Peaks ?"* In the voice I had recognised a celebrated mountain trapper, and an old acquaintance, whom I had not met for several years. "Why, Lord save us from Injuns ! it aint you, Cap'n Haller ? May I be dog-goned if it aint ! Whooray— whoop ! I knowed it wamt no store-keeper fired that shot. Ilaroo ! whar air yer, Jack ?" " Here I ^m !" answered the boy, from the pavement. " Kum yeer, then. Ye aint badly skeert, air yer ?" " No," firmly responded the boy, crossing over. " I tuk him from a scoundrolly Crow,t thet I overhauled on a fork of the Yellerstone, He gin me a long pedigree ; that is, afore I kilt the skunk. He made otat as how his people hed tuk the boy from the Kimanches, who hed brought him from soraewhar down the Grand. I knowd it wur all bam- boozle. The boy s white, American white. Who ever seed a yellcr-liided * The Spanish Peaks— a range of the Rocky Mountains, where I had first met Lin- loln. t Lincoln refers to an Indian of the Crow tribe. 16 THE RIFLE E ANGERS. Mexikin with them eyes and har 1 Jack ! this yeer's Cap'n Haller. If yer kin iver save his life by giving yer own, yer must do it, de yer hear ?" " I will," said the boy, resolutely. " Come, Lincoln," I interposed, " these conditions are not necessary. You remember I was in your debt."t " Aint worth mentionin'. Cap ; let byegones be byegones !" " But what brought you to New Orleans? or, more particularly, how came you into this scrape ?" " Wal, Cap'n, bein as the last question is the most partickler, I'll gin yer the answer to it fust. I bed jest twelve dollars in my pouch ; an I tuk a idee inter my head thet I mout as well double it. So I stepped into a shanty whar they wur a playin craps.§ After bettin a good spell, I wun somewhar about a hundred dollars. Not likin the sign || I seed about, I tuk Jack and put out. AYal, jest as I was kummin roun this yeer corner, four fellers — them ye seed — run out and jumped me, like so many painters. I tuk them for the same chaps I bed seed parleyvooing at the craps table, an tho't they wur only jokin, till one of them gin me a a sockdoUoger over the head, an fired a pistol. I then drewed my bowie, an the skrimmage begun ; an thet's all I know about it, Cap'n, more'n yerself." "Let's see if it's all up with this'n," continued the hunter, stooping. " I'deed, yes," he drawled out ; " dead as a buck. Thunder ! ye've gin it him atween the eyes, plum ! He is one of the fellers, es my name's Bob Linkin. I kud swar to them mowstaches among a million." At this moment, a patrol of night gens-d'armes came up ; and Lincoln, and Jack, and myself were carried off to the Calaboose, where we spent the re- mainder of the night. In the morning, we were brought before the Recorder ; tut I had taken the precaution to send for some friends, who introduced ma to his worship in a proper manner. As my story corroborated Lincoln's, and his mine, and Jack's substantiated both — and as the comrades of the dead Creole did not appear, and he himself was identified by the police as a noto- rious robber, the Recorder dismissed the case, as one of "justifiable homicide in self-defence," and the hunter and I were permitted to go our way without further interruption. X I alluded to an adventure in tlio Eocky Mountains several years before, in whioh«. but for Lincon, I should have lost my life. § Craps. A popular game amrng the Creoles of New Orleans. I! " Sign," a word jirofcssional with Lincoln, refarring to the tracks or other indication* v£ the beaver. CHAPTER II. A VOLUNTEER RENDEZVOUS. " Now, Cap," said Lincoln, as we seated ourselves at the table of a cafe, •* I'll answer tother question yer put last night. I wur up on the head of Arkansaw, an hearin they wur raisin volunteers down yeer, I kim down ter jine. It aint often I trouble the Settlements ; but I've a mighty puncheon, as the Frenchman says, to hev a crack at them yeller-bellies.* I haint for- got a mean trick they sarved me two yeern ago, up thar by the Peaks." " And so you have joined the volunteers ?" " That's sartin. But why aint you a gwine to Mexiko ? That ere 's a wonder to me, Cap." " So I purposed long since, and wrote on for a commission ; but the Gov- ernment seems to have forgotten me." " Dod rot the Government ! git a commission for yerself." "How?" I asked. " Jine us, an be illected — thet's how." This had crossed my mind before, but, believing myself a stranger among these volunteers, I had given up the idea. Once joined, he who failed in being elected an oflBcer. was fated to shoulder a firelock. It was neck or nothing then. Lincoln set things in a new light. They were strangers to each other he afBrmed, and my chances would therefore be as good as any man's. *' I'll tell yer what it is," said he, " ycv kin kum with me ter the rendevooz * Yellow bellioa— a name given by Western hunters and soldiers of the U. S. A. to tiM Me«icans. 18 Tail, KIFLK RANGEKS. an sec for yerself ; but if ye'll only jine, and licker freely, I'll lay a pack of beaver agia the skin of a mink, that they'll illect yer captain of the com- pany." " Even a lieutenancy ?" I interposed. " Neer a bit of it, Cap. Go the big figgcr. 'Taint more ner yer entitled to. I kin git yer a good heist among some hunters thet's thar ; but thar's a bufHilo drove of them parleyvoos, an a feller among 'em, one of these yeer Oreeliolcs, thet's been a showin off and fencin with a pair of skewers from momin till night. I'd be dog-gone glad to see the starch taken out of that feller." I took mv resolution. In half an hour after, I was standing in a large hall or armor3\ It was the rendezvous of the volunteers, nearly all of whom were present ; and perhaps a more variegated assemblage was never grouped, together. Every nationality seemed to have its representative ; and for va- riet}-- of language, the company might have rivalled the masons of Babel. Near the head of the room was a table, upon which lay a large parchment, covered with signatures. I added mine to the list. In the act 1 had staked my liberty. It was an oath. '■ These are my rivals ; the candidates for office," thought I, looking at a group who stood near the table. They were men of better appearance than the oi toXXoi. Some of them alreadj' affected a half-undress uniform ; and most wore forage caps with glazed covers, and army buttons over the ears. " Ha ! Clayley !" said I, recognising an old acquaintance. This was a young cotton planter — a free dashing spirit — who had sacrificed a fortune at the shrines of Momus and Bacchus. " Why, Haller, old fellow ! glad to see you. How have you been ? Think of going with us ?" " Yes, I have signed. Who is that man ?" " He's a Creole ; his name is Dubrosc." It was a face purely Norman, and one that would halt the wandering eye in any collection. Of oval outline, framed by a profusion of black hair, wavy and perfumed. A round black eye spanned by brows arching and glossy. Wiiiskers, that belonged rather to the chin, leaving bare the broad jaw-bone, expressive of firmness and resolve. Firm thin lips, handsomely moustached j when parted, displaying teeth well set and of dazzling whiteness. A face that might be called beautiful — and yet its beauty was of that negative order, which we admire in the scrj)ent and the pard. The smile was cynical. The THE EIFLE EANQBIiS. 19 eye cold, yet bright ; but the brightness was altogether animal — more the light of instinct than intellect. A face that presented in its expression a strange admixture of the lovely and the hideous — physically fair, morally dark— beautiful, yet brutal. From some undefinable cause, I at once conceived for this man a strange feeling of dislike. It was he of whom Lincoln had spoken ; and who was likely to be my rival for the captaincy. Was it this that rendered him re- pulsive ? No. There was a cause beyond. In him I recognised one of those abandoned natures, who shrink from all honest labor, and live upon the sacri- ficial fondness of some weak being who has been enslaved by their personal attractions. There are many such. I have met them in the salons of Paris ; in the dance-rooms of London ; in the cafes of Ilavanna and New Orleans — everywhere in the crowded haunts of the world. I have met them with an instinct of loathing — an instinct of antagonism. " The fellow is likely to be our captain," whispered Clayley, noticing that I observed the man with more than ordinary attention. " By the way," con- tinued he, " I don't half like it. T believe he's an infernal scoundrel." " I quite agree with you. But if so, how can he be elected ?" " Oh ! no one here knows another ; and this fellow is a splendid swordsman, like all the Creoles you know. lie has used the trick to advantage, and haa created an impression. By the bye, now I recollect, you are no slouch at that yourself. What are you up for ?" " Captain." I replied. " Good ! then we must go the whole hog in your favor. I have put in foi the first-lieutenancy, so we won't run foul of each other. Let us ' hitch teams !' " " With all my heart." Said I. " You came in with that long-bearded hunter. Is he your friend ?" " He is." " Then I can tell you, that among these fellows he's a ' whole team and a cross dog under the wagon' to boot. See him ! he's at it already." I had noticed Lincoln in conversation with several leather-legging gentry like himself, whom I knew from their costume and appearance to be back- woodsmen. All at once, these saturnine characters commenced moving about the room, and entering into conversation with men whom they had not hitherto deigned to notice. " They are canvassing." Said Clayley. Lincoln, brushing past, whispered in my ear : " Cap'n, I understan these yeer -0 THE KIFLE KANGEK8. critters better 'n your kin. Yer must mix among 'em — mix and licker, thet'a the idee." " Good advice," said Clayley ; " but if you could only take the shine out of that fellow at fencing, the thing's done at once. By Jove ! I think you might do it, Ilaller !" " 1 have made up ray mind to try, at all events." " Not until the last day ; a few hours before the election." "You are right; that will be better: very well," and Clayley walked away. During the next three days, the enrolment continued, and the canvass was kept up with energy. The election was to take place on the evening of the fourth. My dislike for my rival had been strengthened by observation ; and, as is always so in such cases, the feeling was reciprocal. On the afternoon of the day in question, we stood before each other, foil in hand, both of us nerved by an intense^ though as yet unspoken, enmity. This had been observed by most of the spectators, who approached, forming a circle around us ; all of them highly interested in the result, which, they knew, M-ould be an index to the election. The room was an armory, and all kinds of weapons for military practice were kept in it. Each had helped himself to his foil. One of the weapons was without a button, and sharp enough to be dangerous in the hands of an Angiy man. I noticed that my antagonist had chosen this one. " Your foil is not in order ; it has lost the button — has it not ?" " Ah ! Monsieur, pardon. I did not perceive that." " A strange oversight," muttered Clayley, with a significant glance. The Frcnchmai returned the imperfect foil, and took another. "• Have you a choice, Monsieur ?" I inquired " No thank you ; I am satisfied." By this time every person in the rendezvous had come up. and waited with breathless anxiety. We stood face to fiice. more like two men about to engage in a deadly duel, than a pair of amateurs with blunt foils. My antagonist was evidently a practised swordsman. I could see that as ho came to guard. This exercise had been a foible of my college days, and for years I had not met my match ; but I was out of practise. We commenced unsteadily. Both were excited by unusual emotions, and our first thrusts were neither skilfully aimed nor guarded. We fenced with the energy of anger ; and the sparks crackled from the friction of the grazing steel. For several minutes it was a doubtful contest, but I grew cooler every THE RIFLB KANGKRS. 21 instant, while a slight advantage 1 had gained irritated ray adversary. At length, by a lucky hit, I succeded in planting the button of my foil upon his cheek. A cheer greeted this, and I could hear the voice of Lincoln shouting out: " Wal done, Cap'n ! whooray 1' This added to the exasperation of the Frenchman, causing him to strike wilder than before ; and I found no diflSculty in repeating my former thrust. It was now a sure blow ; and, after a few passes, I thrust my adversary for the third time, drawing blood. The cheer rang out louder than before. The Frenchman could no longer conceal his mortification ; and, grasping his foil in both hands, he snapped it over his knee, with an oath. Then muttering some words about better weapons and another opportunity, he strode off among the spectators. Two hours after the combat I was his captain. Clayley wag elected first-lieutenant ; and in a week from that time the company was mus- tered into the service of the United States' Government, and armed and equip- ped as an independent corps of " Rifle Rangers." On the 20th of January, 1847, a noble ship was bearing us over the broad blue water, toward the shores of a hostile laad. CHAPTER III. LIFE ON THE ISLAND OF LOBOS. After calling at Brazos Santiago, we were ordered to land upon the island of Lobos, fifty miles north of Vera Cruz. This was to be our " drill rendezvous." We soon reached this point. Detachments from several regiments debarked together ; the jungle was attacked ; and, in a few hours, the green grove had disappeared, and in its place stood the white pyramids of canvass with their floating flags. It was the work of a day. When the moon looked down upon Lobos, it seemed as if a warlike city had sprung suddenly out of the sea, with a navy at anchor in front of its bannered walls ! In a few days, six full regiments had encamped upon this hitherto unin- nabited isla.id ; and nothing was heard but the voice of war. These regiments were all "raw," ani my duty, with others, consisted in « licking them into shape." It was drill, drill, from morning till night ; and, by early tatoo, I was always glad to crawl into my tent, and go to sleep- such sleep as a man can get among scorpions, centipedes, and soldier-crabs ; for the- little islet seemed to have within its boundaries a specimen of every reptile that came safe out of the ark. The 22d being Washington's birthday, I could not get to bed as usual. 1 was compelled to accept an invitation, obtained hy Clayley, to the tent of Major Twing ; where they were— using Clayley's own words—" to have » night of it." After tatoo, we set out for the Major's marquee, which lay near the centre of the islet, in a coppice of caoutchouc trees. We had no diflBculty in finding it— guided by the jingling of glasses, and the mingling of many voices in louU laughter. THE KIFLE RANGERS. ^^6 As we camfc near, we couitl perceive that the marquee had been enlarged, by tucking up the flaps in front, with the addition of a fly stretched over an extra ridge-pole. Several pieces of rough plank, spirited away from the ships, resting upon empty bread barrels, formed the table. Upon this might bo recognised every variety of bottles, glasses and cups. Open boxes of sar- dines, piles of ship-biscuits, and segments of cheese, filled the intervening spaces. Freshly drawn corks and glistening fragments of lead were strewed around, while a number of dark, conical objects under the table told that not a few champagne bottles were already " down among the dead men." On each side of the table was a row of colonels, captains, subalterns, and doctors ; seated without regard to rank or age, according to the order in which they had " dropped in." There was also a sprinkling of strange, haJf- sailor-looking men, the skippers of brigs, steamboats, &c., for Twing was a thorough republican in his entertainments ; besides, the day levelled all dis- tinctions. At the head of the table was the Major himself — one of those wiry, hard- headed, hard-drinking devils — who always carried a flask suspended from his shoulders by a green string ; and without this flask, no one ever saw Major Twing. He could not have stuck to it more closely had it been his badge of rank. It was not unusual, on the route, to hear some wearied ofiicer exclaim: " If I only had a pull at old Twing's pewter !" and " equal to Twing's flask," was an expression which stamped the quality of any liquor as superfine. Such was one of the Major's peculiarities, though by no means the only one. As my friend and I made our appearance under the fly, the company was in high glee ; every one enjoying himself with that freedom from restraint of rank peculiar to the American army-service. Clayley was a great favorite with the INIajor, and at once caught his eye. " Ila, Clayley ! that you ? Walk in with your friend. Find seats there, gentlemen," " Captain Haller — Major Twing," said Clayley, introducing me. " Happy to know you, Captain, Can you find seats there ? No. Come up this way. Cudjo ! boy ! run over to Colonel Marshall's tent, and steal a couple of stools. Adge, twist the neck off that bottle. Where's the f«rew 1 Hang that screw ! Where is it, any bow ?" "Never mind the screw, Mage," cried the Adjutant; "I've got a pateit universal here." So saying, the gentleman held out a champagne bottle in his left hand, and with a down stroke of his right, cut the neck off as if it had been filed ! # 24 THE RIFLE RANGERS. " Nate !" ejaculated Hennessy an Irish oflScer, who sat near the head of tht table. " What we call a Kentucky corkscrew," said the Adjutant, coolly. '* It offers a double advantage. It saves time, and you get the wine clear of—" '• My respects, gentlemen ! Captain Haller — Mr. Clayley." " Thank you, Major Twing. To you, Sir !" " Ila ! the stools at last ! Only one ! What the devil, Cudjo ? Come, gentlemen — squeeze yourselves up this w»y. Here, Clayley, old boy, here's a cartridge-box. Adge ! up-end that box. So — give us your fist, old fellow j how are you ? Sit down. Captain ; sit down. Cigars, there !" As soon as we had got seated, several voices were heard vociferating " the Bong ! the song ! round with the song !" and I learnt that the order of the night was " a song, a story, or half-a-dozen bottles of champagne." " Sibley's turn next !" shouted one. " Sibley ! Sibley !" cried several voices. " Well, gentlemen," said the officer called upon, a young South Carolinian, " as I make no pretensions to singing, I will endeavor to clear the forfeit by ft story." " Good ! a story, by all means — nothing like variety." " Liftinant, take a trifle of the squeezed lemon before ye begio.*' * Thank you. Captain Hennessy. Your health, Sir !" CHAPTER IV. LIEUTENANT SIBLEY's STORY OF A GEORGIA HOTEL. '' Well, gentlemen, about six months ago, I had occasion to make a jour ney to Pensacola on horseback. My road of course lay through the State oJ Georgia. " It is well kn(Jvn, gentlemen, that there are large tracts in the territorj of our Southern neighbor, that have proved very ungrateful to the labors of the husbandman. These districts are, in consequence, but sparsely settleii and ill -provided with the necessaries of life." Here the Lieutenant looked significantly towards some Georgians who were present. " On the third day of my journey, I had ridden about twenty miles through one of these tracts — a dry pine barren — without having cauglit the nrsi glimpse of a human habitation. I was faint with hunger and thirst ; so was my horse, who stretched out his neck and moaned piteously, as each new and apparently illimitable prospect of the hot, sandy road opened before us. There no help for it. however ; so we jogged on painfully, both of us keeping s sharp look a-head. You cannot fancy my delight, when, on turning a comer 1 saw before me a large and substantial log-house, with a pine mast stuck up before the door, and a broad swinging sign, upon which was legible, in bol^ion, louder and more terrific than before ! " Night came at length, and with our box, covered up in one of the land- .ord's quilts, we started for the Minerva rooms, which I found fitted up with a running screen, and brilliantly lighted with candles. Cobb had the box and chain carried behind the screen, while I remained at the door to look after Uie treasury. We had no tickets, each one paying his or her " quarter," and passing in. ■' In a short time, the room was full of ladies, gentlemen, and children — tradesmen and their wives ; merchants and their families ; young bucks and iheir sweethearts, and even a number of the intelligent members of the Stats Assembly ! Expectation was on tip-toe to see the 'Wonderful Guyas-Cutis. *■' At length, a low moaning was heard behind the screen. " ' Down Guy, down ! Still dog, still !' cried a voice in hoarse commanding accents. ■ The people had now all arrived, and beg^n to stamp and clap their hands, ind exhibit the usual symptoms of impatience, crying out at intervals The Guyas-Cutis! the Guyas-Cutis!' " ' Bring him out, Mr. Showman ; trot him out !' " ' Let us see the savage varmint !' " The Guyas-Cutis growled fearfully. *' ' Give him a bone !' cried one. " ' Go it, old fifty-four forty !' exclaimed a'liothcr " ' The whole, or none !' shouted a third. " ' Fifty-four forty, or fight !' cried a fourth. " ' Go it old K. Polk !' from a distant part of the room. " At this, the audience became convulsed with laughter. The groaning ^rew louder and more terrible ; and Cobb's voice was heard in hoarse accents, apostrophizing the Guyas-Cutis. Then was heard a struggle behind the v;roen, followed by the rattling of a chain. '• Tliis was my cue. Putting on a look of terror — as I had been instructed tjy Coljb— I iiislicd up the open si)ace between tlie spectators, and pushed in TUB KIFLE RANGERS. 37 behind the curtain. 1 stole a glance backward, as I entered, and saw that tho audience had already caught the alarm. Some of the people had risen to their feet, and stood pale and trembling ! Behind the screen, Cobb was running to and fro, scraping the sanded floor, rattling the chain, and chiding an imaginary object in the most threatening accents! He was in his shirt sleeves, and streams of what appeared to be blood were running over his face, neck and bosom ! " ' Down, savage ; down !' cried Cobb. " ' Boo-boo, cow-wow !' growled the Guyas-Outis "'Oh, Mr. Wolfe," cried Cobb, ' come here — help ! help, or he'll be off!' " ' Hold on to him !' shouted I, in a loud voice, ' hold on !' " ' Bow-oow, wow-awow !' roared the Guyas-Cutis. "'Help, help!" cried Cobb. " ' Hold on !' shouted I. " Cobb seized the chain in both hands, and, after giving it a fierce rattle rushed in front of the screen, shouting in a voice of thunder : " ' Save yourselves, gentlemen ! Save your wives and children ! The Gxiyas-Cutis is loose P " Gentlemen," said Blov^hard, drawing a long breath, " it's more than 1 can do to describe the scene that followed. In less than two minutes the room was empty ; and when Cobb and mj^self reached the street, there was not a soul — man, woman, or child — to be seen ! We hurried to the hotel, and ordered our horses to be saddled with all dispatch, Cobb telling the landlord that the Guyas-Cutis had taken to the fields, and we must pursae him on horseback ! While our horses were being saddled, we settled the landlord's bill out of our newly-acquired funds. Starting at a brisk gallop, we did not draw bridle until we had put twenty miles between us and the good city of Columbia Then we halted, and counted our receipts which amounted to — how much, Mr. Cobb ?" " Sixty-six dollars seventy-five cents, to a figger," said a tall swarthy per- sonage, who sate someway down the table, and whose dark, saturnine coun- tenance would never have betrayed him as the hero of the story j but it was he, indeed ; and peals of laughter followed the discovery. " Now the ]Major ! the Major !" shouted several voices. At that moment, the report of a musket was heard without the tent, and simultaneously a bullet whistled through the canvass. It knocked the fora- 38 THE rJFLE RANGEES. ging cap from the head of Captain llennessy, and, striking a decanter, shivered the glass into a thousand pieces ! " A divilish nate sliot that, I don't care who fired it," said Hennessy, coolly picking up his cap. " An inch of a miss— good as a mile," added he, thrusting his thumb into the bullet-hole. By this time, every oflBcer present was upon his feet, most of them rushing towards the front of the marquee. A dozen voices called out together : " "Who fired that gun ?" There was no answer, and several plunged into the thicket in pursuit. The chapparal was dark and silent, and these returned after a fruitless search. " Some soldier, whose musket has gone off by accident," suggested Colonel Harding. " The fellow has run away, to avoid being put under arrest." " Come, gentlemen, take your sates again," said Hennessy ; let the pocw divil slide — yez may be thankful it wasn't a shell." " You, Captain, have most cause to be grateful for the character of the mis sile." "By my sowl, I don't know about that — a shell or a twenty-four would have grazed me all the same ; but a big shot would have been mighty incon- vanient to the head of my friend Haller, here." This was true. My head was nearly in range ; and, had the shot been a large one, it would have struck me upon the left temple. As it was, I felt the " wind" of the bullet, and I already began to suffer a painful sensation over the eye. " I'm mighty curious to know which of us the fellow has missed, Captain,'' said Hennessy, turning to me as he spoke, " If it were not a ' bull,' I should say I hope neither of us. I'm inclined to think with Colonel Harding, that it was altogether an accident." " By the powers ! an ugly accident, too, that has spoiled five dollars' worth of an illigant cap, and a pint of as good brandy as ever was mixed with a lemon." " Plenty left. Captain," cri'^d the Major. " Come, gentlemen, don't let this damp us :— fill up ! fill up ! Adge, out with the corks ! Cudjo, where's the screw ? — curse that screw !" " Never mind the screw, Mage," cried the Adjutant, repeating his old trick upon the neck of a fresh bottle, which, nipped off under the wire, fell upon a heap of others that had preceded it. And the wine again foamed and sparkled j ard glasses circled round and THE RIFLK RANGERS. 