1210 
 . 
 

 

A MEXICAN MILITARY ROMANCE. 
 
 I 
 
 OR, THE 
 
 Hatrd)o:00 of tlje JJotson^ Cattce* 
 
 A TALE OF THE 
 
 Author of 'Big Di 
 
 BY HARRY HAZEL, 
 
 ' J *?' *? M *W ' Middy of the Macedonian,' JVun of St. Ursula ' 
 TAe Burglars,' Wrf p ,rf Codrf,' e/c. 
 
 ' 
 
 BOSTON : 
 'STAR SPANGLED BANNER' OFFICE, 82 WASHINGTON ST. 
 
 1848. 
 
 [ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, by JUSTIN JONES, in the Clerk's Office 
 of the District Court of Massachusetts.] 
 
i-Z-lo 
 , I 
 
 
Bfcocioft Library 
 
 TO 
 
 THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS 
 
 COMPOSING THE 
 
 ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 WHOSE RECENT UNPARALLELED 
 
 VICTORIES IN MEXICO, 
 
 I HAVE PROVED TO THE WORLD THEIR INVINCIBILITY 
 
 IN THE BATTLE FIELD, 
 
 IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BY 
 THEIR HUMBLE SERVANT, 
 
 HARRY HAZEL. 
 
f 
 
 1 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 In whisk our readers arc introduced to a very pretty girt to the milage, in which 
 she resided, and to an old soldier who had ' done the state some service* An Interest- 
 ing Interview, News from the \Var. Arrival of a Recruiting Officer \ Symptoms 
 nf an Excitement. 
 
 her, before we begin to weave tbe curious 
 and mysterious plots and counterplots which 
 
 OSALIA GRANVILLE 
 
 pretty, blue-eyed, rosy-cheeked 
 Rosalia everybody knew her 
 that is, every body who re- 
 sides within two leagues round 
 nbout the beautiful village of* L j, sit- 
 uated we sha'nt tell exactly the spot but 
 somewhere north of Mason &/ Dixon's Line ; 
 find if the reader can boast of Yankee ori- 
 gin, he will be able to guess, if he but fol- 
 low us through the startling adventures of 
 his romance in real life. We feel a decid- 
 ed reluctance in divulging the locale of sev- 
 eral of our characters, for the very simple 
 reason, that they, being naturally sensitive, 
 mio-ht demur at the somewhat free use we 
 
 O 
 
 intend to make of them ; and when they re- 
 turn from the wars, flushed with victory, and 
 find themselves the heroes of a romance, 
 their belligerent spirits might make a dem- 
 onstration iti a quarter where it would be de- 
 cidedly disagreeable to our feelings. 
 
 "We commenced with Rosalia Granville, 
 
 must necessarily characterise our story. 
 Rose as she was familiarly called for brev- 
 ity's sake we said was pretty, and had blue- 
 eyes ; her figure was petite^ sylph-like in 
 proportion, and light and agile as a fairy- 
 queen's ; but these qualities, however fasci 
 nating, were the least of Rose Granville's 
 charms. Her eyes, like all blue eyes, were 
 mild, when not kindled with the fire that is 
 sometimes hidden within the soul, even of 
 azure-eyed beauties. Seldom, it is true, did 
 the concealed fire radiate from her counte- 
 nance, Seldom was it that the latent spirit 
 brought into activity those qualities which 
 the world had not yet seen but when they 
 were aroused, her eyes twinkled like twin- 
 stars from their spheres, full of fire, soul, life 
 and love. 
 
 Rose Granville, within the little circle of 
 her acquaintance, was known but as a mild, 
 amiable beauty intelligent, witty, agreea- 
 ble and lovely withal. She was envied by 
 
 and we wish our readers to know more of jail of her compeers in beauty, and loved by 
 
10. 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 those who were not excited by envy, because 
 of these things ; but how much more was 
 there in her character, in its true light, that 
 the world not even most of her intimate 
 friends had yet discovered or dreamed of. 
 She was but sixteen yeers of age when we 
 first knew her, and that was at the time of 
 the earliest events of this romantic narrative. 
 Her father, who had had much experience in 
 his country's service, and who arose to the 
 rank of a Major of Dragoons in the army, 
 had now retired, for the purpose of spending 
 the remainder of his days peacefully in the 
 society of the only being then living, whom 
 he cherished with his warmest affections 
 his wife having died previous to the surren- 
 dering of his commission. She was his 
 second wife he having, when quite young, 
 wedded a lady of rank and fortune, while 
 stationed at a post in Florida, by whom he 
 had one child. While yet in its infancy, in 
 one of the predatory incursions of the Sem- 
 inoles, the post was surprised one night 
 when young Granville, then a lieutenant, 
 was necessarily absent, and nearly the whole 
 garrison was cut to pieces by the merciless 
 savages. Mrs. Granville was among the first 
 victims ; and while yet writhing in the ago- 
 nies of death, her infant was snatched from 
 her breast by an old squaw, who thrusting 
 the child inlo a pack upon her back, carried 
 it off to her wigwam. 
 
 Soon after this most brutal event, young 
 Granville returned to the north, and in two 
 years was again married to a beautiful and 
 accomplished lady the mother of our hero- 
 ine. Twelve years passed away, and Major 
 Granville followed his second wife to her 
 grave, leaving a lovely daughter of thirteen 
 years of age to solace his declining years. 
 
 Granville Cottage for by this title was 
 the Major's residence known to his neigh- 
 bor's was one of those delightful rural 
 abodes, now so common in the vicinity of 
 most of the great metropolises. Here Ro- 
 salia and her father, with the exception of 
 two or three months in winter, passed their 
 
 time; and besides a few fashionable accom- 
 plishments, which were acquired from con> 
 petent teachers, she was wholly educated by 
 her father. He having received his educa- 
 tion at the West Point Military Academy, 
 and having graduated with high honors, it 
 will not be thought strange that he should 
 undertake the task of imparting to his child, 
 such of his own acquirements as might be 
 deemed proper and useful. Under his skil- 
 ful tutelage she not only mastered the' Ger- 
 man, French and Spanish languages, but 
 she gained also a tolerable insight into Al- 
 gebra, Geometry, Astronomy, and other im- 
 portant branches. Nor was her parental in- 
 structor fully satisfied with her study alone 
 of the sciences, but he took delight, so far 
 as his apparatus would admit of making 
 her practically understand what she had ac- 
 quired. This may be thought a strange ed- 
 ucation for a young girl as indeed it is 
 but the results thereof will be perceived to 
 have a slight bearing upon many of the in- 
 cidents in future chapters of this tale, which 
 we hope to render intelligible to all who fol- 
 low us to the conclusion. Without further 
 introductory words, we commence our plea- 
 sing task. 
 
 It was on the evening of the twenty sec- 
 ond day of May, 1846 we like to be pre- 
 cise when we can that Major Granville and 
 his daughter were seated at the round table 
 in the centre of a beautifully furnished apart- 
 ment of Granville Cottage. This room was 
 the repository of a valuable library, which 
 the veteran officer had collected in his trav- 
 els, and the rich looking books arranged up- . 
 on the shelves around the walls, indicated 
 that no slovenly hand had assigned to each 
 volume its place. A few pictures rare 
 specimens from the life-giving pencils of 
 those masters who have adorned the galle- 
 ries of Rome, Florence and Naples adorn- 
 d the vacant spaces upon the walls, while 
 in the niches, and upon brackets, were sev- 
 eral busts of eminent men, and statuettes of 
 Cupid and Psyche, Diana, Venus de Medi- 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 11 
 
 cis, and other copies of immortal works of 
 poetical statuary. 
 
 In an antique, straight, high-backed, arm- 
 ed chair, sat Major Granville, devouring the 
 contents of several newspapers, which that 
 evening's mail had brought him ; while the 
 fair Rosalia was busy in plying the needle 
 through and through the delicate texture of 
 a piece of lace for it must be known that 
 her domestic education had not been neg- 
 lected, in order to make her a greater pro- 
 ficient in the languages and in sciences. 
 
 ' Pshaw !' involuntarily uttered the ex-mil- 
 itary officer ; ' humbug !' 
 
 ' Pray what is it, father, that draws from 
 you such contemptuous exclamations?' ask- 
 ed Rosalia. 
 
 ' Why here's another rumor that a great 
 battle has been fought on the Rio Grande. 
 These newspapers do invent such improba- 
 ble stories.' 
 
 * Do read it aloud, father,' said the sweet- 
 toned voice of Rosalia.' 
 
 ' By Magnetic Telegraph,' read the Ma- 
 jor. 'By an arrival at New Orleans, we 
 have rumors that a great battle was fought 
 on the 8th instant, at Palo Alto, in which 
 the Americans with fifteen hundred troops 
 have annihilated the Mexican Army under 
 General Arista, who with a force of six 
 thousand men had endeavored to frustrate 
 General Taylor in his intention of relieving 
 the small force stationed at Point Isabel.' 
 4 All moonshine,' continued the Major, ' the 
 cowardly Mexicans would not dare to inter- 
 cept Taylor.' 
 
 1 It may be true,' suggested Rosalia. 
 
 'Can't be! all a guy, depend upon it 
 got up to make the daily papers sell.' 
 
 c And yet, from all I have read of our ar- 
 my's movements and that of the Mexicans 
 in the vicinity of Matamoras, I think it no 
 improbable that a battle has been fought.' 
 
 Pshaw, Rosa ! What do you know abou 
 army movements ? To hear you talk one 
 would judge you to have been an old cam 
 paigner.' 
 
 1 Ah, but you forget that you have taught 
 me not only the history of your own milita- 
 y life, but you have told me much of an- 
 ient warriors the victories of Alexander, 
 he world's conqueror ; the military exploits 
 f Joan of Arc ; the military operations of 
 he Father of our country, George Washing- 
 on ; and there is not in history a battle or a 
 manoeuvre of Napoleon Bonaparte, but what 
 '. have read or heard from your own lips.' 
 
 ' And can it be possible, Rosa, that your 
 memory has treasured up all these things, 
 which so much better become the knowledge 
 of men than women?' asked the veteran offi- 
 cer with an expression of surprise.' 
 
 ' Those things which you love to know 
 best most interest me; and I have listened 
 to you so much on these topics, dear father, 
 that I have not only learned much, but feel 
 an interest in all military expeditions, partic- 
 ularly those of cur own gallant army.' 
 
 1 Well, Rosa, depend upon it these rumors 
 are untrue.' 
 
 These words had scarcely escaped his 
 lips, when the door-bell rang, and a servant 
 soon ushered into the presence of the Major 
 and his daughter, a young gentleman of no- 
 ble and dignified mien, of about txventy-three 
 years of age. 
 
 * Welcome, Clarence, welcome !' said the 
 Major, as he arose and cordially shook the 
 hand of a familiar acquaintance and former- 
 ly #. neighbor of the Granville family Clar- 
 ence Clifton by name. 
 
 ' You are quite a stranger, Mr. Clifton,' 
 said Rosalia, taking his extended hand, while 
 an extra tinge of crimson suffused her deli- 
 cate cheeks. * We areglad to welcome you 
 to our village again ; be seated.' 
 
 'Well, Clarence,' said the Major ; 'I sup- 
 pose you are just from York. What is the 
 intelligence from the seat of war ? Some 
 vague rumors have reached us by this even- 
 ing's mail.' 
 
 ' The rumors at New York of yesterday, 
 are not only fully confirmed, but instead of 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 one there have been two battles fought and 
 two victories won !' 
 
 ' Glorious ! This is news, indeed !' ex- 
 claimed the veteran with animation, and ri- 
 sing from his chair, rubbed and clapped his 
 hands, and paced the room with extatic de- 
 light. ' You're sure it's no humbug, Clar- 
 ence? You know these newspapers are 
 such ' 
 
 * Oh, I'm positive it's true,' interrupted 
 Clifton. ' Despatches have been received 
 at Washington, direct from General Taylor.' 
 
 < There, father ; did I not say it was quite 
 probable, and yet you pshaw'd' at it V said 
 Rosa, playfully, pleased to see the Major in 
 such unusually good spirits. 
 
 ' Ah, you little hussy, you ! you'd know 
 more of military matters than your father, 
 would you ? This girl, Clarence, has fairly 
 beaten an old soldier in her calculations,' 
 said the Major, addressing the last sentence 
 to the young man. ' But come, my boy, tell 
 us the particulars.' 
 
 ' The first battle was at Palo Alto on the 
 8th of May ; the second at Resaca de la 
 Palma on the 9th. But poor Ringgold ' 
 
 * Ringgold ! the gallant Pvinggold !' repeat- 
 ed the Major, his eyes gleaming with appre- 
 hension. * Is he wounded ? is he a prison- 
 er ? or is he ' 
 
 ' Alas ! he was killed in the heat of the 
 conflict!' 
 
 * Then our rejoicing should be changed to 
 mourning !' said the old soldier, as he wiped 
 away a tear that glistened in his eye. * Poor 
 Punggold brave, gallant, generous, noble- 
 hearted man well, well, the bravest and 
 best seem to be cut off first. I almost wish 
 I had my commission again, but to fly to 
 Mexico, and slay with my own right arm 
 enough of these treacherous devils to avenge 
 his death.' 
 
 * And sorry am I,' said Clifton, * that I 
 declined accepting the commission which 
 was tendered me last autumn at West Point, 
 at the time I graduated. Had I supposed 
 that such an emergency as this could have 
 
 arisen, I surely should have accepted it ; 
 and I now, Major, have come to my native 
 place, for no other purpose than to endeavor 
 to raise a company of volunteers under the 
 new requisition, and to obtain a captain's 
 commission from the Governor. What think 
 you of the project ? I have come to ask 
 your advice.' 
 
 ' What think I of the project, Clarence V 
 ejaculated the Major. * What should an old 
 soldier think of it, when the country calls 
 for the young and the brave to fly to arms ! 
 You shall not only have words of encourage- 
 ment, but all the influence I possess shall be 
 exercised in aiding you to carry your plans 
 into effect.' 
 
 1 Thanks ! my generous friend !' said the 
 young man, delighted beyond measure at 
 having enlisted Granville's hearty co-opera- 
 tion. ' I will write to His Excellency, res- 
 pecting a commission, this very night. To- 
 morrow morning I will engage recruiting 
 quarters display the Star Spangled Banner 
 at sunrise, and for a time disturb the quiet 
 of this peaceful village with the martial 
 sounds of the recruiting fife and drum.' 
 
 'Bravo! bravo!' exclaimed the Major; 
 'damme, it makes me feel at least ten years 
 younger, just to think of these things again ! 
 Were it not for this slight lameness in my 
 foot, caused by a shot from a cursed Semi- 
 nole rifle the infernal red-skins I'd make 
 an effort to raise a company myself. I would 
 give a fortune to have the command of a 
 company of dragoons, while this war lasts; 
 or, for any field office, from a Sergeant-Ma- 
 jor to a Major-General ! any thing that I 
 might be mounted, to hide this accursed 
 game-leg gait of mine ! I might ay, it is 
 very probable I should have been a- Briga- 
 dier by this time, had I not have thrown up 
 rny parchment.' 
 
 *Well, Major,! must bid you good evening,' 
 said Clifton, rising to take his departure ; 
 ' and should be pleased to confer with you 
 further to-morrow, or whenever it will best 
 suit your convenience. 1 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 
 ' Leave us, Clarence 1 why, so hastily 1 
 you have but just come.' 
 
 ' I must write to the Governor to-night ; 
 the mail leaves at ' 
 
 * Nonsense I can't listen to it where 
 did you leave your baggage?' 
 
 ' At the Evergreen Hotel !' 
 
 ' Now make yourself perfectly easy you 
 shan't leave my house to-night ! Here's 
 your quarters ! Damme, if you shall camp 
 under any roof but mine in this burgh ! 
 Here, Sam ' 
 
 ' I thank you, Major, for your tendered 
 hospitality, but ' 
 
 ' Tut, tut, I can't listen to any buts,' in- 
 terrupted Granville, and opening the door, 
 cried out ' here, Sam ! Pat ! where in the 
 devil are ye ?' 
 
 * Ere I is, massa did you call me, massa?' 
 said black Sam, appearing at the door, and 
 scratching his woolly pate. 
 
 ' Yes, you thunder cloud ! Where's Pat T 
 
 * In de kitchen, 'long o' de cook, massa !' 
 'Call him hither, directly, you ace-of- 
 
 spades, you !' 
 
 ' Ees, sah ! I'll fotch him along, massa !' 
 
 ' No, by the powers, you won't, ye black 
 divil, ye !' said Pat, also appearing. ' I'll 
 be afther hilping meself. ' What 'ud yer 
 'onor's 'onor be afiher wanting of yer 'on- 
 or's most obliging of safvants,' continued 
 the Irishman, bowing low to his master. 
 
 ' None of your blarney, you bogtrotter, or 
 f!ll crack your skull with black Sam's co- 
 coanut.' 
 
 ' Yes, yer 'onor,' returned Pat. 
 
 ' Oh, gorra, Massa !' exclaimed Sam, feel- 
 ing 6f his ebony pate. 
 
 * Silence, you black rascal !' commanded 
 the Major. ' Not another syllable out of ei- 
 ther of your heads; but get you along, froth 
 of you, to the Evergreen Hotel, and bring 
 hither Mr. Clifton's baggage. Do you hear, 
 Sam?' 
 
 'Ees, sah; I duz, massa. 5 
 ' Do you hear, Pat?' 
 
 ' Thunder and thurf, yer 'onor, I could 
 hear if you didn't spake at ail a'tall.' 
 
 ' Well, then Attention ! Right Face ! 
 Double Quick Time ! Forward! March .' 
 
 The servants obeyed the martial orders 
 given, and Pat and Sam vanished. 
 
 Clarence again attempted to remonstrate. 
 
 ' Major,' said he, ' I have spoken for rooms 
 and ' 
 
 1 Tut, tut, what of it? I shall counter- 
 mand the order. I have better quarters here 
 than any of jwhich the Evergreen can boast. 
 Make no excuses ; but consider yourself 
 encamped under my roof until duty calls you 
 abroad.' 
 
 Clifton perceiving that there was no chance 
 of arguing the point with the Major, made 
 no farther objections, but thought best t( 
 reconcile himself to the unexpected solicita- 
 tions of his military friend. 
 
 The residue of that evening was spent in 
 lively conversation, principally upon the ex- 
 citing events of the 8th and 9th of May. 
 Neither seemed more happy than the fair 
 Rosalia, whose sparkling wit, vivacity, and 
 general knowledge quite captivated the em- 
 bryo hero. She secretly rejoiced that the 
 handsome youth was to be domicilled for a 
 time under the same roof with her : for she 
 felt that his society would break the general 
 monotony of the village. Granville Cottage 
 had never been quite so lively a residence, a* 
 she could have desired. 
 
 The evening quickly passed away, anff 
 Clifton was escorted to the apartment assign- 
 ed him by the Major himself. He retired 
 to rest but not to sleep a vision, in t^e 
 shape of a beautiful girl, haunted his imag- 
 ination. According to his pre-conoetved 
 standard of female loveliness and excellence, 
 he had seen and conversed on that evening, 
 with one that would bear a maximum test 
 He had scanned every feature with the scru- 
 tiny of a sculptor, and found them perfect ; 
 he had marked her figure, and saw naught 
 but beauty and symmetry its every move- 
 ment natural and graceful ; he had noted 
 
14 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 her musical voice a syren's could not have 
 been more enchanting ; he had heard from 
 her sweet lips words of wisdom, tallies of 
 wit and humor, smiles of joy and gladness ; 
 he had seen a tear of pity in her eye for the 
 gallant dead, and a ray of hope beam from 
 her expressive countenance for the gallant 
 living. All these things he had seen blend- 
 ed in one fair creature in the person of 
 Rosalia Granville ! He wondered that these 
 qualities had never struck him before he 
 had met her often but two years had fled 
 since then. The young man did not realize 
 he change which two years often makes in 
 
 young maidens of a particular age. He 
 reflected that he ^ad never felt any great in- 
 terest in any young lady until now and he 
 could not, he dared not believe that he did 
 in her but, at all events, he acknowledged 
 himself singularly affected. There was a 
 chord touched in his heart that had never 
 vibrated before ; yet he could not have de- 
 fined or described the peculiar sensations 
 which thrilled pleasingly to his very heart. 
 
 It was near morning before he could per- 
 suade himself to sleep and when he did 
 sleep, he dreamed of Rosalia Granville ! 
 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Recruiting Station. The Village in a state of Excitement. Wonder what it's all 
 ahout. Clifton's First Trial at Recruiting. No Success. The Major comes to the 
 Rescue. A Patriotic Speech and Yankee Doodle ' does up ' the Business. l The 
 Work goes Rraoely on.' The First Drill. Discouragement of the Recruiting Officer. 
 * There's Fight in Every Mother's Son of 'em.' 
 
 HE second morning it was, af 
 ter Claieice Clifton's arrival 
 that th\e peaceable citizens o 
 
 , were thrown suddenly 
 
 into a state of excitement 
 the why and wherefore had not yet pene 
 trated their agricultural noddles. It was no 
 the Seventeenth-o'-June, nor the Fourth-o'- 
 July, nor Washington's Birth Day, nor an) 
 other holiday that the good people of that 
 ' burgh' had ever heard of; yet there were 
 the * stars and stripes' waving as proudly and 
 gracefully as they ever did on Independence 
 Day, from the top of the liberty-pole, in the 
 square, directly in front of the ' Evergreen ; 
 and as plainly distinguishable to their optics 
 as the sun which was just rising above the 
 reach-pole of Deacon Powell's barn ; a thing 
 unrecorded in the town annals since the last 
 war with the mother country. 
 
 The old people and the young people, the 
 masculine and the feminine, looked at the 
 waving ensign with wondering eyes ; the par- 
 son of the parish, on being told of the sin- 
 gular event, put on his goggles and came 
 forth to be convinced of that which his in- 
 credulity would not admit. For two hours 
 had the object of their curiosity been unfurl- 
 ed to the breeze, and the mystery remained 
 unsolved. Some suggested that the Presi- 
 
 dent, or the Governor, or the Major General, 
 or some other important functionary might 
 have arrived during the night; but on a sec- 
 ond thought this could not be, for there was 
 no carriage in the Evergreen yard no 
 strange hor&es in the stable ; and the mail- 
 coach, which was due but semi-weekly, had 
 arrived the night previous with but one pas 
 senger, and he was a beardless youth. One 
 little boy, with a red head and a ' thquinting' 
 vision, ' guethed ath how the Thircuth wath 
 coming ;' another, who wanted to * see the 
 Elephant,' reckoned it must be thatiwo-tail- 
 ed quadruped; and a third thought possibly 
 that an extra * Fourth-o'-July ' might have 
 been appointed, and gingerbread, candy, 
 and egg-pop, naturally popped into his pat- 
 riotic imagination. The landlord of the 
 Evergreen' pretended to know something 
 ooked wise, but kept mum ; even he, how- 
 ever, did not really comprehend the matter, 
 >ut he knowingly winked at one or two of 
 lis familiar acquaintances his most profita- 
 le ' bar' customers. He gave them to un- 
 lerstand, by shakes, nods and winks, that 
 
 * We know ; or, we could and if we would ; or, 
 fwe list to speak,' 
 
 ut not a word did he utter. 
 
 Thus things remained until about tea 
 'clock, when the ears of the ' wondering/ 
 
16 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 ' reckoning,' and 'guessing' villagers were 
 startled by the quick, stirring tap-tap and 
 roll of a drum, accompanied by shrill and 
 piercing strains of a fife. Toward the front 
 door of the ' Evergreen 7 all eyes were brought 
 to a focus. From it marched forth Clarence 
 Clifton, with a drawn sword in his hand, fol- 
 lowed by a drummer and fifer, and a tall, 
 homespun looking plough-boy, who used his 
 best endeavors, though without success, to 
 keep step with the enlivening and warlike 
 strains. 
 
 The villagers' astonishment increased 
 they looked more mysterious than ever. 
 They had seen these instruments at ' giner- 
 al musters' and ' May trainings,' a; the head 
 of the ' sogers,' but all of them declared 
 that they had never seen anything so * dod- 
 rotted mean' as a company of ' trainers' of 
 'onyjest' four persons, including captain, 
 drummer and fifer. 
 
 Clifton, without taking any particular no- 
 tice of the curious assemblage, marched his 
 music and his solitary recruit, up and down 
 the principal avenue, and through every by- 
 path of the village, where a human habita- 
 tion could be discerned, and in the course of 
 an hour and a half halted at the ' Evergreen' 
 v/ithout any augmentation of his force. He 
 sheathed his sword, took off his cap, wiped 
 the perspiration from his brow, and gave a 
 look of contempt at the score or two of corn- 
 fed, beef-devouring, hardy-looking young 
 fellows, who stood gaping upon him with as- 
 tonishment and wonder. 
 
 ' Wall, I'm darn'd if I hain't conclewed 
 that that faller's een jest crazy,' remarked 
 Sy Sickle,' a hale, hearty specimen of a Yan- 
 kee plough-boy, to his comrades. ' What 
 on airth can the critter mean, enny haow? 
 'Taint the Fourth-o'July, nor the day that 
 Gineral Washington was born in, nor no 
 day of that ere sort or kind, but a plain 
 working day ; and don't you see there's the 
 school-marm jest calling the boys and gals 
 inter the school-' us. It beats all natur I 
 can't make head nor tail to it, I yummy I 
 can't.' 
 