39 the noisy rerelry waxed as loud as ever. The inciaent of the shot was soon forgotten. Songs were sung, and stories told, and toasts drank ; and with eong and sentiment, and toast and story, and the wild excitement of wit and wme, the night waned away. "With many of those young hearts, bold with hope, and burning with ambition, it was the last " Twenty Second" their would ever celebrate. Half of them neyer hailed another ! CHAPTER VI. MOONLIGHT SCENE — A SPY IN CAMP — A SKELETON ADVENTDRE. It was past midnight when I withdrew from the scene of wassail. Clayle^ was one of those tireless spirits, who could " drink all night till broad day- light ;" and, as he preferred remaining for some time longer, I walked out alone. My blood was flushed, and I strolled down upon the beach, to enjoy the cool, fresh breeze that was blowing in from the ocean. The scene before me was one of picturesque grandeur, and I paused a mo- ment to gaze upon it. The wine even heightened its loveliness to an illusion. The full, round moon of the tropics was sweeping over a sky of cloudless blue. The stars were eclipsed, and scarcely visible — except a few of the larger ones, as the belt of Orion, the planet Venus, and the luminous radii of the Southern Cross. From my feet, a broad band of silver stretched away to the horizon, marking the meridian of the moon. This was broken by the line of coral reef, over which the surf curled and sparkled with a phosphoric brightness. The reef itself, running all around, seemed to gird the islet in a circle of fire ! Here only were the w.aves in motion, as if pressed by some subaqueous and invisible power ; for beyond, scarcely a breath stirred the sleeping sea ! It lay smooth and silent, while a satellite sky seemed caved out in its azure depths! On the south, a hundred ships were in the deep roadstead, a cable's length from each other — their hulls, spars and rigging magnified to gigantic jjioportions, under the deceptive and tremulous moonbeam. They were motionless as if the sea had been frozen around them into a solid cr^-stal I THE RIFLE RANGERS. 41 Their flags drooped listlessly down, trailing along the masts, or warped ana twined around the haulyards. Up against the easy ascent extended the long rows of white tents, shining under the silvery moonbeam, like pyramids of snow. In one a light was still gleaming through the canvass, where, perchance, some soldier sate up wearily wiping his gun, or burnishing the brasses upon his belts. Now and then dark forms — human and uniformed — passed to and fro. from tent to tent, returning from the visit to some regimental comrade. At equal distances round the camp, others stood upright and motionless, tho gleam of the musket showing the sentry on his silent post. The plunge of an oar — as some boat was rowed out among the anchored ships — the ripple of the light breaker — it intervals the hail of a sentinel: " "Who goes there ?" — the low parley that followed — the chirp of the cicada in the dark jungle — or the scream of the sea-bird, scared, by some sub- marine enemy, from its watery rest — were the only sounds that disturbed the deep stillness of the night. I continued my walk along the beach, until I had reached that point of the island directly opposite to the mainland of Mexico. Here the chapparal grew thick and tangled, running down to the water's edge, where it ended in a clump of mangroves. As no troops were encamped here, the islet had not been cleared at this point, and the jungle was dark and solitary. The moon was now going down, and straggling shadows began to fall upon the water. " Certainly some one skulked into the bushes ! — a rustling in the leaves — yes ! some fellow who has strayed beyond the line of sentries, and afraid to return to camp 1 Ha ! a boat ! a skiff it is — a net and buoys ! As I live, 'tis a Mexican craft ! who can have brought it here ? Some fisherman from tlie coast of Tuspan.* No — be would not venture — it must be — " A strange suspicion flashed across my mind, and I rushed through the mangrove thicket, where I had observed the object a moment before. I had not pro ceeded fifty yards, when I saw the folly of this movement. I found myself in the midst of a labyrinth, dark and dismal, surrounded by a wall of leaves and brambles. Vines and lianas barred up the path, and lactd the limbs together. " If they be spies, I have taken the worst plan to catch them. I may as well go through now. I cannot be distant from the rear of the camp. Ugh I how dismal !" ' The village of Tuspan is nearly opposite Lobos, on ttio mainland. 42 THE KIFLE KANGER8. I pushed on, climbing over fallen trunks, and twining myself through the viny cordage. The creepers clung to my neck — thorns penetrated my skin — the mezquite slapped me in the facu. drawing blood ! I laid my hand upon a pendant limb ; a clammy object struggled under my touch, with a terrified yet spiteful violence, and freeing itself, sprang over my shoulder, and scamp- ered off among the fallen leaves. I felt its fetid breath, as the cold scales brushed against my cheek. It was the hideous Iguana ! A huge bat flapped its sail-like wing in my face, and returned again and again, breathing a mephitic odor that caused me to gasp ! Twice I struck at it with my sword, cutting only the empty air. A third time my blade was caught in the trellis of parasites. It was horrible ; I felt terrified with such strange enemies. At length, after a continued struggle, an opening appeared before me — a glade i I rushed to the welcome spot. " What a relief !" I ejaculated, emerging from the leafy darkness. Suddenly, i started back with a cry of horror ; my limbs refused to act ; the sword fell from my grasp ; and I stood palsied and transfixed, as if by a bolt from heaven ! Before me, and not over three paces distant, the image of death itself rose out Oi" the earth, and stretched forth his skeleton arms to clutch me ! It was no phant( m. There was the white naked skull, with its eyeless sockets ; tho long fleshlcss limbs ; the open, serrated ribs; th« long jointed fingers of death itself! As my bewildered brain took in these objects, I heard a noise in the bushes, as of persons engaged in an angry struggle. " Emile ! Emile !" cried a female voice, "you shall not murder him — you shall not !'' " Off! off"! Marie, let me go !" was shouted in the rough accents of a man. " Oh, no !" continued the female, " you shall not — no — no — no !" " Curses on the woman ! there ! let me go now !" There was a sound as of some one struck with violence — a scream ; and, at the same moment, a human figure rushed out of the bushes, and, confronting me, exclaimed: " Ila ! [Monsieur le Capitaine ! coup pour coup !" I hoard no more ; a heavy blow descending upon my temples, deprived mo of all power and I fell senseless to the earth When I returned to consciousness, the first objects I saw were the huge brown whiskers of Lincoln ; then Lincoln himself— then the pale face of the boy Jack ; and finally, tlie forms of several soldiers of my company. I saw- that I was in my own tent, and stretched upon my camp-bod. THE RTFLE KANGRES. 45 " What ? how ? what's the matter ? — what's this ?" I said, raising my hands to the bandage of wet linen that bound my temples. '•' Keep still, Cap'n !" said Bob, taking my hand from the fillet, and placing it by my side. '' Och ! by my sowl, he's over it ; thank the Lord for his goodness !" said Ohane, an Irish soldier, " Over what ? what has happened to me ?" I inquired. " Och, Captin, yer honnor. you've been nearly murthered, and all by thim Frinch schoundrels ; bad luck to their dirty frog-atin picthers !" " Murdered ! French scoundrels ! Bob, what is it ?" " Why, yer see, Cap'n. ye've had a cut yeer over the head ; and we think it's them Frenchmen." " Oh ! I remember now ; a blow — but the death ? — the death ?" I started up from the bed, as the phantom of my night adventure returned to my imagination. " The death, Cap'n ? — what do yer mean ?" inquired Lincoln, holding mc in his strong arms. " Oh ! the Cap'n manes the skilleton, may be," said Chane. " What skeleton ?" I demanded. " Why, an owld skilleton'* the boys found in the chapparil, yer honncr. They hung it to a three ; and we found yer honner there, with the skilleton swinging over yez like a sign. Och ! the Frinch bastes !" I made no further inquiries about the " death." '■ But where are the Frenchmen ?" asked I, after a moment. " Clane gone, yer honner," replied Chane. "Gone?" " Yes, Cap'n ; thet's so as he sez it," answered Lincoln. " Gone ! — what do you mean ?" I inquired. "Desarted, Cap'n." " How do you know that ?" " Because the yaint here." « On the island ?" " Sarched it all, every bush." " But who ? which of the French ?" * Lobos -was a noted resort of the West Indian pirates. Many souvenirs of these fentry were found upon the island : a human skeleton, also ; but whether some nj. ttm of the freebooters, cr not, ia left to the speculations of the curious 44 TUE RIFLE KANGEE3. " Dubrosc and that ere boy that was always with him ; both desarted." ** Ay, and the devil go wid them ! He'll niver hive his own till he gets • hoult ov Misther Dubrosc ; bad 'cess to him !" " You are sure they are missing ?" " Looked high and low, Cap'n. Gravenitz seed Dubrosc steal into the chapparil with his musket. Shortly afterwards we heern a shot ; but thought nothin' of it till this mornin', when one of the sodgers foun' a Spanish som- brary out thar ; and Nath heern some'dy say the shot passed through Major Twing's markey. Besides, we foun' this yeer butcher-knife where yer was layin'." Lincoln here held up a species of Mexican sword called a machete.* « Ha !— well ?" " That's all, Cap'n ; only it's my belief, there was Mexikins on this island, alid them Frenchmen's gone with them." After Lincoln left me, I lay musing on this still somewhat mysterious af- fair. Mj memory, however, gradually grew clearer ; and the events of the preceding night, soon became linked together, and formed a complete cham. The shot that passed so near my head in Twing's tent — the boat — the French words I had heard before I received the blow — and the exclamation, " coup pour coup !" all cojivinced me, that Lincoln's conjectures were right. Dubrosc had fired the shot, and struck the blow that had left me senseless. But who could the woman be, whose voice I had heard pleading in my b&- half? My thoughts reverted to the boy, who had gone off with Dubrosc ; and whom I had observed often in the company of the latter. A strange attach- ment appeared to exist between them ; in which the boy seemed to be the devoted slave of the strong fierce Frenchman — Could this be a woman 1 I recollected having been struck with his delicate features, the softness ot his voice and the smallncss of his hands. There were other points besides, in the toumure of the boy's figure, that had appeared singular to me. I had frequently observed the eyes of this lad bent upon me, when Dubrosc was not present, with a strange and unaccountable expression ! Many other peculiarities connected with the boy and Dubrosc, which at the time had passed unnoticed and unheeded, now presented themselves to my recollection, all tending to prove the identity of the boy with the womaa whose voice I had heard in the thicket. * Tho Macleti is a half-sword— half-knife THE KIFLE KAJMGKKS. 45 I could not help smiling at the night's adventures ; determined, howereir, to conceal that part which related to the skeleton. In a few days, my strength was restored. The cut I had received was not deep, thanks to my forage cap, and the dullness of the Frenchman's weapon. CHAPTER VII. THE LANDING AT SACRIFICIOS. Eakly in the month of March, the troops at Lobos wore re-embarked, and dropped down to the roadstead of Anton Lizardo.* The American fleet waa already at anchor there, and in a few days above a hundred sail had joined it . There is no city, no village, hardly a habitation upon this half-desert coast The aspect is a series of hirsute hills, rendered picturesque by the plumed frondage of the palm tree. "We dared not go ashore, although the smooth, white beach, tempted us strongly. A large body of the enemy was encamped behind the adjacent hills; and patrols could be seen, at intervals, gallopping along the shore. I could not help fancying what must have been the feeling of the inhabitants in regard to our ships — a strange sight upon this desert coast, and not a pleas- ing one to them, knowing that within those dark hulls were concealed the hosts of their armed invaders. Laocoon looked not with more dread upon the huge ribs of the Danaic horse, than did the simple peasant of Anahuac upon this fleet of " oak Leviathans," that lay within so short a distance of his To us the scene possessed an interest of a far different character. We looked proudly upon these magnificant modelb* of naval architecture — upon their size, their number and their admirable adaptation. "VTe viewed with a changing cheek, and a kindling eye this noble exhibition of a free people's strength ; and as the broad banner of our country swung out upon the breeze of tho * Az aocborage thirtMQ miles froa< Vera Crui, domi the ooaat THE RIFLE KANGKKS. 47 tropics, we could not help exulting in the glory of that great nation whoso uniform we wore around our bodies. It was no dream. We saw the burnished gun and the bright epaulette — the gleaming button, and the glancing bayonet. We heard the startling trumpet, the stirring drum, and the shrill and thrilling fife ; and our souLa drank in all those glorious sights and souads that form at once the spirit and the witchery of war ! The landing was to take place on the 9th ; and the point of debarkation fixed upon was the beach opposite the island of Sacrificios, just out of range of the guns of Vera Cruz. The 9th of March rose like a dream, bright, balmy, and beautiful. The sea was scarce stirred by the gentlest breeze of ttie tropics ; but this breeze, light as it was, blew directly, in our favor. At an early hour, I observed a strange movement among the ships com- posing the fleet. Signals were changing in quick succession ; and boats glid- ing rapidly to and fro. Before daybreak the huge surf-boats had been drawn down from their moorings ; and with long hempen hawsers attached to the ships and steamers. The descent was about to be made. The ominous cloud which had hung dark and threatening over the shores of Mexico was about to burst upon that devoted land ! But where ? The enemy could not tell, and were preparing to receive us on the adjacent shore ! The black cylinder began to smoke, and the murky cloud rolled down upon the water, half obscuring the fleet. Here and there a broad sail, freshly un- furled, hung stiffly from the yard ; the canvass escaping from its gasket fast- enings, had not yet been braced round to the breeze. Soldiers were seen standing along the decks; some in full equipments, clutching the bright barrels of their muskets — while others were buckling on their white belts, or cramming their cartouche boxes. OQicers, in sash and sword, paced the polished quarter-decks, or talked earnestly in groups, or watched, with eager eyes, the motions of the various fihips. Unusual souuds were heard on all sides. The deep-toned chorus of the sailor — the creaking of the capstan, and the clanking of the iron cogs — the " heave-ho !" at the windlass, and the grating of the huge anchor-chain, as link after link rasped through the rusty ring — sounds that M'arned us to make J cady for a change. In the midst of these came the brisk rolling of a drum. It was answered by another, and another, and still another, until all voices were drowned by 48 TllK KIFLE KANGERS. the deafening noise. Then followed the mingling shouts of command — a rushing over the decks — and streams of blue-clad men poured down the dark F>ides, and seated themselves in the surf-boats. These were filled in a twink- ling, and all was silent as before. Every voice was hushed m expectation, and every eye bent upon the little black steamer, which carried the com- mander-in-chief. Suddenly a cloud of smoke rose up from her quarter ; a sheet of flame shot out horizontally ; and the report of a heavy gun shook the atmosphere like an earthquake. Before its echoes had subsided, a deafening cheer ran simulta- neously through the fleet ; and the ships, all together, as if impelled by some hidden and supernatural power, broke from their moorings, and dashed through the water with the velocity of the wind ! Away to the north-west, in an exciting race ; away for the isle of Sacrificios ! On struggled the ships, bending to the breeze, and cleaving the crystal waves with their bold bows ; on the steamers, beating the blue water into a milky-way, and dragging laden boats in their foamy track ! On followed the boats through the hissing and frothy cauldron ! Loud rolled the drum, loud brayed the bugle, and loud huzzas echoed from the adjacent shores ! Alreadj'- the foe was alarmed and alert. Light horsemen with streaming haste gallopped up the coast. Lancers, with gay trappings and long pennons, appeared through the openings of the hills. Foaming, prancing steeds flew, with light artillery over the naked ridges, dashing madly down deep defiles, and crushing the cactus with iheir whirling wheels. " Andela ! Andela *"* was their cry. In vain, they urged tlieir horses — in vain, they drove the spur deep and bloody in their smoking sides. The elements were against them, and in favor of their foes. The earth and the water were their impediments, while the air and the water were the allies of their enemies. Tliey clung and sweltered through the hot and yielding sand, or sank in the marshy borders of the Mandiuga and the ]\Iedellin, while steam and the wind drove the ships of their adver- saries like arrows through the water ! The alarm spread up the coast. Bugles were sounding, and horsemen gallopped through the streets of Vera Cruz. The alarm-drum beat in the piazza, and the long roll echoed in every cuartel! Signal rockets shot up from San Juan, and wero answered by others from Santiago and Concepcion ! Thousands of dark forms clustered upon the roofs of the city and the ram * A charging sbout, synonyinoiut with our " Forward !" THK KIFI,K ^^■ ANGERS. 7^. "Guerillas, by Jovo!" excliiiiued Ckijley, in a voice of feigned terror ; am he pointed to the scarlet sash, which was twisted round the man's waist. The Major looked round for some object, where he might shelter himself in case of a skirmish. He was sidling behind a high point of the parapet, whe; the stranger rushed forward, and, throwing both arms about his neck, pouro. forth a perfect cataract of Spanish, in which the word g^racias was of frequeni occurence. " What does the man mean with his grashes ?" exclaimed the Major, strut:- gling to free himself from the JMexican. But the latter did not hear him, for his eye at that moment rested upon m: dripping habiliments ; and, dropping the Major, he transferred his embrace and g-racias to me. Seiior Capitan,', he said, still speaking in Spanish, and hugging me Jikc; r Dear, " accept my thanks. Ah sir ! you have saved my children ; kow cai I show you my gratitude ?" Here followed a multitude of those complimentary expressions, peculiar t' the language of Cervantes, which ended by his offering me his house, and a! it contained. I bowed in acknowledgement of his courtesy, apologising for being so ii ; prepared to receive his "hug "as I observed that ray saturated vestments had wet the old fellow to the skin. I had now time to examine the stranger, who was a tall, thin, sallow cic gentleman, with a face at once Spanish and intelligent. His hair was whiic and short, while a moustache, somewhat grizzled, shaded his fine lips. Jet black brows projected over a pair of keen and sparkling eyes. His dress was a round-about of the finest white linen, with vest and pantaloons of the same- material — the latter fastened round the waist by a scarf of bright red silk. Shoes of green morocco covered his small feet ; while a broad Guyaquil hat shaded his face from the sun. Though his costume was trans-Atlantic — speaking in reference to Old Spain — there was that in his air and manner that bespoke him a hidalgo. After a moment's observation, I proceeded, in my best Spanish, to express my regret for the fright which the young ladies — his daughters, I presumed — fcad suffered. The Mexican looked at me with a slight appearance of surprise. " Why, Sefior Capitan," said he, " your accent — you are a foreigner ?" ' A foreigner ! To Mexico did you mean ?" « Yes Seffor. Is it not so ?" 74 THK KIKLIC KANGKK^. " Oh ! of course !" answered I, smiling, and somewhat puzzled in turn. " And how long have you been in the array_ Sofior CapitaJi ?" " But a short time." " How do you like Mexico, Sefior ?" "^ I have seen but little of it as yet." " Why, how long have you been in the country then ?" " Three days," answered I, " we landed on the 9th." " Por dios ! three days, and in the array already !" nmttei-ed the Spaniard, throwing up his eyes in unaffected surprise. I began to think I was interrogated by a lunatic. ^ May I ask what countryman you are ?" continued the old gentleman. "What countryman? An American, of course." " An American." " Un Americano" repeated I ; for we were conversing in Spanish. " Y S071 esos Americanos ?" (and are these Americans?) quickly demanded my new acquaintance. " Si, Senor,'' replied I, " Carrambo .'" shouted the Spaniard, with a sudden leap, his eyes almost starting from their sockets. '■ I should say, not exactly Americans," I added. " Many of them are Irish, and French, and Germans, and Swedes, and Swiss ; yet, they are all Americans, now." But the Mexican did not stay to hear my explanation. After recovering from the first shock of surprise, he had bounded through the grove ; and, with a wave of his hand, and the ejaculation, " esparte .'" disappeared among the plantains. The men, who had gathered around the lower end of the basin, burst out into a roar of laughter, which I did not attempt to repress. The look of terrified astonishment of the old Don had been too much for my own gravity ; and I could not help being amused at the conversation tha*. ensued among the soldiers. They were at some distance, yet I could overhear their remarks. " That Mexikin's an unhospitable cuss !"' muttered Lincoln, with an expres- sion of contempt. " lie might av axed the Captain to dhriuk, after savin such a pair of illigant craythers," said Chane. " Sorra dhrap's in the house, ^lurt ; the place looks dry." •* Och! an it's ? beautiful cage, any how" returned the other, "and beai*- THE KIKLK KANCxllKd. 