 This and several similar remarks were 
 made while Clifton's eye was upon them, a 
 portion of which fell upon his ear. Pres- 
 ently Major Granville appeared, who, as the 
 curious assemblage hoped, would explain the 
 why and wherefore of this unheard of man- 
 ceuvreing in their usually quiet and orderly 
 village. 
 
 The Major stepped up to Clarence, and 
 they exchanged salutes, a la militaire. 
 
 5 Well, Clifton,' said the veteran ; ' what 
 are the prospects? any enlistments, eh?' 
 
 ' None/ said the youth, despairingly ; ' I 
 might have known better than to have made 
 the attempt to raise a company here. Would 
 to Heaven they had a little of that patriotic 
 spirit which once animated the souls of their 
 grandfathers. I have marched my music al! 
 through the town, and they have followed 
 and gaped at me as if I were the clown of a 
 circus company.' 
 
 ' And is that all you have done ?' enquired 
 the Major. 
 
 ' What more could I have done ?' 
 
 * Made them a speech/ 
 
 ' That would not have moved them.' 
 
 'I tell you it would do it now give them 
 something patriotic talk of glory, blood 
 and thunder ! give it to 'em strong noth- 
 ing else will animate their hearts.' 
 
 ' If the eloquence of the fife and drum fail 
 to move them, 1 fear that mortal lips would 
 move them less.' 
 
 ' And have yon not spoken to them at all?' 
 
 ' Not a syllable.' 
 
 ' Nor explained your object ?' 
 
 ' Not in words I have marched up and 
 down the street, beating-up for volunteers 
 what more can be necessary ?' 
 
 ' Pooh ! much more never '11 do in the 
 world,' replied the Major, with animation ; 
 ' I'll wager my best chapeau that there is not 
 one of those verdant gentlemen, who have 
 even the most distant idea of your object.' 
 
 ' Can it be possible ?' 
 
 1 Possible ? yes anything stupid is pos- 
 sible in this plaee of that I'll convince you. 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 17 
 
 I'll enlighten these dumb statues myself 
 I'll give them a touch of my eloquence in 
 your behalf. They already look upon me as 
 die Sir Oracle of the village. Come, strike up 
 Yankee Doodle, Hail Columbia, Star Span- 
 gled Banner anything stirring, and escort 
 me to the green. I'll see what can be done 
 for you.' 
 
 Clifton followed Granville's instructions 
 the fife and drum struck up a patriotic march, 
 and Clifton escorted the Major directly 
 among the wondering crowd. A chair was 
 brought from the ' Evergreen/ and placed at 
 the foot of the flag-staff, and while the fife 
 and drum performed a salute, Granville 
 mounted the chair, took off his hat, and in 
 the politest manner possible, solicited the at- 
 tention of the audience to a few brief re- 
 marks which he deemed it his duty to make 
 to them. 
 
 Dumb and almost breathless seemed the 
 crowd before him, while he explained the ob- 
 ject of his young and gallant military friend 
 he expatiated at length bf the glory to be 
 gained upon the tented field dwelt feeling- 
 ly upon the country's need of aid from the 
 young and valiant to bring the war to a glo- 
 rious termination gave a most thrilling des- 
 cription of the two great battles which had 
 already been fought and won by their ever- 
 conquering countrymen in glowing lan- 
 guage he dwelt upon the patriotism and val- 
 or of their lamented sires and grandsires in 
 their two great struggles with Great Brit- 
 ain ; and concluded by entreating the stal- 
 wart and noble youths to imitate their glori- 
 ons example and enlist under the victorious 
 banner in this great crisis, when the coun- 
 try stood so much in need of their servi- 
 
 ces!' 
 
 Defeaning were the shouts and hurrahs 
 which immediately succeeded the last words 
 f the veteran's patriotic harangue. The 
 effort was successful the victory complete ! 
 
 And now the suddenly elated Clifton, fol- 
 lowed by some fifteen or twenty verdant but 
 stalwart plough-boys, was again parading up 
 
 and down the town, much to the annoyance of 
 all nervous old women, and affright of geese, 
 ducks, hens, turkeys, and other barn-yard 
 accompaniaments. 
 
 The ' Evergreen' on that day presented an 
 unusually busy appearance. The spark of 
 patriotism now kindled within a few soon 
 electrified nearly all the young men within 
 a league's distance around the village, and 
 they hurried in to the recruiting rendezvous 
 to prove to the world that they were no cow- 
 ards and not recreant to their duty when the 
 country calls ' To Arms!' 
 
 At the setting of the sun on that day of 
 extreme excitement, Clifton had the glorious 
 satisfaction of finding on his enlistment roll 
 forty-six men good and true raw recruits 
 indeed but just the right sort of material 
 to endure the hardships of a campaign and 
 to make good soldiers of and, in truth, the 
 very class of men who achieved our coun- 
 try's independence. 
 
 Before it was yet dark our self-made re- 
 cruiting officer drew up his men in as straight 
 a line as could be expected, and gave them 
 a furlough of three days. At the end of 
 which time, he told them that he should ex- 
 pect every man to answer to his name at the 
 call of the roll ; and, moreover to have all 
 their private matters arranged, preparatory 
 to marching for Mexico. 
 
 Elated with the idea of being a soldier, 
 and filled with enthusiasm and excitement at 
 the bold step they had taken, they dispersed 
 to their several homes to acquaint their fa- 
 thers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sweethearts 
 and wives, of the glorious act that they had 
 that day performed, and of the sacrifice they 
 were about to make for the good of their 
 country ! 
 
 If ever a hubbub was suddenly kicked up 
 in any community it was effected in this hith- 
 erto peaceful village ! It would require the 
 pages of an octavo volume to give in detail 
 the remonstrances of both stern and tender- 
 hearted parents ; the gentle persuasions of 
 loving sisters ; the bluff and grouty growls 
 
18 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 of elder brothers ; the hair-pulling of vixen 
 spouses; and the earnest, the gentle and 
 tearful entreaties of loving, amiable and 
 pretty sweethearts. 
 
 Had the whole village been set on fire, the 
 effect of this strange and sudden resolution 
 of the young men, could not have had a 
 more inflammable effect upon that sect, who 
 are fortunately and perhaps necessary ex- 
 empt from fighting their countrj's battles, or 
 performing even the duties of a soldier in 
 times of peace. 
 
 However, remonstrances, entreaties, pul- 
 ling hair, or growling had no effect ; and 
 even tears from the soft blue eyes of the vil- 
 lage belle, whose lover had enlisted, were of 
 no avail. If one was released, thought the 
 young recuiting officer, all might desire to 
 be. 
 
 The three days' furlough having expired, 
 one by one, slowly and reluctantly, began to 
 assemble the raw recruits, with their patri- 
 otic ardor half cooled. Although it was not 
 required, nearly all of them bore upon their 
 shoulders either an old musket, a rifle, or a 
 fowling-piece. Those who possessed not 
 these weapons, had availed themseles of cut- 
 lasses, swords or pistols, which looked an- 
 tique and rusty enough to have served thro' 
 the revolutionary campaign. Thus they ap- 
 peared armed and equipped for many had 
 shot pouches and powder horns contrary 
 to the wishes or expectations of their re- 
 cruiting officer, who, by unanimous consent 
 they acknowledged as captain, though he 
 had not as yet received a commission. 
 
 After calling them into line he told them 
 that arms, equipments, and uniform would 
 be furnished them by government, and that 
 they might leave all weapons and accoutre- 
 ments at home. This announcement gave 
 pretty general satisfaction, but it called forth 
 from the ranks one Ezekiel Short, an over- 
 grown youth, who stood six feet four inches 
 in his stockings, and who held firmly in his 
 hand a ducking gun, the barrel of which 
 was nearly as long as himself. 
 
 ' Well, Capen, I think I mought as well 
 go hum,' said long Zeke ; * can't be of no 
 use, no haow.' 
 
 ' Why, what's the matter ?' inquired Clif- 
 ton. 
 
 * That's a pooty question for yeou to ask. 
 Didn't you say jeast naow, that we must 
 leave our guns at hum ? Now, one raison 
 I had in 'listin, was to have a chance some 
 day or 'nuther to try the quality o' my duck- 
 in' gun on some o' them are thunderin' black 
 whiskered Mexikins. You see, capen, I'm 
 used to this ere shootin' iron I'll be fly- 
 blown if there's another like it between here 
 and Satan's kingdom ! It is the same iden- 
 tical critter that my old grandsir fit and bled 
 with at the Concord Fight ! That gun won 
 the prize last squirrel hunt, and I was ray- 
 ther calkerlatiri' on doing the same sort o' 
 thing when we get out huntin' arter those 
 tarnal crazy Mexikins.' 
 
 The officer made no reply, but unwilling 
 to lose so fine a specimen of fighting timber, 
 took Zeke aside and hinted to him that all 
 should be right in regard to the ducking 
 gun if he would seemingly acquiesce. 
 Zeke took his place in the ranks again with- 
 out his gun, which seemed to satisfy two or 
 three others who had calculated upon enlist- 
 ing their favorite weapons as well as their 
 bodies for the campaign. 
 
 Clifton BOW commenced drilling his raw 
 recruits in the school of the soldier, and it 
 was with the greatest difficulty that he at 
 length made them understand that a soldier's 
 duties embraced something more than to 
 load, take aim and fire ! It was an awk- 
 ward piece of work that first drill but 
 Clifton, not again despairing, kept his men 
 in a line rather a zig-zag one to be sure 
 for upwards of three hours. And at the 
 end of that time every man could tell his left 
 foot from his right, and knew the meaning 
 of 'eyes right,' ' left dress,' etc. 
 
 However, all things considering (military 
 enthusiam being at a very low ebb in that 
 section of the country) the raw recruits 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 19 
 
 gave pretty strong indications that they were 
 just the right sort of boys ' to go a Mexican 
 hunting' as they termed it. 
 
 The only thing mortifying to our young 
 hero, on this occasion, was, to observe, after 
 he had dismissed his command and faced 
 right-about, that Major Granville and the 
 beautiful, blue-eyed Rosalia had been silent 
 spectators of the mano3uvres of his corps in 
 his first attempt to instruct them. The mo- 
 ment his eye was caught they could not re- 
 frain from giving vent to the gleeful feelings 
 which the ludicrous appearance and awk- 
 ward actions of the tyro soldiers had excited 
 within them, 
 
 Clifton looked abashed and his cheeks 
 were red with mortification ; but the Major 
 observing his trepidation and instantly di 
 vining the cause, stepped towards him and 
 extended his hand, saying 
 
 * Excellent 1 brave ! a noble beginning ! 
 Do not feel so down-hearted, Clarence. I'll 
 pledge my honor as an old soldier, that i*o 
 company of recruits, raised in this state 
 would prove a match for them. There's 
 fight in every mother's son of 'em ! I can 
 see it in their eyes !' 
 
 ' But they make such an outrageously ri- 
 diculous appearance, that I am almost tired 
 of the task I have began,' remarked Clifton 
 
 ' Tut, tut, persevere,' pursued Granville 
 * you'U soon mould them to your will by pa 
 tient drilling.' 
 
 ' I'm sure they obeyed your orders with 
 considerable precision,' chimed in Miss Ro 
 salia, * considering that they know as little o 
 the military art as old Parson Lambton.' 
 
 * Of course we must allow a Major's daugh 
 ter to be a proper judge of soldierlike bear 
 ing,' said Clarence, bowing, and with aligh 
 touch of irony in his mode of speech.' 
 
 ' Oh, sir,' returned Rosalia, ' it require 
 not to be a Major's daughter to tell a soldie 
 from a civilian at a glance to tell a haw 
 from a peacock is not a whit easier.' 
 
 * Ah, ha, ha ! well done, Rosa ! a gallan 
 retort and a close shot !' said Granville ; bu 
 
 Clarence, you must n't mind my little mili- 
 ary prodigy in petticoats. If she could 
 ave her own way the days of Amazonian 
 eroism would be revived. 1 wouldn't have 
 elieved that she knew much more of army 
 movements than my ' kitchen colonel,' if she 
 ad'nt, the other evening, have completely 
 istanced my calculations in regard to the 
 lovernents of our forces on the Rio Grande. 
 She anticipated the truth, while I declared it 
 11 moonshine.' 
 
 ' Indeed,' replied Clarence, facetiously ; 
 perhaps Miss Granville would like to enlist 
 n my raw company ; I can make her a cor- 
 oral, and her gallantry may be the means of 
 icr promotion.'' 
 
 ' Enlist in your corps? ha, ha!' laughed 
 losalia; 'you esteem me lightly, melhinka. 
 Setter use your influence to make me your 
 colonel.' 
 
 ' A powder-60y, rather,' retorted Clifton, 
 good humoredly. 
 
 1 You would find me much less afraid of 
 ixplosive material than you are, I'll engage.' 
 
 ' After an engagement, ladies are very use- 
 ul in mending up the little eyelet holes, 
 made by the sharp-shooters/ 
 
 Ah ! I'll agree to sew up all that may 
 occur in your corps; you'll not hazard their 
 precious lives, I'll warrant, within point 
 blank distance of a thirty-two pounder!' 
 
 'Come, come a truce to this jesting,' 
 said the Major. ' Let's make a retreat for 
 home, Rosy. Clarence I shall soon expect 
 you at the cottage.' 
 
 ' Remember, Captain Clifton, (she em- 
 phasized the title,) ' that we take our tea 
 early.' 
 
 ' Will you promise to aim the ' paper-bul- 
 lets' of your brain at something else?' said 
 Clifton. 
 
 ' I can't promise; you are such a capital 
 target I love to shoot at you.' 
 
 ' I think I shall survive all the wounds you 
 may chance to make. You may expect me 
 in good season,' said Clifton, as he returned 
 the parting salute of his friends. 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON 
 
 Now the reader might very naturally infer 
 from the character of. the conversation we 
 have listened to from Clarence and Rosalia, 
 lhat such a thing as a mutual love did not 
 exiet in their hearts ; but such is not the 
 true state of the case Cupid sometimes 
 plays such unaccountable antics that lovers 
 cannot always put confidence in him. The 
 truth is, that Clifton, the more lie listened to 
 Rosalia's lively sallies, ironical though they 
 often were, the more he thought of her won- 
 drous charms ; and to say the truth she was 
 far from being indifferent to him. 
 
 Without tarrying longer in the quiet vil- 
 lage, which we have for a short time much 
 disturbed, we must onward to the Battle 
 Fields of Mexico, leaving our hero and his 
 raw recruits to get there as best they may. 
 
 One thing, however, we may as well state. 
 When Clifton arrived at New Orleans about 
 four weeks after the events already narrated, 
 he was surprised and pleased to learn that 
 
 his company of volunteers were to be mount 
 ed as soon as they could reach the Rio del 
 Norte, and to form part of a battalion of 
 Light Dragoons which was to be formed 
 from the several volunteer corps. He was 
 yet more surprised to learn that his friend, 
 Major Granville, had actually received and 
 accepted a Colonel's commission, and to 
 have the command of the new battalion of 
 Light Dragoons, and, moreover, that he 
 was daily expected at New Orleans, from 
 thence to proceed immediately to the seat of 
 war. When Clifton's surprise had subsided, 
 the first query which entered his mind, was, 
 whether or not Rosalia Granville would ac- 
 company her father to Mexico? He was 
 well convinced in his own mind that it would 
 not be owing to any disinclination on her 
 part if she had not set out with him. Of 
 this we shall satisfy our readers in a future 
 chapter. 
 
 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 21 
 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 
 ...i :,- 
 
 A Troop of Mexican Cavalry. Canales, the notable Rancher o Chieftain. Hin 
 Lieutenant. Arrival at the Rancho of Senor Espindola. A beautiful Mexico* 
 Senorita, concerning whom there is more mystery than will be revealed in this chapter. 
 A new feature in Modern Warfare. Elvira's Curiosity. 
 
 O MEXICO poor, unhappy 
 Mexico we would convey the 
 reader at one stride, without 
 being necessitated to stop here 
 and there for an incident to 
 render the chain of our story complete. 
 
 Ten days prior to the ever-memorable 
 siege of MONTEREY, and at the distance of 
 about three leagues from the captured 
 city, a small party of cavaliers suddenly 
 dashed across a well travelled mule path, 
 by which the Sierra Madre is passed, and 
 entered a smaller path leading through a 
 forest of trees of a larger growth than is 
 usually met with in that section of the repub- 
 lic. As soon as the wood completely con- 
 cealed them from the view of any party who 
 might be toiling up the mule path towards 
 the mountain pass, they slackened their 
 speed, and rode on slowly until they issued 
 into a plain of some three hundred acres, 
 the locality of the rancho of one Senor Es- 
 pindola, a worthy who will enact a subordi- 
 nate part in some of the scenes which we 
 shall hereafter describe. Here the cavaliers 
 halted, and dismounting their jaded beasts, 
 each began to perform the duties of ostler, 
 with the exception of two rather conspicu- 
 ous individuals, who in fact were the first 
 two officers of this band of rather suspicious i 
 2 
 
 looking individuals, and of whom we shall 
 endeavor to give a brief description. 
 
 The chief was a tall, well-proportioned 
 man, of about forty years of age, with small, 
 piercing black eyes ; his cheeks, chin and 
 upper lip, were nearly covered with a sleek, 
 black beard, which appeared as if never 
 neglected at the toilet. His teeth were reg- 
 ular and white, which he displayed to ad- 
 vantage whenever he spoke or smiled. The 
 expression of his face, however, was natur- 
 ally severe, and now disappointment, scorn, 
 hatred and revenge were added. His cos 
 tume bespoke him a man of wealth, with no 
 ordinary share of vanity and pride hischa 
 queta of green velvet was richly bedizzened 
 with cord and lace of gold ; his vest em- 
 broidered with gold and silver thread ; hia 
 trousers, of the same material as his jacket> 
 were made full and fastened around his an- 
 cle, a la Turque. By his side hung a naked 
 blade, a cut-throat looking weapon, bearing 
 a much closer resemblance to a bowie-knife 
 though much longer than to any other 
 instrument manufactured for men-slaying 
 that we are acquainted with. A pair of huge 
 horse-pistols were in the holsters of his sad- 
 dle, and in his right hand he bore a heavy 
 lance, the indispensable weapon of a Mexi- 
 can mounted soldier. His figure was grace- 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 fill withal, and were it not for the noted 
 paseness of his character, he might have 
 bassed for a gentleman of distinction. It 
 was Don Rodriguez Canales holding the 
 commission of a General, but acting as the 
 Chief of the most notorious body of Ran- 
 cheros in Mexico. 
 
 His lieutenant, or first subordinate, was 
 similarly though less gaudily attired, but in- 
 stead of a naked blade at his side, he wore 
 a less savage looking weapon, resembling a 
 cuirassier's sabre, and instead of a slouched 
 hat and plumes, like his chief's, his head 
 was covered by the ordinary broad-brimmed 
 Mexican sombrero, with the addition of a 
 wide green ribbon, the ends of which hung 
 over his left shoulder and fastened to a but- 
 ton-hole of his chaqueta. Don Juliano Ro- 
 sas was the name by which he was known, 
 though it was intimated that he was an ad- 
 venturer from a certain country he was com- 
 pelled to leave, to avoid that most horrible of 
 all deaths a public strangulation. Don Ju- 
 liano was a villain of a deeper dye than 
 even his master ; he was not more than thir- 
 ty years of age, but he was much older in 
 crime ; pretended to be a Spanish West In- 
 dian, though he had never seen one of the 
 West Indian Isles j he could speak Spanish 
 with considerable fluency, though an old Gas- 
 tilian might have easily detected that there 
 was not a drop of Spanish blood in his veins. 
 He had gained the confidence of his chief, 
 by scrupulously obeying orders that a man 
 of the slightest honor would have revolted 
 from. Yet, Don Juliano could boast of a 
 handsome figure, and an agreeable counte- 
 nance ; he could ever be pleasing among his 
 companions, and even among the fair seno- 
 ritas; but little did they know of the devil 
 which reigned within him. 
 
 The remainder of the band, nearly a hun- 
 dred and fifty in number, were poorly clad, 
 but well armed ; altogether they were as 
 shabbaroon and cut-throat a looking troop of 
 knaves as ever robbed a caravan or pillaged 
 a church. 
 
 * A bloody days work we've had of it, Se- 
 nor Capitan,' remarked Don Juliano, ad- 
 dressing Canales. 
 
 * Si,' answered the notable chieftain, of 
 whose acts the American people have heard 
 so much, ' but,' continued he, with a hellish 
 grin on his features, 'this day's defeat has 
 only served to whet my anger ; and now that 
 my blood is roused I swear vengeance upon 
 
 he head of every d d Americano who 
 
 alls into the power of Canales ! I will hunt 
 them so long as one treads within our boun- 
 daries ! I will neither show quarter or en- 
 gage them in honorable combat ! Hereafter, 
 whenever our lances shall draw even one 
 drop of hlood from their bodies, death shall 
 be the consequence more certain than if bit- 
 ten by the envenomed tongue of the deadly 
 serpent !' 
 
 ' Ah, Senor Capjtan, what mean you ?' 
 ejaculated Juliano, not exactly relishing a 
 part of Canales' speech. 
 
 ' See that the men are well quartered, and 
 then come to my quarters. I'll unfold to 
 thee my plan there. Rouse up old Espin- 
 dola he has not unbarred the door yet.' 
 
 ' Halloo ! halloo ! Senor Espindola ! hal- 
 loo!' shouted the lieutenant, at the same 
 time rapping lustily upon the door with his 
 sword. 
 
 The summons was soon answered by the 
 appearance at the threshold of an old man o 
 three score years, who was gaping and rub- 
 bing his eyes as it just awakened from a 
 sound sleep. 
 
 ' A pretty time for sleep, Senor Espindo- 
 la,' resumed the lieutenant, ' it is not much 
 past mid-day.' 
 
 ' Ah, Don Juliano/ replied the old man, 
 ' I knew that was thy wagish tongue ; me- 
 thinks when thou hast lived over sixty har- 
 vests, thou wilt find a quiet siesta quite re- 
 freshing even at this hour. I know 'tis not, 
 and Heaven knows 'tis not.', 
 
 ' Well, well, bestir thyself old man, and 
 prepare a feast for Captain Canales and 
 myself, while our troop are doing the same 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON 
 
 23 
 
 thing for themselves. Move sprightly w 
 have had a severe day's work and not a inor 
 sel of refreshment since sunrise.' 
 
 ' The best that we have shall be thine 
 and that's good enough for any grandee in 
 Mexico. But what meanest thou by a se 
 vere day's work, lieutenant ? My old eye 
 tell me that all has not gone right with thee. 
 1 True ; we have lost thirty men to day 
 mostly killed.' 
 
 ' Dios de Cielo /' exclaimed the old man 
 with a look of pious horror. ' Thou an< 
 thy troop must have been battling the barba 
 rians !' 
 
 ' Yes ; only they battled us with a ven 
 geance ! I believe we have encounterec 
 this day the accursed Texan Rangers, unde 
 that dare-devil, McCullough ; but don't ask 
 me any questions. Tell me, where is Don 
 na Elvira ? She is not napping, too, is she ? 
 ' Ah ! bless her bright eyes ! they are nev 
 er closed while the sun shines above the 
 horizon.' 
 
 ' Why, then, is she not here?' 
 * She teased me to let her goto the village 
 and spend the day with the daughter of Se- 
 nor Martini, who is celebrating her birth-day 
 by having a juvenile fandango. All theladf 
 and lasses of her acquaintance were invited. 
 So I could not refuse my darling Elvira 
 She will return, I'll warrant me, when the 
 sun gets below the mountain top.' 
 
 ' Senor Espindola ;' said Juliano, ' I have 
 a word for thee, privately, concerning Elvi- 
 ra, when a good opportunity occurs. 1 
 
 ' I cannot object to that, good leftenant ; 
 but mark me well, Donna Elvira is not fo r 
 thee ; therefore, importune me no more on 
 that point. I have told thee often, that 
 when thou couldst gain her consent, mine 
 should follow ; but I know she loves thee 
 
 ROt.' 
 
 ' Perchance her mind will change, and 
 she will yet give heed to my protestations of 
 love.' 
 
 ' Ah, Don Juliano, believe it not I have 
 3ived long in the world I have studied well 
 
 the hearts of women there's danger in at- 
 tempting to change or coerce them when 
 once fixed. But, I'm losing time tortillas 
 must be cooked, or I cannot serve thee as 
 gallant cavaliers should be served.' 
 
 Having made this reply Espindola entered 
 the house ; and at the time predicted, the 
 sparkling black-eyed, black-haired Senorita 
 Elvira Espindola, came tripping with sylph- 
 like grace into the apartment where her fa- 
 ther who seemed more worthy to be called 
 her grandfather was preparing a repast for 
 the Ranchero Chief and his lieutenant.' 
 
 ' Ah, Elvira ; I am glad thou hast come 
 so promptly, for my guests have returned, 
 and we have a repast to serve them.' 
 
 ' Oh, father,' said the vivacious Elvira ; ' I 
 have had right merry sport to day ; we have 
 had such a gay fandango ; and I have seen 
 the great general, Ampudia, and his grand 
 army of soldiers, who, they say, are going to 
 kill or drive all the 'Yonkese' out of Mexico 
 They are now marching toward Monterey, 
 where they mean to give them such a whip- 
 ping, if they dare show their heads.' 
 
 ' Nonsense, child Ampudia is a coward ! 
 If he's to command the troops another de- 
 feat is certain. Pity it is the heroic Cana- 
 les, who is our guest, is not at their head.' 
 
 ' I don't like Canales' looks, father.' 
 
 ' Why not, my child ?' 
 
 ' Because he seems too much like a rob- 
 ber." 
 
 What think'st thou of Don Juliano Ro- 
 sas?' 
 
 ' I like him no better, father.' 
 
 ' Prithee, why ?' 
 
 ' He teases me too much talks love and 
 uch silly nonsense to me you know I can't 
 >ear it. Then, too, I believe he's not what 
 ic professes to be I fear he's a hypocrite, 
 herefore, I like him not. 5 
 
 * By San Maria, good reasons and strong 
 Then, Elvira, beware of him he will not 
 ubmit to thy scorn tamely. I regard him 
 omewhat suspiciously, too ; he hath an oily 
 ongue, and may do thee harm.' 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 ' I fear him not ; neither do I fear Roder- 
 
 iguez ' 
 
 ' Hush, my child,' interrupted the old man, 
 as Canales with a lofty stride intruded him- 
 self into their presence. 
 
 Elvira immediately left the room. 
 
 ' Senor Espindola,' said the chieftain ; 
 ' I have something to say to thee in private 
 After dark come to my apartment, and see 
 that there be no listeners.' 
 
 * Santa Maria /' exclaimed the old man ; 
 * thou, too, canst not want my daugh- 
 ter 1 Wert thou the most magnificent gran- 
 dee in the Republic, I could not permit it 
 the Holy Church would not sanction it ; for 
 if 1 have heard aright, thou hast one wife to 
 love and cherish already -never'll do can' 
 
 listen to it ' 
 
 ' Old man, what canst thou be prating 
 about?' 
 
 ' Of my daughter she never shall be 
 wedded unless with the sanction of the Ho 
 
 ly Church as I said before ' 
 
 * Nonsense I have too weighty matter 
 
 ight to be an auditor ; and what young la- 
 y would not have reasoned as she did, and 
 cted as she had acted, under like circum- 
 tances? She did not alludeto what she had 
 icard to her father. Oh, no ; she had too 
 much good sense for that ; besides, her cu- 
 riosity was aroused, and there was to be a 
 very private interview between her father 
 and the chief upon a very important matter. 
 She resolved, whatever it might be, that it 
 should be no secret to her ! 
 
 The feast prepared for the Ranchero lead- 
 ers having been despatched, these worthies 
 retired to the suite of apartments occupied 
 by the former. Their conversation thus far 
 had been upon the losses they had sustained 
 in their last engagement with the Ameri- 
 cans. 
 
 ' How bear our men this defeat, Juliano ?' 
 asked Canales, pursuing the subject. 
 
 * With loud curses and dread oaths of ven- 
 geance !' answered the lieutenant. ' Had 
 they encountered a legion of devils, com- 
 manded by the arch fiend himself, instead of 
 
 in hand to think of silly maidens.' 
 
 'Oh, ho! then it isn't of my daughte 
 thou would'st speak ? I ought to have known 
 Better to be sure I had well, I am an 
 
 *FOOL!' thundered the chief, almost en- 
 raged. 
 
 ' True, Senor ; I was on the point of im- 
 parting to. thee that information when thou 
 didst interrupt me.' 
 
 ' Thou knowest my wish ?' 
 ' Si, Senor ; I am thy humble servant, and 
 wilt obey.' 
 
 The chieftain retired to his own quarters, 
 whither we shall soon follow him. Donna 
 Elvira again rejoined her father. In fact 
 she had not hied so far away, but that every 
 word which Canales had uttered had fallen 
 upon her. She was not a premeditated'list- 
 ener to this conversation, but accidentally 
 hearing her own name mentioned, she very 
 reasonably concluded that she had an inter- 
 est in the conversation, and of course had a 
 
 this squadron of wild Texans, they could not 
 have been more amazed or more terribly 
 routed !' 
 
 ' True ; I'd rather have fought a treble 
 number of Apache savages than these im- 
 petuous ' northern barbarians' ; but, Juliano, 
 we must change our mode of fighting them, 
 or in every conflict defeat is certain. We 
 must regard them henceforth as only sava- 
 ges, and fight them accordingly. I hinted 
 o thee a plan which I have been cogitating 
 upon, which will render our force invincible 
 engaged with even a much superior power, 
 in point of numbers. Thou art aware, Ju 
 iano, that in action we inflict many wounds 
 but seldom kill ?' 
 
 1 1 have remarked it.' 
 ' Hereafter, we may possess ourselves of 
 the power to render every wound, ay, every 
 scratch, as mortal, as if the weapon's point 
 drew blood from the heart.' 
 
 ' Go on, Senor ; whilst thy words surprise- 
 me they give me new hope/ 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON 
 
 ' There is a simple shrub, to be tound in 
 the chapparals, from the root of which can 
 be distilled a deadly liquid !' 
 
 'Poison, Senor?' 
 
 * Si, poison ! or, call it what thou wilt, so 
 potent is it that were I to dip this dagger's 
 keen point into the liquid, and with it but 
 scratch the flesh of any part of my body, so 
 that it but tear the skin, in two hours after- 
 ward I should be a corpse !' 
 
 Incredible !' 
 
 ' I will yet give thee proof.' 
 
 ' I w411 not doubt thee ; but it is wonder- 
 ful.' 
 
 ' Suppose, Juliano, we were to procure 
 this subtle poison, and with it envenom eve- 
 ery lance of our troop V said the chieftain, 
 enquiringly. 
 
 ' Such a course might meet with the dis- 
 approval of our great general, Don Lopez de 
 Santa Anna.' 
 
 ' I'm not quite so sure of that, Juliano. 
 Santa Anna is not unlike ourselves ; he's a 
 public robber, and we do a little private bu- 
 siness in the same way. At all events we 
 can try the experiment, and keep the secret 
 to ourselves.' 
 
 ' By all means, Senor ; but how cati this 
 venomous liquid be obtained ?' 
 
 1 We must let our host, old Espindola, in- 
 to the secret.' 
 
 * I fear we might fail there ; the old man 
 is too conscientious.' 
 
 ' A fig for his conscience !' said Canales 
 snapping his finger. ' I have that which will 
 make it bend to anything. The old man 
 loves gold, and let me but jingle a purse of 
 it in his ear, and he will obey my bidding as 
 readily as if I were the archbishop of Mexi- 
 co. He has promised to meet me here with- 
 in this hour, and through him I can easily 
 obtain the poison.' 
 
 ' He may himself be ignorant of it. I am 
 not aware of ever having heard even men- 
 tioned this venemous root.' 
 
 * Neither did I know of it, until old Es 
 pindola, in telling me one of his marvellous 
 
 ales about the Spanish conquest, wherein 
 ic spoke of a deadly poison known to the 
 Aztecs. Ultimalely I questioned him close- 
 y in regard to it, but he seemed somewhat 
 averse at first to satisfying my curiosity ; 
 inally, he confessed that he knew where to 
 obtain the root from which the poison is dis- 
 illed ; had seen its potency tested ; and had 
 icard the use to which the Aztec warriors 
 applied it, which was in envenoming the 
 )arbs of their arrows, points of spears, knives, 
 and other sharp pointed weapons. He, 
 moreover told me that he knew of but one 
 ndividual in the Republic, besides himself, 
 who understood the process of distilling it 
 from the root.' 
 
 * Is it not possible.' enquired Juliano, ' to 
 obtain it without giving Espindola the least 
 intimation as to the purpose to which we 
 propose to apply it.' 
 
 ' It is possible ; but the old fox is pretty 
 shrewd, and we must beware that through 
 his eagle aye he does not read our inten- 
 tions. Ah, I hear the old man's footsteps. 
 He is true to his promise.' 
 
 ' Then I will beat a retreat ; and whilst 
 he is detained here, I'll improve the oppor- 
 tunity by making love to the angelic Seno- 
 rita, who calls him father.' 
 
 No sooner had Juliano retreated through 
 one door than the Senor Espindola entered 
 the other. 
 
 ' Thy punctuality is to be commended, 1 
 said Canales. ' Be seated, and without any 
 preface I will at once inform thee of 
 the nature of the errand for which I sum- 
 moned thee hither. What is the name of 
 the poisonous root to be found in our chap- 
 parals, Espindola ?' 
 
 ' The poisonous root ?' repeated the old 
 man, as if in deep thought. 'Didst thou say 
 poisonous?' 
 
 ' Si, Senor ; thou 'rt dull of comprehen- 
 sion, methinks. I mean that of which thou 
 told'st me.' 
 
 * When ?' continued Espindola, with feign- 
 ed wonder. 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON 
 
 ' A short time since, while narrating one 
 of thy wild and most improbable romances 
 come, come, you remember it was dur- 
 ing my last tarry here.' 
 
 ' Ah, ah true/ said the old man, as if 
 the matter had that instant popped into his 
 brain. ' You see, Senor, as old age creeps 
 on, the memory waxeth dull.' 
 
 ' Ridiculous nonsense !' uttered Canales, 
 with impatience. ' Tell me at once of this 
 poisonous root !' he demanded. 
 
 ' I know of no other name for it than that 
 of yerbas venenoso.' 
 
 ' I think thou didst tell me it was not gen- 
 erally known.' 
 
 'True, Senor.' 
 
 * Can it be obtained readily 1 I have im- 
 mediate use for a large quantity of il.' 
 
 ' Dios de Cielo ! I trust my honored guest 
 intends it not for himself?' 
 
 * Never fear for me, Espindola.' 
 ' But' 
 
 ' Ask me no questions the poison I must 
 and will have. Wilt thou obtain it for me ?' 
 
 ' Consider, Senor.' 
 
 f Make no objections obey my bidding, 
 and here is gold for thee !' Canales placed 
 in his hands a purse of Spanish coin. 
 
 ' For my Elvira's sake I will accept the 
 
 treasure and obey thy will; but I trust ' 
 
 ' Trust to naught else save thy prayers ;' 
 interrupted the chief, ' and execute thy 
 commission forthwith.' 
 
 ' Thy will is law. Early, to-morrow, I 
 will bring thee the poisonous liquid,' and the 
 old man left the apartment. 
 
 As we have previously intimated, a certain 
 third person resolved to know the why and 
 wherefore of this premeditated meeting. 
 During the entire conversation she had so 
 concealed herself as to be within hearing 
 distance. The whole plot was now no secret 
 to her. She knew much that had not been re- 
 vealed to her father, but had been imparted 
 to her hateful lover. But the discovery she 
 had made was other than agreeable to her 
 feelings : the true character of the band who 
 had madeEspindola's ranch their headquar- 
 ters, was now fully understood. She trem- 
 bled in every limb and muscle to think of 
 the horrible sacrifice of life contemplated 
 by Canales. But there was one bright thought 
 which finally gleamed upon her mind. She 
 recollected of having heard, as well as the 
 Ranehero Chieftain, her father speak of this 
 subtle poison ; but she had heard much more 
 a full description of a safe and certain* 
 antidote ! 
 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
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 nf h<*ijifltif*9li 
 
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 7; OTobio iahife oJ 
 
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 CHAPTER IV, 
 
 A deep Barranca^ and a Remarkable Glen. First Appearance of our Hero's corps of 
 Light Dragoons. The party of Reconnoisance. Lt. Ezekiel Short or Long 
 Short. Awkward predicament of Zeke and his party. The Flag of Truce. 
 Zeke a prisoner. 
 
 BRIGHT sun a clear atmos- 
 phere, and an unclouded sky, 
 made beautiful the 14th of 
 September, 1846, a few days 
 only previous to the storming 
 of Monterey. At a distance of not more 
 than two leagues from the city, on the road 
 leading to Guadalupe, there is a narrow bar- 
 ranca, through tthich the road passes. Be- 
 fore it terminates on the higher ground, 
 there is a still narrower pass, or glen it may 
 be more properly termed, walled on either 
 side, almost perpendicularly, by jagged rocks. 
 So high are these natural walls, together 
 with the shrubbery which shoots out on both 
 sides along up the craggy steeps, interlacing 
 its branches and leaves together, that the 
 sun's rays, even at meridian, never penetrate 
 this remarkable gorge, which has to be pas- 
 sed by all who journey upon that road. So 
 narrow is it at this point, that but one load- 
 ed mule or mounted cavalier can go through 
 at a time. Running parallel with the path 
 is a gurgling brook, whose waters bubble 
 forth from a fissure in the rock half way up 
 the steep, and come tumbling down over a 
 succession of jutting crags until they reach 
 their bed, forming as pretty a cascade as the 
 lover of nature's wonders could desire. A 
 
 little basin has been formed where the wa- 
 ter falls, where man and beast can slake their 
 thirst after crossing the arid plan stretching 
 out to the ncrth and east. 
 
 On the mcrning of which we have spok- 
 en, just as the sun had tinged with her rays 
 the peaks of the Sierra Madre, a company 
 of United States Light Dragoons, mounted 
 on fleet and well caparisoned steeds, enter- 
 ed the narrow ravine, of which we have giv- 
 en a brief description. Their uniform was 
 of light blue, with scarlet trimmings ; cloth 
 caps, al&o blue, but darker, with an eagle of 
 gilt in front, surmounting gilt letters, desig- 
 nating the arm of service to which they 
 belonged. They numbered about eighty 
 strong, and to a practised military eye they 
 would have been accounted a formidable 
 body of men. Their arms consisted of the 
 usual cavalry sword ; a short rifle, slung up- 
 on their backs ; and in the holsters of their 
 saddles a pair of ordinary horse pistols. Ap- 
 parently these were their only means of de- 
 fence, and seemed quite sufficient to cope 
 with the pistols, small escopetas and lances, 
 u'ually carried by Mexican lancers: but this 
 corps of Dragoons, had yet another weapon, 
 small and even insignificant looking, but 
 nevertheless in close conflict with an enemy 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 far more effective and destructive than a 
 others which they bore. Beneath each jack 
 et, on the left side, in a pocket purposel 
 made, was a six-barrelled revolver, which, ac 
 cording to strict orders, was never to be dis 
 played, except when closely engaged, an 
 when defeat seemed inevitable. 
 
 The commander of this strongly arme 
 and well accoutred troop, was a tall, grace 
 ful man, whose fair countenance indicate 
 that scarcely twenty-four years had passe 
 over his head. To save description, we ma 
 as well again introduce the reader to ou 
 friend, Clarence Clifton, and to his boli 
 looking company of cavaliers, which, will 
 the exception of some twenty he had enlist 
 ed at New Orleans, were the identical plow 
 boys, who had stared at him, and wonderec 
 ' what it mought be all abaout/ when he 
 first disturbed the peace of their village with 
 the recruiting fife and drum. He rode a no- 
 ble looking horse with singular grace anc 
 ease, and, although the animal occasionally 
 pawed the earth, and pranced about, yet the 
 cavalier sat as easily in his saddle, with loos- 
 ened rein, as if horse and rider had never 
 parted company. By the side of Captain 
 Clifton, rode a still younger man one 
 who had scarcely passed from youth to man- 
 hood of light frame, and a countenance, 
 were it not sunbrowned by recent exposure, 
 would have been called effeminate ; indeed, 
 he looked far better fitted to grace a ball- 
 room than face the cannon's mouth on the 
 field of battle. Henry Allston for this 
 was the youthful officer's name was a re- 
 cent graduate of the U. S. Military Academy, 
 and held a commission of second lieutenant, 
 though he acted as first in Clifton's corps. 
 The third commissioned officer was none 
 other than Ezekiel Short Long Zeke, or 
 Long Short, as he was commonly called he, 
 of the long * duckin'-gun/ which weapon 
 he was finally persuaded to leave behind, on 
 being promoted to his present dignity. His 
 great length made him appear rather awk- 
 wardly when mounted, but he made a good 
 
 officer, and had a good deal of fight in him. 
 
 On first entering the ravine, young Allston 
 had left the rear of the troop, come to the 
 front, and was now in conversation with his 
 captain. 
 
 ' We must be near the Spring of the Glen/ 
 as designated in Arista's map,' said Clifton, 
 in reply to a question of his comrade. Its 
 approach is said to be through the worst ra- 
 vine on our route. If there be any worse 
 than this may Heaven protect us and our 
 beasts/ 
 
 ' I would suggest, captain/ said the youth, 
 that we make a halt, for the train is yet lag- 
 ging some distance in our rear ; and if my 
 presentiments are any indication, we shall 
 meet with resistance before we get out of 
 this wretched apology for a road.' 
 
 ' It is possible/ answered Clifton ' but if 
 you look yonder you will perceive that we 
 are near the gorge ; surely Nature never 
 formed a pass so well adapted for defence as 
 that; but I yet discover naught to excite my 
 fears.' 
 
 Their conversation was here interrupted 
 )y one of the troop, who rode hastily up, 
 and addressed the captain in a dialect which 
 Anglo-Saxon ears can never fail of recogni- 
 sing. 
 
 ' Och ! by the powers, captin', beggin yer 
 >ardon, the Mexikins will soon be upon us, 
 ihure now.' 
 
 * What mean you, Rory ?' questioned Clif- 
 on. 
 
 ' I mane what I've jest tould ye.' 
 
 * You look a little frightened, Rory.' 
 ' Not a bit of it.' 
 
 ' Well, what's the matter?' 
 1 Matther ? oh, be Jabers, matther enough, 
 aptin'. I've made a beautiful diskivery !' 
 
 * Well, what does it amount to explain.' 
 
 ' Och, be Jabers, look at this!' said Rory 
 VlcShee, producing a silver-mounted pocket 
 istol of curious make, and presenting it to 
 is commander. ' Now, had it only been a 
 orse-shoe/ continued Rory, ' av course 
 ood loock would ha' been with all ov us ; 
 
The Light Dragoon seizing a Mexican Charger on the Field of Bucna Vista. 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 31 
 
 but whither loock or misforlin' is in the find- 
 in' ov a pistol, av course yer 'onor knows 
 better than RoryMcShee. Be mighty care- 
 ful now, captin, how ye handle the pistil 
 it might go off, for by by my sowl it's load- 
 ed/ 
 
 * Sure enough,' remarked Clifton to his 
 lieutenant, as he drew the charge ; the pow- 
 der and wadding I should judge from ap- 
 pearances have not been over twelve hours 
 in the barrel. It's a handsome weapon, at 
 all events. Ah !' continued he, surprised, 
 as his eye rested upon a silver cross, inlaid 
 in the stock ; ' here's engraved the owner's 
 name ROMANO FALCON, by all that's fortu- 
 nate ! We shall soon have work to do for 
 this guerilla chieftain can't be far off! Halt 
 the column, lieutenant we must send out a 
 party of reconnaisance before we venture 
 to pass yon rocky defile.' 
 
 A halt was ordered, and a detachment se- 
 lected to reconnoitre beyond the glen. 
 2d Lieutenant Short--or Long Zeke vol- 
 unteered to lead the party on this somewhat 
 hazardous duly ; and twelve men, including 
 Irish Rory, were soon prepared to follow 
 him. This party proceeded on through the 
 ravine, and with due caution entered the 
 rocky gorge, refreshed themselves and hor- 
 ses from the pellucid waters of the spring, 
 and soon entered the wide plain beyond, 
 each cavalier, as they slowly wended their 
 wap, keeping an eye of suspicion upon eve- 
 ry rock, tree, or bank that could conceal an 
 enemy within a rifle shot distance. They 
 discovered nothing all seemed clear and 
 safe for the troop and train to pass, and af- 
 ter continuing on as far as the leader deem- 
 ed necessary, he ordered them to 'right 
 about,' intending to return and report. But 
 the horses heads were no sooner turned, 
 when a large body of Mexican cavaliers, 
 mounted on fleet horses, came rushing at full 
 speed across the plain, and deliberately 
 halted and formed a line directly in the road, 
 thus completely cutting off the party of re- 
 coonoisance from rejoining their main body 
 
 Long Zeke was thunderstruck and dismayed 
 at the sudden appearance of this formidable 
 force. This was the first dilemma in which 
 he had ever been caught, where he was at a 
 complete loss how to extricate himself. He 
 scarcely knew whether it were better to or- 
 der a flight, or make a desperate effort to cut 
 through their ranks ; to attempt the latter, 
 after a second look at the overwhelming num- 
 ber he would have to encounter, he knew 
 would be thought by his superiors to be the 
 acme of madness. To run, and have a le- 
 gion of semi-barbarians at his heels he de- 
 clared finally he could not. His party, in- 
 cluding himself, consisted of just thirteen 
 the enemy were five times that number, well 
 armed and mounted on California steeds. 
 At length Zeke thought, to cut through 
 them was a feat worth trying for he would 
 like, if possible, to emulate Captain Thorn- 
 ton's daring act in dashing through a supe- 
 rior force on the Rio Grande ; but on a so- 
 ber second thought he abandoned this plan, 
 for he remembered that the gallant Thorn- 
 ton was called before a Court of Enquiry 
 and reprimanded for his unexampled temeri- 
 ty. Before, however, he could decide what 
 course to pursue, the enemy displayed a flag 
 of truce, and an officer bore it toward the 
 little band of Yankees, who awaited but the 
 word to dash in among their foes. 
 
 ' Och ! thunder and thurf!' exclaimed 
 Rory, upon seeing the peaceful emblem. 
 * The green divils take us for a small army, 
 shure ; I'm thinkin' now they'll trate on any 
 tarms. Och! ye dirthy blackguard cut- 
 throat cowards, ye arn't fit now to wait upon 
 the bog-throtters of my own swate Ireland, 
 ye arn't.' 
 
 Long Zeke, unattended, rode forward to 
 meet the white flag bearer. They exchanged 
 salutes as they approached, and on halting, 
 the Mexican demanded the unconditional 
 surrender of the party without a minute's de- 
 lay. The Mexian addressed Zeke in toler- 
 able English, so that the latter had no great 
 difficulty in understanding him. 
 
THE LIGHT 
 
 DRAGOON. 
 
 ' In the country where I came from, it 
 ginerally takes two to make a bargin,' said 
 the Yankee lieutenant. ' If you've got no 
 better offer to make, I'll be putting mysel 
 back again.' 
 
 'He!' (behold!) said the Mexican cava- 
 lier, pointing toward the formidable looking 
 squadron.' 
 
 * I see,' replied Zeke, ' there's a tolerable 
 heap on ye ; ' but its 'ginst the principles of 
 the universal Yankee nation to surrender un- 
 conditionally ; couldn't dew it no how.' 
 
 * Rash man,' said the Mexican ; ' don't 
 you see that thy life and the lives of every 
 one of thy followers is as certain as that 
 Romano Falcon is leader of our band.' 
 
 * Wall, mebbe your right, if that cutthroat 
 scoundrel is your captin'. Now where I 
 come from we think he's just about on a par 
 with Captain Kidd, and he was hung for pi- 
 racy ! So you'd better go back and tell your 
 captin' that if he wants to send to 't other 
 world about forty of his company in ex- 
 change for us thirteen, you can tell him to 
 come on ! Coz 'cording to our calculations 
 one Yankee soldier is equal to three Mexi- 
 cans any day.' 
 
 1 Ah, by San Diego ! thou dost wrong Ro- 
 mano Falcon !' 
 
 'No,' persisted Zeke; 'he's a robber, 
 and his own countrymen make no bones of 
 telling on't.' 
 
 ' Then they do belie him ; and your coun- 
 trymen may yet find to your sorrow, that the 
 principal officers of the Mexican regular ar- 
 mies are far more treacherous Santa Anna, 
 Ampudia, Torrejon, and other great Gener- 
 als that I could name included than any 
 robber chief who ever infested Mexico. 
 They are the men who have ruined our coun- 
 try, and not the banditti ; and a truer band 
 of men to fight the battles of Mexico does 
 not exist than those commanded by Romano 
 Falcon, whom thou dost look upon with such 
 abhorrence.' 
 
 ' Then why doesn't he join Mexico's great 
 
 armies, instead of prowling about here like 
 so many wild Indians.' 
 
 ' The regular armies are infinitely more 
 barbarous, in their mode of warfare, than 
 ours.' 
 
 ' Then Mexico is to be pitied,' repliec 
 Zeke, ' and I conclude that the United State 
 will do her a favor, to give her a Govern 
 ment of the real genuine Yankee stamp 
 and build school-'uses, canals, railroads, lo- 
 comotives and magnetic telegraphs. Them's 
 my sentiments, Mister Mexican.' 
 
 ' I cannot tarry to listen to thy speeches 
 What is thy answer to the demand of Ro 
 mano Falcon.' 
 
 ' You have it already !' 
 
 ' And dar'st thou return such a message 
 to Romano Falcon?' 
 
 * Could'nt send no other, if Romano Fal- 
 con were the devil, and you, Mister What's- 
 yer-name, were Romano Falcon !' answered 
 Zeke with emphasis.' 
 
 ' Bold man, I admire thy bluntness as wel 
 as thy termerity, and would treat with thee 
 perhaps, on more favorable terms than an 
 unconditional surrender !' 
 
 ' Can't expect any thing better from your 
 captin'.' 
 
 ' I have authority to make such terms as I 
 
 please.' 
 
 
 ' Wall, then, let's hear your best offer. 
 You must be reasonable, or we can't trade, 
 no how.' 
 
 ' In consideration I have taken quite a li- 
 king to thee, thou and thy band shall become 
 our prisoners, and shall be treated as prison- 
 ers of war ; and whenever an opportunity 
 offers, by exchange or ransom, thou shall be 
 free : and when we reach our mountain 
 rendezvous a parole liberty shall be granted 
 thee and thy followers.' 
 
 4 Wall, 1 said Zeke, hesitating ; ' don't 
 know but that's worth considerin' on ; ' but 
 that darn'd captin' o' yourn might back out' 
 
 ' Romano Falcon's word once given, is 
 never compromised.' 
 