75 tiful birds in it, too— it puts me in mind of ould Dimmerary ;* but there we had the liquor, the raal rum — oshins of it, allanna !" " That ere chap's a greelye, I strongly 'spect," whispered one. a regular down-east Yankee. " A what ?" asked his companion. " Why, a greelye— one o' them ere Mixikin robbers.i' " Arrah. now ! did yez see the rid sash ?" inquired an Irishman. " Thim's captin's," suggested the Yankee. " He's a capten, or a kernel ; I'll bet high on that." " What did he say, Nath, as he was running off?" " I don't know 'zactly — somethin that sounded mighty like ' spearin on »».' " " He's a lanzeer then, by jingo." " He had better try on his speerin," said another ; " there's bhootin beforo spearm — mij^hty good ground, too, behind this hyar painted wall. " The old fellow was mighty frindly at first ; what got into him, any how?" " Raoul says, he offered to give the Captain his house and all the fur- nishins." " Oh, mother o' Moses ! and thim illigant girls, too." " Ov coorse." " By my soul ! an if I was the Captin, I'd take him at his word, and lav* off fightin' intirely." " It is delph," said a soldier, referring to the material of which the parapet was constructed. "No, itaint." " It's chaney, then." " No, nor chaney, either." '■' Well, what is it ?" " It's only a stone wall painted, you green-horn !" " Stone-thunder ! it's solid delph, I say." " Try it with your bayonet, Jim." " Crick — crick — crick — crinell /" and one of the men conmienoed break- ing off the japanned work of the parapet with his bayonet. " Stop that !" I shouted to the fellow. " The captin don't want yez to destroy what'U be his own some day, when he marries one of thim young Doris. Here comes the ould one, and, by the powers ! he's got a big paper ; he's goin' to make over the property !" » Chano had served in th« British Wert Indiw 76 THK KIFLK K ANGERS. Laughing, I looked around, and saw that the Don was returning sure enough. He hurried up, holding out a large sheet of parchment. " Well, seffor, what's this ?" I inquired. " No soy Mexicano, soy Espa^nol .'" (I am no Jlesican, I am a Spaniard,) said he, with the expression of a true hidalgo. Casting my eye carelessly over the document, I perceived that it was a safe- guard from the Spanish Consul at Vera Cruz, certifying that the bearer, Dor Cosme Resales, was a native of Spain. " Scflor Rosales," said I, returning the paper, •'' this was not necessary. The interesting circumstances under which we have met should have secured you good treatment, even were you a Mexican, and we the barbarians we have been represented. We have como to make war not with peaceful citi- zens, but with a rabble soldiery." " Es verdad — you are wet, sefior 7 you are hungry ?" I could not deny but that I was both the one and the other. " You need refreshment, gentlemen ; will j'ou come to my house ?" " Permit me, seiior, to introduce to you Major Blossom — Lieutenant Cl&y ley— Lieutenant Oakes : Don Cosme Rosales, gentlemen." My friends and the Don bowed graciously. The Major had now recovered Bis complacency. " Vamonos caballeros .'" said the Don, starting towards the house. " But your soldiers, capitan ?" added he, stopping suddenly. " They will remain here," I rejoined. " Permit me to send them some dinner V " Oh ! certainly," replied I, " use your own pleasure, Don Cosme but d« not put your household to any inconvenience." In a few minutes we found our way to the house, which was neither mora nor less than the cage-looking structure already described. CHAPTER XIII. A MEXICAN DINNER. " Pasan a dentro, senores,'" said Don Cosme, drawing aside the curtaia of the rancho, and beckoning us to enter. " Ha !" exclaimed the Major, struck with the coup d'czil of the interior. " Be seated, gentlemen — ya viielvo." (I will return in an instant.) So saying, Don Cosme disappeared into a little porch in the back, partially screened from observation by a close network of cane. " Very pretty, by Jove !" said Clayley, in a low voice. "Pretty, indeed!" echoed the Major, with one of his customary assevera- tions. " Stylish, one ought rather to say, to do it justice. " Stylish !" again chimed in the JNIajor, repeating his formula. "Rosewood chairs and tables," continued Clayley; "a harp, guitar, pianc sofas, ottomans, carpets knee-deep — whew !" Not thinking of the furniture, I looked around the room strangely bewil dered. ~ " Ha ! ha ! what perplexes you. Captain ?" asked Clayley. « Nothing." " Ah ! the girls you spoke of— the nymphs of the pond j but where the deuce are they V " Ay, where ?" I asked, with a strange sense of jineasines s. " Girls ! what girls ?" inquired "the Major, who had not yet learned th« exact nature of our aquatic adventure. Here the voice of Don Cosme was heard calling out : 78 THE RTFLE RANGEPwS. " Pepe ! Ramon ! Francisca ! bring dinner. Anda, anda /" " Who on earth is the old fellow calling ?" asked the iMajor, with some concern in his manner. '" I see no one." Nor could we ; so we rose up together, and approached that side of the building that looked rearward. The house to all appearance, had but one apartment — the room in which we then were. The only point of this screened from observation was the little veranda into which Don Cosme had entered ; but this was not large enough to contain the number of persons who might represent the names he had called upon ! Two smaller buildings stood under the olive-trees in the rear ; but these, like the house were transparent, and not a human figure appeared within them ! We could see through the trunks of the olives a clear distance of a hundred yards. Beyond this, the mezquite and the scarlet leaves of the wild maguey marked the boundary of the forest. It was equally puzzling to us, whither the girls had gone, or whence " Pepe, Ramon, and Francisca," where to come ! The tinkling of a little bell startled us from our conjectures sud the voles of Don Cosme was heard inquiring: '• Have you any favorite dish, gentlemen ?" Some one answered, " No." " Curse me !" exclaimed the Major, " I believe he can get anything we may call for — raise it out of the ground by stamping his foot, or ringing a bell ! Didn't I tell you ?" This exclamation -wis uttered in consequence of the appearance of a train of well-dressed servants — five or six in number — bringing waiters with dishes and decanters ! They entered from the porch ; but how did they get into it 1 Certainly not from the woods without, else we should have seen them as they approached the cage. The Major uttered a ttirible invocation, adding in a hoarse whisper. " This must be the ^lexican Aladdin !" I confess I was not less puzzled than he. Meanwhile, the servants came and went, going empty, and returning loaded. In less than ten minutes, the table fairly cracked under the weight of a sumptuous dinner. This is no figure of speech. There were dishes of massive silver, with huge flagons of the same metal, and even cups of gold ! " Senores vamos a corner''^ ("let us eat, gentlemen), said Don Cosme, po- TllK KIFLU RANGERS. Y9 nteTj motiop^rg us to be seated. I fear that you will not be pleased with my cuisine : — it is purely Mexican, estilo del pais.'''' To say that the dinner was not a good one, would be to utter a falsehood, anr co«^tradict the statement of Major George Blossom, of the U. S. quartermaster's department, who afterwards declared that it was the best dinner he had ever eaten in his life. Turtle soup first. "Perhaps you would prefer Julienne, or venmicelli, gentlemen?' inquired the Don. " Thank you ; your turtle is very fine," replied T, necessarily the interpreter ot the party. " Try some of the agttacate — it will improve the flavor of your soup." One of the waiters handed around a dark olive-colored fruit of an oblong shape about the size of an apple. " Ask him how it is used, Captain " said the Major to me. •' Oh ! I beg your pardon, gentlemen. I had forgotten that some of cur edibles may be strange to you ; simply pare off the rind, and slice it thus." "We tried the experiment, but could not discover any peculiar improvement in the flavor of the soup. The pulp of the aguacate seemed singularly iusipid to our Saxon palates. Fish, as with us, and of the finest quality, formed the second course. A variety of dishes were now brought upon the table ; most of them new to us, but all i^iquant, pleasant to the taste, and peculiar. The ]Major tried them all, determined ti Iind out which he might like best — a piece of knowledge that he said would serve him upon some future occasion. The Don seemed to take a pleasure ai helping the Major, whom he honored by the title of "Senor Coronel 1" " Puchero, Sciior Coronel !" " Thank you, sir," grunted the Major, and tried the puchero, which is a mixed dish of meat and vegetables, boiled. It is generally composed of chicken, ham, beef, cabbage, garbanzos (a species of pea), turnips, boiled pears, and calabash. Sometimes, there are other ingredients in the compound. It is a dish entirely distinct from the famous olla jjodrida, which latter, b}' the way, notwithstanding the representations of traveller, is I'arcly to be met with in ]\rexico. " Allow me to help you to a spoonful oi mole V Another favorite dish— a stew of fowl, in a red-colored, peppery sauce. " With pleasure, Don Cosme." so Tin<: RIFLK KANGICUS. The mole suddenly disappeared down the ]\Iajor's capacious throat, '■ Try some of this chile rilleno." Another stew of chile and meats. It would be likely to skin the * throat of any one not used to eating such fiery viands. '• By all means," answered the Major. ■' Ah ! by Jove ! hot as fire — whew !" " Pica, pica,''^ answered Don Cosme, pointing to his thorax, and smiling at the wry faces the Major was making. " Wash it down, Sefior, with a glass of this claret — or here, Pepe ! Is the chambertin cool yet ? Bring it in, then ! Perhaps you prefer champagne, Sefiores ?" " Thank you, do not trouble yourself, Don Cosme." " No trouble, Captain — bring champagne. Here, Sefiore Coronel try the guisado depatoP (Duck cooked in the same red-hot style.) " Thank you ; you are very kind. Curse the thing ! how it burns !" •'•'Do you think he understands English?" inquired Clayley of me, in a whisper. " I should think not," I replied. " Well, then, I wish to say aloud, that this old chap's a superb old gent. What say you, Major 1 Don't you wish we had him on the lines ?" " I wish his kitchen was a little nearer the lines," replied the other, with a wink. " SeHor Coronel, permit me^." " What is it, my dear Don ?" inquired the Major. " Pasteles de Moctezuma." Small patties peculiar to the Mexican cutsttiA " Oh, certainly ! I say, lads, I don't know what the plague I'm eating — it'a not bad to take though." " Sefior Coronel, allow me to hand you to a guana steak." " A guana steak !" echoed the Major, in some surprise. " Si Sefior," replied Don Cosme holding the steak on his fork "A guana steak — do you think, lads, he means the ugly things we saw al Lobos?" " To be sure — why not ?" " Then, by Jove, I'm through. I can't go lizards. Thank you, my deai Don Cosme, I believe I have dined." " Try this ; it is very tender, I assure you," insisted Don Cosme. " Come, try it Jilajor, and report," cried Clayley. " Good — you're like the apothecary that poisoned his dog, to try the effect of his nostrums. Well — " with an oath — " here goes ; it can't be very badj leeing how our friend gets it down. Delicious, by Jupiter ! tender as chicken TIIK KIFLK KANGERS. 81 —good, good ;" — and amidst sundry similar ejaculations, the Major ate hia first guana steak. " Gentlemen, here is an ortolan pie. I can recommend this — the birds are la season." " Reed-birds, by Jove !" said the Major recognising his favorite dish. An incredible number of these creatures disappeared in an incredibly short time. The dinner-dishes vrere at length removed, and dessert followed, — cakes and creams, and jellies of various kinds, and blanc-mange, and a profusion of the most luxurious fruits. The golden orange, the ripe pine, the pale green lime, the juicy grape, the custard-like cherimolla, the zapote, the granadilla, the pitahaya, the tuna, the mamay, with dates, figs, almonds, plantains, ban- anas, and a dozen orher species of fruits, piled upon salvers of silver, were set before us. In fact, every product of the tropical clime, that could excite a new nerve of the sense of taste. We were fairly astonished at the profusion of luxuries that came from no one knew were. " Come, gentlemen, try a glass of Cura9oa. Seflor Coronel, allow me tho pleasure ?" " Sir, your very good health !" " Sefior Coronel, would you prefer a glass of Majorca ?" « Thank you." " Or, perhaps, you would choose Pedro Ximenes. I have some very old Pedro Ximenes?" " Either, my dear Don Cosme, — either." " Bring both, Ramon ; and bring a couple of bottles of the JMadeira — sella verde." " As I'm a Christian, the old gentleman's a conjuror !" muttered the Major now in the best humor possible. " I wish he would conjure up something else than his infernal wine bottles,' thought I, becoming impatient at the non-appearance of the ladies. "Cafe sefiores? a servant entered. Coffee was handed round in cups of Sevres china. " You smoke, gentleman ? Would you prefer a Havanna ? Here are some sent me from Cuba by a friend. I believe they are good ; or, if you would amuse yourself with a cigarrito, here are Campeacheanos ; these are the country G:ga,r&—jmros, as we call thjm. I would not recommend them.' 82 TUE KIFLE RANGERS, "A Hayannafor me," said the major, help ing himself at the same tame to a One looking regalia. I had fallen into a somewhat painful reverie. I began to fear that, with all his hospitality, the Mexican would allow us to depart without an introduction to his family ; and I had conceived a strong desire to speak with the two lovely beings whom I had already seen, but more particulary with the brunette, whose actions had impressed me. So strange is the mystery of love ! My heart had already formed its preference. I was suddenly aroused by the voice of Don Cosme, who had risen, and was inviting myself and comrades to join the ladies in the drawing-room. I started up»so suddenly, as almost to overturn one of the waiters. " Why, captain, what's the matter ? said Clayley. " Don Cosme is about to introduce us to the ladies. You're not going to back out ?" " Certainly not," stammered I, somewhat ashamed at my gaucherie. " lie says they're in the drawing-room," whispered the JIajor, in a voice that betokened a degree of suspicion ; " but where the plague that is. Heaven only knows. Stand by, my boys ! — are your pistols all jight !', * " Pshaw Major ! for shame !" CHAPTER XIV. A SUBTERRANEAN DRAWING-ROOM." The mystery of the drawing-room, and the servants and the dishes, was soon over. A descending stairway explained the enigma. " Let me conduct you to my cave, gentlemen," said the Spaniard, " I aia half a subterranean. In the hot weather, and during the northers, we find it more agreeable to live under the ground. Follow me, senores !" We descended, with the exception of Oakes, who returned to look after the men. At the foot of the staircase, we entered a hall brilliantly lighted. The floor was without a carpet, and exhibited a mosaic of the finest marble. The walls were painted of a pale blue color, and embellished by a series of pictures, from the pencU of Murillo.* These were framed in a costly and elegant manner. From the ceiling were suspended chandeliers of a curious and unique con- struction, holding in their outstretched branches wax candles of an ivory whiteness. ^ Large vases of waxen flowers, covered with crystals, stood around the hall upon tables of polished marble. Other articles of furniture, candelabras, girandoles, gilded clocks, filled the outline. Broad mirrors reflected the * I have BPen many paintings in Mexico by tho old Spanish masters. AVhen the former wealth of the Mexican noblea is taken into consideration, this will not appear strange. Even yet there are connoisours of art in this decayed Kepublio. While in its capital city, a gentleman of my acquaintance received several paintings from Madrid, that had cost bim l.OUO dollars each. 84: THE KIFLE RANGERS. different objects ; so that, instead of one apartment, this hall appeared 01.-7 one of a continuous suite of splendid drawing-rooms ! And yet, upon closer observation, there seemed to be no door leading from this hall, which, as Don Cosme informed his guests, was the waiting-room. Our host approached one of the large mirrors, and silently touched a spring. The tinkling of a small bell was heard within ; and, at the same instant, the mirror glided back, reflecting in its motion a series of brilliant objects, that for a moment bewildered our eyes, with a blazing light. " Pasan a dentro, senores," said Don Cosme, stepping aside, and waving us to enter. We walked into the drawing-room. The magnificence that greeted us seemed a vision — a glorious and dazzling hallucination — nrore like the gilded brilliance of some enchanted palace, than the interior of a Mexican gentleman's habitation. As we stood gazing with irresistible wonderment, Don Cosme opened a side-door, and called aloud, " Ninas, ninas, ven aea .'" (children come here.) This beautiful word of endearment is pronounced " neenya." It signifies •hild. but is used in speaking to grown-up girls, and often, in complimentary phraseology, to grey-haired old ladies. Presently we heard several female voices, blending together, like a medley of singing birds. They approached. We heard the rustling of silken dresses — the falling of light feet in the doorway — and three ladies entered — the Senora of Don Cosme, followed by her two beautiful daughters, the heroines of our aquatic adventure. These hesitated a moment — scanning our faces — then with a cry of " Nevstra Salvador," both rushed forward and knelt, or rather crouched at my feet, oach of them clasping one of my hands and covering it with kisses ! Their panting agitation — their flashing eyes — the silken touch of their delicate fingers, sent the blood rushing through my veins, like a stream of lava ; but in their gentle accents, the simple ingenuousness of their expres- sions, the childlike innocence of their faces. 1 regarded them only as two beautiful children kneeling in the ^ba ndon of gratitude. ]\Ieanwhile, Don Cosme had introcluced Clayley and the Major to his Sefiora, whoso baptismal name was Joaquina, and, taking the young ladies one in each hand, he presented them as his daughters, Guadalupe and Maria do la Luz (Mary of the light). THE RIFLE KANQERS. 85 The names given in the text are the real surnames of the ladies who figured as described in these adventures. The family name has been changed, for obvious reasons, by the author. " Mamma," said Don Cosme, " the gentlemen had not quite finished theii rigars." •' Oh, they can smoke here," replied the Seflora. " Will the ladies not object to that ?" I inquired. " No — no — no — !" ejaculated they simultaneously. " Perhaps you will j in us ? — we have heard that such is the custom oi your country." " It tro* the custom," cried Don Cosme. " At present the young ladies of Mexico are rather ashamed of the habit." This is a fact, notwithstanding the assertions of travellers that smoking ia fashionable among the young ladies of Mexico. Few of them smoke at all, and those who do, perform the operation " behind the door." '" We no smoke — mamma, yes ;" added the elder, whose name was A^dalupe. •' Ha ! you speak English ?" " Little Englis speak — no good Englis V was the reply. "Who taught you English?" I inquired, prompted by a mysterious curiosity. ' Un American us teach — Don Emilio." '' Ila ! an American ?" " Yes, Seiior," said Don Cosme, " a gentleman from* Vera Cruz, who formerly visited our family." I thought I could perceive a desire upon the part of our host, not to say more on this subject, and I felt a strange and painful curiosity. I can only explain this by asking the reader, if he or she has not experienced a similar feeling, while endeavoring to trace the unknown past of some being, in whom they have lately taken an interest — stronger than friendship ? That mamma smoked, was clear, for the old lady had already gone through the process of unrolling one of the small cartouche-like cigars. Although these little cigars are ready made, a Mexican never smokes one without taking it down and re-making it to suit himself. This is done, partly, to pass the tiiae ; but more, because the fresh rolled cigar smokes better. Having ro- 86 THE KIFLK EANGER8. rolled it between her fingers, she placed it within the grip of a pair of small golden pincers. This done, she held one end to the coals that lay upon the brazero, and ignited the paper. Then taking the other end between her thin purlish lipg, she breathed forth a blue cloud of aromatic vapor. After a few whiffs, she invited the Major to participate, offering him a cigarrito from Istr beaded cigar case. This being considered an especial favor, the Major's gallantry would not permit him to refuse. He took the cigarrito, tharefore ; but, once in posses- sion, he knew not how to use it. Imitating the Senora, he opened the diminitive cartridge, speading out the edges of the wrapper ; hut attempted in vain to re-roll it. The ladies, who had watched the process, seemed highly amused, particularly the younger, who laughed outright. " Permit me. Senor Coronel," said the Dona Joaquina, taking the cigarrito from the ]\Iajor's hand, and giving it a turn through her nimble fingers, which brought it all right again. "Thus — now— hold your fingers thus. Do not press it — suave— suave. This end to the light — so — very well !" The ^lajor lit the cigar, and putting it between his great, thick lips, began to puff in a most energetic style. He had not cast off half-a- dozen whiffs, when the fire reaching his fingera burned them severely, causing him to remove them sudden. y from the cigar The wrapper then burst open, and the loose, pulverized tobacco, by a sudden inhalation, rushed into his mouth, and down his throat, causing him to cough and sputter in the most ludicrous manner. This was too much for the ladies, who, encouraged by the cachinnations of Clay ley, laughed outright ; while the Major, with tears in his eyes, could be heard interlarding his coughing solo with all kinds of oaths and expressions. The scene ended by one of the young ladies offering the jNfajor a glass of water, which he drank off, effectually clearing the avenues of his throat. '• Will you try another, Seiior Coronel ?" asked Dona Joaquina, with a smile. '' No, ma'am, thank yon," replied the Major, and then a sort of an internal, subterraneous curse could be heard in his throat. The conversation continued in English, and we were highly amused at thfl attempts of our new acquaintances to express themselves in that language. THE RIFLK KANGER8. 87 After failing, on one occasion, to make herself understood, Guadalupe said, with some vexation in her manner — " We wish brother was home come ; brother speak ver better Englis." " Where is he ?" I inquired. " In the ceety — Vera Cruz." " Ha ! and when did you expect him ?" Thees day — to-night — he home come." " Yes," added the SefLora, in Spanish. '• He went to the city to spend a few days with a friend ; but he was to return to-day, and we are looking for him to arrive in the evening." " But how is he to get out ?" cried the Major, in his coarse, rough manner. " How 1 — why, Sefior ?" asked the ladies, in a breath, turning deadly pale. " Why, he can't pass the pickets, ma'am ;" answered the Major, " Explain, Captain, explain !" said the ladies, appealing to me with looks of anxiety. I saw that concealment would be idle. The Major had fired the train. "It gives me pain, ladies," said I, speaking in Spanish, "to inform you that you must be disappointed. I fear the return of your brother to-day ig " But why. Captain 7 — why "?" " Our lines are completly around Vera Cruz ; and all intercourse, to and from the city, is at an end." Had a shell fallen into Don Cosme's drawing-room, it could not have caused a greater change in the feelings of its inmates. Knowing nothing of military life, they had no idea that our presence there had drawn an impassable barrier between them and a much-loved member of their family. In a secia I eion almost hermitical, they knew that a war existed between their country and the United States ; but that was far away upon the Rio Grande. They had heard, moreover, that our fleet lay off Vera Cruz ; and the pealing of the distant thunder of San Juan, had from time to time reached their ears. But they had not dreamed, on seeing us, that the city was invested by land. The trutti was now clear ; and the anguish of the mother and daughters became atflicting, when we informed them what we were unable to conceal — that it was the intention of the American commander to bombard the citv. The scene was to us deeply distressing. Dona Joaquina wrung hor hands, and called upon the Virgin, with all the earnestness of entreaty. The sisters clung alternately to their mother, and 88 THE RIFLE RANGERS. Don Cosme, weeping and crying aloud, " Pobre Narcisso ! nuestro hennan- ito — le asesinaron /" (Poor Narcisso— our little brother — they will murder him ! — ) In the midst of this distressing scene, the door of the drawing-room was thrown suddenly open, and a servant, in an agitated voice, rushed ia ahoutin?, " El Norte— el Norte /" CHAPTER XV. THE NORTHER. W E hurried after Don Cosme toward the ante-sala, both myself and my companions as ignorant of this new object of dread. When we emerged from the stairway, the scene that hailed us was one of terrific sublimity. Earth and heaven had undergone a sudden and convulsive change. The face of nature, not a moment since gay with summer smiles, was now hideously distorted. The sky had changed suddenly from its blue and sunny brightness, to an aspect dark and portentous. Along the north-west a vast volume of black vapor rolled up over the Sierra Madre, and rested upon the peaks of the mountains. From this, ragged masses, parting in fantastic forms and groupings, floated off against the con- cavity of the sky, as though the demons of the storm were breaking up from an angry council. Each of these, as it careered across the heavens, seemed bent upon some spiteful purpose ! An isolated fragment hung lowering above the snowy cone of Ofizava, like a huge vampire suspended over his sleeping victim ! From the great " parent cloud" that rested upon the Sierra Madre, lightning- bolts shot out, and forked hither and thither, and sank into the detached masses — the messengers of the storm-king bearing his fiery mandates across the sky ! 90 THE RIFLE RANGEKS. Away along the horizon of the east, moved yellow pillars of sand, whirled upward bjr the wind, like vast coluranal towers leading to heaven. The storm had not yet reached the rancho. The leaves lay motionless, under a dark and ominous calm ; but the wild screams of many birds — tho shrieks of swans^the discordant notes of the frightened pea-owl — the chat- tering of parrots, as they sought the shelter of the thick olives iu terrified flight — all betokened the speedy advent of some fearful convulsion. The rain, in large drops, fell upon the broad leaves, with a soft, plashing sound ; and now and then a quick, short puff came snorting along, and, seiz- ing the feathery frondage of the palma redovda — a beautiful species of tho palm-tree — shook it with a spiteful and ruffian energy. Tlie long, green stiipes, after oscillating a moment, would settle down again in graceful and motionless curves. A low sound, like the "sough" of the sea, or the distant falling of water, came fro-m the north ; while, at intervals, the hoarse bark of the coyote, or prairie wolf, and the yelling of terrified monkeys, could be heard afar off in the woods. " Tapa la casa — tapa la casa .'" (" Cover the uouse !") cried Don Cosrae, as soon as he had fairly got his head above ground. " Anda — anda con los macates .'" (" Quick with the cords 1") With lightning quickness a roll of palmetto mats came down on all sides of the house, completely covering the bamboo walls, and forming a screen impervious to both wind and rain. This was speedily fastened at all corners, and strong stays were carried out, and warped around the trunks of trees. In five minutes the change was complete. The cage-looking structure had disappeared, and a house with walls of yellow petate stood in its place. This petaie is a thin, light mat, woven from a species of palm. They are foimd in every house ; and, in the rancheros of the poorer classes, the petate spread on the floor is considered a bed. I have observed that in the valley of Mexico the palm leaf petate is rarely met with. The article is there constructed of tule, or bulrush, which grows in great plenty along the borders of the lakes Chalco and Tezcoco. " Now, Sefiores, all is secured," said Don Cosme. " Let us return to the drawing-room." " I should like to see the first burst of this tornado," I remarked, not wish- ing to intrude upon the scene of sorrow we had left. " So be it, Captain. Stand here under the shelter, then !" THE KIFLK RANOKKS. 91 " Hot as thunder !" growled the Major, wiping the perspiration from his broad, red cheeks. '• In five minutes, Seflor Corouel, yon will be chilled. At this point the heated atmosphere is now compressed. Patience ! it will soon be scattereu." " How long will the storm continue ?" I asked. " Por dios ! Sciior, it is impossible to tell how long the ' norte'' may rage — sometimes for daj^s ; perhaps only for a few hours. This appears to be the ' huracana? If so, it will be short, but terrible while it lasts. Carrambo !" A puflT of cold, charp wind came whistling past like an arrow. Another followed, and another, like the three seas that roll over the stormy ocean. Then, with a loud, rushing sound, the broad, full blast went sweeping — strong, dark, and dustj^ — bearing upon its mane the screaming and terrified birds, mingled with torn and flouted leaves ! The olives creaked and tossed about. The tall palms bowed and yielded, flinging out their long pinions like streamers. The broad leaves of the plan- tains flapped and whistled, and. bending gracefully, allowed the fierce blast to pass over. Then a great cloud came rolling down ; a thick vapor seemed to fill the space ; and the air felt hot, and dark, and heavy. A choking sulphuroaa smell rendered the breathing diflBcult ; and, for a moment, day seemed changed to night. Suddenly the whole atmosphere blazed forth in a sheet of flame, and the irees glistened as though they were on fire ! An opaque darkness succeeded Another flash, and, along with it the crashing thunder — the artillery of Heaven — deafening all earthly sounds ! Peal followed peal ; the vast cloud was breached and burst by a hundred fiery bolts '■, and, like an avalanche, the heavy tropical rain was precipitated to the eartli. It fell in torrents ; but the strength of the tempest had been spent on the first onslaught. The dark cloud passed on to the south, and a piercing cold wind swept after it. " Vatnos a bajar, Senores .'" (Let us descend, gentlemen), said Don Cosme, with a shiver ; and he conducted us back to the stairway. Clayley and the IMajor looked towards me with an expression that said — " Shall we go in ?" There were several reasons why our return to the draw- ing-room was unpleasant to myself and companions. A scene of domestic aflSiction is ever painful to a stranger. How much more painful 'to us ; know- 92 THE RIFLE RANGERS. ing, as we did, that our countrymen — that we had been the partial agents of this calamity. We hesitated a moment on the threshold. " Gentlemen, we must return for a moment, we have been the bearers of eril tidings — let us oflTer such consolation as we may think of. Come !" We descended after our host. I CHAPTER XVI. A LITTLE FAIR WEATHER AGAIN. On re-entering the sala, the picture of woe was again presented, but in an altered aspect. A change, sudden as the atmospheric one we had just wit- nessed, had taken place : and the scene of wild weeping was now succeeded by one of resignation and prayer. On one side was Dona Joaquina, holding in her hands a golden rosary, with its crucifix. The girls were kneeling in front of a picture— a portrait of Dolores, with the fatal dagger; and the "Lady of Grief" looked not more sorrowful from the canvass, than the beautiful devotees that bent before her. "With their heads slightly leaning— their arms crossed upon their swelling bosoms — and their long loose hair trailing upon the carpet — they formed a picture at once painful and prepossessing. The saints most popular in Mexico are Dolores', Remedies, and Guadalupe. The latter is the Saint patroness of the nation, and paintings, representing her as very beautiful, may be met with in almost every Mexican house. Not wishing to intrude upon this sacred sorrow, we made a motion to retire. " No, Sefiores," said Don Cosme, interrupting us, " be seated ; let us talk calmly — let us know the worst !" "We then proceeded to inform Don Cosme of the landing of the AmeHran troops, and the manner in which our lines were drawn around the city j and pointed out to him the impossibility of any one passing either in or out. " There is still a hope, Don Cosme," said I, " and that, perhaps, rests with yourself." 91 THE RIFLE RANGERS. The thought had struck me that a Spaniard, of Don Cosme's evident rank and wealth, might be enabled to procure access to the city by means of his Consul; and through the Spanish ship of war, that I recollected was lying off Ran Juan. '• Oh ! name it. Captain, name it !" cried he ; while, at the word " hope,'' Uic ladies had rushed forwards, and stood clinging around me. •■ There is a Spanish ship of war lying under the walls of Vera Cruz. " We know it, we know it," replied Don Cosme, eagerly. '• Ah ! you know it, then ?" " Oh, yes," said Guadalupe, " Don Santiago is on board of her." " Don Santiago ?" inquired I ; " who is he ?" '• lie is a relation of ours, captain," said Don Cosme ; " an oflBcer in the Spanish navy," This information pained me, although I scarcely knew why. " You have a friend, then, aboard the Spanish ship," said I to the elder of the sisters ; " tis well ; it will be in his power to restore to you your brother." A ring of brightening faces was around me, while I uttered these cheering words ; and Don Cosme, grasping me by the hand, entreated me to proceed. "This Spanish ship," I continued, "is still allowed to keep up a communi- cation with the town. You should proceed aboard at once then, and by the assistance of this friend, you may bring away your son before the bombard- ment commences. I see no difQculty ; our batteries are not yet formed." "I will go this instant," said Don Cosme, leaping to his feet, M-hile l>ona Joaquina and her daughters ran out to make preparations for his journey Hope — sweet hope — was again in the ascendant. " But how, Seflor ?" asked Don Cosme, as soon as they were gone' " how can I pass your lines ? Shall I be permitted to reach the ships ?" "It will be necessary for me to accompany you, Don Cosme." T replied. " and I regret, exceedingly, that my duty will not permit me to return with you at once." " Oh, Seflor !" exclaimed the Spaniard, with a painful expi-ession. "My business here," continued I, "is to procure pack-mules for the Ameri can army. " Mules ?" " Yes. AVe were crossing for that purpose to a plain on the other side of the woods, where we had observed some animals of that description." THE KIFLK KANQEKS. 95 " 'Tis true, Capitan — there are a hundred or more — they are mine — take them all." " But it is our intention to pay for them, Don Cosme. The Major, here, has the power to contract with you." " As you please, gentlemen ; but you will ther. return this way, and pro- ceed to your camp," " As soon as possible," I replied ; " how far distant is this plain ?" '• Not more than a league. I would go with you, but — " Here Don Cosme hesitated, and approachmg, said, in a lower tone, " the truth is, Seflor Capiian, I should be glad if you could take them without my consent. I have mixed but little in the politics of this country ; but Santa Anna is my enemy — he would ask no better motive for despoiling me." " I understand you," said I. " Then, Don Cosme, we will take your mules by force, and carry yourself a prisoner to the American camp — a Yankee return for your hospitality." " It is good," replied the Spaniard, with a smile. "Seflor Capitan," continued he, "you are without a sword ! will you favor me by accepting this ?" Don Cosme held out to me a rapier of Toledo steel,* with a golden scabbard richly chased, and bearing on its hilt the eagle and nopal of Mexico. " It is a family relic, and once belonged to the brave Guadalupe Victoria."! " Ila ! indeed." I exclaimed, taking the sword, " I shall value it much. Thanks, Seiior, thanks. Now. Major, we are ready to proceed." " A glass of maraschino, gentlemen ?" said Don Cosme, as a servant appeared with a flask and glasses. " Thank you — yes," grunted the IMajor ; " and while we are diinking it, Seflor Don, let me give you a hint. " You appear to have plenty of pewter." Jlere the Major significantly touched a gold sugar-dish, which the servant was carrying upon a tray of chased silver, " take my word for it, you can't bury it too soon." * This weapon was manufactured in London, and presented to Guadalupe Victon*. It cost i;300. For reasons best known to his descendants, the precious relic is now in stranger hands. t The First President of Mexico, and generally known a,=! the Washington of that country, a name to which he is most fully entitled. He was truly a hero of many vir- tues ; and his adventurous life, spent la fighting for his country's freedom, waa a romanc* of Itself. 96 THK EIFLE KANGERS. " It is true, Don Cosme," said I, translating to him the Major's advice," we are not French, but there are robbers who hang on the skirts of every army.'» Don Cosme promised to follow the hint with alacrity ; and we prepared to take our departure from the rancho. " I will give you a guide, Seiior Oapitan ; you will find my people with the mvlada. Please compel them to lasso the cattle for you. You will obtain what you want in the corral. Adios, seiiores." "Farewell, Don Cosme." " Adieu, ladies, adieu." " Adios, Capitan ! adios ! adios !" I held out my hand to the younger of the girls, who instantly caught it, and pressed it to her lips. It was the action of a child. Guadalupe followed the example of her sister, but evidently with a degree of reserve. What, then, should have caused this difierence in their manner. In the next moment, we were ascending the stairway. " Lujcky dog !" growled the Major, " Take a ducking myself for that.'' " Both beautiful, by Jove," said Clayley ; " but of all the women I evef WW, gire me ' Alary of the Light.' " CHAPTER XVII. THE 8C0DT CONTINUED, WITH A VARIETY OP REFLECTIONS. Love is a rose growing upon a thorny bramble. There is jealousy in the very first blush of a passion. No sooner has a fair face made its impress ov. the heart, than hopes and fears spring up in alternation. Every action, ever> word, every look, is noted and examined with a jealous scrutiny; and th' heart of the lover, changing like the cameleon, takes its hues from the latest sentiment that may have dropped from the loved one's hps. And then the various looks, words, and actions — the favorable with the unfavorable — ar' recalled, and, by a mental process, classified and marshalled agamst eacl^ Dther, and compared and balanced with as much exactitude as the pros ami cons of a miser's bank-book, and in this process we have a new alternation of hopes and fears. Ah. love ! we could write a long history of thy rise and progress ; but it is ioubtful whether any of our readers would be a jot the wiser for it. 5Iosi of them, ere this, have read that history in their own hearts. J_fclt and knew that I was in love. It had come like a thought, as it comes VI ponalTlnen'wE'ose' souls are'lBuned to vibrate under the mystical impres- sions of the beautiful. And well I knew she was beautiful. I saw its unfail- ing index in those oval developments — the index, too, of the intellectual ; for experience had taught me that intellect takes a shape ; and that those pecu- liarities of form that we admire, without knowing why, are but the material illustrations of the diviner principles of mind. The eye, too, with its almond outline, and wild, haifjndian, half-Arab expre.ssion — the dark tracery over the lip, so rarely seen in the lineements of 98 THK KIFLE RANGERS. her sex — eveu these were attractions. There was something picturesque, snmetliing strange, something almost fierce, in her aspect ; and yet it was this indefinable something, this very fierceness, that had challenged my love ! For I must confess mine is not one of those curious natures that I have read of, whose love is based only upon the goodness of the object. That is not ove. J My heart recognised in her tJie heroine of extremes ! One of those natures f gifted with all the tenderness that belongs to the angel idea— woman ; yet soanng above her sex in the paralyzing moments of peril and despair. Her feelings, in relation to her sister's cruelty to the goldfish, proved the existence of the former principle ; her actions, in attempting my own rescue, when bat- tling with the monster, were evidence of the latter. One of those natures that may err from the desparate intensity of one passion, that knows no limit to its self-sacrificfc short of destruction and death ! One of those beings ttat may iiall=tmt-xr7i?i^ once. " What would I give — what would I do — to be the hero of such a heart V* These were my reflections, as I quitted the house. I had noted every word, every look, every action, that could lend me a lope; and my memory conjured up, and my judgment canvassed, each little circumstance in its turn. '•' How strange her conduct at bidding adieu ! How unlike her sister — less friendly and sincere !" and yet from this very circumstance I drew my hap- piest omens. Strange, is it not? Mj experience had taught me that love and hate, for the same object, can exist in the same heart, and at the same time. If this be a paradox, I am a child of error. I believed it then ; and her apparent coldness, which would have rendered many another hopeless, produced with me an opposite elTect. Then came the cloud — the thought of Don Santiago, and a painful feeling shot through my heart. Don Santiago, a naval officer, young, handsome. Bah ! hers is not a heart to be won by a face, — Such were my reflections and half-uttored expressions, as I slowly led my soldiers through the tangled' path. Don Santiago's age and his appearance wore the creations of a jealous fanc}'. I had bidden adieu to my new acquaintances, knowing nothing of Don San- tiago beyond the fact that he was an oificer on board the Spanish ship of war. and a relation of Don Cosme. " Oh, yes ! Don Santiago is on board 1" Ha ! there was an evident interest, THIC KIFLE RAN0KK8. ' 99 Her look, as she said it ; her manner — furies ! But he is a relation ; a cousin— a cmisin. I hate cousins. I must have pronounced the last words aloud, as Mr. Lincoln, who walked in my rear, stepped hastily up, and asked — " What did yer say Capt'n ?" " Oh ! nothing, Serjeant," stammered I, in some confusion. Notwithstanding my assurance, I overheard Mr. Lincoln whisper to hn nearest comrade, " What ther old Harry he's got into the Cap' ?" He referred to the fact, that I had unconsciously hooked myself half-a-dozen times on the thorny claws of the wild maguey, and my overalls began to exhibit a most tattered condition. Our route lay through a dense chapparal, now crossing a sandy spur, cov- ered with mezquit and acacia ; then sinking into the bed of some silent creek haded with old cork trees, whose gnarled and venerable trunks were laced together by a thousand parasites. Two miles from the rancho we reached the ■anks of a considerable stream, which we conjectured was a branch of the 'amapa river. On both sides, a fringe of dark forest trees flung out long branches, extend- ing half way across the stream. The water flowed darkly underneath. Huge lihes stood out from the banks ; their broad, wax-like leaves trailing upon the glassy ripple. Here and there were pools, fringed with drooping willows, and belts of recn tuU. Other aquatic plfTnts rose from the water to the height of tw«ntv fcct ; theii tall, spear-like stems, ending in a dark brown cylmder, like the pompon of a grenadier's cap. As we approached the banks, the pelican scared from his lonely haunt, rose upon heavy wing, and, with a shrill scream, flapped away through the dark aisles of the forest. The cayman plunged sullenly into the sedgy water ; and the sapajou, suspended by the tail from some overhanging bough, oscillated to and fro, and filled the air with his hideous half-human cries. ILalting for a moment to re-fill the canteens, we crossed over, and ascended the opposite bank. A hundred paces farther on, the guide, who had gon« ahead, cried out from an eminence — " Mira la cahallada /" CHAPTER XVIII. ONE WAY OF TAMING A BULL. Poshing through the jungle, we ascended the eminence. A brilliant pic- ture opened before us. The storm had suddenly lulled, and the tropical sun shone down upon the flowery surface of the earth, bathing its verdure in a flood of yellow light. It was several hours before sunset, but the bright orb had commenced descending towards the snowy cone of Orizava ; and his rays had assumed thaf golden red, which characterizes the ante-twilight of the tropics. The short lived storm had swept the heavens, and the blue roof of the world was with- out a cloud. The dark masses had rolled away over the south-eastern hori- zon, and were now spending their fury upon the dye-wood forests of Honduras and Tabasco. At our feet lay the prairie, spread before us like a green carpet ; bounded upon the farther side by a dark wall of forest-trees. Several clumps of timber lay like islands on the plain, adding to the picturesque character of the land- scape. Near the centre of the prairie stood a small rancho, surrounded by a high picket fence. This we at once recognised as the corral mentioned by Don Cosme. At some distance from this enclosure, thousands of cattle were now browsing upon the grassy level, their spotted flanks and loHg upright horns showing their descent from the famous race of Spanish bulls. Some of them, straggling from the herd, rambled through the "' inottes," or lay stretched out under the^. shade of some isolated palm-tree. Ox-bells were tinkling their cheerful bui THE RTFLE KANGKKo. 101 monotonous mucic. Hundreds of horses and mules mingled with the herd and we could distinguish a couple of leather-clad herdsmen, gallopping from point to point on their swift " mustangs." These, as we appeared upon the ridge, dnshcd out after a wild bull that had just escaped from the corral. All five — the vaqueros, the mustangs, and the bull — swept over the prairie lik« wind, the bull bellowing with rage and terror ; while the vaqueros were yelling m his rear, and whirling their long lassos. Their straight black hair floating in the wind — their swarthy, Arab-like faces— their high Spanish hats — their red leather " calzoneros," buttoned up the sides — their huge, jingling spurs, and the ornamental trappings of their deep saddles — all these, combined with the perfect manege of their dashing steeds, and the wild excitement of the chase in which they were engaged, rendered them objects of picturesque interest ; and we halted a moment to witness the result. The bull came rushing past, within fifty paces of where we stood, snorting with rage, and tossing his horns high in the air — his pursuers close upon him. At this moment, one of the vaqueros launched his lariat, which, floating grace- fiilly out, settled down over one horn. Seeing this, the vaquero did not turn Lis horse, but sate facing the bull, and permitted the rope to run out. It was soon carried taut; and, scarcely checking the animal, it slipped along the smooth horn, and spun out into the air. The second vaquero now flung his lasso with more success. The heavy loop, skilfully projected, shot out like an arrow, and embraced both horns in its curving noose. With the quickness of thought, the vaquero wheeled his horse, buried his spurs deep into his flanks, and, pressing his thighs to the saddle, gallopped off in an opposite direction. The bull dashed on as before. In a moment, the lariat was stretched. The sudden jerk caused the thong to vibrate like a bowstring, and the bull lay motionless on the grass ! The shock almost dragged the mustang upon his flanks. The bull lay for some time where he had fallen ; then, making an effort, he sprang up, and looked around him with a bewildered air. lie was not yet conquered. His eye, flashing with rage, rolled around until it fell upon the rope leading from his horns to the saddle, and, suddenly lowering his hond with a furious roar he rushed upon the vaquero. The latter, who had been expecting this attack, drove the spurs into his mustang, and started in full gollop across the prairie. On followed the bull sometimes shortening the distance between him and his enemy ; while at intervals the lariat tightening, would almost jerk him upon his head. After running for a hundred yards or so, the vaquero suddenly wheeled 102,. ,-• ,.