 ' Wall, I'd like to talk over the matter 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 33 
 
 with him, any how. 'Sposin' you go and tell 
 the fellar I should like to have a talk with 
 him.' 
 
 ' Romano Falcon stands before thee !' 
 
 ' Yeou r 
 
 ' Si, Senor.' 
 
 ' Git aout, now ; can't hardly believe that 
 you're the chap we've heard such 'tarnal bad 
 things about ! You don't look as if you'd 
 like to roast a Yankee's head and eat it ! 
 You ain't coming any gum-game, are ye V 
 
 1 1 have told thee the truth.' 
 
 1 Wall, I guess you have. I'll trust ye, 
 but if I find out that you're deceiving me, 
 I'll be darn'd if I don't write to the Presi- 
 dent of the United States to come out here, 
 and bring the whole male population after 
 
 him, and leave the women to take the reins 
 of government into their own hands. The 
 women can administer justice e'en-jest as 
 well as the men.' 
 
 * You need not fear Romano Falcon will 
 keep his word.' 
 
 Here this rather protracted interview was 
 brought to a close. The preliminaries of the 
 surrender having been completed satisfacto- 
 rily to both parties, our Yankee lieutenant, 
 and his small band became prisoners to the 
 renowned Chieftain, and were marched off 
 'oward his mountain retreat ! 
 
 In regard to the Light Dragoons, whom 
 we left in the ravine, we shall satisfy our 
 readers in the next chapter. 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 ? ,} 
 
 Desperate Conflict of the Light Dragoons with the Rancheros of the Poisoned Lanct. 
 Complete Overthrow of the Lancers. Sudden Appearance of a Mexican Maiden on an 
 Errand of Mercy. The Poisoned Wounds. The Antidote. Surprise of Clifton. 
 Allston's First Impressions. The Flight. The Pursuit. The Forest. Perilous Sit" 
 uativn of Allston. A Successful Stratagem, Sad Accident. 
 
 S MAY well be supposed, af- 
 ter two hours had elapsed, 
 Clifton began to entertain very 
 strong apprehensions in regard 
 to tne p ar ty of reconnoisance 
 he had despatched in his advance to examine 
 ihe pass. He, therefore, resolved to push 
 ahead with his company and train and com- 
 bat every obstacle which might tend to im- 
 pede his progress. 
 
 Having made known his fears to his com- 
 pany, and impressing upon them the neces- 
 sity of being vigilant and prepared for any 
 attack by ambuscade or otherwise, he gave 
 the order to march. In single file they slow- 
 ly entered the glen, when, perceiving no 
 signs of an enemy, they once more halted 
 for the purpose of partaking of the cool wa- 
 ters of the Glen Spring, and filling their 
 canteens, they continued on in the same or- 
 der as before. Emerging from the rocky 
 defile, and forming into platoons, they march- 
 ed on, but had scarcely reached the spot 
 where the reconnoitering party had been 
 surprised, when the heavy tramp of horses' 
 feet were heard, and facing suddenly about, 
 Clifton saw a large troop of Rancheros gal- 
 loping down the sides of the declivity which 
 sloped off gradually from the summit of the 
 rocky walls which formed the glen. They 
 
 approached almost within gunshot distance 
 when they wheeled into line, halted, and pre- 
 pared to charge the dragoons. But our he- 
 ro and his band were not wholly unprepar- 
 ed, for the vigilance which had been order- 
 ed was not in the least relaxed. The train 
 was ordered to advance, and a line was 
 quickly formed for its protection; their ri- 
 fles were unslung, and with surprising 
 promptness each weapon was prepared for a 
 desperate defence. Not a man among them 
 doubted the result, although the Ranchero 
 lancers nearly doubly outnumbered them, 
 and with their long weapons glistening 
 brightly above their heads made a very im- 
 posing and formidable appearance. There 
 was no summons to surrender no flag of 
 truce displayed by the Mexicans ; but there 
 was enough in their movements, looks, and 
 loud commands of their chieftain, to indicate 
 that no cries for quarter would be listened 
 to from the invader. With lances poised 
 they waited for the signal to charge ! Th6 
 chieftain gave the word the bugle's shrill 
 blast proclaimed the onset and each lan- 
 cer raising himself in the stirrup, and spur- 
 ring his steed into a flying gallop, rushed to- 
 ward the foe, who stood a living fortification 
 before them. Onward they rushed as if in- 
 tending to win the victory with one dreadful 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 blow ! So certain was their chieftain of an 
 easy conquest, that he took precaution to or- 
 der his men not to kill the horses, unless in 
 cases of absolute necessity, for he coveted 
 the noble looking steeds of his enemy. 
 
 The dragoons awaited the coming of the 
 lancers with undaunted looks ; net a shot 
 was fired until they were within the distance 
 of thirty yards, when suddenly the cracking 
 of three score well aimed rifles checked for 
 a time their onward career, and many a bold 
 lancer fell from his charger by this galling 
 and unexpected reception ! 
 
 The Ranchero leader enraged at the fal- 
 tering of his troop, with loud curses and 
 threats again ordered them to the charge! 
 Madly they rushed forward pell-mell among 
 the dragoons ere they had opportunity lo re- 
 load their rifles. But they had not forgotten 
 those little instruments of death the re- 
 volvers which showered the bullets among 
 the Rancheros with dreadful effect! Con- 
 fusion and dismay were in their midst, and 
 alter unhorsing and wounding a few among 
 the unterrified dragoons, the lancers made a 
 flying retreat, leaving more than one third 
 of their numbers upon the field, either dead 
 dying or wounded. 
 
 Two only of Clifton's men were killed 
 though several were dangerously wounded 
 and he, as well as Lieutenant Allston, hac 
 received flesh wounds from the lances o 
 their impetuous assailants. Not regarding 
 themselves, however, they ordered every at 
 tention paid to the Mexican as well as th< 
 American sufferers, and even assisted per 
 sonally in alleviating their distresses. 
 
 From one of the Rancheros, who waslef 
 upon the field, Clifton learned that it wa 
 with Canales' band of desperadoes whom h 
 had just had so severe a contest ; and th 
 fact, although at first he could scarcely cred 
 it it, that his party of reconnoisance had no 
 fallen into the power of the Lancers. He or 
 dered this prisoner to the rear, resolving th 
 he would endeavor to gain from him some far 
 ther information that might prove of impor 
 tance to the American cause. 
 
 The result of this conflict of course was 
 eculiarly gratifying to our hero, inasmuch 
 s he had signally defeated a superior force 
 [i point of numbers, and that force was a 
 awless band of ruffian Rancheros, and one 
 
 hich had been of peculiar annoyance to 
 he Americans from the day that their ban- 
 ter was first unfurled upon the Rio Grande, 
 t was, too, his first battle his first victory ! 
 ind his eye kindled with pride as he thought 
 >f the gallant conduct displayed by every 
 one of the dragoons and he, though a strip- 
 ing as he regarded himself, was their com- 
 mander ! he had planned and directed the 
 uccessful defence and overthrow of their 
 murderous assailants ! It was, indeed, a 
 matter for congratulatory thoughts ; but as 
 he contemplated the scene of carnage be- 
 bre him, and beheld his owa sword reeking 
 with the blood of even a revengeful foe, he 
 
 oulrl not suppress a tear of pity for all who 
 lad fallen in the fight ; and he entertained 
 unpleasant doubts as to the glory of shedding 
 human blood, though it were in honorable 
 combat ! And more than this it was a doubt 
 in his mind whether the aggressive war his 
 countrymen were waging was founded upon 
 the principles of justice and in accordance 
 with the true spirit of republicanism. These 
 things he had heard suggested before he left 
 his own land, but he had heeded them 
 not his patriotic ardor impelled him on- 
 ward to hazard life and all in the service of 
 his country. But his reflections were soon 
 interrupted. His attention was now arrested 
 by the quick approach of a female, who 
 suddenly emerged from the wood on the op- 
 posite side of the plain. She tripped with 
 light and hurried steps over the bloody field, 
 giving no heed to the dead and dying which 
 were strewn along her path. She gazed 
 around among the victors whose eyes were 
 mostly bent upon her, and perceiving one 
 who stood apart from the rest, whose uni- 
 form marked him as a leader, she approach- 
 ed and respectfully saluted him, 
 
 Clifton returned her salute, but he gazed 
 
36 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 upon her with wonder. He saw that she 
 was beautiful, for her eyes sparkled like twin 
 diamonds, yet the lower part of her face was 
 veiled. Her manner surprised him most, for 
 she seemed much agitated, and some mo- 
 ments elapsed as she stood in presence of 
 Clifton, before she could give utterance to 
 a single word, and when she did speak, she 
 exclaimed in almost breathless accents : 
 ' Por le amor de Dios, Senor Capitan ' 
 ' Non entendir de lengua, Espanola /' said 
 Clifton, bringing into requisition nearly all 
 the Spanish he had mastered. 
 
 1 Habla F. Engles ?' (Do you speak Eng- 
 lish?) she enquired. 
 
 * Yes.' 
 
 * I understand it a little/ she continued, in 
 tolerably good English, though with a strong 
 Spanish accent. 
 
 ' Then tell me your errand, quickly.' 
 
 < Si, caballero.' 
 
 ' You seem agitated ; pray calm your feel- 
 ings,' said he, looking upon her with an in- 
 terested but tender expression. 
 
 1 You have had a terrible battle?' said she, 
 enquiringly. 
 
 ' We have.' 
 
 ' And from appearances you have been 
 victorious?' 
 
 ' Most signally.' 
 
 ' You may think it strange that a Mexican 
 maiden can say that she is heartily glad of 
 the result.' 
 
 4 Strange, indeed ! how shall I account 
 for it?' 
 
 ' First let me inquire if many of your sol- 
 diers are wounded ?' 
 
 1 Several ; though I think not very severe- 
 ly.' 
 
 1 Are they lance wounds?' 
 
 * Without a single exception, I believe, and 
 I thought it somewhat remarkable.' 
 
 ' Dios de Cielo!' exclaimed the maiden; 
 * Well you might have thought it remarkable. 
 Those with whom you have this day been 
 engaged in mortal combat are the RAN- 
 
 CHEROS OP THE POISONED LANCE !' 
 
 ' What mean you ?' ejaculated Clifton, 
 amazed at her earnestness as she uttered the 
 potent words by which she meant Canales' 
 desperadoes should be known to all Mexico. 
 
 'If you follow not my directions, all, 
 of your band, whose flesh has been marred 
 by the lance in this dreadful encounter, even 
 if the wound be no deeper than a needle's 
 scratch, are dead men before the sun sinks 
 beneath yon high mountain's peak.' 
 
 * I have a slight wound myself,' said Clif- 
 ton, who began now to think the maiden ei- 
 ther a spy or a maniac, ' but it gives me little 
 pain and less inconvenience. And, admit- 
 ting that we have been wounded by enven- 
 omed lances, before I give credence to your 
 story, explain to me the apparent inconsist- 
 ency which your conduct betrays in offering 
 to befriend when you should seek to destroy 
 the enemies of your country and your peo- 
 ple?' 
 
 . " f " . .| ,.-, ; I C' - ! 
 
 * For the love of Heaven, ask not for any 
 explanation, now God alone knows my mo- 
 tive, and he, too, knows that I am not trying 
 to deceive you ! Therefore, I beseech you 
 to delay not, for the fatal hour is near !' 
 
 These words were spoken with so much 
 warmth and apparent sincerity, that Clifton 
 began to think his suspicions might prove 
 unfounded. 
 
 1 The Rancheros war not as Christians !' 
 continued the strange girl ! They would 
 sacrifice you and your troop to their impla- 
 cable hatred and thirst for plunder ! Give 
 my counsel heed or Death will soon mark 
 you for his !' 
 
 ' What would you do ?' enquired Clifton, 
 with increasing confidence. 
 
 * I would save your life and the lives of 
 your brave companions ?' 
 
 * I mean by what power ?' 
 
 ' I have a safe and certain antidote to the 
 poisonous liquid with which the Ranchero's 
 lance is bathed. Here it is!' and she pro- 
 duced from her bosom an ounce phial, filled 
 with a blood red liquid. Let me but apply 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 a drop to the wound, and the power of the 
 poison will be speedily checked.' 
 
 ' Unveil your face, maiden, and if those 
 concealed lineaments comport with those 
 love beaming eyes, and the sweet voice that 1 
 have heard, I will believe thee an angel sent 
 by Providence to befriend me.' 
 
 ' But you may hereafter have it in your 
 power to betray me V 
 
 ' Never 1 though my life depended upon 
 the betrayal !' 
 
 ' Swear to this!' 
 
 1 1 swear.' 
 
 The maiden unveiled he* Face, and dis- 
 closed as sweet and ingenuous a counte- 
 nance as ever a daughter of Mexico could 
 boast of. It was decidedly handsome, too ; 
 her cheeks and lips were of the cherry's 
 hue: and a beautiful sett of teeth, which 
 was revealed every time she spoke, excelled 
 the pearl in whiteness. Her hair, black and 
 glossy, flowed over a neck and shoulders, 
 almost concealing the pure and transparent 
 complexion beneath, which bore but a slight 
 tinge of that dark hue which characterizes 
 the (laughters of that sunny land ! She was 
 transcendantly beautiful so thought our 
 gallant hero so thought the young lieuten- 
 ant, Allston, who stood but a few feet in the 
 rear of his commander, completely entranc- 
 ed with the wondrous beauty which charac- 
 terized every feature of the fair Mexican 
 there was a charm in the very expression of 
 her large eyes that enchained him to the 
 spot. 
 
 Our readers are undoubtedly aware, from 
 circumstances already revealed, that this fair 
 creature was none other than Donna Elvira ; 
 and as she turned her attention for a moment 
 from the gallant captain, her eyes met the 
 ardent gaze of the no less gallant but youth- 
 ful lieutenant it was but for a moment, for 
 she modestly turned them away and again 
 addressed Clifton : 
 
 ' Senor Capitan,' said she, ' you hesitate ; 
 shall I again veil my face?' 
 
 'No, fair creature; II ' stammered 
 3 
 
 Allston, stepping one or two paces forward, 
 scarcely knowing what he did or what he 
 
 was saying; ' I beg pardon I * and 
 
 he blushed confusedly. 
 
 1 Will you listen to me T said she, addres- 
 sing Clifton , * remember ! you do not real- 
 ize the peril in which you are placed, and 
 what an hour may bring forth. 1 
 
 * What say you, Allston ; shall we confide 
 in this fair Mexican senoritat' asked Clifton, 
 perceiving the embarrassment which her 
 charms had so suddenly caused in him ; ' you 
 have heard the nature of her errand. Speak, 
 Henry, you seem bewildered.' 
 
 1 Believe, captain oh, believe her !' an- 
 swered the lieutenant, warmly the Prince 
 of Evil, himself, could not create a being of 
 such angelic beauty, of such apparent inno- 
 cence, to betray or destroy. No, captain, 
 believe her the angel of our salvation, sent 
 by Providence to save us from the fearful 
 
 r 
 
 death she has warned us of.' 
 
 4 Thank you, kind Senor, for your inter- 
 cession and confidence,' said Elvira, again 
 venturing to meet the youthful officer's gaze ; 
 ' but I must ask you to be less lavish of such 
 extravagant flattery.' 
 
 Henry again blushed and bowed his head, 
 but he made no reply. 
 
 * My suspicions have vanished you shali 
 have my confidence/ said Clifton. 
 
 ' Where is your wound ?' asked Elvira. 
 
 'Tis on my breast.' 
 
 ' Examine it, and before this antidote be 
 applied, you shall have further proof of my 
 sincerity. If the flesh around the wound, by 
 this time, has not become of a greenish hue, 
 then your wound was not made by a poi- 
 soned lance.' 
 
 ' It is but a scratch at most,' said Clifton, 
 as he bared his breast. 
 
 But terror seized him the instant his eye 
 rested upon the scratch, as he termed it 
 his face, which a moment previously was 
 flushed was now deadly pale his lips quiv- 
 ered, and his very nerves seemed unstrung ! 
 The appearance of the wound was, indeed, 
 
38 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 singularly alarming. The poison which had 
 begun its dread work had gradually shown 
 its effects by spreading from the wound, and 
 a circle of several inches was already dyed 
 with green ; the shade growing lighter as it 
 spread from the centre. 
 
 Allston, who had received a slight cut up- 
 on the arm, threw off his coat and rolled up 
 his sleeve, meanwhile, and he was quite as 
 much affrighted as his captain, though he 
 had more implicit faith in the promise of the 
 sweet creature, before whom he c.ould have 
 fallen down and worshipped. t 
 
 1 Fear not !' said the gentle physician, in 
 accents sweetly encouraging; 'there is yet 
 no danger. Here is that which will eradi- 
 cate every trace of the poison in an incredi- 
 ble short space of time.' 
 
 She took a soft sponge from beneath her 
 mantilla, and moistening it with the red li- 
 quid in the phial, and applied it with her own 
 
 * TOT :. * 13 OJ 
 
 hand to the poisoned wound. 
 
 Then turning to young Allston, she per- 
 formed the same kind office for him. Then 
 giving the phial and sponge to Clifton bade 
 him, as he valued the lives of the men, to 
 see that the antidote was immediately applied 
 to all who had lance wounds. 
 
 Clifton hastened to the wounded men, all 
 of whom were expressing much alarm at the 
 strange aspect which the lance incisions pre- 
 sented. With his own hands he bathed the 
 wounds with the precious liquid j all wil- 
 lingly submitting, when he told them that 
 it already was having the promised effect on 
 his own person. 
 
 The antidote, in truth, operated like a 
 charm, and in a very short time restored the 
 flesh in all the cases, to the natural hue of 
 ordinary incisions. 
 
 Meanwhile Clifton was doing the duties 
 of a doctor among his wounded men, the 
 young lieutenant was striving with all the 
 persuasiveness in his power to detain the 
 angelic Senorita, with whose dazzling love- 
 liness he was charmed, entranced, bewilder- 
 ed 1 She declined listening to his fervent 
 
 protestations ; and it was with difficulty that 
 he made her sensible of his appreciation of 
 the almost miraculous work she had per- 
 formed. He offered a purse of gold as a 
 reward for what she had done for him, but it 
 was promptly declined. He finally took from 
 his neck a gold chain, to which was append- 
 ed a striking miniature of a beloved sister r 
 and which also bore considerable resem- 
 blance to himself, and placed it around the 
 fair neck of Elvira. She looked at the min- 
 iature and then gazed into his face. With- 
 out asking any questions she smiled and put 
 the miniature into her bosom, regarding it 
 as a token of his unbounded gratitude. She 
 was on the point of bidding him adieu, but 
 he again detained her, and requested per- 
 mission to be her escort to her home ; but 
 she positively declined. Neither could his 
 most eloquent entreaties prevail upon her to 
 reveal her name, or whither she had come, 
 or whither she was going ; for reasons, which 
 the reader, in all probability, has already di- 
 vined, yet a perfect mystery to Henry Alls- 
 ? / * j j j 
 
 ton. 
 
 She looked into the youth's face once 
 more once more smiled sweetly upon him 
 and uttering a last farewell, she bounded 
 away from him, and sped across the plain 
 with the spesd of a frightened deer ! 
 
 Allston gazed upon her flight for a few 
 moments, uncertain how to act. At length, 
 muttering to himself, 
 
 ( Fool am I thus to let her flee from me 
 perhaps forever 'without endeavoring to 
 gain some clue at least of her abode it can- 
 not be afar off!' and off he started in pursuit, 
 but she gained the wood many rods in ad- 
 vance, yet he continued the pursuit. 
 
 Clifton re-appeared where he had left them 
 just as he espied his brother officer enter the 
 wood, running at the tip of his speed. Mis- 
 trusting his errand rightly, his quick disap- 
 pearance gave him no uneasiness, for he 
 thought his usual prudence would prevent 
 him from trusting himself alone a great way 
 from his company. 
 
 ... , 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 39 
 
 Upon the field of that brief and bloody I of his adventure, thus far, though he fain 
 engagement, the victorious dragoons pitch- would have spoken again to the beautiful 
 ed their tents, and bivouacked for the night, stranger, he turned to find his way back to 
 Not a soldier of that corps closed his eyes his comrades. He walked along with a mod- 
 without a heartfelt prayer for the welfare of erate step, with his thought wholly concen- 
 the beautiful yet mysterious creature who trated upon one image of loveliness, not 
 had defeated the hellish intent of the Ran- even giving his mind for a moment upon the 
 cheros of the Poisoned Lance ! strange wood he was pursuing, until, in- 
 
 But where is Allston ? Why does he not stead of having reached the plain where his 
 return? were questions which Clifton re- comrade's tents were pitched, he again found 
 peatedly put to himself? The camp fires himself in sight of the same ranch he had 
 were lighted the sentry posted and yet he half an hour before discovered, though he 
 came riot. was now in the rear of the main building in- 
 
 stead of in front as before. 
 
 But let us follow yet farther the pursued This fact rather startled him, and brought 
 and her pursuer. Allston had struck the him to his senses, for the dusky shades of 
 little path which Elvira had taken, and fol- twilight had already somewhat obscured the 
 lowed it with all the speed in his power. laybrinthine paths he had been unconscious- 
 At intervals he caught a glimpse of her fly- ly pursuing. He now followed, within the 
 ing wardrobe, but at each succeeding time edge of the wood, a path which led him to 
 the space between them had widened ; yet. the very spot, whence he had started previ- 
 he continued on without knowing whither ously. From this point he shaped his course 
 he was going, or when he was to stop. He according to the best of his judgment, de- 
 had followed her well nigh half a league, termining now to dismiss his inamorata from 
 when he lost sight of her altogether; be- his mind, and regain the camp before it 
 sides, he was uncertain about the path, for should become completely dark, for the idea 
 there were many running in various direc- of being benighted alone in a strange wood 
 tions in that part of the wood he was now was decidedly disagreeable, as may be sup- 
 in. Being well nigh out of breath, he slack- posed, to a youth like him. 
 ened his speed, and would have turned to The golden light which yet faintly tinged 
 retrace his steps, had he not perceived indi- the sky of the Occident was his only beacon 
 cations of an opening ahead. Continuing to guide him in the course he had marked 
 on half a mile further, he came to the plain, out; but that soon failed him, and he saw 
 in which was situated the ranch of Senor naught but the tall trees of that forest as he 
 Espindola, with which the reader is slightly passed them, and the twinkling light of a 
 acquainted; but to his amazement he dis- few stars in the very zenith of the heavens, 
 covered groups of soldiers and horses stand- Soon he heard the tramping of horses' 
 ing promiscuously together about theorem- feet and now the glimmer of a light upon 
 ises, and from their appearance he was al- his right hand turning he saw another di- 
 most convinced they were a portion of the rectly in front another on his left and yet 
 Ranchero force his own company had so re- another and another appeared until the for- 
 cently signally defeated but he could per- est was illumined by their light. Nearer 
 ceive no glimpse of the fair object of his and nearer in every direction the torches ap- 
 
 pursuit, although it appeared more than 
 probable to his mind that the ranch he had 
 discovered was her abiding place. 
 
 Not wholly disappointed with the results 
 
 proached him as if the bearers were striving 
 to hem him in. At first he thought that a 
 party might have been sent from his own 
 corps in search of him ; but in a moment he 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON 
 
 found to his amazement that it was a scout- 
 ing party of Rancheros, and in all probabil- 
 ity he was the object of their singular move- 
 ments ! There was no chance for flight or 
 concealment to attempt to defend himself 
 seemed equally preposterous. But a mo- 
 ment's reflection told him that should he fall 
 into their hands without one effort, death 
 would be more certain than if he made a 
 desperate defence. He had barely time to 
 seize his revolver, when a savage looking 
 Ranchero discovered him, who immediately 
 galloped toward him with loud cries of 
 
 ' Surrender ! surrender !' 
 
 The peremptory summons was answered 
 by a flash and a crack from the revolver, and 
 the Mexican fell lifeless from the saddle. 
 
 Allston seized the horse's bridle snatch- 
 ed the cap from the head of the defeated j by, for in their confusion at the loss of an- 
 Mexican and placed it upon his own head j other comrade they saw not the accident 
 
 vengeance, they started off once more in 
 pursuit of their enemy, who was but little 
 more than pistol shot in advance. They 
 gradually gained upon him he turned to 
 look back upon his pursuers, and the mo- 
 ment a good opportunity offered he again 
 discharged his revolver, and another Ran- 
 chero fell from the saddle ! 
 
 But this event nearly cost Allston his life. 
 The moment he fired, the horse on which he 
 rode started ahead with affright, and ere he 
 could rein him into the narrow opening, he 
 made a leap into the thickest of the wood 
 a projecting branch struck the youth, and 
 swept him from the horse he fell senseless 
 among ome shrubbery that grew in small 
 patches in various parts of the forest, and 
 was unnoticed by the pursuers as they rode 
 
 and vaulted into the saddle. It was but the 
 wonderful act of a moment yet there was 
 time for some eight or ten Rancheros to 
 fly to the spot, and the brave youth found 
 himself in their very midst ! They heard a | 
 
 which had occurred to him. The horse 
 being now free of a rider bounded onward 
 with renewed speed but the pursuers kept 
 on the chase, thinking of course that he still 
 bore away their enemy ! Henry Allston had 
 
 pistol report, and the death groan which i thus far by stratagem and a timely accident 
 succeeded, and they supposed that their ene- } eluded the vigilance of his revengeful pur- 
 my had fallen by the hand of one of their suers ! 
 
 own comrades. This supposition so com-' Mortified, maddened, enraged, the Ran- 
 pletely deceived them that, while crowding | cheros, minus two, returned to their quarter 
 
 around together to take a look at the fallen 
 one, Allston suddenly turned the horse's 
 head and rode away with all the speed that 
 was possible, considering the darkness and 
 density of the forest ! 
 