^..,. . Till- KIFLR RANGRR8. and gallopped out at right angles to his former course. Before the bull could turn himself, the lariat again tightened with a jerk, and flung him upon liis side. This time he lay but an instant, and again springing to his feet, he dashed ofl" in fresh pursuit. The second vaquero now came up, and, as the bull rushed past, launched his lariat after, and snared him around one of the legs,* drawing the noose upon his ankle. This time the bull was flung completely over, and with such a violent shock, that he lay as if dead. One of the vaqueros rode cautiously up. and, bending over iu the saddle, unfastened both of the lariats, and let the animal free. The bull rose to his feet, and, looking around in the most cowed and pitifui manner, walked quietly off, driven unresistingly toward the corral.* We commenced descending into the plain, and the vaqueros, catching a glimpse of our uniforms, simultaneously reined up their mustangs with a sudden jerk. "We could see from their gestures that they were frightened at the approach of our party. This was not strange, as the Major, mounted upon his great, gaunt charger, loomed up against the blue sky like a Colossus. The Mexicans, doubtless, had never seen anything in the way of horseflesh bigger than the mustangsf they were riding ; and this apparition, with the long line of uniformed soldiers descending the hill, was calculated to alarm them severely. "Them fellers \.^ gwine to put, Cap'n," said Lincoln, touching his cap respectfully. * I have seen the Ta'j lero seize a bull's tail while both were in full gal] >p, and, twitoh- tag it under one of hia le;.'-, toss him over on his back This is a common exploit. • This description is as correct as my notes and memory can make it. I have witnessed the lazoing of wild cattle City times, and it is true that the bull must be caught both by the horns and heels, and aluiogt drawn asunder between the two mustangs before he sur renders. t The Mexican horses — known among us by the name of mustangs — are, in fact, no- thing more than large-sized ponies, They are the descendants of the Spanish breed, ele- gant and active, but deficient in weight. Mustang is the name applied to the wild horses on the great prairies of Texa.s ; but u these are directly sprung from Mexican progenitors, w« give the name ta all horses of that country. We loiiclied a clump of ooooa-treed— one of them had fallen, and its smooth trunk offered a seat, protected from the sun by the shadowy leaves of its fellon-s. On this we sate down. There was no resistance— no reasoning process— no calculation of advan- tages and chances— such as is too often miii-rled witli the noble passion of love. We felt nothing of this — nothing but that undeflnable impulse which had entered our hearts, and against whose mystical power neither of us dreamed of struggling. Delay and duty were alike forgotten. — Page 103. TEE KIFI.E HANGKRS. 108 •' You're right, Sergeant,' 1 replied, " and without them we might as wel) think ©f catching the wind as one of these mules." " If j'er'U just let me draw a bead on the near mustang, I kin kripple him 'Ithout hurtin' the thing thet's in the saddle." " It would be a pity ; no Sergeant," answered I. " I might stop them by sending forward the guide," continued I, addressing myself rather than Lin- coln ; " but no, it will not do ; there must be the appearance of force. I have promised. Major, would you have the goodness to ride forwaad. and prevent those fellows from gallopping off'?" "Lord, Captain," said the Major, with a terrified look, "you don't think I could overtake such Arabs as them 1 Hercules is slow — slow as a crab." Now this was a lie, and I knew it, for "Hercules," the Major's great raw- boned steed, was as fleet as the wind. " Then, Llajor, perhaps you will allow Mr. Clayley to make trial of him ?" I suggested. " He is light weight. I assure you that, without the assistance of these Mexicans, we shall not be able to catch a single mule." The Major, seeing that all eyes were fixed upon him, suddenly straightened himself up in his stirrups, and, swelling with courage and importance, declared, if that was the case, he would go himself. Then, calling upon " Doc" to fol- low him, he struck the spurs into Hercules, and rode forward at a gallop. It proved that this was just the very course to start the vaqueros, as the Major had inspired them with more terror than all the rest of our party. They riiowed evident symptoms of taking to their heels ; and I shouted to them at the top of my voice, " Alto ! somos amig-os"— (Halt, we are friends.) The words were scarcely out of my mouth, when the Jlexicans drove the rowels into their mustangs, and gallopped off as if for their lives, in the direc- riun of the corral. The JMajor followed at a slashing pace, Doc bringing up the rear ; while the liasket which the latter carried over his arm, began to eject its contents, scat- i. liiijj,- the commissariat of the Major over the prairie. Fortunately, the hos- |)iialitv of Don Cosme had already provided a substitute for this loss. After a run of about half a mile, Hercules began to gain rapidly upon the iiuistangs ; whereas Doc was losing distance in an inverse ratio. The ]\Iexi- eans had got within a couple of hundred yards of the rancho— the Major not over a hundred in their rear— when I observed the latter suddenly pull up 104 THE RIFLK RANGERS. find, jerkiug the long body of Uercules around, commence riding slowly back, all the while looking over his shoulder towards the enclosure. The vaqueros did not halt at the corral, as we expected, but kept across the prairie, and disappeared among the trees on the opposite side. " "What the deuce got into Blossom?" inquired Clayley; "he was clearly gaining on them. The old bloat must have burst a blood-vessei.*' CHAPTER XIX. A BRUSH WITH THE GDERILLEROS.* " "Why, what was the matter, Major V inquired I, as the Major rode up, blowing hke a porpoise. " Matter," replied he, with one of his direst imprecations ; " matter, in- deed ! you wouldn't have me ride plump into their works, would you ?" " Works ?" echoed I, in some surprise ; " what do you mean by that. Major ?» " I mean works — that's all. There's a stockade ten feet high, as full as it can stick of them." "Full of what?" " Full of the enemy — full of rancheros. I saw their ugly copper faces — a dozen of them, at least — looking at me over the pickets ; and, sure as heaven, if I had gone ten paces further, they would have riddled me like a target." " But, Major, they were only peaceable rancheros — cow-herds — nothing more." •' Cow-herds ? I tell you, Captain, that those two mahogany-colored devils that galloped off had a sword apiece, strapped to their saddles. I saw them when I got near — they were decoys to bring us up to that stockade. I'll bet mj' hfe i^on it." " Well, Major," rejoined I, " they're far enough from the stockade now , and the best we can do in their absence, will be to examine it, and see what chances it may offer to corral these mules ; for, unless they can be driven into It, we shall have to return to camp empty-handed." Saying this, I moved forward with the men, the Major keeping in the rear. "We soon reached tlie formidable stockade, which proved to be nothing more than a regular corral, such as are found on the great Haciendas de ganados (cattle farms) of Spanish America. In one corner was a house, con- structed of upright poles, with a thatch of palm-leaves. This contained the lassos, alparejos, saddles, &c., of the vaqueros ; and, in the door of this house, stood a decrepid old zambo, the only human thing about the place. The zambo's woolly head over the pickets, had reflected itself a dozen times on the Major's terrified imagination. * Guerilla ifl a band of guarilloros — guerillcro uu iiuliviJual of the band 106 THE RIFLE RANGERS. After examining the corral, I found it excellent for our purpose, provided we could only succeed in driving the mules into it ; and, throwing open the bars, we proceeded to make the attempt. The mules were browsing quitely at the distance of a quarter of a mile from the corral. Marching past the drove, I deployed the company in the form of a semi- circle, forming a complete cordon outside the animals ; then closing in upon them slowly, the soldiers commenced driving them toward the pen. We were somewhat awkward at this new duty ; but by means of a shower of small rocks, pieces of bois de vache, and an occasional " heigh, heigh," the mules were soon in motion, and in the required direction. The Major, with Doc and Little Jack, being the mounted men of the party, did gi'cat service ; especially Jack, who was highly delighted with this kind of thing, and kept Twidget in a constant gallop, from right to left. As the mulada neared the gates of the enclosure, the two extremes of the semi-circumference gradually approached each other, closing in toward the corral. The mules were already within fifty paces of the entrance, the soldiers coming up about two hundred yards in the rear, when a noise like the tramp- ing of many hoofs arrested our attention. The quick, sharp note of a cavalry bugle rang out across the plain, followed by a wild yell, as though a band of Comanches were swooping down upon the foe. In an instant, every eye was turned, and we beheld, with consternation, a cloud of horsemen springing out from the woods, and dashing along in the heafllong velocity of a charge. It required but a single glance to satisfy me that they were guerilleros. Their picturesque attire — their peculiar arms — and the particolored bauneretj! upon their lances — were not to be mistaken. We stood for a moment as if thunderstruck ; a sharp cry rose along the deployed line. I signalled to the bugler, who gave the command: "Rally upon the centre T" As if by one impulse, the whole line closed in with a run upou the gates oi' the enclosure. The mules, impelled by the sudden rush, dashed forward pell mcl], bloekiof np the entraiice On came the guerilleros, with streaming pennons, and lances couched, shout ing their wild cries : " Andela — andela ! mueran loa Yankees /" The foremost of the soldiers were already upon the heels of the mulada, pricking them with bayonets. TllIC I.IKI.l': liANOKRS. 10? The animals began w .^liKk and plunge in the most furious manner, causing 9, new danger in front. " Face about— fire !» An irregular, but well-directed volley emptied half-a-dozen saddles, and, for a moment, staggered the charging line ; but, before my men could re-load, the guerilleros had leaped clear over their fallen comrades, and were swooping down with cries of vengeance. A dozen of their bravest men were already within shot range, firing their escopettes and pistols as they came down. Our position had now grown fearfully critical. The mules still blocked up the entrance, preventing the soldiers from taking shelter behind the stockade ; and, before we could re-load, the rearmost would be at the mercy of the enemy's lances. Seizing the Major's servant by the arm, I dragged him from his horse ; and, leaping into the saddle, flung myself upon the rear. Ilalf-a-dozen of my bravest men. among whom were Lincoln, Chane, and the Frenchman Raoul, rallied around the horse, determined to receive the cavalry charge on the shor\ bayonets of their rifles. Their pieces were all empty. At this moment, my eye rested upon one of the soldiers, a brave, but 'slow footed German, who was still twenty paces in the rear of his comrades, nmking every eifort to come up. Two of the guerilleros were rushing upon him with couched lances. I gallopped out to his rescue, but before I could reach him the lance of the foremost Mexican crashed through the soldier's skull, shivering it like a shell. The barb and bloody pennon came out on the opposite side. The man was lifted from the ground, and carried several paces upon the shaft of the lance ! The guerillero dropped his entangled weapon, but before he could draw any other, the sword of Victoria was through his heart. His comrade turned upon me with a cry of vengeance. I had not yet dis- engaged my weapon to ward off the thrust. The lance's point was withirt three feet of my breast, when a sharp crack was heard from behind — the lancer threw out his arms with a spasmodic jerk — his long spear was whirled into the air — and he fell back in his saddle, dead ! •' Well, done, Jack ! Fire and scissors ! who showed yer that trick ? whooray-whoop 1" and I heard the voice of Lincoln, in a sort of Indian yell, rising high above the din. At this momenta guerillero, mounted upon a powerful black mustang, came gallopping down. This man, unlike most of his comrades, was armed with I OS THE KIFLE KANGERS. ihe sabre, which he evidently wielded with great dexterity. He came dashing on, his white teeth set in a fierce smile. " Ha ! Monsieur le Capitaine," shouted he, as he came near, " still alive ? I thought I had finished you on Lobos ; not too late yet." I recognised the deserter, Dubrosc ! " Villain !" I ejaculated, too full of rage to utter another word. We met at full speed, but with my unmanageable horse, I could only ward off his blow as he swept past me. We wheeled again, and gallopped toward iach other, both of us impelled by hatred, but my horse again shied, finght- ened by the gleaming sabre of my antagonist. Before I could rein him around. he had brought me close to the pickets of the corral, and on turning to meet the deserter, I found that we were separated by a band of dark objects. It was a detachment of mules, that had backed from the gates of the corral, and were escaping to the open plain. We reined up, eyeing each other with impatient vengeance ; but the bullets of my men began to whistle from the pickets ; and Dubrosc, with a threatening gesture, wheeled his horse, and gallopped off to his comrades. They had retired beyond range, and were halted in groups upon the prairie, chafing with disappointment, and raa^e. CHAPTER XX. A HERCDLBAN FEAT. The whole skirmish did not occupy two minutes. It was like most charges of Mexican cavalry — a dash — a wild yelling — half-a-dozen empty saddles — and a hasty retreat. The guerilleros had swerved off as soon as they perceived that we had gained a safe position, and the bullets of our re-loaded pieces began to ring around their ears. Dubrosc, alone, in his impetuosity, galloped close up to the enclosure, and it was only on perceiving his danger, that he followed his party. They were now out upon the prairie, beyond the range of small arms, grouped around their wounded comrades, or gallopping to and fro, with yells of disappointed vengeance. I entered the corral, where most of my men had sheltered themselves behind the stockades. Little Jack sat upon Twidget, re-loading his rifle, and trying to appear insensible to the flattering encomiums that hailed him from all sides. A compliment from Lincoln, however, was too much for Jack, and a proud smile passed over the face of the boy. " Thank you. Jack," said I, as I passed him, " I see you can use a rifle to gome purpose." Jack held down his head, without saying a word, and appeared to be very busy about the lock of his piece. In the skirmish, Lincola had received the scratch of a lance — at which ho was chafing, in his own peculiar way, and vowing revenge upon the giver. It might be said that he had taken this, as he had driven his short bayone* through his antagonist's arm, and sent him off with this member hanging by Ws side. 110 TIIK RIFLK RANGERS. The hunter was not content ; and, as he retired sullenly into the enclosurr he turned round, and, shaking his fist at the Mexicans, muttered savagely— " Yer darned skunk ! I'll know yer agin See if I don't git yer yit." Q ravenitz, a Prussian soldier, had alsc been too near a lance ; and severa] ethers had received slight wounds. The German was the only one killed. lie was still lying out on the plain, where he had fallen, the long shaft of the lance standing up out of his skull ! Not ten feet distant lay the corpse of his slayer, glistening in its gaudy and picturesque attire ! The oth(» guerillero, as he fell, had noosed one of his legs in the lariat that hung from the horn of his saddle, and was now dragged over the prairie after his wild and snorting mustang. As the animal swerved, at every jerk his limber body bounded to the distance of twenty feet, where it would lie motionless until slung into the air by a fresh pluck on the lasso ! As we were watching this horrid spectacle, several of the guerilleros gallop- ped after, while half-a-dozen others were observed spurring their steeda towards the rear of the corral. On looking in this direction, we perceived a huge red horse, with an empty saddle, scouring at full speed across the prairie. A single glance showed us that this horse was Hercules. " Good Heavens ! the Major ?" " Safe somewhere," replied Clayley ; " but where the deuce can he be ? He is not ' hors de combat ' on the plain, or one could see him ten miles off. Ha, ha, ha ! look yonder !" Clayley, yelling with laughter, pointed to the corner of the ranche. Though after a scene so tragic, I could hardly refrain from joining Clayley in his boisterous mirth. Hanging by the belt of his sabre upon a high picket was the Major, kicking and struggling with all his might ! The waist strap, tightly drawn by the bulky weight of the wearer, separated his body into two vast rotundities, while his face was distorted and purple with the agony of suspense and suspension. He was loudly bellowing for help, and several soldiers were running towards him ; but, from the manner in which he jerked his body up, and screwed his neck, so as to enable him to look over the stockade, it was evident that the principal cause of his uneasiness lay on the " other side of the fence." The truth was, the ]\Iajor, on the first appearance of the enemy, had gal- lopped towards the rear of the corral, and, finding no entrance, had thrown himself from tlie back of Hercules upon the stockade, intending to climb over; but, catching a glance of some guerilleros. he suddenly let go his bridle, and attempted to precipitate iiimself into the corral. TUK RIFI^K liANORKS. Ill His waist-belt caught upon a sharp picket, and held him suspended mid- way, still under the impression that the Mexicans were close upon his rear. He was soon unhooked, and waddled across the corral, uttering a thick and continuous volley of his choicest oaths. Our eyes were now directed towards Hercules. The horsemen had closed upon him within fifty yards, and were winding their long lassos in the ai:. The Major, to all appearance, had lost his horse. After gallopping to the edge of the woods, Hercules suddenly halted, and threw up the trailing bridle, with a loud neigh. His pursuers, coming up, flung out their lariats. Two of them settling over his head, noosed him around the neck. The huge brute, as if aware of the necessity of a desperate effort to free himself, dropped his nose to the ground, and stretched himself m full gallop. The lariats, one by one tightening over his bony chest, snapped like threads, almost jerking the mustangs from their feet. The long fragments sailed out like streamers as he careered across the prairie, far ahead of his yelling pur- suers. He now made directly for the corral. Several of the soldiers ran toward the stockade, in order to seize the bridle when he should come up but Hercules, spying his old comrade — the horse of the " doctor " — within the enclosure, neighed loudly ; and, throwing all his nerve into the effort sprang high over the picket fence ! A cheer rose from the men, who had watched with interest his efforts to escape ; and who now welcomed him as if he had been one of themselves. " Two months' pay for your horse, Major !" cried Clayley. " Och, the bewtifuU baste ! He's worth the full of his skin in goold. By my sowl ! the Capten ought to have 'im," ejaculated Chane ; and various other encomiums were uttered in honor of Hercules. Meanwhile, his pursuers, not daring to approach the stockade, drew off towards their comrades, with gestures of disappointment and chagrin. CHAPTER XXI. RCHNING THE GAUNTLET. I BEGAN to reflect upon the real danger of our situation : con^alled upon a naked prairie, ten miles from camp, with no prospect of escape. I knew that we could defend ourselves against twice the number of our cowardly adver- Karies, Those would never dare to come within range of our rifles ; but how to get out ? how to cross the open plain 1 Fifty infantry against four times that number of mounted men — lancers at that — and not a bush to shelter the foot soldier from the long spear and the iron hoof. The nearest motte was half a mile oiF, and that another half mile from the edge of the woods. Even could the motte be reached by a desperate run, it would be impossible to gain the woods, as the enemy would certainly cordon our new position, and thus completely cut us off. At present, they had halted in a body about four hundred yards from the corral, and, feeling secure of Laving us in a trap, most of them had dismounted, and were running out their mustangs upon the lar-iat. It was plainly their determination to take us by siege. To add to our desperate circumstances, we discovered that there was not a drop of water in the corral. The tliirst that follows a fight had nearly exhausted the scanty supply of our canteens, and the heat was excessive. As I was running over, in my mind, the perils of our position, my eye rented upon Lincoln, who stood with his piece at a carry ; his left hand crossed over his breast, in the attitude of a soldier waiting to receive orders THK RTFLE RA.NOERS. 113 " Well, Sergeant, what is it ?" I inquired. " Will yer allow me, Oap'n, ter take a couple o'files, and fetch in the Dutch- man ; the men ud like ter put a sod upon him, afore them thievin' robbers kin git at him." "Certainly. But will you be safe? He's at some distance from the stockade." " I don't think them fellers 'U kum down — they've had enuf. We'll run out quick, and the boys kin kiver us with their fire." " Very well, then ; set about it." Lincoln returned to the company, and selected four of the most active of his men, with whom he proceeded towards the entrance. I ordered the soldiers to throw themselves on that side of the enclosure, and cover the party, in case of an attack; but none was made. A movement was visible among the Mexicans, as they perceived Lincoln and his party rush out towards the body ; but seeing they would be too late to prevent them from carrying it off, they wisely kept beyond the reach of the American rifles. The body of the German was brought into the enclosure, and buried with due ceremony ; although his comrades believed that, before many hours, it would be torn from its " warrior-grave ;" dragged forth to feed the coyote and vulture, and his bones left to whiten upon the naked prairie. Which of us knew that it might not, in a few hours, be his own fate ? " Gentlemen," said I, to my brother officers, as we came together, " can you suggest any mode of escape ?" " Our only chance is to fight them where we stand. There are four to one," replied Clayley. " We have no other chance, Captain," said Oakes, with a shake of the head. " But, it is not their intention to fight us. Their design is to starve us See ! they are picketing their horses, knowing they can easily overtake us, if we attempt to leave the enclosure." " Cannot we move in a hollow square ?" " But what is a hollow square of fifty men '} and agamst four times that number of cavalry, with lances and lassos ? No, no, they would shiver it with a single charge. Our only hope is, that we may be able to hold out, until our absence from camp may bring a detachment to our relief." " And why not send for it 1" inquired the Major, who had scarcely been asked for his advice, but whose wits had been sharpened by the extremity of his danger. " Why not send for a couple of regiments 1" '•How are we to send, Major?" asked Clayley, looking on the Major'* 114 THE lilFLE RANGERS. proposition as ludicrous under the circumstances. " Have you a pigeon in your pocket ?" " Why, how ? there's Hercules runs like a hare ; stick one of your fellows in the saddle, and I'll warrant him to camp in an hour." " You are right, Major." said I, catching at the Major's proposal ; thank you for the thought. If he could only pass that point in the woods I hate it. but it is our only chance." The last sentence I muttered to myself. " Why do you hate it, Captain ?" inquired the Major, who had overheard me. " You might not understand my reasons, Major." I was thinking upon the disgrace of being trapped as I was, and on my first Rcout too. " Who will volunteer to ride an express to camp 7" I inquired, addressing the men. Twenty of them leaped out simultaneously. " Which of you remembers the course, that you could follow it in a gallop V I asked. The Frenchman Raoul stood forth, touching his cap. " I know a shorter one, Captain, by Mata Cordera." " Ha ! Raoul, you know the country ? you are the man." I now remembered that the Frenchman joined us at Sacrificios, just after the landing of the expedition. " Are you a good horseman ?" '• I have lived in Mexico five years." " True ; do you think you can pass them ; they are nearly in your track." " As we entered the prairie. Captain ; but my route will lie past this motte to the left." " This will give you several points ; do not stop a moment after you have mounted, or they will take the hint, and intercept you." " With the red horse there will be no danger, Captain." " Leave your gun ; take these pistols. Ha ! you have a pair in the holsters. See if they are loaded. These spurs — so — cut loose that heavy piece from the saddle ; the cloak, too ; you must have nothing to encumber you. When you come near the camp, leave your horse in the chapparal. Give this to Colonel C ." I wrote the following words on a scrap of paper : THE klf-LR RANGERS. 115 '^ Dear Colonel, — two hundred will be enough. Could they be stolen out after night ? If so, all will be well — if it gets abroad *' Yours, "II. H." As I handed the paper to Raoul, I whispered in his ear : "To Colonel C 's own hand. Private.y, Raoul — privately do you hear 7" Colonel C was my friend, and I knew that he would send a prwate party to my rescue. I '• I understand, Captain." was the answer of Raoul. " Ready, then ; now mount and be off." I The Frenchman sprang nimbly to the saddle ; and, driving his spurs into i the flanks of his horse, shot out from the penn like a bolt of lightning. For I the first three hundred yards or so, he gal lopped directly towards the guoril- loros. These st'^od leaning upon their saddles, or lay stretched along the I green sward. Seeing a single horseman riding towards them, none of them moved — be- I lit ving him to be some messenger sent to treat for our surrender. j Suddenly, the Frenchman swerved from his direct course, and went sweep- ling around them in the curve of an ellipse ! ] They now perceived the ruse, and, with a yell, leaped into their saddles. jSome fired their escopettes ; others, unwinding their lassos, started in pursuit. ; Raoul had, by this time, set Hercules' head for the clump of timber, which |he had taken as his guide ; and now kept on in a track almost rectilinear, j Could he reach the motte or clump in safety he knew that there were strag- j;ling trees beyond, and these would secure him, in some measure, from the lariats of his pursuers. "We stood watching his progress with breathless j>ilence. Our lives depended on his escape. A crowd of his pursuers was be- |;ween him and us ; but we could see the green jacket of the soldier, and the ^eat red flanks of Hercules, as he bounded on towards the edge of the weods. Chen we saw the lariats launched out, and, spinning around Raoul's head. .nd straggling shots were fired ; and we fancied, at one time, that our comrade i prang up in the saddle, as if he had been hit ! Then he appeared again, all ;afe, rounding the little islet of timber, and the next moment he was gone. phere followed a while of suspense — of terrible suspense — for the motte hid \^m view both pursuers and pursued. Every eye was straining towards the joint where the horseman had disappeared, when Lincoln, who had climbed 1 3 the top of the ranche, cried out : llg THE KIFLE K ANGERS. "He's safe Cap'n." Ther dod-rotted skunks air kuuimia "'ithout hiin." It was true. A minute after, the horsemen appeared round the motte, riding slowly back, with that air and attitude that betoken disappointment CHAPTER XXII. A SHORT FIGHT AT " LONG SHOT." The escape of Raoul and Hercules produced an effect almost magical upon the enemy. Instead of the listless, defensive attitude, lately assumed, the guerilleros were now in motion like a nest of roused hornets, scouring over the plain and yelling like a war party of Indians. They did not surround the corral, as I had anticipated they would. They had no fear that we should attempt to escape ; but they knew that, instead of the three days, in which they expected to kill us with thirst at their leisure, they had not three hours left to accomplish that object. Eaoul would reach the camp in little more than an hour's time, and either infantry or mounted men would bo on them in two hours after. Scouts were seen gallopping off in the direction taken by Raoul ; and others dashed into the woods on the opposite side of the prairie. All was hurry and scurry. Along with Clayley I climbed upon the roof of the ranche, to watch tha motions of the enemy and to find out, if possible his intentions. We stood
heard along IIk' walls and battlements — a cry of mingled rage, disappointmeni. and dismay ! The foremost ship had swerved suddenly from the track ; and bearm^ sharply to the left, under the manege of a skilful helmsman, was runnin,; down under the shelter of Sacrificios ! The next ship followed her guide, and the next, and the next ; and, before the astonished multitude recovered from their surprise, the whole fleet had come to, within pistol-shot of the islandj The enemy new, for the first time, perceived the ruse, and began to calculat. its results. Those giant shij)s, that but a moment ago seemed rushing to de struction, had rounded to at a safe distance, and were preparing, with thf speed and skilfulness of a perfect discipline, to pour a hostile host upon tht- defenceless shores. In vain the cavalry-bugle called their horseman to the saddle ; in vain the artillery-car rattled along the streets ; both would be too late ! Meanwhile, the ships let fall their anchors with a plunge, and a rasping, am' a rattle. The sails came down upon the yards ; and sailors swung themselves into the great boats, and mixed with the soldiers, and seized the oars. Then the blades w ere suddenly and simultaneously dropped oti the surface of the wave — a naval officer in each boat, directing tire movements of the oarsmen. And the boats pulled out nearer the shore ; and, by an echellon movement, took their places in line. Light ships of war were thrown upon our flanks, to cover the descent by a cross fire. No enemy had yet appeared, and all eyes were turned landward with fiery expectation. Bounding hearts waited impatiently for the signal. Tlie report of a single gun was at length heard from the ship of the com- 50 THE KIFLK KANOER^. mander-in-chief; and, as if by one impulse, a thousand oars struck the water and flung up the spray upon their broad blades. A hundred boats leaped forward simultaneously, The powerful stroke was repeated, and propelled them with lightning speed. Now was the exciting race— the regatta of war ! The Dardan rowers would have been distanced here. On ! on ! with the velocity of the wind, over the blue waves, through ths snowy surf — on ! And now we ncared the shore, and officers sprang to their feet, and stood with their swords drawn ; and soldiers half state, half crouched, clutching their muskets. And the keels gritted upon the gravelly bed ; and, at the signal, a thousand men, in one plunge, flung themselves into the water, and dashed wildly through the surf! Thousands followed, holding their cartridges breast-high ; and blades were glancing, and bayonets gleaming, and banners waving ; and, under glancing blades, and gleaming bayonets and waving ban- ners, the dark mass rushed high upon the beach ! Then arose a cheer— loud, long, and exulting. It pealed along the whole line, uttered from five thousand throats, and answered by twice that number from the anchored ships. It echoed along the shores, and back from the dis- tant battlements. A color-sergeant, springing forward, rushed up the steep sides of a sand- hill, and planted his flag upon its snowy ridge. As the well-known banner swung out upon the breeze, another cheer, wild and thrilling, ran along the line ; a hundred answering flags were hauled up through the fleet ; the ships of war saluted with full broadsides, and the guns of San Juan, now for the first time waking from their lethargic silence, poured forth their loudest thunder ! The sun was just setting, as our column commenced its advance inward. After winding, for a short distance, through the defiles of the hills, we halted for the night — our left wing resting upon the beach. The soldiers bivouacked without tents — sleeping upon their a.rros, with th« Boft sand for their couch, and a cartridge-box for their pillow CHAPTER VIII. THE INVESTMENT OF VERA CKUZ. At break of day on the 10th, the army took up its line of march, through hills of sand-drift Division lapped upon division, regiment upon regiment, extending the circle of investment by an irregular echellon. Foot-rifles and light infontry drove the enemy from ridge to ridge, and through the dark mazes of the chapparal gorge. The column continued its tortuous track, vt-inding through deep defiles, and over hot white hills, like a bristling snake. It moved within range of the guns of the city, screened by intervesing heights. Now and then, the loud cannon of Santiago opened upon it. as some regiment displayed, crossing a defile, or pushing over the spur of a sand-hill. The constant rattling of rifles and musketry told that our skirmishers were busy in the advance. The Arsenal was carried by a brilliant charge, and the American flag waved over the ruins of the convent IMalibran. On the 11th, the Orizava road was crossed, and the light troops of the enemy were brushed from the neighboring hills. They retired sullenly under shelter of their heavy guns, and within the walls of the city. On the morning of the 12th, the investment was complete. Vera Cruz laj' within a semi-circle, around its centre. The circumference was a chain of hostile regiments that embraced the city in their concave arc. The right of the chain pitched its tents opposite the isle Sacrificios ; while, five miles off, to the north, its left rested upon the hamlet, Vergara. The sea covered the complement of this circle, guarded by a fleet of dark and warlike ships. The diameter hourly grew shorter. The lines of circumvallation lapped closer and closer, around the devoted city, until the American pickets appeared 52 TlIK RIPIJ'-, UAiNlJKUS. along the ridges of the nearest hills, and within range of the guns of Santiago, Concepcion, and Ulloa. Fort Concepcion defends the city on the north, Santiago on the south. The celebrated castle of San Juan de Ulloa stands out in the water at half-a- mile's distance from the mole. A smooth sand-plain, only a mile in width, lay between the besiegers and the walls of the besieged. After tatoo-beat, on the night of the 12th, with a party of my brother oflBcers, I ascended the high hill around which winds the road leading to Orizava. This hill overlooks the city of Vera Cruz. Vera Cruz stands on the beach, on a smooth table of sand that runs back for nearly a mile, where it ends in high ridges of drift sand. The plain itself 18 perfectly naked, and often, during high tides, and " northers," the city becomes nearly . nsulated with the overflow of the sea. The back coun ry, for miles inland, is a continuation of sandy spurs and I'dgcs, more or less covered with chapparal. There are but few "settle- ments." — Here and there the "rancho" of a peasant or herdsman, and aocasionally a '' hacienda," or a small hamlet. It is thus up to the mountains^ with some exceptions, as around Jalapa, or in the tobacco country of Cordova and Orizava. After dragging ourselves wearily through the soft yielding sand, we reached the summit, and halted on a projecting ridge. With the exception of a variety of exclamations expressing surprise and delight, not a word for a while was uttered by any of our party ; each indi- vidual being wrapped up in the contemplation of a scene of surpassing interest. It was moonlight, and sufficiently clear to distinguish the minutest objects on the picture, that lay rolled out before us like a map. Below our position, and seeming almost within reach of the hand, lay the '' City of the True Cross," rising out of the white plain, and outlined upon the blue background x>f the sea. The dark grey towers, and painted domes ; the gothic turret, and Moorish minaret, impressed us with an idea of the antique ; while here and there the tamarind nourished on some azotea* or the fringed leaves of the palm-tree, drooping over the notched parapet, lent to the city an aspect at once southern and picturesque. Domes, spires and cupolas rose over the old grey walls, crowned with * Th« name given to the flat roofs of Spanish hcusos. floating banners— the consular flags of France, and Spain, and Britain, waving alongside the eagle of the Aztecs. Beyond, the blue waters of the gulf rippled lightly against the sea-washed battlements of San Juan, whose brilliant lights glistened along the combing of the surf. To the south, we could distinguish the isles of Sacrificios, and the dark linlls that slept silently under the shelter of its coral reef. Outside the fortified wall, which girt the city with its cincture of grey rock a smooth plain stretched rearward to the foot of the hill, on which we stood ; and right and left, along the crest of the ridge from Punta Homos .to Vergara, ranged a line of dark forms— the picket sentries of the American out-posts as they stood, knee-deep, in the soft yielding sand-drift. The view of Vera Cruz from the sand-ridges in the rear, is indeed, a picture of surpassing interest. The city looks as if it had been built to make a picture — so fine is the arrangement of its turrets and roofs, tied into a compact body by the wall that girdles it. It reminds one of the engravings we used to dream over, in Goldsmith's epitome of geography. It was a picture of surpassing interest, and, as we stood gazing upon it, the moon suddenly disappeared behind a bank of clouds ; and the lamps of the city, heretofore eclipsed by her brighter beam, now burned up and glistened along the walls. Bells rung merrily from church-towers ; and bugles sounded through the echoing streets. At intervals, we could hear the shrill cries of the guard. ' Centinela alerte .'" and the sharp challenge " Quien viva ?" Then the sound of sweet music, mingled with the soft voices of women, was wafted to our ears, and with beating hearts, we fancied we conM hear the light tread of silken feet, as they brushed over the polished floor of the ball-room ! It was a tantalizing moment, and wistful glances were cast on the be- leaguered town ; while more than one of our party was heard impatiently muttering a wish, that it might be carried by assault. As we continued gazing, a bright jet of flame shot out horizontally from the parapet over Puerto Nuevo. " Lookout !" cried Twing, at the same instant flinging his wiry little carcass squat under the brow of a sand- wreath. Several of the party followed his example ; but, before all had housed themselves, a shot came singing past, along with the loud report of a twenty-four. 54 TIIIC RIFLE RANGERS. The shot struck the comb of the ridge, -within several yards of the grcup. nnd ricochetted off into the distant hills. '• Try it again !" cried one. " That fellow has lost a champagne supper !" said Twing. " More likely he has had it, or his aim would be more steady," suggested an officer. " Oysters, too — only think of it !" said Clayley, " Howld your tongue, Clayley, or by my sowl, I'll charge down upon the town !" This came from Ilennessy, upon whose imagination the contrast between champagne and oj^sters, and the gritty pork and biscuit he had been feeding upon for several days past, acted like a shock. " There again !" cried Twing, whose quick e3'e caught the blaze upon the parapet. " A shell, by the powers !" exclaimed Ilennessy. " Let it dhrop first, or it may dhrop on yez !" he continued, as several officers were about to fling themselves on their faces. The bomb shot up with a hissing, hurtling sound. A little spark could be seen, as it traced its graceful curves through the dark heavens. The report echoed from the walls, and at the same instant was heard a dull sound, as the shell buried itself in the sand-drift. It fell close to one of the picket sentinels, who was standing upon his post within a few paces of the group. The man appeared to be either asleep or stupefied, as he rem. lined stock still. Perhaps he had mistaken it for the ri- 30chet of a round sh:>^. '• It's big shooting .'".ir them to hit the hill !" exclaimed a young officer. The words were scmce passed, when a loud crash, like the bursting of a cannon, was heard under our feet — the ground opened like an earthquake; and, amidst the whistlin,.: of the fragments, the sand was dashed into our faces ! A cloud of dust hung for a moment above the spot. The moon, at this instant, re-appeared ; and, as the dust slowly settled away, tlic mutilated body of the soldier was seen upon the brow of the hill, at the distance of twenty paces from his post A low cheer rea(ilied us from Conccpcion — the fort wlience the shell had been projected. Chagrined at the occurrence, and mortified that it had been caused by our imprudence, we wore turning to leave the hill, when the " whish " of a rock6t attracted our attention. THK Kir-r.E RANGKRS. 55 It rose from the chapparal, about a quarter of a mile in rear of the camp ; and, before it had reached its culminating point, a,n answering signal shot up from the Puerto Nuevo. At the same instant, a horseman dashed cul of the thicket and headed his horse at the steep sand-hills. After three or four desperate plunges, the fiery mustang gained the crest of the ridge upon which lay the remains of the dead soldier. Here the rider, seeing our party, suddenly reined up, balancnig for a mo ment, as if uncertain whether to advance or retreat. We, on the other hand, taking him for some olBcer of our own, and won- dering who it could be gallopping about at such an hour, stood silent and waiting. "By heavens, that's a Mexican !" whispered Twing, as the ranchero dress became apparent under a brighter beam of the moon. Before any one could reply, the strange horseman wheeled sharply to the left, and, drawing a pistol, fired into our midst. Then spurring his wild horse, he gallopped off into a deep defile of the hills ! " You're a set of Yankee fools !" he shouted back, as he reached the bottom of the dell. Half-a-dozen shots replied to the taunting speech ; but the retreating object was beyond pistol range, before our astonished party had recovered from their surprise at such an act of daring audacity ! In a few minutes we could see the horseman — a speck on the white plaic below — and shortly after we heard the grating hinges of the Puerto Nuevo, SIS the huge gate swung open to receive him. No one was hit by the shot of his pistol. Several could be heard gritting their teeth with mortification, aa we commenced descending the hill. Did you know that voice, Captain ?" whispered Clayley to mo, as we re- turned to camp. " Yes." "You think it was--?" ^ Dubrosc." CHAPTER XL MAJOR BLOSSOM. On reaching the camp, I found a mounzed orderly in front of my tent " From the General," said the soldier, touching his cap, and handing me sealed note. The orderly, without waiting a reply, leaped into his saddle and rode off. I broke the seal, and read with delight : " Sir — You will report with fifty men, to Major Elossora at 4 a. m. to- morrow. By order, (Signed) A. A. A. C." Captain IIallkr, Commanding Co. Riflo Rangers. " Old Bios, eh ? quarter-master scouting I hope," said Claylcy, looking over the coui-cuus of the note. " Anything but the trenches ; I am sick of them." " Had it been anybody else but Blossom — fighting Daniels for instance — we might have reckoned on a comfortable bit of duty ; but the old whale can hardly climb into his saddle — it does look bad." I will not remain long in doubt. Order the sergeant to warn the men for four." I walked through tho camp in search of Blossom's marquee, which I found in an arbutus grove, and out of range of the heaviest metal in Vera Cruz. The .Major himself was seated in a large canipcachy* chair, that had been " bor- • A chair of a peculiar fashion, with a concave seat mrJe of raw-biJo, or leather. Thejr •n to bf found in Mexico in almost every respectable house THE RTFLE RANGERS. 57 rowed" from some neighboring ranche, and perhaps it was never so well filled, as by its present occupant. It would be useless to attempt an elaborate description of Major Blossom. That would require an entire chapter. Perhaps the best that can be done to give the reader an idea of him, is to say, that he was a great, fat, red man, and known among his brother oflBcers as the " swearing major." If any one in the army loved good living, it was Major Blossom, and if any one hated hard living, that man was Major George Blossom. He hated Mexicans, too, and mosquitoes, and scorpions, and snakes, and sand-flies, and all enemies to his rest and comfort ; and the manner in which he swore at these natural foes, would have entitled him to a high com- mission in the celebrated army of Flanders. Major Blossom was a quarter-master in more senses than one; as he occu- pied more quarters than any two men in the army, not excepting the Gencral- m-chief; and, when many a braver and better ofScer was cut down to " twenty-five pounds of baggage " the private lumber of Major Blossom, including himself, occupied a string of wagons like a siege train. As I entered the tent, he was seated at supper. The viands before him ^ere in striking contrast to the food, upon which the army was then subsist- ing. There was no gravel gritting between the ^Major's teeth as he masti- cated mess-pork or mouldy biscuit. He found no debris of sand and small rooks at the bottom of his coffee-cup No; quite the contrary. A dish of pickled salmon, a side of cold turkey, several plates of sliced tongue, with a fine Virginia ham, were the striking features of the Major's supper ; while a handsome French coffee-urn, containing the essence of Mocha, tiimmered upon the table. Out of this the Major, from time to time, replen- ished his silver cup. A bottle of eau-de-vie that stood near his right hand, assisted him likewise in swallowing his ample ration. '' Major Blossom, I presume ?" said I. ' My name," ejaculated the Major, between two swallows, so short and quick, that the phrase sounded like a monosyllable. " I have received orders to report to you. sir." " Ah ! bad business ! bad business !" exclaimed the Major quulifying the badness of the business with an energetic oath. '• How, sir 7" " Atrocious business — dangerous service — can't see why' they sent me. " I came, Major, to inquire the natur-e of the service, so that I may have my men in order for it." 58 THE RIFLE RANGERS. " Horrid^ dangerous service !" « It is ?" " Infernal cut-throats, thousands of 'em in the bushes — bore a man through without as much as a wink. Those yellow monsters are worse than — " and again the swearing Major wound up with an exclamation not proper to bo repeated," " Can't see why they picked ine out ; there's Myers, and Wayne, and Wood not half my size, and that thin scare-the-crows, Allen — but no ; the General wants 7Tie killed. Die soon enough in this infernal nest of centipedes without being shot in the chapparal ! I wish the chapparal was — " and again tho Major's unmentionable words came pouring forth in a volley. I saw that it was useless to interrupt him until the first burst Avas over From his frequent anathemas on the " bushes" and the " chapparal," I could gather that the service I was called upon to perform lay at some distance from the camp ; but beyond this I could learn nothing, until the IMajor had sworn himself into a degree of composure, which, after some minutes, he accom- plished. I then re-stated the object of my visit. " We're going into the country for mules," replied the Major ; " mules, indeed ! Heaven knows there is'nt a mule \vithin ten miles, unless with a yellow Mexican on his back ! and such mules we don't want, not a bit of it The volunteers — " and here came another of the Major's anathemas, " have scared everything to the mountains ; not a stick of celery, nor an onion to be had, at any price." " How long do you think we will be gone ?" I inquired. " Long 1 Only a day ! If I stay over night in the chapparal, may a wolf eat me ! Oh, no ! If the mules don't turn up soon, somebody else may go fetch 'em. that's all !" " I may ration, them, for one daj;- ?' said I. " Two — two ; your fellow '11 *be hungr}-, Roberts, of the Rifles, who's been out in the country, tells me there isn't enough forage to feed a cat. So , you'd better take two days' biscuit ; I suppose we'll meet with beef enough I en the hoof; though I'd rather have a rumpsteak outof the Philadelphia markci ■ than all the beef in Mexico. Hang their beef! it's as tough as tan leather." " At four o'clock, then. Major, I'll be with you." said I, preparing to take, my leave. " Make it a little later, Captain ; I get no sleep with tliesc curswl gallinij)- pers and things — but sta}' ; how many men have you got ?" ■*In my company eight}' ; but my onler is to take only fift}'." ■ "There again ! I told you so; \\;nit lue killed, the}' want old Bios killed. TIM- i;!i I.;; i;.