 But a loud yell, as if the fiends of pande- 
 monium were let loose, now fell upon his 
 ear ! The Rancheros had recognized the 
 body of their comrade, and discovered the 
 trick which had been played as soon as they 
 found that the dead man's cap was missing, 
 and saw their enemy's cap lying in its place ! 
 Nothing could have enraged them more 
 with terrific yells and curses and cries for 
 
 without their intended victim. Allston was 
 discovered by them, the second time he found 
 himself, unintentionally, near the ranch of 
 Senor Espindola ; and, supposing him a spy 
 a number of the lancers volunteered to go in 
 pursuit, vowing that if he was caught, an 
 execution of torture should be his fate ! 
 * * * * # 
 
 The camp of the Light Dragoons were 
 alarmed that night by the sudden coming of 
 a steed within their outposts ! But their 
 alarm abated when they saw it was but the 
 steed of a Mexican, and though saddled and 
 bridled it bore no rider ! 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 41 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The Rendezvous of the Rancher os. Capture of an American Train. An Officer of 
 Rank, with his Daughter, in the Power of the Lancers. Canales' Account of his De- 
 feat by the Light Dragoons. The Must rious Weapons. l Volver Pistolete.' Acci- 
 dental Death of a Ravchero. Canahs' Unconcern. 
 
 N THE day succeeding the 
 remarkable events narrated in 
 the previous chapter, all was 
 bustle and confusion at the 
 ranch of Senor Espindola. 
 There was another cause for this than is yet 
 known to the reader ; another event had oc- 
 curred, truly gratifying to Canales and his 
 band, which we must not omit to mention. 
 A detachment of some fifteen or twenty 
 Rancheros, under the command of Jose 
 Villarno, an inferior officer, had surprised 
 and captured a small American train, and 
 besides the arrieros, some six or eight Amer- 
 icans, among whom was a Colonel of 
 dragoons, and his daughter, a young lady of 
 scarcely sixteen years of age. They were 
 forthwith conveyed to Espindola's ranch, 
 which served not only as a rendezvous for 
 the Rancheros, but for a stipulated sum the 
 buildings were allowed to be used as a bar- 
 racks, and two strongly constructed rooms 
 in a part of one of them were converted in- 
 to a prison, in which their recent captives 
 were now confined. 
 
 Canales, on hearing of the good success 
 of Villarno's detachment, determined on 
 avenging himself for what he had suffered 
 in his conflict with the Light Dragoons. 
 His first determination was to lead out the 
 
 prisoners and shoot them without a mo- 
 ment's warning, reserving the young female 
 captive for a worse fate ! but he was res- 
 trained from this unmerciful and barbarous 
 course by the interference of Juliano, as 
 well as by every one of his subordinate offi- 
 cers. This interference, however, was only 
 prompted by motives of selfishness. Upon 
 being made acquainted with the character 
 and grade of the prisoners, he finally was 
 influenced to believe that his best and most 
 profitable course was to spare their lives f6r 
 the present ; and, perhaps, a ransom migh't 
 be had by a reasonable delay. 
 
 'It is well/ remarked he to Juliano, after 
 he had reluctantly consented to the sugges- 
 tions of his corhrades ; * but by all the pow- 
 ers of hell they shall not slip through my fin- 
 gers without a heavy ransom or their life's 
 blood ! And as for that fair northern dam- 
 sel, whose beauty Villarno has described to 
 me, a hundred doubloons shall not purchase 
 her freedom ! By the blood of my ances- 
 tors, she must be a comely lass if half Vil- 
 larno says of her be true.' 
 
 ' Si, Senor Capitan,' answered Juliano ; 
 ' I think, however, she cannot be so beauti- 
 ful as the lovely Donna Elvira. Villarno 
 said they bore a slight resemblance to each 
 other.' 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 'Ah, Juliano, thou thinkest of little else 
 besides Donna Elvira. Thou art as deeply 
 in love as a poor devil well could be.. Come, 
 give thy thoughts to something greater, no- 
 bler, and leave off this child's play. Rec- 
 ollect we have great deeds to perform in de- 
 fence of our country ; or more rationally 
 viewing the niattar, in bettering the condi- 
 tion of our finances. Truly, notwithstand- 
 ing the two sad defeats we have sustained, 
 this war is a perfect God-send to us we 
 may yet suffer more but better suffer in a 
 war with the northern barbarians, who have 
 plenty of gold, than to be constantly enga- 
 ged in broils at home, without money to pay 
 even our ragmuffin soldiery.' 
 
 ' Too true/ replied Juliano ; ' but a few 
 engagements like that of yesterday would 
 complete our ruin. Would that I had been 
 there, instead of obeying your orders to re- 
 main here.' 
 
 * Come, conae no more of that,' said Ca- 
 nales. ' I would have staked my life on an 
 easy victory when we first encountered the 
 enemy.' 
 
 * How was it then that the tables were so 
 signally turned?' 
 
 ' It was so sudden and unexpected that I 
 lost my usual self-possession when in battle,' 
 replied Canales. We charged upon them 
 with an impetuosity that I thought could not 
 fail to overwhelm them ; but ere we reached 
 their line they sent into our ranks such u 
 shower of bullets that our men seemed to 
 fall by scoies. It appears almost incredible 
 when I think of the havoc the'y made by 
 their first fire. The enemy I judged num- 
 bered not over eighty all told, and the leaden 
 hail came as thickly into our midst as if an 
 entire regiment of infantry had poured a 
 volley upon us ! The galling effect of such 
 a fire at so shori a distance you can well im- 
 agine. We were thrown into dreadful dis- 
 order and confusion for a moment or two ; 
 but having drawn their fire, I succeeded in 
 rallying our men and onward we pressed 
 with irresistible fury ! With our long and 
 
 I heavy 
 Ik..* v, 
 
 lances we broke into their very midst ; 
 but here our men fell faster than ever, from 
 the fire of small and curiously shaped weap- 
 ons which they displayed as soon as we were 
 upon them ! But what most added to my 
 astonishment was the remarkable fact that 
 they could discharge one of these little but 
 terrible fire-arms several times without re- 
 loading ; and before we could fly from their 
 I most murderous effects more than one-third 
 of our men either fell upon the field or were 
 borne away wounded ! If all the soldiers of 
 their armies possess such destructive weap- 
 ons as those we had to contend with, all the 
 legions of Mexico and of the infern.al re- 
 gions combined will never be able to cope 
 with or check the advance of these invading 
 northern savages. I would give a small for- 
 tune to gain possession of one of these 
 wonderful weapons.' 
 
 * Glad to have it in my power to serve you, 
 Senor Capitan,' said Juliano, taking a pair 
 of revolvers from his pocket. ' Thou shalt 
 possess one without the fortune. I'll show 
 my generosity by presenting thee with one 
 of these deadly instruments which the bar- 
 barians style Volvcr Pistolete ;' and the lieu- 
 tenant placed one of the weapons in the 
 hand of his astonished chief.' 
 
 I Es una admiracion!' exclaimed Cana- 
 les, examining the ingeniously constructed 
 weapon with scrutiny. ' How possessed thy- 
 self of these, Juliano?' 
 
 I 1 found them upon the person of one of 
 the prisoners since they were brought hith- 
 er, Villarno not having discovered them in 
 his search/ 
 
 ' They may have more of them concealed 
 about their persons ?' suggested Canales. 
 
 ' We searched them all and discovered no 
 more.' 
 
 ' By San Pedro, it hath six barrels ! No 
 wonder the Yankee naranjos won the day ! 
 I'd rather have a hundred horsemen, armed 
 with such weapons as these than a whole 
 regiment of infantry with escopetas. But 
 how is it that these little man-killers are man- 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 43 
 
 atged ? I do not quite understand them yet.' 
 
 ' Neither do I,' answered the lieutenant; 
 1 but I advise thee to be cautious, for each 
 barrel is charged. 
 
 Without giving heed to this precaution, 
 Canales continued to pry into the mysteries 
 of the revolver, and just as he had discover- 
 ed that by means of the trigger the barrels 
 revolved, one of them went off, and a loud 
 groan was heard. 
 
 ' You have shot some one, captain !' ex- 
 claimed Juliano; and he ran towards the 
 group whence the groan proceeded. 
 
 ' It is only one of our new recruits,' said 
 the lieutenant, immediately returning ' that 
 Don Diego Marin, as he styles himself.' 
 
 ' Pobre diablo !' (poor devil) said Cana- 
 9es, quite unconcerned. * It is the best thing 
 I could have dene for him, and he will be no 
 great of a losa to us. But I have found out 
 the secret, Juliano ;' and he discharged the 
 five remaining balls at a tree about three 
 rods distant, with considerable precision. 
 
 ' Good shots, Senor Capitan,' remarked 
 the lieutenant, after examining the tree 
 which. he used as a target.' 
 
 ' Si ; and every one of them would have 
 brought a man to the ground ! By all the 
 Saints, I'm quite in love with this wonderful 
 weapon !' 
 
 ' Well, capitan,' said Juliano, changing 
 the subject, * what disposition hast thou de- 
 cided to make of the prisoners for the com- 
 ing night V 
 
 1 See that they be well secured in the : 
 strong rooms let the guard be doubled 
 and have it composed of our most trusty fol- 
 lowers.' 
 
 ' But where shall the maiden be confined ? 
 -she is now with her father,' 
 
 * Separate them by all means they shall 
 feel that I have no mercy for any of the in- 
 vaders' race, male or female, young or old.' 
 
 ' Where shall she be placed ?' 
 
 f Convey her to the ' Can ales hesita- 
 ted for a moment, thoughtfully ; ' no, not 
 <there ^she shall be more conveniently bes-' 
 
 towed. ' Ah ! I have it ; let her be con- 
 veyed to the. small chamber which leads from 
 mine. I will, myself, honor this fairy crea- 
 ture by being her watchful sentinel for one 
 night at least. I'll be responsible, good 
 lieutenant, that she shall be found there in 
 the morning !' 
 
 Don Juliano perfectly comprehended his 
 chieftain's motive; for there was more to 
 be learned from the peculiar manner in 
 which he gave his directions, and in the ex- 
 pression of his face, than in the language he 
 had uttered. 
 
 ' Thy wishes shall be obeyed,' replied the 
 lieutenant ; and he left his master to medi- 
 tate farther upon the plan he had so readily 
 conceived to carry into effect his base in- 
 tent. 
 
 The discharge of the revolver ia the hands 
 of the Ranchero Chief, and consequent 
 death of one of his band, had called around 
 the dying man nearly all the persons on the 
 premises ; and among the crowd the Senori- 
 ta Espindola, who perhaps deplored the in- 
 human act more than any of the comrades 
 of the unfortunate man. Perceiving Cana- 
 les and Juliano in conversation, she tarried 
 among the throng until the body had been 
 borne away, determining, if possible, to sat- 
 isfy her curiosity as to the import of this ap- 
 parently private interview. Accordingly she 
 slipped behind a hedge near by, and tripping 
 cautiously along for a few yards, she found 
 herself within the sound of their .voices, and 
 the hedge intervening, screened her person 
 entirely from the two officers, whose move- 
 ments, from an intuitive sense of duty which 
 she could hardly have explained, she was 
 extremely anxious to understand. The con- 
 cluding portion of their conversation she 
 distinctly overheard, and with a woman's 
 keen perception, fully realized the peril in 
 which the young female prisoner was soon 
 to be placed. 
 
 Elvira remained in her hiding .place until 
 after Juliano had left his master, wJien she 
 
44 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 crept away stealthily and gained the princi- 
 pal mansion unperceived. To devise some 
 expedient to thwart the villain's design her 
 whole thoughts were engaged. Her first 
 plan was to seek out Don Juliano, and en- 
 deavor by entreaties to influence him not to 
 obey the orders of his chief, but this on far- 
 ther reflection she saw would be fruitless 
 for she knew him to be an artful, hypocriti- 
 cal villain ; and she had more than once of- 
 iended him by repulsing his advances ; she 
 
 ' 
 
 HJJ Jbi 9f{ L 
 
 a 
 
 v.Iift 
 
 
 
 ;i -j y >!:;. 
 ' 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 T 3lil 16 OC {K 
 ..: 
 
 ic 
 
 :! 
 
 i , 
 
 knew also that he stood greatly in the fear 
 of Canales; and, further than this, she saw 
 that if she broached the subject to him and 
 he should decline, the grand object would be 
 entirely defeated, for extra precaution would 
 be taken to prevent any interference with 
 the vile scheme. She finally resolved to 
 keep the discovery she had made to herself, 
 determining, however, to leave nothing un- 
 turned whereby she might prevent the bru- 
 tal outrage in contemplation. 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 , 
 
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 ' 
 
 sdfe 0oilMi9Yuo3 * 
 
 *'st .v fain- ( hi 
 
 sooa afi-.v 
 
 .,. r i^ ' U i J < 
 
 -i4 >ierf IM bwuifnai Biivia iij ^ 
 
 ^toJ. ilui laf iom dd 
 
 -'-ii lj 
 
 '.if 
 
Charge at Buena Vista. 
 
 Resaca de la Palma. 
 
 Storming of Monterey. 
 

 
 
 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 47 
 
 CHAPTER VII, 
 
 Ingenious and daring Plot of Senorita Espindola to set free the American Prisoners- 
 Herjirst Visit to Colonel Granaille and Rosalia. An Interesting Interview. A Re- 
 markable Discovery. Singular Impressions of the Parties. Elvira makes known 
 the Intention of Canales. The Promise. A strange Present to make to a Lady. 
 
 HE sun had not yet set, al- 
 though its rays no longer beam- 
 ed upon the domain of Senor 
 Espindola, but the intervening 
 mountain peaks were tipped 
 with golden light, and the sky above and 
 beyond the Sierra Madre was gorgeously 
 bright. Even at this early and pleasant 
 hour, the Rancheros, with the exception of 
 the guard, had sought their quarters for the 
 night, for their recent arduous duties and 
 a general carousal in which they had indul- 
 ged during the day, had well nigh ex- 
 hausted their energies. 
 
 Donna Elvira, who deserves thus far to be 
 called our heroine, rejoiced at this peaceful 
 state of things, for her ready mind had al- 
 ready concocted a plot which she trusted 
 would defeat the infamous intent of Cana- 
 les. Being on apparent good terms with 
 both officers and soldiers, she was free to go 
 whither she pleased without being suspect- 
 ed of treachery, or questioned as to her ob- 
 ject, or even challenged by the sentinels. 
 
 The apartment in which the Colonel and 
 daughter were confined was in the further- 
 most of two or three low, flat-roofed stone 
 buildings, standing near together in the rear 
 of the main one ; yet a high wall on either 
 side so connected them that neither one 
 
 could be entered unless from out the princi- 
 pal dwelling, and through one of the suite 
 of rooms occupied by Canales. At stated 
 distances within the walls sentinels were 
 posted, one of whom paced to and fro di- 
 rectly in front of the door where the father 
 and child were imprisoned. The remainder 
 of the captives were confined in the guard- 
 house some thirty rods in front of the main 
 building, where also sentinels were stationed. 
 Elvira, as yet, had not seen the female 
 prisoner, but hearing her loveliness much 
 extolled, she resolved to gain her friendship 
 if she failed in her laudable intentions. 
 With this view she culled a boquet of fra- 
 grant and beautiful flowers, and selecting a 
 choice lot of delicious fruit which she tied 
 up in her panuelo, she hurried on to make 
 her first visit to the fair prisoner. Fortu- 
 nately, Canales was enjoying a quiet siesta 
 at the time, and she passed through his 
 apartment without disturbing him. The sen- 
 tinel at the threshold challenged her not, 
 and when she appeared before the prison 
 door, she demanded of the guard admittance 
 in the name of the Senor Espindola. He 
 hesitated not, but unlocking the ponderous 
 door and throwing it back upon its hinges, 
 Elvira entered and passed on to an inner 
 door which she opened without assistance, 
 
48 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 and she stood within the dungeon walls which 
 encompassed Colonel Granville, and his ac- 
 complished daughter, Rosalia ! 
 
 This prison-house presented few conven- 
 iences ; a rude table, but one chair, and a 
 pile of straw, covering one half of the stone 
 floor, were all the things of comfort that it 
 could boast of. Without these, comfortless 
 and wretched indeed would it have been. 
 The Colonel, almost in a state of desponden- 
 cy at the dread fate which his captors had 
 threatened him, was seated in the rude chair 
 with one arm resting upon the table, while 
 the other encompassed the neck of his beau- 
 tiful ch'.ld, who with sweet consoling looks 
 and encouraging words was striving to cheer 
 the sad heart of her parent. 
 
 As Donna Elvira approached they both 
 started up, and with surprise gazed upon the 
 lovely creature who had so suddenly appear- 
 ed in their presence. Rosalia advanced to 
 receive her greeting, for she saw that the 
 pleasant expression which radiated from her 
 brilliant countenance, betokened that she 
 came not for evil, but on an errand of love 
 to sympathize with them in their misfor- 
 tune. If Rosalia was surprised and pleased 
 at this visit from one of her own sex one 
 so remarkably beautiful as Elvira how much 
 more so was Colonel Granville, to behold 
 for once in his life a beauty among the Mex- 
 icans, although in former years he had held 
 considerable intercourse with them, while 
 stationed with the United States' troops at 
 San Augustin, and also occasional visits from 
 them while at Pensacola. There was some- 
 thing, however, in her looks, that struck 
 him more agreeably than the singular per- 
 fection of her features whether it was that 
 she resembled any one that he had ever seen 
 before, or that of his being visited by her in 
 such a place, or what it was, it would have 
 been impossible for him to have explained. 
 As he gazed almost abstractedly upon her, 
 he saw an irresistible charm in the very 
 expression of her eye, which made him feel 
 as if he could have clasped her to his heart ; 
 
 not from any sensual impulse, but from an 
 impulse purer, holier ; a mystery which may 
 be divulged hereafter. 
 
 ' Buenos nochcs, Stnorita /' was Elvira's 
 first salutation, and she took the hand of Ro- 
 salia and pressed it warmly within her own. 
 ' See, I have brought you this little bunch of 
 flowers, and a little parcel of fruit.' 
 
 ' Thank you, thank you,' answered the. 
 grateful girl. 'These flowers are beautiful 
 truly, and fragant, and very rare to me. 
 This fruit, too, faiher, looks delicious ; but 
 to whom are we indebted for this unexpec- 
 ted favor?' 
 
 ' Elvira Espindola is my name.' 
 
 ' May Heaven please to place it in our 
 power to reciprocate these tokens of your 
 kindness,' said Rosalia. 
 
 ' Amen !' was the response of Colonel 
 Granville, and he came forward and* took 
 the maiden's hand, and gazed upon her with 
 a look of exceeding interest. ' God will bless 
 such as thee, sweet maiden !' 
 
 There was something winning to Elvira 
 even in the tones of the Colonel's voice, 
 which struck a chord deep in the heart of 
 the fair Mexican, and she allowed her hand 
 to remain clasped within his while he spoke. 
 His manners were kind and gentle towards 
 her ; he addressed her as he would if she 
 had been his own child, and had returned to 
 him after a 10ng absence. So different was 
 he, she thought, from her own father,, the 
 Senor Espindola, that she wished in the pu- 
 rity of her heart that Heaven had given her 
 such a parent. So strong was this feeling 
 within her, that, before she had left the cell, 
 she began to envy Rosalia, gloomy as her 
 situation then appeared. 
 
 She remained in conversation with them 
 nearly an hour, and so g/eat was the inter- 
 est which she made manifest in behalf of the 
 prisoners, that she was not aware how swiftly 
 those precious moments flew by, and had 
 caused her almost to forget the most impor- 
 tant part of her errand. 
 
 ' I have something to tell you, ere I go, 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 49 
 
 which grieves me much,' at length said El- 
 vira, as the tears started into her eyes. 
 
 ' Pray, what can it be ?' ejaculated Colonel 
 Grariville, noticing her deep concern. 
 
 ' Your chief captor has given orders for 
 your separation ; and this very night it is to 
 be accomplished.' 
 
 * Separated V repeated the parent. ' Take 
 the father from the child V 
 
 ' The order is that you be separated,' re- 
 plied Elvira. 
 
 ' Oh, no, no'.' shrieked Rosalia, franticly, 
 as she threw her arms about her father's 
 neck. * They shall not separate us they 
 cannot they are not so cruel as to deal with 
 us thus inhumanly.' 
 
 ' Would to Heaven that it might be avert- 
 ed/ said Elvira] 'but that now seems im- 
 possible. If you will be advised by a simple 
 maiden, submit without a murmur, and ere 
 another day has passed you will, perchance, 
 not only be re-united, but free from the pow- 
 er of the unscrupulous Ranchero Chieftain.' 
 ' Oh, no, dear father,' said Rosalia, more 
 calmly ; ' we must not be separated even 
 for an hour any fate were better far than 
 this.' 
 
 ' I fear, my child, it will be useless to re- 
 monstrate,' replied the Colonel ; ' you forget 
 that we are not prisoners to a chief who re- 
 gards the usages which govern civilized na- 
 tions in times of war. You have become the 
 desponding one now, my child cheer up 
 let the counsel of this gentle maiden govern 
 oar actions in this matter methinks I reac 
 hope in her very looks.' 
 
 ' Perhaps oh no I cannot suspect for 
 a moment one whose countenance so strong- 
 ly bears the impress of truthfulness,' saic 
 Rosalia in low tones. ' If such a being as 
 she can deceive and betray, and wear at the 
 same time such an expression of innocence 
 then moral goodness is lost to the world. 
 Yes, dear father, let us be guided by her.' 
 
 'I marvel not that you should suspect me, 
 remarked Elvira ; for I know the treacher 
 o\is reputation my countrymen bear among 
 
 ; but believe me, ye are not the first 
 Americans who have been befriended by 
 Elvira Espindola. It was scarce two days 
 ince when she saved the lives of two as gal- 
 ant cavaliers as ever drew swords. They 
 were from your own land, and one of them 
 n token of his gratitude, I allowed to place 
 his chain around my neck ; and by gazing 
 upon this little picture attached thereto, it 
 will strengthen your confidence in rny sin- 
 cerity. The fairest of Mexico's daughters 
 >ossess not such a beautiful complexion as 
 does this semblance of a fair American. 1 
 Rosalia held the miniature in iier hand for 
 few moments, when she exclaimed with 
 deep concern, 
 
 ' Good Heavens ! it bears the likeness of 
 my dear friend, Alice Allston, Lieut. Henry 
 Allston's sister ! Look, father ! see you not 
 the remarkable resemblance T 
 
 Colonel Granville, at the first glance upon 
 the miniature, was equally startled at the 
 mysterious discovery. 
 
 ' Said you that you saved his life?' asked 
 he. 
 
 ' I did.' 
 
 ' And another officer ?' 
 ' True.' 
 
 1 Of what rank f 
 
 ' That of captain, so far as I can judge.' 
 ' And how V 
 
 1 From the envenomed lances of the Ran- 
 cheros.' 
 
 ' Can this be possible ?' queried the Colo- 
 nel to himself. 
 
 ' It is possible,' said Elvira, hearing his 
 words, and perceiving a shadow of doubt 
 and wonder in the expression of his counte- 
 nance. ' I will explain. They were both 
 
 wounded by the poisoned lances ' 
 
 ' Wounded, did you say ? and by poison- 
 ed lances ?' ejaculated Rosalia, interrupting 
 her speech ; and the color forsook her cheeks, 
 and her lips quivered as she turned away to 
 hide the sudden emotion which this an- 
 nouncement had caused. 
 Elvira continued. 
 
50 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 ' And before the venom could perform 
 its deadly work I applied an antidote to their 
 wounds.' 
 
 'Are they are now quite well?' questioned 
 Rosalia, somewhat relieved from her start- 
 ling fears. 
 
 1 So I left them. 1 
 
 ' Where did the conflict take place ?' ask- 
 ed Granville. 
 
 ' On the plain beyond the ravine but a 
 short distance from this place.' 
 
 1 And where are these officers now?' 
 
 ' Probably with the main body of the 
 American army, which, it is reported, are 
 even now before the city of Monterey.' 
 
 The promptness with which these enquir- 
 ies were answered, left no room for doubt in 
 the mind of Colonel Granville. He felt and 
 believed all was true. 
 
 The earnest ejaculation and deep ccncern 
 of Rosalia at the strange intelligence, did 
 not escape the keen observation of her par- 
 ent. He read in her looks a matter which 
 deeply interested him something which he 
 had hoped for, but had not anticipated that 
 it was yet even in its budding.' 
 
 ' Thanks, gentle maiden,' said Granville, 
 after a brief pause, ' for this important in- 
 formation, and for the invaluable services 
 
 and for your manifestations of kindness to- 
 wards us. A nation's gratitude is your due ; 
 and may Heaven grant an old soldier per- 
 mission to give proofs of his gratitude. We 
 now place the most implicit confidence in 
 you, and whatever you suggest our duty will 
 be to act in compliance.' 
 
 ' My prayer is now that I may have it in 
 my power to show that this confidence is not 
 misplaced,' answered Elvira. ' Again, I 
 repeat submit to the cruel separation in con- 
 templation without a murmur ; and in case 
 of any failure of my endeavors in your be- 
 half, when you have been made to part from 
 your parent,' she continued to Rosalia, * you 
 may find a friend in this!' and she took from 
 her bosom a small silver hiked stilletto, and 
 placed it in the hand of the fair captive, and 
 
 resumed ' An instrument 
 coming a woman to carry, 
 
 I know, unbe- 
 and one which 
 
 she would unwillingly use, but I can con- 
 ceive of situations and circumstances, when 
 the Righteous Judge of the world would 
 nerve her heart and strengthen her arm to 
 wield it with a deadly power !' 
 
 Uttering these words, Elvira bid them 
 adieu for a short time, and left the prison, 
 not, however, without bestowing a lingering 
 look of sweetness and compassion upon those 
 for whom she had conceived so sudden and 
 
 our countrymen have received at your hands, so great an interest. 
 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 51 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The Rancher o Chieftain and his Lieut cuant. Reflections of the former. His Infamous 
 Purpose. His Visit to the fair Prisoner. The Counterplot. New mode of ' Men* 
 meriting' Sentinels. Success of Elvira. Preparations for Escape. The Release. 
 Death ofonr, of the Guard. Canales' vile Purpose Defeated* ' To Horse! To 
 Horse!' The Flight. The Pursuit. Rage of the Ranchero Chieftain. Novel 
 Explanations, 
 
 WO hours before midnight the 
 inhuman mandate of Canales 
 was executed Rosalia having 
 been taken from her father's 
 arms and conveyed to the room 
 designated for her reception, by Juliano, 
 who, having locked the door, gave the key 
 to his chief, who thus questioned him. 
 
 ' How bore this fair damsel the separa- 
 tion ?' 
 
 ' Without a murmur ; or even expressing 
 in words a desire to remain with him/ was 
 the lieutenant's reply. 
 
 ' Indeed ! Did the old man, her father, 
 make no remonstrances?' 
 
 ' He uttered not a syllable/ 
 
 ' Strange,' muttered Canales. ' By my 
 faith, I ftiiuk now I shall not make them du- 
 ly feel the weight of my vengeance !' 
 
 ' When I told the father of the duty I had 
 to perform,' resumed Juliano, ' he replied 
 not, but exchanging a kiss with his pretty 
 daughter, and bidding each other a good 
 night, she was prepared to follow me.' 
 
 1 Thanks, good lieutenant ; leave me now, 
 and see that all the sentinels are at their 
 posts. There is a need of a watchful guard 
 to night. Should the barbarians learn that 
 I have a colonel of dragoons in my power, 
 
 and where our quarters are, we may have the 
 furious hell-hounds down upon us before 
 morning.' 
 
 Juliano promised to see that all was safe, 
 and saluting his chief, and wishing him a 
 joyous night, he retired. 
 
 Canales, considering all things safe, he 
 took from his belt a pair of pistoletcs and a 
 savage looking macheta, and laid them upon 
 a table, in the centre of the apartment, then 
 taking off his military chaqueta t he threw 
 himself on a couch, where he was soon ab- 
 sorbed in deep thought upon the recent dis- 
 astrous events which had so materially deci- 
 mated his force. His hatred to the ' barba- 
 rians, as he uniformly termed them, knew 
 no bounds, and it was doubly increased by 
 the recent mortifying defeats he had sus* 
 tained, where he had so confidently antici- 
 pated easy victories. He recollected the 
 boasts he had more than once made to some 
 of the leading Mexican officers, who winked 
 at and even encouraged his independent 
 mode of warfare, that he could with his effi- 
 cient and well-organised power engage a 
 treble force of the enemy with most certain 
 success. They were credulous, too, of his 
 vain blustering, for in truth such a powerful 
 looking squadron of cavalry they had nev- 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 er seen before, composed of their oivn peo- 
 ple. They had been well drilled, were well 
 armed, and had all the courage a band of 
 desperate adventurers could be supposed to 
 have. But the tables had been completely 
 tnrned he had suffered all that he had in- 
 tended his enemy should suffer ; and that 
 which stung him most sensibly, next to his 
 extreme mortification, was th-e fact of his 
 made considerable pecuniary loss. 
 
 Revenge ! implacable, deadly revenge ! 
 was now the controlling passion of his heart ! 
 and his diabolical intent, which was incited 
 by hate more than by any other passion, he 
 was now free to put into execution. 
 
 The innocent and beautiful creature in 
 his power was to be the first victim of his 
 burning vengeance ! His cruel act with 
 laughs of exultation should be boasted of 
 even unto the ears of her parent ! The aged 
 officer should die a death of torture by his 
 awn hand, after his first hellish purposes had 
 been consmmated ! 
 
 Uttering a laugh of fiendish exultation the 
 monster arose from his couch, and strode 
 towards the door of the apartment which 
 confined his fair prisoner. He placed his 
 ear at the key-hole all was silent as death ! 
 Inserting the key noiselessly into the lock, 
 and slowly turning the key, he opened the 
 door, stepped within, "and locked it upon the 
 inside ! 
 
 Beware, base man ! Approach not that 
 couch, whereon reclineth a being of inno- 
 cence and of purity ! Better were it for 
 thee to violate God's canon against self- 
 slaughter by slaying thyself, than to violate 
 a still higher decree of the Eternal Being! 
 Pause, monster ! The worse tortures of the 
 damned spirits of hell, can never avenge so 
 foul a crime as thy wicked heart hath con- 
 ceived, and purposeth to accomplish ! 
 * # # * * # 
 
 For a time we draw the curtain upon this 
 scene, to look after others who are enacting 
 conspicuous parts in this night's business. 
 
 The moment that Juliano had retired to 
 
 his quarters, the Senorita Espindo was 
 upon the alert. She had heard his injunc- 
 tion of vigilance to the sentinels, and she 
 followed him in his rounds, soon afterwards, 
 and repeated to the guard almost the words 
 of caution the lieutenant had used, and 
 promised them that, in consideration of the 
 strictness of their duty, she was permitted to 
 fill each of their canteens with pulque (the 
 universal intoxicating beverage of the Mex- 
 icans). There was one sentinel, however, 
 she could not reach, and he was posted be- 
 fore the door of the prison of Colonel Gran- 
 ville, and she did not dare to pass through 
 the Chief's room, thinking he might ques- 
 tion her, and there was no other way of 
 communicating with him. 
 
 Suspecting naught of her bold intent, but 
 on the contrary the sentinels were all exceed- 
 ingly delighted at the prospect of having 
 some of their much loved pulque to stimu- 
 late them while walking their lonely rounds. 
 Soon she re-appeared to each one of the sen- 
 try, and poured a generous quantity of th* 
 Mexican ardent into their canteens ; and her 
 eyes glistened with a peculiar satisfaction, as 
 she beheld each and all of them swallow 
 with avidity the intoxcating draught. 
 
 Half an hour elapsed, and she again vis- 
 ited each sentinel's post but not one was 
 stirring ! all were lying prostrate upon the 
 earth ! and in a sleep so profound, that the 
 thundering of heavy artillery in their ears 
 
 would scarcely have disturbed them ! for 
 * i 
 
 they had not only partaken freely of the put- 
 que, but a more potent potion with it, of a 
 greater somnific tendency ! Their cscopetas 
 were lying by their sides the heroic maiden 
 gathered them up, and conveyed them toth* 
 prison in which the Americans, who wec 
 captured with Colonel Granville, were con- 
 fined. From the belt of the unconscious sen- 
 tinel who guarded the door of the prison she 
 took the key, and entering among the cap- 
 tives soon aroused them, and placed an esco- 
 peta in each of their hands. 
 
 The Americans, it may well be supposed, 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 53 
 
 were as much astonished as delighted, to se 
 in their deliverer a beautiful female, an< 
 that female a Mexican. She told them o 
 the danger in which the fair maiden cap 
 tive stood, and explained as well as she coult 
 the motives that impelled her to set them 
 free. She also told them of the mariner ii 
 which she had rendered the sentinels harm 
 less for the present at least. She then bad 
 them follow her with a cautious step, am 
 she guided them towards a long low shec 
 where the Rancheros horses were ready s 
 died and bridled in case of a night attack 
 upon their quarters. The fleetest steed: 
 were pointed out by Elvira; and she direct 
 ed them to be led to a small clump of trees 
 which stood about half way between the 
 guard-house and the entrance to the forest 
 To the branches of the trees she orderec 
 the horses to be tied, and then led the pris- 
 oners back to the guard-house. Here she 
 bade them await until a preconcerted signa 
 for them to appear should be given, and im- 
 parting other minor di/ections, which they 
 promised implicitly to follow, she left them 
 and proceeded as quickly as possible towards 
 the quarters of Canales. Listening at the 
 door of his apartment she heard his footsteps 
 pacing to and fro; presently all was still, 
 and she pushed the doer ajar just at the mo- 
 ment that he passed into the adjoining room. 
 She tarried not for a moment big tripped 
 lightly and cautiously across the floor, and 
 by the range of small buildings until she 
 encountered the only sentinel on the ranch 
 whom she had not regaled with the drugged 
 pulque. As soon as he saw her, he gave 
 the challenge 
 ' Quien vive /' 
 
 ' Amiga !' replied the Senorita, putting a 
 bold face upon the matter ; ' I have a mes- 
 sage to convey from the young maiden cap- 
 tive to her father.' 
 
 ' You cannot pass at this hour.' 
 
 * Why this unusual precaution?' 
 
 * Because my orders were more impera- 
 
 3 
 
 tive and stricter than usual the lieutenant 
 said, let no one pass !' 
 
 ' Who dares prevent my passing when and 
 where I please upon my father's premises ?' 
 demanded the Senorita with increased assur- 
 ance? ' Shall I call your Chief? Have I 
 not just passed his quarters ? You forget 
 that by this permission he sanctions my com- 
 ing hither? But you shall learn my privi- 
 lege ;' and she turned as if to go to Canales' 
 quarters. 
 
 * Bastantamente ! pasar /' cried the sen- 
 tinel, knowing his chieftain's antipathy to 
 being disturbed. 
 
 At this acquiescence Elvira again turned, 
 and the duped soldier unlocked the prison 
 door, and she entered once more into the 
 presence of Colonel Granville. In whisper- 
 ing tones she hurriedly related to him all that 
 had been done, and giving him a pistolete, 
 which she had concealed beneath her trcna, 
 (scarf) told him of the sentinel before the 
 door, as the only probable obstacle he would 
 lave to encounter before he could rejoin his 
 companions. She bade him follow her until 
 iear the threshold, where she told him to 
 await until she could contrive an opportuni- ' 
 y for him to escape. She stepped out and 
 ust passed the sentinel, when she engaged 
 him in conversation, having by this means 
 jot him in a position between herself and 
 he door, where the prisoner stood watching 
 icr cunning stratagem, the back of the sen- 
 inel being towards him. The moment that 
 Elvira turned upon them, was the signal for 
 he Colonel to make a desperate effort for his 
 reedom ! Ere the guard had time to right 
 bout for the purpose of securing the door, 
 is prisoner had pounced upon him, and 
 rostrated him backwards upon the ground-! 
 le then seized him by the throat, presented 
 pistol at his head, commanding him to be 
 uiet, or he would blow out his brains ! 
 
 This unexpected overthrow had well nigh 
 ereft the poor sentinel of his wits and iV' tii 
 vas some moments before he could promise 
 bedience. The Colonel relaxed his hold, 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 allowed him to get up, and led him towards 
 the door of the prison, into which he intend- 
 ed to thrust him ; but the treacherous Mex- 
 ican, considering such promises under the 
 peculiar circumstances of the case not worth 
 abiding by, with his left hand suddenly drew 
 a macheta from its sheath, and had raised it 
 to plunge into his antagonist's breast, when 
 the colonel adroitly seized his clasped hand, 
 turned it, and when the blow descended the 
 steel pierced the heart of the Mexican, and 
 he fell a bloody corpse ! Dragging the 
 body across the prison threshold, he made 
 fast the door, and in a few moments after- 
 ward he had rejoined his fair liberator, and 
 was conducted by her to his released com- 
 panions, who welcomed him with subdued 
 but joyous exclamations. All of whi>ch was 
 performed in a much shorter space of time 
 than we have occupied in relating it. 
 
 Meanwhile another scene was being en- 
 acted on the premises of Senor Espiadola. 
 Having left the fair Rosalia Granville in 
 rather a critical situation we must again lift 
 the curtain, and watch the progress of the 
 monster who had invaded the place of her 
 repose. The moment that she saw the in- 
 human wretch approach, she arose suddenly 
 from a reclining posture, and with a courage 
 she was not aware of possessing, she de- 
 manded of the intruder, in firm tones, his 
 errand there. 
 
 ' Do net trouble thyself to rise, fair mai- 
 den,' said Canales, in the softest tones his 
 rugged voice could make use of ; ' although 
 thou art the captive of the famed Ranchero 
 Chieftain, yet he would behave towards thee 
 with all due tenderness; therefore, my pret- 
 ty one salute me with a kiss.' 
 
 ' Approach me not, wretch !' said Rosalia, 
 still undaunted, 
 
 ' I cannot allow thee to use such harsh 
 terms to my face, when I could not find it 
 in my heart to speak so ill of thee ; there- 
 fore if thou art too modest to bestow the 
 first kiss upon thy lover, he will upon those 
 
 sweet lips impress the first token of that af^ 
 fection, which must exist between us, him- 
 self; pardon the liberty, but ' and the vil-* 
 lain, without finishing the sentence, ventured 
 yet nearer Rosalia, who receded not a single 
 step, but with a determined and resolute ex- 
 pression gazed upon the monster. 
 
 ' Oh, I prithee do not look so fiercely,' he 
 added ; a countenance so surpassingly love 
 ly as thine should be all sweetness when in 
 presence of thy adorer.' 
 
 Another moment transpired and he was 
 beside her, and was on the point of throwing 
 his brutal arms about her neck, when she 
 stepped back a pace a poniard of steel 
 held firmly in her right hand glistened above 
 her head ! she was about to strike it to the 
 heart of the infamous man ! but the sudderr 
 noise of many footsteps in the adjoining 
 apartment arrested her arm, and caused the 
 wretch to start back in terror ! He heard 
 their voices, and at once recognized thafr 
 they spoke the language of his enemies 
 heavy blows upon the door which was the 
 only barrier between them added to his con -- 
 fusion and alarm ! 
 
 * Hell and furiesl' he exclaimed; 'what 
 can be the meaning of this ? Ah ! I am be- 
 trayed ! Treason ! Guards, ho ! But there 
 is one way of escape left I Canales is yet 
 free!' 
 
 Uttering these and similar exclamation* 
 he sprang towards the opposite part of the 
 room, and pushing one side a heavy oaken 
 chest, he lifted a trap, and quickly disap- 
 peared through the floor ! 
 
 The trap had scarcely fallen above his 
 head, when the liberated Americans burst 
 into the room, and Colonel Granville and 
 his beloved daughter met once more in fond 
 embrace ! She quickly pointed out the way 
 by which Canales had effected his escape. 
 One moment sooner in the movements of 
 his enemy and he would have been bearded 
 in his own den ! On trying to lift the trap 
 they found that he had taken the wise pre- 
 caution to make it fast on the under side. 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 55 
 
 ' To horse ! to horse !' was the first order 
 of Colonel Granville, and taking Rosalia by 
 the hand, they fled from the house toward 
 the clump of trees which concealed the 
 requisite number ot fleet steeds ! But a few 
 moments time had elapsed when all of the 
 Americans were firmly seated in Mexican 
 saddles, and dashing off at full gallop toward 
 the forest! 
 
 Meanwhile, however, the alarmed Ran- 
 cheros had not been idle, for the Americans 
 had hardly issued from the quarters of Ca- 
 aales, when the voice of that chieftain was 
 heard arousing his men in thunder tones. 
 Quickly all but the unconscious and pros- 
 trate sentinels obeyed his calf the bugle 
 sounded an alarm, and many of the Ran- 
 cheros were soon in the saddle, and led by 
 Canales galloped off in pursuit of the flying 
 fugitives; but the latter had got the start 
 and the advantage of fleeter steeds, and just 
 as they entered the forest a shower of esco- 
 peta balls from the pursuers fell harmlessly 
 in their rear. Fortunately, the Americans 
 had taken the only wide path through the 
 wood, and soon they sped across the plain be- 
 yond and into the main road leading direct 
 to the city of Monterey. Canales soon saw 
 that to continue the pursuit would be use- 
 less, for with their present speed the fugi- 
 tives would reach the main army of the 
 Americans, which was already encamped be- 
 force the battlements of the doomed city ! 
 . Canaies returned to the ranch, foaming 
 and fretting like a chafed tiger ! His anger 
 knew no bounds, and before his assembled 
 fore, and by the light of torches, he com- 
 menced an investigation of the causes which 
 had led to such disastrous results. The still 
 unconscious sentinels were brought and laid 
 upon the ground before him, and yet the re- 
 moval disturbed them not, for they slept on 
 as soundly and snored as lustily as ever they 
 did in their lives I Canales, on beholding 
 those, whom he supposed his most trusty fol- 
 lowers, in such a situation, was astonished 
 beyond measure ! In his rage, he cruelly 
 
 ordered their head to be chopped off while 
 in their slumbers ! as a most fearful warning 
 to those who might thereafter be found asleep 
 while performing guard duty ! 
 
 The dreadful mandate was about to be 
 executed heavy machetas already were in 
 the hands of the executioners ! when Elvira 
 suddenly made her appearance, and knelt 
 before the cruel chieftain, to whom, with 
 tears of compassion streaming from her elo- 
 quent eyes, she plead for the lives of the 
 condemned ! She suggested to him the rea- 
 sonable probability that some cause beyond 
 their control had produced this profound 
 and seemingly unnatural sleep 1 Perhaps, 
 plead she, they have been drugged ! per- 
 haps poisoned ! for notwithstanding all the 
 noise and confusion which the event had 
 made, they still were wrapped in repose ! 
 
 Elvira's suggestions were followed up by 
 a plea from old Espindola, who declared his 
 belief that the ' northern barbarians' abso- 
 lutely possessed the wonderful power of put- 
 ting their enemies asleep by merely looking 
 at them, and even by an effort of the will. 
 This mysterious power, he said, the barba- 
 rians called Mesmerism, and he had learned 
 of its miraculous effects from some papers 
 and books, printed in the barbarian tongue, 
 and which Donna Elvira, who understood it, 
 had read to him ! 
 
 There was something so extraordinary in 
 all this that Canales countermanded the or- 
 der ; and, in truth, he was credulous enough 
 to put some confidence in Espindola's ex- 
 planation of the matter. He thought it even 
 more probable than the suggestion which the 
 Senorita had advanced, for he had himself 
 heard something of the remarkable power 
 known to the ' barbarians.' However, ludi- 
 crous as Espindola's suggestion seemed un- 
 der the circumstances, it served to save the 
 ives of the sleeping Rancheros ! 
 
 Twenty-four hours elapsed ere they awoke ! 
 and supposing that they had taken but a 
 short nap, they were much amazed to find 
 themselves assembled together, away from 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 their posts, their escopetas gone, and the 
 whole troop decamped, and gone, whither 
 they knew not ; all of which puzzled their 
 stupid brains exceedingly, until arousing old 
 Espindola, the mystery and all consequent 
 matters were explained, particularly that 
 part of his having been the means of deter- 
 ing Canales from putting into execution his 
 order for their decapitation ! They all coin- 
 cided with Senor Espindola in regard to 
 their having been * mesmerized,' for they all 
 agreed that they had never felt so strangely 
 on going to sleep in all their lives ! 
 
 And what were the thoughts of the Seno- 
 rita Elvira Espindola on reviewing the scenes 
 of that eventful night, of which she had 
 been the sole cause and the chief person in 
 their execution 1 No one had suspected or 
 even dreamed that she had any agency in 
 the matter, consequently she had nothing to 
 fear. One act which had been committed 
 she exceedingly regretted the death of the 
 sentinel but that was unavoidable ; and 
 moreover had he lived he might have been 
 her accuser. And now it was all over she 
 endeavored to analyze the motives which 
 had impelled her, at the hazard of her own 
 life, not only to set free the avowed enemies 
 of her country, but to jeopardize the lives of 
 those \\ho were in arms to drive the northern 
 
 invaders from the soil. Still she knew that 
 the Ranchero chieftain and his followers 
 were no better than a troop of banditti 
 that they would quite as readily pillage a 
 Mexican cathedral of its sacred ornaments, 
 or rob the government's treasury of its gold, 
 as to capture a train belonging to the inva- 
 ders ! Yet, the knowledge of this might in- 
 duce her again to act as she did after the 
 Rancheros attack upon the Light Dragoons 
 with poisoned lances, but this alone did not 
 seem to justify her in her last great act. But, 
 thought she, there was one of her own sex, 
 an innocent and beauteous maiden, to pro- 
 tect ; and, strange though it may appear, 
 one for whom she had conceived all the af- 
 fection that a sister could have bestowed. 
 The maiden's father, too, she felt as if she 
 could again hazard much even for his sake. 
 But why, she could not answer to herself! 
 This mystery it shall be our particular care 
 to unravel in a future chapter. 
 
 Before Donna Elrira sought repose after 
 the escape of the prisoners, she knelt before 
 the little altar of her room, and prayed that 
 the American maiden and her father might 
 escape the dread calamities of the bloody 
 war that was already raging in more than 
 one section of that unhappy Republic ! 
 
 , 
 ngor 
 
 '*dl doi ''^ ^ 
 
 I fiJi 
 
 jowoo 
 
 ' 
 
 ' * 5n '-'' 
 rroDiio ^ 
 
 I ^O" 
 
 ' 
 
 
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 Ofl V- 
 
 i^adoonn 
 
 !0f i ; ' 
 
<wf! 
 
 Ol I 
 
 >;-.* 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 57 
 
 rlliW 
 
 u n 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 .(1 9fh 
 
 o Ji-i 
 
 Suspicion of Senor Espindola. Donna Elvira's Ramble in the Forest. The Deserted 
 Battle Plain. Startling Sounds. Discovery of the young American Officer. Sym- 
 pathy of the Senorita. His rapid 'Recovery, under the care of Elvira. She con- 
 ducts him to the Casa. A Willing Prisoner. 
 
 9* 
 
 
 ORNING dawned, and the 
 ranch was again free from the 
 bustle and confusion of the sev- 
 eral previous days, the whole 
 troop of Rancheros having de- 
 parted before the grey light of morn was 
 visible in the east, in search of new adven- 
 tures, leaving the Senor Espindola, Donna 
 Elvira, and a few Indian domestics, its sole 
 occupants. 
 
 ' Whither art thou going, my child V en- 
 quired Espindola, as Donna Elvira threw a 
 mantilla over her shoulders, and adjusting 
 her veil, as if for a morning's visit to the 
 village. 
 
 1 The morning is so lovely,' she answered, 
 
 and 
 
 ' I thought I would run to the forest 
 gather some wild flowers.' 
 
 ' Bitn go, but thee must not tarry long ; 
 for, now that our guests have departed, with- 
 out thy merry company it will be quite dull 
 and lonely here.' 
 
 ' I hope they* will never return to our 
 home, padre.' 
 
 'By San Diego, % I hope otherwise! the 
 Rancheros pay me well. Thou shouldst 
 think as I do, Elvira ; thou dost not remem- 
 ber all my gold is for thee.' 
 
 * As I have said before, father, they are 
 but a troop of banditti and their mode of 
 warfare, according to their own confession, 
 
 is but to pillage ranchos, rob travellers, and 
 even to murder! all of which is done under 
 the false pretext that they are battling the 
 invader for the good of their country.' 
 
 ' Ah, my child, thee must give heed to 
 what thy tongue uttereth ; I tyave marked 
 thy unwonted curiosity of late ; and I have 
 my suspicion, Elvira, that thee wast not en- 
 tirely ignorant of the strange events that 
 have transpired here; I shouldst be unwil- 
 ling for the great Chieftain to have the 
 grounds for suspecting thee that I have. 
 Therefore, my child, be cautious for thy 
 sake and for mine. I know thou art a brave 
 girl a wise girl and, in truth, a good girl 
 and knoweth right from wrong ; but we 
 must yet loan the Rancheros our place for a 
 rendezvous. Shouldst I refuse my life were 
 not the value of one poor maravedi. You 
 now understandeth, my child blessings be 
 ever upon thee go, and be merry as the 
 birds I love to see thee happy but tarry 
 not long.' 
 
 Uttering these words, the old man kissed 
 the fair forehead of Elvira, and she hi?d 
 avray to the wood, not altogether for the 
 purpose she had avowed, but to see if the 
 Rancheros were in ambush, ready to fall up- 
 on any small body of their enemies, who- 
 might venture to pass the Glen of the Spring, 
 and that, in such an emergency, she might 
 
58 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON, 
 
 be near by to render assistance to those who 
 might be wounded by envenomed lances. 
 
 With a buoyant step she entered the wooc 
 and continued her way through a little foot- 
 path which led to the very spot where Clif- 
 ton's corps of Light Dragoons had encamp- 
 ed on the night after their victory over the 
 Rancheros. She had a lingering hope that 
 the Dragoons might still be encamped there, 
 but on reaching the plain she found that it 
 was completely deserted, and the only traces 
 left of their having been there, was the trod- 
 den grass and torn ground where the battle 
 raged, and where the Americans had bivou 
 acked. 
 