\ sciriis. 59 FiAy men, when a thousand of them leather-skinned devils have been seen, not ten miles off! Fifty men ! great heavens ; fifty men ! There's an escort to take the chapparal with !" " But they are fifty men worth a hundred, I promise you." " And if they were worth five hundred, it wouldn't be enough ; I tell you the chapparal's full — ^^fuU as — " (a certain place of torment familiar to the Major's lips). " We will have to proceed with the more caution," I rejoined. " Caution !" and caution was summarily sentenced to the same regions. • Bring all, every son of a gun, drummer and all !" " But that, !Major, would be contrary to the General's orders." " Hang the General's orders ! Obey some General's orders in this army, tnd you would do queer things. Bring them all, take my advice. I tell you tf you don't our lives may answer for it. Fifty men !" I was about to depart, when the Major stopped me with a loud " hilloa !" " Why," cried he, '• I have lest my senses — j'our pardon. Captain. This tnlucky thing has driven me crazy. They must pick upon me ! What will 70U drink 1 Here's some good brandy — infernal good — sorry I can't say as much for the water." , ^ I mixed a glass of brandy and water. The Major did the same, and, pledg- ing each other, we bade " good night," and separated. CHAPTER X. GOING ON THE SCOUT. Before daybreak, a head appeared bet^veen the flaps of my tent. It w»a that of Sergeant Bob Lincoln. " The men er under arms, Cap'n." " Very well," cried I, leaping from my bed, and hastily buckling on my accoutrements. I looked forth. The moon was still brightly shining, and I could see a number of uniformed men standing upon the company parade, in double rank, directly in front of my tent, a small boy was saddling a verj «!inall horse. The boy was " Little Jack," as the soldiers called him ; and the horse was Little Jack's mustang, " Twidget." Jack wore a tight-fitting green jacket, trimmed with yellow lace, and but- toned up to the throat ; pantaloons of light green, straight cut and striped along the seams ; a forage cap set jauntily upon a profusion of bright curls ; a sabre with a blade of eighteen inches, and a pair of clinking Mexican spurs. Besides these, he carried the smallest of all rifles. Thus armed and accoutred, ho presented the appearance of a miniature ranger. Twidget had his peculiarities. He was a tight, wiry, little animal, that could live upon mezquite beans, or maguey leaves, for an indefinite time ; and his abstemiousness was often put to the tost. On one occasion, during th* battles in the valley of Mexico, Jack and Twidget had somehow got separated, at which time the mustang had been shut up for four days in the cellar of a ruined convent with no other food than stones and mortar ! IIow Twidget came by his name is not clear. Perhaps it was some wnif of the j-ider's own ranc3\ Till-: KIFf.K i;AN(iKKS. 61 AS I appeared at the entrance of my tent, Jack had just finished strapping on his Mexican saddle , and seeing me he ran to assist in serving my break- fast. This was hastily despatched, and we took the route in silence through the sleeping camp. Shortly after, we were joined by the Major, mounted on a tall, raw-looking horse ; while a darkie, whom the IMajor addressed as " Doc," rode a snug looking cob, and carried a basket. This last contained the Major's commissariat. We came out on the Orizava Road, the INIajor and Jack riding in the advance. I could not help smiling at the contrast between these two equestri- ans ; the former with his great gaunt horse, looming up in the uncertain light of the morning like some huge centaur ; while Jack and Twidget appeared like two representatives of the kingdom of Lilliput ! On turning an angle of the forest, a horseman appeared at some distance along the road. The Major gradually slackened his pace, imtil he was square with the head of the column, and then fell back into the rear. This manoeuvre was executed in the most natural manner, but I could plainly see that the mounted Mexican had caused the jNIajor no small degree of alarm. The horseman proved to be a zamho* in pursuit of some cattle that had escaped from a neighboring corral. The zambo pointed to the south, saying, in Spanish, that mules were plenty in that direction. '• Hay muchos, viuchissimos .'" (there are many) said he, as he indicated tt road which led through a strip of woods on our left. i Following his direction, I struck into the new path, which soon narrowed into a bridle road, or trail. The men were thrown into single file, and marched d VIndienne. The road darkened, passing ander thick-leaved trees, that met and twined over our heads. At times, the hanging limbs and joining parasites, caused the Jlajor to flatten his huge body upon the horn of the saddle ; and once or twice he waa obliged to alight, and wsilk under the light branches of the thorny acacia. Our journey continued without noise; silence being interrupted only by an occasional oath from the Major, uttered, however, in a low tone, as we wers now fairly " in the woods." The road, at length, opened upon a small prairie, or glade, near the borders of which rose a high '• buttc,"* covered witli thickets of nopal. * A cross of the ncgrr and mestiza. Tharo aro many of this race along iJ'o toart of Um Tierra Calicnte * Knoll. 62 TUE KIFLE RANGERS. Leaving my men in ambuscade below, I ascended the butte, to obtain a view of the surrounding country. The day had now fairly broke, ajid the sun was just rising over the blue waters of the gulf. His rays, prinkling over the waves, caused them to dance and sparkle with a metallic brightness; and. it. was only after shading my eyes, that I could distinguish the tall masts of ships and the burnished towers of the city. To the south and west stretched a wide expanse of champaign country, glowing in all the brilliance of tropical vegetation. Fields of green, and forests of darker green, here and there patches of yellow, and belts of olive-colored leaves ; at intervals, a sheet of silver — the reflection from a placid lake, or the bend of some silent stream — was visible upon the imposing picture at my feet. A broad belt of forest, dotted with the life-like frondage of the palm,t swept ap to the foot of the hill. Beyond this lay an open tract of meadow, or prairie, upon which were browsing thousands of cattle. The distance was too great to distinguish thoir species, but the slender forms of some of them con- vinced me that the object of our search would be found in this direction. The meadow, then, was the point to be reached. The belt of forest already mentioned must be crossed ; and, to effect this, I struck into a trail, which seemed to lead in the direction of the meadow. The trail became lighter as we entered the heavy timber. Some distance further on, we reached a stream. Here the trail entirely disappeared. No " signs" could be found on the opposite bank. The underwood was thick, and vines, with broad green leaves and huge clusters of scarlet flowers, barred up the path like a wall. It was strange ! the path had evidently led to this point, but where beyond ? Several men were detached across the stream to find an opening. After a search of several minutes, a short exclamation from Lincoln pro- claimed success. I crossed over, and found the hunter standing near the bank, holding back a huge screen of boughs and vine-leaves, beyond which a narrow, but plain track was easily distinguished, leadmg on into the forest. The trellis closed like a gate ; and it seemed as if art had lent a hand to the concealment of the track. The foot-prints of several horses were plainly visible in the sandy bottom of the road. The men entered in single file. AVith some difficulty, Major Blossom and his great horse squeezed themsulves under, and we moved on through the daik and silent woods. 1 I "have boon struck with this peculiarity of tho palm-trco. As it rises over the jun- gle, the regularity of its structure imparts tho idea of something animated, or belong iny to a kingdom of nature difforent from that of its forest companion3. TIIF, KIFLE RANGKRS. 63 After a march of several miles, fording numerous streams, and working our way through tangled thickets of nopal and wild maguey,* an opening suddenly appeared through the trees. Emerging from the forest, a brilliant scene burst upon us. A large clearing, evidently once cultivated, but now in a state of neglect, stretched out before us. Broad fields, covered with flowers of every hue — thickets of blooming rose-trees — belts of the yellow helianthus — mid patches of half-wild plantains, formed a picture singular and beautiful. On one side, and close to the border of the forest, could be seen the roof of a house, peering above groves of glistening trees, and thither we marched. We entered a lane, with its guardarayas] of orange trees planted in rows upon each side, and meeting overhead. The sunlight fell through this leafy screen with a mellowed and delicious softness, and the perfumes of a thousand flowers were wafted on the air. The rich music of birds was around us ; and the loveliness of the scene was heightened by the wild neglect which had stamped itself on every object. On approaching the house we halted, and charging the men to remain silent, I advanced alone to reconnoitre. * Tho maguey spoken of in these sketches is not the celebrated plant from which jmlqut Is extracted, but a species of aloes (agave) that flourishes in the tierra caliente. Tha other — the pulque — is only found upon tho uplands — the tierra templada — where it is ex- tensively cultivated for tho refreshing beverage which it produces. Its leaves are inva- riably of a dark, uniform green, while those of the wild species are mottled with a bright icarlet. These are, besides, more slender and thorny. The wild maguey jjrodaoes t, species of fiery whiskey — the mezcal of travellers. t Lanes shaded with tropical trees, such as palms, caymetes, shaddocks, are so oall*t] by the Spanish- Americana CHAPTER XL ADVENTURE WITH A CAYMAN. The lane suddenly opened upon a pasture, but within ihis a thick bedgt of jessamines, forming a circle, barred the view. In this circle was the house, whose roof only could be seen from without. Not finding any opening through the jessamines, I parted the leaves with rtiy band, and looked through. The picture was dream-like. So strange, I could scarce credit my senses. " "Was it real ?" On the crest of the little hillock stood a house of rare construction — unique and unlike any thing I had ever seen. The sides were formed of bamboos, closely picketed, and laced together by strips of the palmilla. Tlie roof — a thatch of palm-leaves — projected far ovei the eaves, rising to a cone, and terminating in a small wooden cupola, with a cross. There were no windows. The walls themselves were translucent ; and articles of furniture could be distinguished through the interstices of tbo bamboos. The houses of the tiei~ra calients are frail structures, similar to the one described, tliough generally ruder. In the forests clothing the sides of mountains, you meet with the log-cabin, somewhat resembling that of the United States. On the elevated plains, you come to the endless adobes, or sun-dried bricks. Cottages of this material are nothing better than mud- cabins, such as appear in various parts of Trelanil and other countries. A curtain of green barege, supported by a rod and rings, formed thti door. This was drawn, discovering an ottoman near the entrance, .•vi:d an elegant harp. THE RTFLK RANGERS. 65 The whole structure presented the cmp (Pceil of a huge bird-cage, with its wires of gold ! The grounds were in keeping with the house. lu these, the evidence of neglect, which had been noticed without, existed no longer. Every object appeared to be under the training of a watchful solicitude. A thick grove of olives, with their gnarled and spreading branches, and dark green leaves, stretched rearward, forming a back-ground to the picture. Right and left grew clumps of orange and lime trees. Golden fruit and flowers of brilliant huss mingled with their yellow leaves. Spring and autumn blended upon the same branches ! Rare shrubs — exotics — grew out of large vessels of japanned earthenware, whose brilliant tints added to the voluptuous coloring of the scene. A jet d'eau, crystalline, rose to the height of twenty feet, and returning in a shower of prismatic globules, stole away through a bed of water-lilies and other aquatic plants, losing itself in a grove of lofty plaintain trees. These growing from the cool watery bed, flung out their broad glistening leaves to the length of twenty feet. No signs of human life met the eye. The birds alone seemed to revel in the luxuriance of this tropical paradise. A brace of peafowl stalked over the parterre in all the pride of their rain bow plumage. In the fountain appeared the tall form of a flamingo : his scarlet plumage contrasting with the green leaves of the water-lily. Songsters were trilling in every tree. The mock-bird perched upon the highest limb, was mimicking the monot- onous tones of the parrot. The grakle and gold-bird flashed from grove to grove, or balanced their bodies under the spray of the jet d'eau; while the humming-bird hung upon the leaves of some honeyed blossom, or prinkled over the parterre like a straying sunbeam ! I was running my eye over this dreamlike picture, in search of a human figure, when the soft metallic accents of a female voice reached me from the grove of plaintains. It was a burst of laughter — clear and ringing. Then followed another, with short exclamations and the sound of water, as if dashed and sprinkled with a light hand. What must be the Eve of a Paradise like this ? The silvery tones were full of promise. It was the first female voice that had greeted my cars for a month, and chords long slumbering vibrated under the exquisite touch- My heart bounded. My first impulse was " forward," which I obeyed by fj(J THE RIFLE RANGERS. fipringing through the jessamines. Jiut the fear of intruding upon a scone d ia Diam changed my determination and mj^ next thought was to make a quiet retreat. I was preparing to return, and had thrust one leg back through the hedge, when a harsh voice— apparently that of a man— mingled with the silvery tones. ' ^nda—anda — hace miicho color. Vamos a volver." (" Hasten — it ia hot. Let us return.") " Ah, no ! Pepe ; ?. 145 l>asbion to th(j iuteiiyity of uon-rcsistauco ; and wc walked on, her liandclaspc'. in mine. We had eyes only for each other. We reached a clump of cocoa-trees — one of them had fallen, and its sraooti trunk offered a seat, protected from the sun, by the shadowy leaves of its fel lows. On this we sate down. There was no reeistance — no reasoning pro cess — no calculation of advantages, and chances — such as is too often mingV-u with the noble passion of love. We felt nothing of this— nothing but tha' undeflnable impulse which had entered our hearts, and against whose mystica power neither of us dreamed of struggling. Delay and duty were alike for gotten. " I shall ask that question now — I shall know my fate at once." In the changing scene of a soldier's life, there is but little time for the slov. formalities— the zealous vigils— the comphcated finesse of courtship. Perhap^ this corsideration impelled me. I have but little confidence in the cold heari that is won by a series of assiduities. There is too much calculation of after events — too much selfishness. These reflections passed through my mind. 1 bent towards my companion, and whispered to her in that language — riri iljove all others in the vocabulary of the heart — . " Guadalupe, tu me amas ?" (Stuadalupe, do you love me ?) '' Yo te avio .'" was the simple reply. The confession rendered her sacred in my eyes ; and we sate for some tinu silent— enjoying that transport only known to those who have truly, p-arel\ loved. The trampling of hoofs ! It was Clayley at the head of the troop. The} were mounted, and waiting for me. Don Cosme was impatient ; so was the Dofia Joaquina. I could not blame them, knowing the cause. " Ride forward ! I will follow presently." The Dorsemen filed off into the fields, headed by the lieutenant, beside whotu rode Don Cosme, on his white mule. •' You will soon return, Enrique V •• I will lose no opportunity ; I shall long for the hour more than you, I fear." " Oh ! no, no !" " Believe me yes, Lupita ! Say again you will never cease to love me T ." Never, never ! Tuya, tuya, hasta la muorle .'" (Yours till death.) 146 THE KIFLK EANGKR8. How often has this question been asked ! How often answered as above ! I sprang into the saddle. A parting look — another from a distance — a wave of the hand — and the next moment I was urging my horse in fulJ gallop along under the shadowy palms. CHAPTER XXVIII. . A DISAPPOINTMENT AND A NEW PLAN. I OVERTOOK my companions as they were entering the woods. Clayley, who had been looking back from time to time, brushed alongside, as if wish- ing to enter into conversation. " Hard work, Captain, to leave such quarters. By Jove, I could have stayed for ever." " Come, Clayley, you are in love." " Yes ; they who live in glass houses— Oh ! if I could only speak the lingo as you do." I could not help smiling, for I had overheard him through the trees making the most he could of his partner's broken English. I was curious to know how he had sped, sind whether he had been as " quick upon the trigger" as myself. My curiosity was soon relieved. " I tell you, Captain," he continued, " if I could only have talked it, I would have put the question on the spot. I did try to git a " yes " or ft '' no " out of her ; but she either couldn't, or wouldn't understand me. It was %n bad luck." " Could you not make her understand you ? Surely she knows English enough for that ?" ' I thought so, too ; but, when I spoke about love, she only laughed, and slapped me on the face with her fan. Oh ! no, the thing must be done m Spanish, that's plain ; and you see I am going to set about it in earnest. She loaned me these." So saying, he pulled out of the crown of his foraging cap a couple of small volumes, which I recognised as a Spanish grammar and dic- tionary. I could not resist laughing aloud. 148 THK miLK KANGKE8. •• Comrade, you will find the best dictionary to be the lady herself." " That's true ; but how the deuce are we to get back again ? A mule hunt don't happen every day." " I fancy there will be some difficulty in it." I had already thought of this. It was no easy matter to steal away from camp. One's brothei'-officers are so solicitous about your appearance at drills and parades. The ranche was at least ten miles from the lines, and the road would not be the safest for the solitary lover. The prospect of frequent returns was not at all flattering. " Can't we steal out at night ?" suggested Clayley. " I think we might mount half-a-dozen of our fellows, and do it snugly. What do you say, Captain ?" " Clayley, I cannot return without this brother. I have almost given my tvord to that effect." " You have 1 That is bad ! I fear there is no prospect of getting him out as you propose." My companion's prophetic forboding proved but too correct; for, on nearing the camp, we were met by an aide-de-damp of the commander-in- chief, who informed me tbat, on that very morning, all communication between the foreign ships of war and the besieged city, had been pro- hibited. Don Cosme's journey, then, would be in vain. I explained this, advising him to return to his family. " Do not make it known — say that some time is required, and you have left the matter in my hands. Be assured I shall be among the first to enter the city, and I shall find him, and bring him to his mother in safety." This was the only consolation I could offer " You are kind, Capitan — very kind ; but I know that nothing can now be done. We can only hope and pray." The old man had dropped into a bent attitude, his countenance marked by the deepest melancholy. Taking the Frenchman, Raoul, along with me, I rode back until I had placed him beyond the danger of the straggling plun- derer, when we shook hands, and parted. As he left me, I turned to look after him. He still sate in that attitude that betokens deep dejection, his shoulders bent forward over the neck of his mule, while he gazed vacantly on the path ! My heart sank at the spectacle, and, sad and dispirited, I rode at a lagging pace towards the camp. Not a shot had as yet been fired against the town, but our batteries wcr« ttpvly perfected, and several mortars were mounted and ready to fling m THE RTFLIj: kangkrs. 149 their deadly missiles. I knew that ever}' r,hot and shell would carry death into the devoted city ; for there was not a point within its walls out of range of a ten-inch howitzer. Women and children must perish along with armed soldiers ; and the boy — he, too — might be a victim. "Would this be the tidings I should carry to his home 1 And how should I be received by her with such a tale upon my lips ? Already have I sent back a sorrowing father. " Is there no way to save him, Raoul ?" " Captain ?" answered the man, starting at the vehemence of my manner. A sudden thought had occurred to me. " Ape you well acquainted with Vera Cruz 7" " I know every street, Captain." " Where do those arches lead that open from the sea 1 There is one on each side of the m,oIe" I had observed these when visiting a friend — an oflBcer of the navy — on board his ship. " They are conductors, Captain, to carry off the overflow of the sea after a norther ; they lead under the city, opening at various places. I have had tha pleasure of passing through them." " Ha ! how ?" " On a little smuggling expedition." " It is possible, then, to reach the town by these ?'