 Her heart was sad, indeed, as she wander- 
 ed and lingered around the spot ; and tears 
 she knew not why started from her eyes 
 and bedewed her beauteous cheeks. It 
 seemed as if she stood on hallowed ground 
 there had been a charm connected with it 
 perfectly inexplicable to her ; but now all 
 appeared as lonely and gloomy as a church- 
 yard ; yet she tarried there as would a lover 
 over the newly turfed grave of the fair one 
 who had while a bright and beautiful being 
 knitted his soul to hers. 
 
 An hour passed, of gloom and sadness to 
 her heart, and she directed her light step? 
 towards the glen but all was as lonely 
 there, and in the pass beyond, as on the de- 
 serted plain. She then turned and entered 
 the forest by another path than that by 
 which she had come, and with a heavy heart 
 bent her footsteps towards her home. She 
 had proceeded but a short distance when her 
 attention was suddenly arrested by the dead 
 body of a Mexican lying directly across the 
 path. At once she recognized that it was 
 one of the Rancheros belonging to Canales' 
 band. Intending to acquaint the Senor Es- 
 pindola of this circumstance, she contin- 
 ued her way towards the ranch. Three rods 
 further were hardly gained, when her ears 
 caught the sound of a strange and dismal 
 voice. It startled her considerably at first, 
 but thinking that it might possibly proceed 
 
 from a human being in distress, she halted, 
 and summoning all the courage in her na- 
 ture, she began cautiously to approach the 
 point whence the strange sound seemed to 
 come. She had scarcely advanced ten 
 steps when she beheld at a short distance 
 the form of. a youth reclining at the foot of 
 the trunk of a large tree. His face was pate 
 and haggard, and his eyes glared with a fee- 
 ble and sickly light. The maiden ran to- 
 wards him, and it required not a second look 
 to recognize in the sufferer the form and 
 features of the youthful officer with whom 
 she had conversed but two days previously ! 
 
 It was a sad sight, even to a daughter of 
 his enemy, to behold the change which a few 
 hours had wrought in Henry Allston. He 
 was, besides being bruised, half famished 
 not having tasted food for more than two 
 days ; his lips were parched and his tongue 
 was dry, for not a drop of water had passed 
 them during this period. The blow which' 
 felled him to the earth while the horse was 
 galloping on with all speed had rendered 
 him perfectly senseless for twelve hours ; 
 and on awaking to consciousness he found 
 that it was with pain and difficulty that he 
 could move his limbs. With considerable 
 exertion, however, he succeeded in dragging 
 himself from the thick shrubbery into which 
 he had fallen, and to lie down at the foot of 
 the tree, where he supposed he should yield 
 up his latest breath. He here fell into a 
 profound slumber from which he did not 
 awake for twelve hours more. When his 
 eyes were again opened they only beheld 
 him in a still more wretched situation ; and 
 he horrible thought rushed into his brain 
 that he must die that most terrible of deaths 
 the want of sustenance ! Rather would 
 have died on th^t blood-stained field 
 where he had fought his first battle ! and he 
 even regretted that a lovely angel, as he al- 
 most deemed her, came to save him from a 
 death by poison ! 
 
 He might,'perhaps,crawl to the Rancheros' 
 rendezvous, but he 1 thought a more certain 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 59 
 
 if less horrible death would await him there. 
 
 
 No, no he preferred dying in that lone for- 
 
 est to trusting himself in their barbarous 
 hands 1 and he gave himself up to despair 
 and death, when the light form of some 
 one flitting by attracted his attention a ray 
 of hope re-kindled within him; and his eye 
 \vas again lighted up, on hearing the sound. 
 Presently, through the interlaced branches 
 of the thick-leaved trees, he caught a glimpse 
 of a female passing with hurried steps. He 
 ottered a cry but it was a feeble one he 
 made another effort and succeeded in arrest- 
 ing the attention of the strange female she 
 turned and came towards him ! 
 
 Hope and joy filled his heart when he be- 
 field that same bright being approach him 
 who had once before saved him from the 
 jaws of death. 
 
 There was surprise and joy, too, commin- 
 gled with grief, manifested on the counte- 
 nance of Donna Elvira, at again meeting 
 the interesting stranger surprised to find 
 tiim in that solitary forest when she suppos- 
 ed him far away among his comrades grief 
 to behold him, who but so short a period pre- 
 viously was the very ideal she had conceiv- 
 ed of one whom she could love with her 
 whole heart, now so pale, so haggard, so 
 helpless ! 
 
 In another moment the fair girl was be- 
 side the hapless youth her delicate hands 
 pressed his throbbing temples and his head 
 was pillowed upon her bosom. She soon 
 saw that it was hunger and thirst more than 
 bodily wounds, which had thus enfeebled 
 and almost emaciated his features. Leaving 
 liim for a moment she gathered a pile of 
 moss and dry leaves at the foot of the tree, 
 and covering them with \\erpanuclo, formed 
 a pillow whereon she laid his aching head ; 
 then, telling him she would presently return 
 she hurried away toward the ranch with a 
 speed on which she thought the youth's life 
 or death depended. 
 
 Unobserved by her father she entered the 
 &ouse, where she obtained food, water, and 
 
 a bottle of choice wine, with which she hied 
 back to the spot where the American officer 
 helplessly reclined. The wine was held to 
 his lips and he drank of the life-instilling 
 beverage. This immediately revived him 
 from the partial lethargy in which he had 
 sunk. He now partook of the food and his 
 gnawing hunger was appeased ; he drank of 
 the water and his burning thirst was quench- 
 ed; and she bathed his feverish brow while 
 he ate and drank. A short time only elap- 
 sed and she had the heart-cheering delight of 
 perceiving indications of returning strength 
 his cheeks though yet pale were not so 
 pallid ; his eyes were no longer lighted with 
 a sickly unnatural lustre, but beamed with 
 gratitude and affection ; his voice, though 
 still feeble had not that husky, choked tone 
 which first startled her in the wood, but with 
 little exertion could now converse with her 
 whom he looked upon with reverence as his 
 ministering angel, and to whom he once 
 more owed his life. 
 
 Elvira was happy very happy in listen- 
 ing to his words, and to observe that the pas- 
 sing of each moment re-invigorated his 
 mental as well as physical faculties. Pages 
 would it require to detail all that passed be- 
 tween them in the comparatively blissful 
 hours that followed; for she left him not 
 until the sun was receding from the merid- 
 ian ; yet in all their conversation thus far 
 had either revealed name, rank, or any par- 
 ticulars regarding themselves. At length 
 the maiden arose to leave him and said, 
 
 ' When it is twilight I will come again 
 and lead you to a place of comparative safe- 
 ty where you can remain until you shall have 
 gained sufficient strength to enable you to 
 rejoin your companions.' 
 
 She sighed deeply as this last sentence 
 was uttered. 
 
 ' Ah, sweet and benevolent creature, who- 
 ever you are, tell me thy name before you 
 depart/ said the youthful officer with affec- 
 tionate earnestness. * Were you the daugh- 
 ter of our direst and most revengeful foe, 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 still I must regard you ever with a love as 
 warm and fervent as ever fired the heart of 
 man.' 
 
 ' Call me Elvira will not this suffice ?' 
 she asked. 
 
 ' Nay, sweetest Elvira, though I thank 
 you even for that one word the name of her 
 whom I shall ever reverence I must know 
 more.' 
 
 ' I am but a simple maiden,' she replied 
 ' the only child of the Senor Espindola, pro- 
 prietor of a ranch but a short distance 
 hence.' 
 
 ' As 1 suspected and his estate is the firs 
 beyond the forest ?' he continued, enquir- 
 ingly. 
 
 * You have said aright but I have not 
 told you all my father entertains the Ran- 
 cheros of the Poisoned Lance when in this 
 vicinity the Chief and his subordinates have 
 their quarters beneath our roof, and their 
 followers- pitch their tents in our fields. But, 
 believe me, he knows not the extent of their 
 wickedness and treachery ; neither does he 
 take any part in the war ! His great desire 
 appears to be to amass wealth, and the Ran- 
 cheros' gold assists him greatly to swell his 
 alreadn rich coffers ! The love of gold is 
 his weakness, and all that can be said against 
 him. He is quite aged, and sometimes I 
 am persuaded by his language and acts, al- 
 ready in his years of second childhood. As 
 I before said I am his only child ; and I 
 have never known mother, sister, or brother. 
 I have, I confess, conceived a perfect hatred 
 for Canales and his band of desperadoes ; 
 and have more than once defeated schemes 
 of theirs, which are too horrible to be men- 
 tioned, and which I supposed were wholly 
 unknown to the Senor Espindola !' 
 
 1 Brave, noble, generous hearted girl !' ex- 
 claimed Allston ; ' I thank you for this rev- 
 elation ; and may the God of Heaven repay 
 you for all your praiseworthy deeds.' 
 
 c And now I would know your name ?' said 
 Elvira. 
 
 Allston with pleasure readily complied, , 
 
 and on further questioning revealed to her 
 many interesting particulars connected with 
 himself and family, to which she listened 
 with eager attention. The interview at 
 length was brought to a close, and once 
 more returned home, where she apologized 
 for her long absence to her impatient father, 
 as ingeniously as possible, and without de- 
 parting from the truth. 
 
 The few hours that intervened after the 
 maiden's departure and the twilight seemed 
 like so many, days to Allston; but as all 
 spaces of time have an ending so did this ; 
 and when the first glimmer of a star in the 
 heavens on that evening was discerned by 
 him, it heralded the approach of Donna El- 
 vira ; and had years of separation passed 
 since they last met, the re-union could 
 scarcely have been a happier one. 
 
 From the beaming of the first star of eve- 
 ning until all the lamps of Heaven shone out 
 with their wonted brilliancy, seemed a brief 
 period indeed for our incipient lovers, be- 
 neath the shades of that forest, tarried until 
 the western sky was no longer tinted with 
 the faintest ray of departing day. Sombre 
 night had now subdued the last grey shadow 
 of twilight, and by the purer light of the 
 stars, the young invalid subaltern, was gui- 
 ded slowly through the forest paths by the 
 fairest of Mexico's fair. Their hands were 
 affectionately clasped, and she allowed his 
 arm to rest gently about her neck to support 
 his enfeebled frame. Occasionally they 
 stopped that he might gain relief from the 
 exertion. At length they reached the verge 
 of the wood at a point most contiguous to 
 Senor Espindola's dwelling ; traversing the 
 plain she guided him stealthily through a 
 grove of orange and other fruit trees which 
 xtended within a few yards of the casa. 
 Entering by a door in the rear she conduct- 
 ed him up a narrow stairway, into an apart- 
 ment that had remained unoccupied for sev- 
 eral years, and which she had rendered 
 comfortable solely for his reception during 
 he hours she had left the agreeable stranger 
 
Capture of a Mexican General. 
 
 Landing at Vera Cruz. 
 

 
 
 * 
 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 63 
 
 in the wood. This apartment was seldom 
 entered, except by Elvira, and could not be 
 reached without first passing through the 
 one occupied by her, without an ascension 
 to the casement by a ladder on the outside. 
 The key was always kept in her own posses- 
 sion, for in it she stored her wardrobe, valu- 
 ables, etc., and it was, perhaps, the safest 
 place of concealment for a gentleman under 
 her charge about the premises. 
 
 * This must be your prison until health 
 be fully restored to you,' said Elvira, whis- 
 pering, after they had entered. ' You need 
 fear no intrusion, except from your keeper.' 
 ' I trust my keeper will be your friend ?' 
 said he, enquiringly. 
 
 ' Oh, yes ; I shall perform that duty my- 
 self; depend upon it, I shall not trust your 
 safety in other hands ; but let me caution 
 you be careful about exposing yourself at 
 the casement during the day. If the Ran- 
 cheros return, and they should, perchance, 
 discover you here, your life might be the 
 forfeit.' 
 
 ' I will govern myself faithfully by your 
 directions, my sweet physician and gentle 
 monitress,' said he, pressing her hand to his 
 lips; but rather would I die than that you 
 
 should hazard ' 
 
 ' Fear not for me/ interrupted Elvira ; 
 ' for whatever I may do here I have excuses 
 ready prepared to make all safe so far as I 
 am concerned; I have remedies for each 
 emergency that may occur, within all possi- 
 ble bounds. So, my caged one, do but what 
 I require'^nd-no harm will come to either 
 
 Of US.' BOH! Om< 
 
 ' Your wishes are my laws/ said he, as 
 
 JWU*UJ 
 
 he gazed with wonder and delight upon this 
 remarkable girl. 
 
 She left him for a few minutes, and then 
 returned bringing him a delicate but deli- 
 cious repast of which he partook sparingly. 
 
 Another hour of happiness they passed in 
 each other's society, when the last farewell 
 for the night was spoken, and they separated. 
 
 Before Elvira sought repose she knelt be- 
 fore the crucifix of her own boudoir, and ut- 
 tered a fervent prayer for the restoration to 
 health of him, whom she had so providen- 
 tially rescued from death, and in whom she 
 had become so warmly interested. 
 
 Let us for a moment look in upon the ob- 
 ject of her devotions he, too, knelt before 
 jthe invisible Jehovah thanking Him for 
 'sending an angelic being of this earth to 
 save him from perishing, and uttering a pe- 
 tition in her behalf. It was a sincere and 
 1 eloquent invocation it came spontaneously 
 from the utmost depths of his soul ! 
 
 Upon the luxurious couch which had been 
 so kindly prepared for him he stretched his 
 enervated limbs. Sleep sweet, restoring 
 sleep soon shut out from his mind the tru- 
 ly remarkable situation in which he was 
 placed. Never did sweeter slumbers make 
 unconscious the senses of the youth, for his 
 dreams were of a being of celestial beauty. 
 He would have preferred sleeping on 
 sleeping ever than that such visions should 
 be disturbed ! 
 
 Leaving our lovers for a time for we 
 must now in good earnest call them so we 
 must onward to more stirring scenes, where 
 others of our characters are performing con- 
 spicuous parts. 
 
 
 I 
 
64 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
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 I 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
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 III 
 
 0/* Monterey. An Unwritten Incident of that ever memorable Occasion. Stratagem 
 of the Light Dragoon to overthrow the. Mexican Lancers. The Chapparal. Tht 
 Concealed Battery. Pretended Flight of the Light Dragoons. 
 Lancers. 
 
 Quarters. 
 Monterey. 
 
 Signal Defeat of the 
 
 Another Skirmish and subsequent Flight of the Enemy. Cliftonat his 
 Visit from an Irish Acquaintance. News of Col. Granville's Arrival in 
 
 HE storming of Monterey will 
 ever be regarded by historians 
 of this era of the world as one 
 of the greatest and most gal- 
 lant achievements of arms per- 
 formed in the nineteenth century by any 
 nation; and to find its parallel they must 
 look to the wonderful exploits of the same 
 troops, or their own countrymen, at Buena 
 Vista, Cerro Gordo, or at Chapultepec. 
 Even the grand army of Napoleon never 
 won victories against such odds; and these 
 will be cited by future generations in evi- 
 dence of the indomitable perseverance, skill 
 and valor of the soldiers of our great and 
 glorious republic. The histories of all the 
 
 On the second day of that ever-memora 
 ble siege, while the musketry rattled, and a 
 hundred pieces of artillery were thundering 
 together, a considerable force of Mexican 
 cavalry were seen to sally forth from the city, 
 under cover of one of the Mexican batte- 
 ries, and to ride towards a squadron of light 
 dragoons which had done good service dur- 
 ing the morning by drawing the fire of the 
 enemy, and otherwise supporting the artille- 
 ry and infantry corps. The Mexicans ap- 
 proached no nearer than rifle shot distance 
 of the dragoons, when they suddenly wheel- 
 ed and rode back into the city. 
 
 This singular movement did not escape 
 the commander of the dragoons, who was 
 
 in Europe scarcely furnishes a parallel ! non e other than our old friend, Clarence 
 
 to the dread exposure to \vhich our brave 
 countrymen submitted themselves in climb- 
 ing the steeps of the Bishop's Palace, in the 
 very face of Mexican batteries; or, in push- 
 ing onward through the streets of the city 
 itself, where breastworks and batteries were 
 erected to oppose their progress. 
 
 But we will not go over the details of that 
 three days' siege, which have been given by 
 an eye-witness and actor in the scene, more 
 faithfully and graphically than it is within 
 our power to do; but we have one or two 
 incidents to describe, which affects some- 
 what the course of our story. 
 
 Clifton, who, with his company, had arrived 
 most opportunely to share in the glory of the 
 victory. That the movement of the Mexi- 
 can cavalry had some meaning in it, touch- 
 ing his corps, he did not doubt, for he judg- 
 ed them, to all appearances, to be a body of 
 men with whom he had had a previous ac- 
 quaintance in truth he believed them to 
 be the Rancheros of the Poisoned Lance, 
 who had already been once sorely defeated 
 by his invincible troops. Their return to] 
 the city was, as he rightly conjectured, be- 
 cause they also discovered the indomitable 
 foe who had once dealt death and destruc- 
 
 eei 
 
THE LIGEIT DRAGOON 
 
 
 tion in their ranks. Canales was afraid to 
 make a second charge with his present 
 force, and his object in returning was to get 
 the aid of other lancers that he might com- 
 pletely overwhelm and annihilate the enemy 
 who had so discomfited him. 
 
 Clifton, too, divined the object of his re- 
 turn, and his eyes for a time were bent upon 
 the place where he re-entered the city. 
 Many minutes had not elapsed when the 
 Rancheros again sallied forth, strengthen- 
 ed by two squadrons of cavalry, each of 
 which being superior in point of numbers 
 to the dragoons. 
 
 The moment that Cltfton saw tnis formi 
 dabJe force approaching him, he resolved 
 not to engage them if he could avoid it. He 
 doubted not the result, but he was satisfied 
 the conflict must be a bloody one and if he 
 gained a victory it would cost him dear ! 
 and he did not like to risk his brave band 
 against such unequal odds. If by stratagem 
 he could defeat them it were better than that 
 one man of his command should fall ! 
 
 This idea quickly suggested to his mind a 
 plan. At the distance of half a mile there 
 is a thick chapparal, in which had been con- 
 cealed by order of the American general-in- 
 chief a battery of four howitzers, which had 
 been planted in a position that would pre- 
 vent any reinforcements from entering the 
 city, and also to cut off the retreat of any o/ 
 the enemy's troops should they attempt it. 
 The road wound round a part ef the chap- 
 paral, and there was a mule path running at 
 a right angle with the road directly through 
 it. At the junction of the road and path, on 
 each side of the latter, were the points on 
 which the battery was stationed. i 
 
 When the Mexican cavalry had gallctyec 
 within a hundred yards and prepared for a 
 mighty charge, the Light Dragoons wheeled 
 off into sections and rode off with all possi- 
 ble speed down the road leading by the chap 
 paral. The Mexicans thinking that their 
 enemies were attempting to make their es- 
 cape followed hotly and madly in pursuit. 
 
 Onward both forces went in full gallop, 
 ntil the front platoon of the dragoons reach- 
 d the mule path, when they filed off into 
 he chapparal. The Mexicans saw this m'a- 
 locevre, and thinking it the simplest thing 
 n the world to turn it to their advantage, 
 hey ordered one squadron of cavalry around 
 o the opposite side of the thicket, and thus 
 ompletely entrap the Americans. But our 
 lero had fully calculated upon this emergen- 
 cy, and after hurriedly detailing his strata- 
 gem to the officer in command of the batte- 
 ry, he continued on the course of the path. 
 
 The main body of the dragoons hurried 
 on, and reaching the point where the enemy 
 had filed off, the order was given to follow, 
 when the deafening report of a cannon was 
 beard as if almost in their midst, followed 
 by a shower of iron hail, which threw con- 
 fusicn, terror and death into their ranks ! 
 another and another followed in rapid suc- 
 cession ! The carnage was dreadful al- 
 though but the work of a moment mangled 
 horses and riders fell into heaps, and for 
 rods were strewed along the ground the 
 ivi ng, the dead and the dying lying promis- 
 caously together ! 
 
 More than one-third of their number had 
 thus fallen and those who could extricate 
 themselves from this scene of carnage, were 
 quickly flying in the direction whence they 
 came ! 
 
 Meanwhile the Light Dragoons had not 
 been idle they crossed the cHapparal, and 
 had no sooner reached its^verge, when they 
 beheld the detached squadron of Lancers, 
 drawn up in battle array, ready to charge in- 
 to their midst, as soon as they should be 
 driven from their covert, by the main body 
 who were to attack them in their rear, not 
 suspecting the terrible fate which was at the 
 moment befalling their friends ! 
 
 Without exposing his force beyond the 
 verge of the wood, Clifton formed his men 
 in a line as nearly parallel to the enemy as 
 the thicket would permit, and ordered them 
 to try the efficacy of their rifles upon the 
 
66 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 opposing ranks ! At the first fire the Lan- 
 cers were considerably annoyed, but they 
 stood their ground, thinking that the dra- 
 goons would speedily be routed from their 
 covert. Another galling fire from the chap- 
 paral, and they were obliged to wheel about 
 and fall back to a distance beyond the range 
 of the deadly rifle. But they had no sooner 
 shown their backs to the dragoons, when 
 the latter galloped from the thicket, with 
 their rifles already slung, and naked sabres 
 in their hands! The lancers turned to 
 "charge upon them, but they were already 
 too much confused by the fire they had sus- 
 tained from the rifles, to make a vigorous 
 one, and their lances were easily turned aside 
 by the heavy sabres of the dragoons, who 
 met their charge with an energy so deter- 
 mined that the lancers were quickly scatter- 
 ed in all directions, leaving a score or two 
 of their slain upon the field ! By far the 
 greater number who escaped fled in the di- 
 rection the main body had taken in order to 
 rejoin them. But what was their amazement 
 on beholding them flying toward the city, 
 from a cause they had not yet suspected. 
 They, too, joined in the flight, but they were 
 not destined to reach the city ; for before 
 they had approached near enough to be un- 
 der cover of th'e battlements in the posses- 
 sion of their friends, their progress was 
 checked, by an onset from the Light Dra- 
 goons who dashed in among them, causing 
 no little havoc, and completely changing the 
 direction of their flight! 
 
 Still pursued, the defeated lancers had no 
 other course to pursue than to dash ahead 
 by the concealed battery, where they had met 
 so signal an overthrow. They were now 
 scattered so \\idely apart that the howitzers 
 could not be brought to bear on any consid- 
 erable number at a time, though several were 
 made to join their companions in the sleep 
 of death! 
 
 Those who were so fortunate as to escape 
 alive from these sanguinary events spurred 
 on their steeds, and flew away beyond the , 
 
 reach of their pursuers and the city they 
 had so unwisely left. 
 
 This achievement (which we do not find 
 even alluded to in the despatches of the 
 general-in-chief, which omission we marvel 
 at) did not cost the Americans the loss of a 
 single man, and few only received slight in- 
 juries, while not one was wounded seriously ! 
 The small detachment of artillerists who 
 worked the howitzers had performed their 
 part with wonderful skill, considering they 
 received but a moment's notice from Clifton 
 of his hastily conceived plan to punish the 
 Rancheros, and those who had so readily 
 joined them to complete his overthrow ! 
 
 When the siege was over, and the city had 
 capitulated, and the Americans had made it 
 their quarters, of course the chief topics of 
 conversation among the victors, were the va- 
 rious deeds of this or that corps, or this and 
 that officer or soldier, during the siege, but 
 there was no achievement which elicited 
 more wonder and applause, than the bold 
 stratagem which Clifton and his bold dra- 
 goons had put into execution with the most 
 signal success. The artillerists of the con- 
 cealed battery also shared in the praises 
 which this remarkable event had elicited. 
 
 Thus our hero was made and acknowledg- 
 ed a genuine hero! Verily, to use that rarely 
 quoted expression, ' Truth is stranger than 
 Fiction.' 
 
 
 
 . Jtt'l '' 
 
 Two days after the capitulation, Captain 
 Clifton, who occupied for his quarters, a 
 pleasant residence not far distant from the 
 Puente Purissima, was quietly seated to- 
 wards evening by himself, conning over the 
 startling events which had so rapidly suc- 
 ceeded each other, when he was interrupted 
 by the entrance of a son of the Emerald 
 Isle, who from his dress it was rather diffi- 
 cult for the officer to decide whether to take 
 him for a soldier or civilian, or whether he 
 served under the American or Mexican ban- 
 ner ; for it was composed of the sombrero 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 67 
 
 nd calzeronas of the latter, and the jacket, 
 est and boots of the latter. 
 
 The moment he found himself in thepres- 
 nce of the dragoon officer, he snatched oft 
 he broad-brimmed sombrero, commenced 
 owing, scraping and scratching his head, 
 nd said, 
 
 ' The top o' the marning to yer 'onor.' 
 
 ' My good fellow, you forget that it is eve- 
 iing,' remarked Clifton. 
 
 ' Faix, then I am bothered a bit more, for 
 t's always marnin' in ould Ireland whin the 
 ;un rises, but things are oopside doun shure 
 n this bog-throttin' counthry.' 
 
 ' But the sun is now setting/ 
 
 1 Oh, be Jabers, thin the sun rises in the 
 vist and sets in the aist, shure?' 
 
 ' No, that is west, and this is east,' said 
 lifton, pointing in the two directions. 
 
 c Och, baithershin ! thin I wonder if that's 
 lot oop, (pointing downward) and thatdoon, 
 pointing upward). By the powers, thin, 
 n this counthry, I shall be always wrong 
 nrhin I'm right, and right whinl'm wrong/ 
 
 ' Perhaps, then, you are wrong in making 
 his visit here?' questioned Clifton. 
 