• " Nothing easier — unless they may have a guard at the mouth ; but that ia not likely. They would not dream of any one's making the attempt." " How would you like to make it ?" " If the Captain wishes it, I will bring him a bottle of wine from the Caft de Santa Anna." " I do not wish you t& go alone. I would accompany you." " Think of it. Captain ; there is risk for you. I may go safely. No om knows that I have joined you, I believe. If you are taken — " " Yes, yes. I know well the result." " The risk is not great either," continued the Frenchman, in a half soliloquy " Disguised as Mexicans, you speak the language as well as I. If you wisl it, Captain." "I do." " I am ready then." I knew the fellow well. One of those dare-devil spirits ready for anything, that promised adventure. A child of fortune — astray waif tumbling aboui 150 THK KIFr.K RANGKRS. among the waves of chance — gitted with head and heart of no common order — ignorant of books, yet educated in experience. There was a dash of the heroic in his character, that had won my admiration, and I was fond of his company. It was a desperate adventure. I knew that ; but I felt stronger interest than common in the fate of this boy. My own future fate, too, was, in a ■ great degree connected with his safety. There was something in the very danger that lured me, I felt that it would be adding another chapter to a lifa ^hich I have termed adventurous. CHAPTER XXIX. A FOOL-HARDY ADVENTURE. At night. Eaoul and I — disguised in the leathern dresses of two rancheros — stole around the lines ; and reached Punta Hornos, a point beyond our own pickets. Here we " took the water," wading waist deep. This was about ten o'clock. The tide was just setting out — and the night, by good fortune, was as dark as pitch. As the swell rolled in, we were buried to the neck ; and, when it rolled back again, we bent forward, so that at no time could much of our bodies be seen above the surface. In this manner — half wading, half swimming — we kept up to the town. It was a toilsome journey ; but the water was warm, and the sand on the bottom firm and level. We were strengthened — I at least — by hope, and the knowledge of danger. Doubtless my companion felt the latter stimulant as much as I. We soon reached the battlements of Santiago. Here we pro- ceeded with increased caution. We could see the sentry up against the sky, pacing along the parapet. His shrill cry startled us. We thought we had been discovered. The darkness alone prevented this. At length we passed him, and came opposite the city, whose battlements rested upon the water's edge. The tide was at ebb, and a bed of black weed-covered rocks lay between the sea and the bastion. We approached these with caution ; and, crawling over the slipper}-- sides a hundred yards or so, found ourselves in the entrance of the conductor. Here we halted to rest ourselves, sitting upon a ledge of rock. We were in no more danger here than in our own tents ; yet within 152 THE }aFt,K HANOKKFS. twenty feet were men, who, had tliey known our proximity, would have strung us up like a pair of dogs. B-ut our danger was far from lying at this end of the adventure. After a rest of half an hour, we kept up the conductor. My companion seemed perfectly at home in this subterranean passage, walk- ing along as boldly as if it had been brilliantly lighted with gas. We approached a grating, where a light shot in from above. " Can we pass out here?" I inquired. " Not yet, Captain," answered Raoul, in a whisper. " Farther on." We passed the grating — then another, and another — and at length reached one, where only a feeble ray struggled downward through the bars. Here my guide stopped, and listened attentively, for several minutes. Then stretch- ing out his h&nd, he undid the fastening of the grate, and silently turned it upon its hinge. He next swung himself up, until his head projected abova ground. In this position, he again listened, looking cautiously on all sides. Satisfied, at length, he drew his body through the grating, and disappearefl- After a short interval, he returned, and called down — " Come, Captain ?" I swung myself up to the street. Eaoul shut down the trap with care. " Take marks. Captain !" whispered he ; " we may get separated " It was a dismal suburb. No living thing was apparent, with the exception of a gang of prowling dogs — lean and savage — as all dogs are during a siege. An image, decked in all the glare of gaud and tinsel, looked out of a glazed niche in the opposite wall ! A dim lamp burned at its feet, showing to the charitable a receptacle for their offerings. A quaint old steeple loomed in the darkness overhead. " What church ?" I asked Ilaoul " La Magdalene." " That will do. Now onward." " Btierias noches ! Senor,^' said Raoul to a soldier, who passed us, wra].pod in his great coat. "Buenos noches P' returned the man, in a gruff voice. We stole cautiously along the streets, keeping in the darker ones to avoid >bservation. The citizens were mostly in their beds ; but groups of soldiers were straggling about, and patrols met us at every corner. It became neces- sary to pass through one of the streets, that was brilliantly lighted. Wlicn about L-lf way up, a fellow came swinging along, and, noticing our strange appearance, stopped and looked after us. Our dresses, as I have said, were of leather. Our calsoneros, as well as jackets, were shining with the sea water, and dripping upon the pavement at every step. THE RTFLK RANOiai?. 153 Before we could walk beyond reach, th« man shouted out — " Carajo ! Cabelleros, why don't you strip before entering the bano ?" •* What is it ?" cried a soldier, coming up and stopping us. A group of his comrades joined him, and we were hurried into the light. " MU diahlos .'" exclaimed one of the soldiers, recognising Raoul ; '• our old friend the Frenchman ! Parlez-vous Frangais, Monsieur ?" " Spies !" cried another. " Arrest them !" shouted a sergeant of the guard, at the moment coming up with a patrol, and we were both jumped upon, and held by about a dozen men. In vain Raoul protested our innocence, declaring that we were only two poor fishermen, who had wet our clothes in drawing the nets ! " It's not a fisherman's costume, Monsieur," said one. " Fishermen don't usually wear diamonds on their knuckles," cried another, snatching a ring from my finger. On this ring, inside the criclet, were engrayen my name and rank ! Several men now coming forward, recognised Raoul, and stated, moreover, that he had been missing for some days. " He must, therefore," said they, " have been with the Yankees." We were soon handcuffed, and marched off to the guard-prison. There w« were closely searched, but nothing further was found, except my purse, con- ainiiifg several gold eagles — an American coin that would have condemned me of itself. We were now heavily chained to each other, and the guard left us to our thoughts. They could not have left us in much less agreeable oom panionship. CHAPTER XXX. HELP FROM HEAVEN. " I WOULD not caro a claco for my own life," said Raoul, as the gate closed cpon us, " but that you, Captain — helas ! helas !" and the Frenchman groaned and sank upon the stone bench, dragging me down also. I could offer no consolation. I knew that we should be tried as spies ; and, if convicted — a result almost certain — wo had not twenty hours to live. The thought that I had brought this brave fellow to such a fate enhanced the misery of my situ- ation. To die thus ingloriously was bitter indeed. Three days ago, I would have spent my life recklessly ; but now, how changed were my feelings ! I had found something worth living to enjoy ; and to think I should never again — '• Oh ! I have become a coward." I cursed my rashness bitterly. "We passed the night in vain attempts at mutual consolation. Even our present sufferings occupied us. Our clothes were wet through, and the night had become piercing cold. Our bed was a bench of stone ; and upon this we lay, as our chains would allow us. sleeping close together, to generate warmth. It was, to us, a miserable night ; but morning came at last ; and at an early hour we were examined by the ofBcer of the guard. Our court-martial was fixed for the afternoon, and before this tribunal we were carried, amidst the jeers of the populace. "We told our storj', giving the name of the boy, Narcisso, and the house where he was lodged. Tliis was verified by the court; but declared to be a nise invented by my conira.le whose knowledge of circumstances rendered the thing probable enouglj. Raoul, moreover, was identified by many of the citizens, who proved his dis- appearance, coincident with the landing of our expedition. Besides, uiy ring l;A^•OKil^:. 155 and purse were sufficient of theinselveg to condemn us — and condemned wu were. We were to be garotted on the following morning ! Raoul was offered life, if he would turn traitor, and give information of the enemy. The brave soldier indignantly spurned the offer. It was extended to me, with a similar result. All at once, I observed a strange commotion among the people. Citizens and soldiers rushed from the hall, and the court hastily pronouncing our sen- tence, ordered us to be carried away. We were seized by the guard, and pulled into the street, and dragged back towards our late prison. Uur con- ductors were evidently in a great hurry. As we passed along, we were met by citizens running t'O and fro, apparently in great terror. Women and chil- dren uttering shrieks, and suddenly disappearing behind walls and battle- ments. Some fell upon their knees, beating their breasts and praying loudly. Others, clasping their infants, stood shivering and speechless ! " It is just like the way they go in an earthquake ; but there is none. What can it be. Captain ?" Before I could reply, the answer came from another quarter. Far above, an object wa-? hissing and hurtling through the air. " A shell from ours 1 Hurrah !" cried Raoul. I could scarcely refrain from cheering, though we ourselves night be its rictims. The soldiers who were guarding us had flung themselves down behind walls and pillars, leaving us alone in the open street. The bomb fell beyond us, and, striking the pavement, burst. The frag- ments went crashing through the side of an adjoining house ; and the wail that canie back, told how well the iron missiles had done their work. This was the second shell that had been projected from the American mortars, The first had been equally destructive ; and hence the extreme terror of both citizen and soldier. Every missile seemed charged with death ! Our guard now returned, and dragged us onward, treating us with the greatest brutality. They were enraged at the eshultation visible in our man- ner ; and one, more ferocious than the rest, drove his bayonet into the fleshy part of my comrade's thigh. After several acts of inhumanity, we were thrown into our prison, and locked up as before. Since our capture, we had tasted neither food nor drink, and hunger and thii-st added to the misery of our situation. The insult had maddened Raoul, and the pain of his wound now rendered him furious. He had not hands to touch it, or dress it. Frenzied by anger ,'.{) THE RIFLE RANGEKS. ud pain to a strength almost superhuman, he twisted off his iron nianaclea s if they had been straws. This done, the chain that bound us together was soon broken, and our ankle "jewelry" followed. " We will live our last hours, Captain, as we have our Hves — free and un« fettered !» I could not help admiring the spirit of my brave comrade. "We placed ourselves close to the door to listen. We could hear the heavy cannonade all around, and now and then the istant shots from the American batteries. We would wait for the bursting r the bombs, and, as the hoarse thunder of crumbling walls reached our ears, .'aoul would spring up, shouting his wild, half French, half-Indian "Hur- ab!" A thought occurred to me. " We have arms, Raoul." I held up the fragments of the heavy chain that :ad yoked us. " Could you reach the trap on a run, withont the danger of aistaking your way ?" Raoul started. " You are right. Captain — I can. It is barely possible they may visit us ■o-uight. If so, any chance for life is better than none at all," By a tacit understanding each of us took a fragment of the chain — there "ere but two — and sat down by the door to bo ready in case our guards -hould open it. Wo sat for over an hour, without exchanging a word. We ould hear the shells as they burst upon the house-tops, and the crashing of oru timbers, the rumbling of walls rolling over, struck by the heavy shot 7e could hear the shouts of men, and the wailing of woman, with now an iicn a shriek louder tha': all others, as some missile carried death into th error-struck crowd. Scxre .'" said Raoul ; " if they had only allowed us a couple of days, our friends would have opened these doors. Sucre .'" This exclamation was uttered in a shriek. Simultaneous!}^, a heavy object burst through the roof, tearing the bricks and plaster, and falling with the ; incT of iron on the floor. Then followed a deafening crash. The whole earth seemed to shake, and he whizzing of a thousand particles filled the air. A cloud of dust and lime, mixed with the smoke of sulphur, was around us. I gasped for breath, nearly suffocated. I endeavored to cry Out, but my voice, husky and hoarse, was scarcely audible to myself. I succeeded, at length, in ejaculating : " Raoul— Raoul !" J 1 felt myself giappling nith the lawny raon<;t(.is u 1 h nl t p; tl t i o\e tl tl If Iti v sprang at mj throat and I thtewout myainious portez-vous ? You came out dove-hunting, eh ? The birds, you see. are not in the c^t." Had there been not a thread around my body, I could not have moved at that moment. I felt cold and rigid as marble. A thousand agonizing tlioughts crowded upon me at once — my doubts, my fears on her account, drowning all ideas of personal danger. I could have died at that moment, and, without u groan, to have easured her safety. There was something so fiendish, so utterly hellish, in the character of ttii^ man — a polished brutality, too — that caused me to fear the worst. " Oh, Heaven !" I muttered ; " in the power of such a man !" " Ho !" cried Dubrosc, advancing a pace or two, and seizing my horse by the lariat, " a splendid mount ! An Arab, as I live ! Look here, Yafiez !" he continued, addressing a guerillero who accompanied him, " I claim this, if you have no objection." " Take him !" said the other, who was evidently the leader of the party. •' Thank yon. And you. Monsieur le Capitaine," he added, ironically turn- ing to me, " thank you for this handsome present. He will just replace my brave Moro, for whose loss I expect I am indebted to you, you great brute !— sacre /" The last words were addressed to Lincoln, and, as though maddened by the memory of La Virgen, he approached the latter, and kicked him fiercely in the side. The wanton foot had scarcely touched his ribs, when the hunter sprang up as if by galvanic action — the thongs flying from his body in fifty spiral frag- ments ! With a bound he leaped to his rifle ; and, clutching it — he knew it was empty — struck the astonished Frenchman a blow upon the head. The latter fell heavily to the earth. In an instant, a dozen knives and swords were aimed at the hunter's throat. Sweeping his rifle around him, he cleared an opening, and dashing past his foes with a wild yell, bounded off through 170 'I H M 1 a K L V, KAN (J K RtJ . the shrubbery ! The guerilleros followed, screaming with rage ; and we could hear an occasional shot, as they continued the pm-suit into the distant woods. Dubrosc was carried back into the ranche, apparently lifeless ! We were still wondering how our comrade had untied himself, when one of the gueiilleros, hfdng a piece of the thong, exclaiused : " Carajo ! ha cortado el briboncito /" (the littb rascal has cut it) ; and the man darted into the aloes, in search of Little Jack. It was with us a moment of fearful suspense. We expected to see poor Jack sacrificed instantly. We watched the man with intense emotion, as he ran to and fro At length, he threw up his arms with a gesture of surprise, calling out, at the same time : " Por todos Santos — sefue .'" (by all the saints ! he's gone.) " Hurrah !" cried Chane, " holies — such a gossin as that boy !" Several of the guerilleros dived into the bed of aloes ; but their search was in vain. We were now separated, so that we could no longer converse, and were more strictly watched — two sentries standing over each of us. We spent about an hour in this way. Straggling parties, at intervals, came back from the pursuit ; and we could gather, from what we overheard, that neither Lin- coln nor Jack had yet been retaken. We could hear talking in the rear of the ranche ; and we felt that our Hito was being determined. It was plain Dubrosc was not in command of the party. Had he been so, we should never have been carried beyond the olive grove. It appeared we were to be hung elsewhere. A movement was visible that betokened departure. Our horses were taken away, and saddled mules were led out in front of the ranche. Upon these we were set, and strapped tightly to the saddles. A serape was passed over each of us, and we were blinded by tdpojos, A bugle then sounded the " forward !" We could hear a confusion of noises — the prancing of many hoofs — and the next moment we felt ourselves moving along at a hurried pace through the woods. The aerape, above referred to, is a species of motle^'-colorcd blanket, neaily square, with a slit in the centre to admit the head. An}' one who has seen a Mexican of the lower classes without his serape, has seen something which has escaped my observation. These scrapes cost from two to two hundretl dollars, and it would be difficult for a person not acquainted with the article to see any great dilTerence, either in size or beauty, between the one at two dollars and that costing two hundred ! J / / 1/ / CHAPTER XXXIII. A BLIND BIDE. We rode all night. The mule-blinds, although preventing us from seeing a single object, proved to be au advantage. They saved our eyes and faces from the thorny claws of the acacia and mezquite. Without hands to fend them off, these would have torn us badly, as we could feel them, from time to time, penetrating even the hard leather of the tapojos. Our thongs chafed us, and we suffered great pain from the monotonous motion. Our road lay througn thick woods. This we could perceive from the constant rustle of the leaves, and the crackling of branches, as the cavalcade passed on. We travelled over many hills — steep and difficult, we could tell from the attitudes of our animals. There was no passing or re-passing. From th\s I ;oncIuded we were journeying along a narrow road, and in single file. Raoul was directly in front of me, and we could converse at times. " Where do you think they are taking us, Raoul 7" I inquired, speaking in French. " To Cenobio's Hacienda. I hope so at least. " Why do you hope so ?" " Because we shall stand some chance for our lives. Cenobia is a noble fellow." You know him then ?" " Yes, Captain ; I have helped him a httle in the contraband trade." " A smuggler, is he ?" '' Why, in this country, it is hai'dly fair to call it by so harsh a name, as the government itself dips out of the same dish. Smuggling here, as in mos^ 172 TllK KIFl.K KANGEKS. Other countries, should be looked upon rather as the offspring of necessity and mal-administration, than a vice in itself. Cenobio is a contrabandista, and upon a large scale." " And you are a political philosopher, Raoul." " Bah ! Captain, it would be bad if I could not defend my own calling,'' replied my comrade, with a laugh. " You think, then, that we are in the hands of Cenobio's men." " I am sure of it, Captain. Sacre ! had it been Jarauta's band, we would have been in heaven — that is our souls — and our bodies would now be embel lishing some of the trees upon Don Cosme's plantation. Heaven protect us from Jarauta ! The priest gives but short shrift to any of his enemies ; but if he could lay his hands on your humble servant, you would see hanging done in double quick time." •' Why think you we are with Cenobio's guerilla ?" " I know Yariez, whom we saw at the ranche. He is one of Cenobio's offi- cers, and the leader of this party, which is only a detachment. I am rather surprised that he has brought us away, considering that Dubrosc is with him . there must have been some influence in our favor, which I cannot under- stand." I was struck by the remark, and began to reflect upon it in silence. The voice of the Frenchman again fell upon my car. " I cannot be mistaken. No— this hill— it runs down to the San Juan." Again, after a short interval : — " Yes, the San Juan — I know the stony bottom— just the depth, too, at thia season." Our mules plunged through the swift current, flinging the spray over our heads. We could feel the water up to the saddle-flaps, cold as ice ; and yet we were journeying it the hot tropic ! But we were fording a stream fed by the snows of Orizava. " Now I am certain of the road," continued Raoul, after wo had crossed. [ know this bank well — the mule slides ! Look out, Captain !" " For what ?" I asked with some anxiety. The Frenchman laughed as he repHed : " I believe I am taking leave of my senses. I called to you to look out, as if you had the power to help yourself in case the accident should occur." " What accident ?" I inquired with a nervous sense of some impending danger. " Falling over — we are on a precipice that is reckoned dangerous on account TFIE RIFLK JiANGKRS. 1Y3 of the clay ; if your mule should stumble here, the first thing you would striko would be the branches of some trees five hundred feet below." " Good heaven !" I ejaculated. " Is it so ?" " Never fear, Captain ; there is not much danger. These mules appear to be sure-footed, and certainly," added he, with a laugh, " their loads are well packed and tied !" I was in no condition just then to relish ajoke, and my companion's humor was completely thrown away upon me. The thought of my mule missing his foot, and tumbling over a precipice, while 1 was stuck to him like a Cen- taur, was anything else than pleasant. I had heard of such accidents, and the knowledge did not make it any easier. I could not help muttering to my- self: " "Why, in the name of mischief, did the fellow tell me till we had passed it?" I crouched closer to the saddle, allowing my limbs to follow every motioa of the animal, lest some counteracting shock might disturb our joint equili- brium. I could hear the torrent, as it roared and hissed far below, and lirectly under us ; and the " sough" grew fainter and fainter as we ascended. On we went, climbing up — up — up, our strong mules straining against the precipitous path. It was daybreak. There was a faint glimmer of Ugb). under our tapqjos. At length, we could perceive a brighter beam. "We felt a sudden {^low of heat over our bodies, — the air seemed lightei — our mules walked on a horizontal path. "We were on the ridge, and warmed by the beams of the rising sun. " Thank heaven we have passed it !" I could not help feeling thus ; and yet we were riding perhaps to death ! CHAPTER XXXIV. A STAMPEDE. The guerilleros now halted, dismounting. We were left in our saddles. Our mules were picketed upon long lariats, and commenced browsing. They Carried us under the thorny branches of the wild locust. The maguey, with its bill-shaped claws, had torn our uniform overalls to shreds. Our limbs were lacerated, and the cactus had lodged its poisoned prickles in our knees. But these were nothing to the pain of being compelled to keep our saddles, — or rather saddle-trees, for we were upon the naked wood. Our hips ached intensely, and our limbs smarted imder the chafing thong. There was a crackling of fires around us. Our captors were cooking their breakfasts, and chatting gaily over their chocolate. Neither food nor drink was oifered to us, n' though we were both thirsty and hungry. We were kept in this place for ab( at an hour. "They have joine! another party here," said Raoul, "with pack mules." " How know you T' I inquired. " I can tell by the hliouts of the ameros— listen !— they are making ready to start." There was a mingling of voices. Exclamations addressed to their animals by the arrieros, such as : — " Mula ! anda ! vaya ! levantate ! carrai ! mvla — mulita — anda ! — si —St .'» In the midst of this din I fancied that I heard the voice of a woman ! "Can it be ?" The thought was too painful. ; A buffle at length sounded, and we felt ourselves moved onward. i -■y<»ii^e unsettled state of Spanish society in all ages and climes, has rendered it necessary that that part of their dwellings looking outward, should bear a stern and frowning aspect. Indeed, the hacienda, with its ponderous gates, and ironed windows, resembles a prison, or a fort, more than a peaceful dwell- ing-house. In some haciendas belonging to the more wealthy proprietors, an attempt is made at ornament, by raising a serrated parapet along the front, and over tlie gateway. Often, too, the little family chapel, with its quaint steeple, or cupola, adds much to the picturesque eflect of the hacienda and the surround- ing scenery. Usually at the distance of fifty rods from the hacienda may be observed a •Juster of black huts. These are constructed of cane or wattles in the tiena TIIK KiKI.K i;ANGKR8. 1