 ' If yer 'onor's name is Captin' Clifton, 
 thin I'm right, shure/ 
 
 1 Clifton is my name,' said the officer, 
 ' but tell me, Teddy, Phelim, Barney, or 
 whatever your name may be ' 
 
 ' Pat, yer 'onor/ 
 
 ' Well, Pat, what is your business with 
 me?' 
 
 ' I'll be afther tellin' ye now, directly ; 
 but have ye forgotten Pat intirely? By the 
 powers, now, I know'd ye, 'fore I clapp'd 
 eyes on yer 'onor/ 
 
 ' I certainly do not know you, and if ever 
 I did, you have escaped my remembrance al- 
 together/ 
 
 ' A long day will Pat be after livin' whin 
 he forgits yer 'onor, or yer 'onor's big lither 
 thrunk, that I had the 'onor o' bringing on 
 my shoulder from the Ivergreen to the Col- 
 onel's cottage, and a mighty heavy one it 
 wur to be shure/ 
 
 4 True I remember it well, but didn't I 
 pay you for it ?' 
 
 ' That yer 'onor did like a thtue gintle- 
 man.' 
 
 ' Well, Pat, what brought you hither !' 
 
 ' My legs yer 'onor, barrin' a bit of a 
 piece I rode on a Mexikin jackoss.' 
 
 ' I mean for what purpose are you here V 
 
 I Now that's a pooty question to ax of a 
 broth of a boy like Pat McCrickey, whin iv- 
 ery mither's son of the Mc'Crickeys, from 
 Saint Pathrick McCrickey for that wur 
 the big saint's name what killed all the 
 snakes down to his great grandad's great 
 grand-son that's me yer 'onor- were bould 
 waryers, and siventeen of my ancestors on 
 mither's side were killed at the bloody fight 
 of Watherloo ! There's a fightin family for 
 ye ; and now, yer 'onor, shall I disgrace the 
 hlood of the McCrickeys, by not sakein' a 
 bit of a brush meself, jist by way of kapein* 
 up the sperit of the family. That's what's 
 brought me here, yer 'onor and it's this blis- 
 sid marnin' that I've come.' 
 
 ' And what is your business with me, Mr, 
 McCrickey ?' 
 
 That's jist now what I'll be afther tellin' 
 yer 'onor.' 
 
 ' Have you any letters?' 
 
 ' Not a letthur, yer honor ; but I've a bit 
 of a beauthiful missage in my pate, that I'm 
 thinkin' ye'll be mighty glad to hear.' 
 
 ' Well, well, I'm all impatient to hear it.' 
 
 I 1 see ye are, and I'll till ye at wunst 
 without any more palaver. You see the Ma- 
 jor (I mane the Colonel, axin' his 'onor's 
 pardon,) my masther that is, has just come 
 to this mighty quare lookin' city, and he 
 would be afther seem' yer 'onor at wunst.' 
 
 ' This is good news, indeed ! Where is 
 he now?' ejaculated Clifton. 'I will re* ' 
 port to him immediately.' 
 
 ' Can you spake Mexikin V enquired Pat, 
 gravely. 
 
 ' No, you numskull ; there's no such lan- 
 guage ; the Mexicans speak Spanish.' 
 
 ' Spake Spanish, do they ?' reiterated Pat, 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 scratching his red pate. ' Och, be Jabers, 
 I knew they walked Spanish sometimes, but 
 I niver knew they talked it.' 
 
 'Never mind their language. You can 
 guide me to the place where he is quarter- 
 ed.' 
 
 ' Quarthered ! did ye say quarthered now ? 
 no, be Jabers, the Colonel wasn't quarthered 
 whin I lift him ! There's no tillin' how 
 soon he may be quarthered if these sarpint 
 Mexikins git him. He's made escape from 
 being quarthered wunst already, and the div- 
 ils intinded to quarther me, too. I'll till 
 you arl aboot it. You see 
 
 ' Not now, Pat, some other time I'll listen 
 to you with pleasure,' interrupted Clifton, 
 getting impatient. ' Lead the way I will 
 follow/ 
 
 * Mayhap you'd like to see the young led- 
 dy ?' suggested Pat, after they had issued 
 into the street. 
 
 ' Who? what lady?' enquired Clifton. 
 
 ' First be afther tell in' me the prettiest 
 flower that iver blossomed on the Colonel's 
 estate ?' 
 
 J.fl 
 
 i (b 
 
 9'( (ftj H'C Ilfffi 
 
 ;% 9:i0 9$ 
 
 ' Well,' said the captain, humoring the 
 Irishman ; ' perhaps it was a dahlia, a came- 
 lia or a violet.' 
 
 ' Not a bit of aither o' them, yer 'oner ; 
 it wasn't a Delia nor a Camilla, nor a Vio- 
 let, but it was a Rosy, the swatest flower 
 in all the land barrin' Kathleen O'Shane, 
 and she's in Kilkenny, the darlint. Now 
 yer oonderstands my manein.' 
 
 ' And a very delicate way you have of ex- 
 pressing yourself,' remarked Clifton. 
 
 'Delikit? you may well say that. The 
 McCrickey's wur oilers cilibrated for their 
 dilikicy on pints touchin' the dare crathurs, 
 yer 'onor.' 
 
 Clifton was not at a loss to comprehend 
 from Pat's language that Rosalia Granville 
 had undertaken the perils of the campaign, 
 and he was not greatly surprised ; yet had 
 he known less of the heroic spirit which an- 
 
 
 imated the soul of this resolute girl, he would 
 have considered it strange indeed. 
 
 A short walk , brought our hero and Pat 
 to the mansion which had been selected as 
 the temporary quarters of Colonel Granville 
 and his suite. 
 
 
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THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
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 CHAPTER XL 
 
 
 %/?. 
 j 
 
 A Happy Meeting in Monterey* A Stranger announced. The Monk. A Sudden Trans'- 
 formaiion. Romano Falcon in the presence of Clifton, Granville and Rosalia. Nt.ws 
 of Zehe Short and his party of Rcconnaisance. A Ransom demanded for their Re- 
 lease. The Refusal. Singular bearing of Falcon* His suddtn Departure. 
 
 ;<] 9fiJ \\. 
 
 you my dear Clifton to assist me. Remem- 
 ber you are my subordinate now.' 
 
 ' I shall be proud to obey so experienced 
 and gallant an officer,' replied Clifton. 
 
 ' Tut, tut ! no compliments if you please. 
 None of your drawing room phrases while 
 we are on a campaign plain speech plain 
 actions, should ever characterize the true 
 soldier a better understanding exists there- 
 by.' 
 
 * Politeness, father, I always thought to be 
 a qualification in the soldier,' remarked Ro- 
 salia. 
 
 * True, Rosa ; and there is no politeness 
 so real as that which is couched in plain lan- 
 guage, and divested entirely of flattery,' re- 
 plied the Colonel, and turning to his friend, 
 he said, ' you perceive, Clarence, I have 
 brought along with me my military mentor 
 in petticoats ; I couldn't persuade the little 
 amazon to remain at home, though I'm in- 
 clined to think that she more than once 
 wished herself there during the dangers of 
 our journey. 1 
 
 4 In that, father, you are certainly mistak- 
 en,' replied Rosalia ; ' and you must confess 
 that my company has been agreeable.' 
 
 * Yes, yes, Rosy, except in those hours of 
 peril, when we were at a loss to know 
 whether our heads were our own or our in- 
 
 indeed, was the meet- 
 of Captain Clifton and his old 
 friend, Colonel Granville, and 
 the beautiful Rosalia, in the 
 ^..^ captured city of Monterey. 
 Even black Sam's shining visage wore an 
 expression of delight, either because he saw 
 the happiness of his ' massa or missee,' or 
 that he was glad to see even a familiar face 
 in that strange country^up I 
 
 ' Ah, ha ! my boy!' exclaimed the veteran 
 Colonel, the moment Clarence entered, and 
 darting forward to grasp his hand ; * glad to 
 meet you here in this newly acquired city of 
 ours; must condole with you, however, for 
 the loss of a few of your brave followers. 
 You have stolen a march of me, and, as I 
 have to-day learned, had a smart brush or 
 two with the enemy before we could reach 
 the city. What think you now of your raw 
 recruits ? Didn't I tell you there's fight in 
 every mother's son of em V 
 
 ' A braver corps was n'ever led to battle !' 
 replied Clifton. ' There isn't a coward 
 among them ; not one of them could be 
 made to turn his back upon a foe unless or- 
 'dered by his commander !' 
 
 ' I knew it ! I knew it! I shall be rejoi- 
 ced when I see our whole battalion organ- 
 ized and in the field. I shall depend upon 
 
70 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 fernal enemies the chance was decidedly 
 against us. Then, I would have laid down my 
 life with pleasure, had you been safe at home. 
 Your presence, then, fairly unmanned me 
 I hadn't the courage of a goat. By the way, 
 Clifton, you have not heard of our capture 
 by those rascally Rancheros ? If it had n't 
 been for them I should have arrived here 
 in time to have taken a part in the siege.' 
 
 ' You surprise me/ said Clarence, * this 
 is the first intimation I have had of it.' 
 
 ' It don't matter much, now, since we got 
 off without a scratch,' resumed the Colonel ; 
 ' but the facts are simply these : our little 
 escort was attacked by a band of these des- 
 peradoes in a narrow pass, about ten miles 
 from Monterey ; the place was one in which 
 the rascally robbers had all the advantage ; 
 we couldn't get even a rifle to bear upon 
 them. Consequently we were made prison- 
 ers, bound and conveyed to their quarters, 
 and there thrust into a vile prison. A night 
 or two afterwards, singular to relate, we 
 made our escape through the ingenious 
 management of a young, interesting, and 
 exceedingly lovely Mexican lady.' 
 
 ' This is truly wonderful !' exclaimed our 
 hero ; ' and the attack was made ' 
 
 ' By a detachment belonging to the robber 
 chief, under the command of one of his lieu- 
 tenants,' interrupted Granville. ' They 
 captured our train, which was not very valu- 
 ble, however, and we, in return, took from 
 him, in making our escape, a dozen fleet 
 California horses, which will do you good to 
 look at.' 
 
 4 The coincidence is remarkable, truly,' 
 said our hero, thoughtfully, his mind revert- 
 ing to the beautifnl creature who had saved 
 his life and the lives of several of his men 
 from the poisonous wounds inflicted by the 
 lancers. ' Did you say that a young Mexi- 
 can girl effected your liberty ?' 
 
 1 Yes,' answered Granville ; ' and one 
 whose countenance has made so deep an im- 
 pression on my mind that I have scarcely 
 c/eased for a moment to think of her.' 
 
 ' And if we are not mistaken in the lady r 
 you have likewise good cause for remember- 
 ing her, as well as your friend, Lieutenant 
 Allston !' 
 
 * Alas !' sighed Clarence, ' I fear that his- 
 indiscretion has lost him his life !' 
 
 'His life?' ejaculated Granville,' 'what 
 mean you?' 
 
 ' The gallant fellow left us, soon after our 
 engagement with the Rancheros, and as I 
 suspect, in pursuit of this strange and an- 
 gelic being. Since which we have not seen 
 or heard of him. If he has fallen into the 
 hands of any of Canales' desperadoes, I fear 
 that we shall never see him again.' 
 
 ' This reminds me of the miniature of 
 Allston's sister, which she had suspended 
 from a chain about her neck, and which she 
 shew to us with an air of pride and pleas- 
 ure,' said Rosalia. 
 
 ' Then there is hope that he is safe,' re- 
 plied Clifton ; ' under her protection I feel 
 that I could trust him j but it is singular if 
 he is so strangely infatuated that he neglects 
 his duty by not reporting himself.' 
 
 4 1 fear your hopes are ill-grounded,' said 
 Granville ; ' for I questioned her concerning 
 the whereabouts of two young officers, whose 
 lives she told us she had saved, and she gave 
 me to understand that they were with the 
 main body of the American army before 
 Monterey.' 
 
 ' Well, well, I wili yet hope for the best/ 
 said Clifton ; ' our army can ill afford to lose 
 such a brave and gallant officer as Allston- 
 has proved himself.' 
 
 This conversation was here interrupted by 
 the abrupt entrance of black Sam, who in- 
 formed his master that a stranger at the door 
 desired an interview with him. 
 
 * What does he look like, Sam ?' asked 
 the Colonel. 
 
 ' Like de debbil wid bonnet and cloak o 
 massa.' 
 
 ' Oh, it must be one of the priests or 
 monks of Monterey/ said Granville, * you 
 may bring him in Sam.' 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 71 
 
 Enveloped in cassock and cowl, with his 
 head bent as if* from old age, and supported 
 by a staff, the stranger was shown into the 
 apartment of our friends, by black Sam, who 
 looked upon him with an eye of terror. 
 
 Colonel Granville arose to meet him when 
 the pretended monk straitened up, and sud- 
 denly divesting himself of the borrowed ha- 
 biliments of the cloister^ and revealed the 
 uniform of a Mexican officer. He was a 
 noble looking individual, decidedly hand- 
 some in features, and stalwart and dignified 
 in figure. Granville's hand involuntarily 
 seized the hilt of his sword as he discovered 
 the sudden transformation. 
 
 * Draw not thy weapon, Senor,' said the 
 vStranger; ' I assumed this garb that I might 
 pass through thy city unmolested and un- 
 questioned ; having served its purpose I now 
 throw it aside and appear before thee in my 
 true character. I have heard of the armis- 
 tice that hath been proclaimed, and have ta- 
 ken advantage of it to pay thee a visit on a 
 matter which somewhat concerns several of 
 thy friends. 5 
 
 ' And to whom am I indebted for this 
 visit?* 
 
 ' Romano Falcon !' 
 
 ' Romano Falcon !' repeated CIifton > also 
 grasping his sword. ' This man is the ter- 
 ror of the whole country !' 
 
 * Be not so rash, young man,' said this nes- 
 ted leader, with the utmost calmness. 'Cap- 
 tain Clifton, for that ir thy name, if the des- 
 cription I have had of thy person, does not 
 belie thee, my business will interest thee as 
 well as thy Colonel. If ye are prepared to 
 know its nature, without suspecting me of 
 appearing here on an assassin's errand, I will 
 impart it.' 
 
 ' Be seated,* said the Colonel, who was as 
 much astonished at the Chief's coolness, as 
 he was at his exceeding temerity in appear- 
 ing before him. 
 
 The Chief took the seat that was provided 
 for him, and drawing a pair of clumsy pis- 
 tols from his belt he laid them upon the ta- 
 ble, saying 
 
 ' Pistols should never be worn in thepres- 
 enc'e of a lady ;' and, bowing politely to the 
 fair Rosalia, thus made known his errand 
 ' I have told ye, Senors, that ye are not un- 
 known to rare-, although I have never had the 
 pleasure of seeing either of thee before.' 
 
 ' We certainly have never met,' said Gran- 
 ville ; * but will you be pleased to make 
 known your business T* 
 
 ' To be brief, then, thirteen men belong- 
 ing to Captain Clifton's corps are my prison- 
 ers !' answered Romano. 
 
 * My party of reconnaisance !' exclaimed 
 Clifton, pleased to hear that nothing worse 
 had befallen them. 
 
 'These prisoners you wish to exchange 
 for an equal number of ours ?' suggested 
 the Colonel. 'You should have applied to 
 General Taylor ; I am but a colonel serving 
 under him.' 
 
 ' None of my command are prisoners !' 
 said Romano, haughtily. 
 
 ' But many of your countrymen ate/ pur* 
 sued Granville. 
 
 ' That is no business of mine,' answered 
 the chief; ' my band is an independent or- 
 ganization ; we war for that which our coun- 
 try hath ever denied us* justice, liberty, and 
 protection ! Since these essentials are de- 
 nied us, we deem it no crime to war against 
 our invaders, independently of the armie* 
 of a pseudo government.' 
 
 ' What proposal have you to make in re- 
 gard to your prisoners V asked Granville. 
 
 * They must be ransomed by gold.' 
 
 ' Indeed ! and how much gold will pur- 
 chase their freedom ?' 
 
 ' Fifty doubloons for the officer, and 
 twenty for each of the men.' 
 
 * And is it by their request that this offer 
 of a ransom is made ?' questioned Oran- 
 ville. 
 
 'Believe it not; not one among them 
 would give ten maravedis to escape from ray 
 power 1' 
 
 ' I glory in their courage ; and I believe 
 they would not even thank their officers to 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 free them on any terms with money,' replied 
 the colonel with considerable warmth. * Be 
 assured the day is not far distant, when we 
 shall have a brush with your independent 
 cavaliers, as you style them, and after it is 
 over you will sue for an exchange witH us.' 
 
 * That is quite impossible ; for we never 
 risk ourselves in a conflict where there is the 
 remotest probability of a defeat. This may 
 be termed cowardice ; but we fight not for 
 glory, nor for military advancement -' 
 
 ' For booty, I do not doubt,' interrupted 
 Granville. 
 
 ' Precisely I was about to confess it,' 
 said Romano with a smile. * It appears, 
 then, that I have this time come on a fruit- 
 less and bootyless errand.' 
 
 * You judge aright.' 
 
 ' Wilt make no offer V 
 
 ' Not of gold ?' 
 
 ' What then V 
 
 ' We'll agree neither to hang or harm any 
 dozen of your precious followers that may 
 fall into our hands ; moreover, we'll give 
 each one a day's rations and set them at lib- 
 erty.' 
 
 1 Thou dost prize them lightly methinks;' 
 replied Romano ; ' their lives are in my 
 power !' 
 
 'And yours in mine, if I but say the word !' 
 replied Granville, a little excited ; but, I will 
 do no harm to the man who voluntarily pla- 
 ces himsel f in my power/ 
 
 
 hat , 
 
 ::!l 
 
 Romano arose, and politely bidding our 
 friends' adieu, he threw over him his cowl 
 and cassock, and made his exit as suddenly 
 as he appeared. 
 
 ' That's the most singular mortal I ever 
 encountered,' said Granville, as soon as the 
 acknowledged robber had departed. 
 
 1 His presumption is quite amusing,' re- 
 plied Clifton; ' and if this man is the veri- 
 table robber, Romano Falcon, he is very un- 
 like the descriptions given of his manners, 
 person, &c. He doesn't appear to be just 
 the man for a cutthroat, a brigand, or 'even 
 a petty thief.' 
 
 1 My life OB it, he will not harm our 
 friends who are in his power,' remarked 
 Granville. 
 
 ' One of them, at least, he will find a 
 match for him ; I refer to Zeke Short, my 
 first lieutenant. His eyes and ears are ever 
 open when one would think them shut. If 
 he doesn't hit upon some scheme to free him- 
 self and comrades from this fellow's clutch- 
 es, then the obstacles are insurmountable to 
 any live Yankee.' 
 
 But we will not pursue this interview far- 
 ther, the conversation beyond having no 
 particular bearing upon the plot of our sto- 
 ry. Our friends tarried but a few days at 
 Monterey, the squadron of Light Dragoons 
 to which they were attached being under or- 
 ders to move onward toward Saltillo, 
 
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 1UO3 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
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 . 
 
 Formation of Guerilla Bands. Santa Anna's cunning Policy revealed. Don Juli- 
 ano's Arrival at the Ranch. A Hellish Plot against Elvira. His Conspirators. 
 Henry and Elvira. The Hour for their Separation is appointed. Interesting Inter- 
 mete. Pledge of Love. A Narrow Escape. 
 
 foifis '.l-flcfi 
 
 d 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 oiq f>rf) sliii 
 
 O UNEXPECTED was the 
 fall of Monterey, that for a 
 considerable time subsequent 
 it almost paralyzed the ener- 
 gies of the Mexicans. The 
 soldiers were getting tired of a war, in 
 which they had invariably been defeated, 
 and as there was neither glory nor money to 
 be earned, not even sufficient of the latter 
 to make life sufferable, many of them desert- 
 ed from the regular army for the purpose of 
 forming guerilla bands, or to join those al- 
 ready organized, believing that such a life 
 afforded them more pleasures, mo/e luxuries 
 and more independence, and far less liable 
 to constant defeats. 
 
 Consequently many were the bands that 
 were organized, and most of the deserters, 
 as well as of the discharged soldiery, whose 
 terms of enlistment had expired, availed 
 themselves of this course as a forlorn hope 
 to better their condition. 
 
 So numerous and formidable were these 
 bands becoming, that Santa Anna, who had 
 at this critical juncture been unwisely per- 
 mitted to pass into the county, resolved not 
 only to oppose no obstacle in the formation 
 
 , 
 
 of these bands, but if possible turn them to 
 his advantage. In pursuance of this plan 
 he secretly communicated with the various 
 guerilla chieftains, and promised them gov- 
 ernment protection if they would but gather 
 their spoils from the enemy and from those 
 States who had refused their quota of money 
 and arms to sustain the supreme government 
 of Mexico ; moreover, he solicited them to 
 lend a helping hand to the regular armies 
 whenever engaged in battle. 
 
 Most of the chieftains complied readily 
 with his wishes ; for they considered it but 
 a license, not only to harrass the enemy at 
 their pleasure, but to plunder and run riot 
 over a portion of their own territory. 
 
 The Ranchero Chieftain, Canales, was 
 among the first eagerly to embrace such op- 
 portunities for a golden harvest that this 
 state of things would offer, without running 
 the risk of losing his neck. Accordingly, to 
 augment his force, which had recently ma- 
 terially diminished, he despatched Juliano 
 from his new theatre of action between Sal- 
 tillo and San Luis Potosi, to his old rendez- 
 vuos, the ranch of Senor Espindola, for the 
 purpose of here making enlistments to his 
 
 troop. 
 
 With eight or ten followers to assist 
 
74 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 him in drumming up recruits, Juliano arriv- 
 ed at the ranch, much to the regret of the 
 Senorita Espindola, inasmuch as it might 
 possibly lead to the discovery of her secret 
 in regard to the young American, who had 
 now been the object of her almost constant 
 attention for a little more than a week. 
 
 On the day after Don Juliano' s arrival he 
 commenced laying a seige to the heart of the 
 fair Elvira, importuning her on every occa- 
 sion that he could speak with her. Don Ju- 
 liano, as we have before hinted, was a heart- 
 less villain. He loved Elvira only as the 
 professed libettine loves his mistress ; there 
 was another reason for loving her, to him a 
 more potent one Elvira was, so far as he 
 could learn, the sole heiress to old Espindo- 
 la's estate ; and he likewise believed that 
 the old man's miserly propensities had gain- 
 ed him much gold, which he surmised must 
 be concealed somewhere about the premi- 
 ses. 
 
 Some days had elapsed before he could 
 gain more than an opportunity to say a few 
 words with her indeed, she was not so fre- 
 quently seen tripping about ftie ranch as for- 
 merly the reason thereof he did not mis- 
 trust, but which our readers fully understand. 
 The Senor Espindola, on enquiry, told him 
 that she had grown suddenly reserved and 
 even melancholy, and passed her hours of 
 leisure in her own apartment. The truth is, 
 however, she was at those periods in the ad- 
 joining apartment, and whenever she was 
 summoned by her father, she made it a point 
 not to make any answer to his call until she 
 could regain her own room. 
 
 Each morning, efter the breakfast hour 
 was over, she invariably went to her garden 
 to cull a boquet of flowers ; and, instead of 
 being placed in the vase upon her own table 
 as formerly, they now made fragrant the 
 chamber of her prisoner, who was daily 
 growing more dear to her sight. On one of 
 these occasions, the moment she entered 
 the garden, she was saluted by Don Juliano, 
 
 who with a pleasant smile thus accosted 
 her: 
 
 ' Methinks you pay unusual attention to- 
 the products of this lovely flower garden, 
 my fair Senorita. Mexican ladies give pref- 
 erence to diamonds, rubies, and other spark- 
 ling gems, over these frail flowers which 
 blossom, wither and perish in a day.' 
 
 ' Brilliant and beautiful, truly, are pre- 
 cious stones from the lapidary's hanJ,' said 
 Elvira, ' but they only please the eye.' 
 
 ' And what more can be said of the virtue 
 of flowers?' 
 
 1 They impart a double pleasure; their 
 fragrance, which cold gems do not possess, 
 is as much to be valued as their unrivalled 
 beauty ; besides, there is an endless variety 
 of flowers, even in our land, while the pro- 
 ducts of all the mines in the world, yet dis- 
 covered, does not furnish even a score of dif- 
 ferent kinds of precious stones.' 
 
 * But consider their imperishable nature.' 
 
 * True ; but while one blossom perishes 
 another is unfolded to our view ; our gardens 
 and forests, in nearly all seasons, teem with 
 these sweetest and most beautiful of Nature's 
 ornaments. But, I am wasting time which 
 might be better employed. Adios, Don Ju- 
 liano.' 
 
 With these words Elvira turned to de- 
 part. 
 
 * Stay but for a moment, my fair one, 1 en- 
 treated Don Juliano ; ' I have that to impart 
 
 to thee which deeply concerns myself and I 
 , , 
 
 hope 
 
 ' But that which concerns you,' interrupt- 
 ed Elvira, surmising his aim, ' doest not in 
 the least degree affect me.' 
 
 ' Ah ! but it does concern thee more than 
 thou canst imagine. Elvira I love thee !' 
 
 ' You have told me of that an hundred 
 times, and in as many different ways; and I 
 
 believed you just as much as I do now and 
 
 , 
 no more. 
 
 ' Wouldst have me swear to 't ?' 
 
 ' Oh, no ! not for the world ! do not so 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 75 
 
 profane yourself. Heaven knows you have 
 sins enough already to repent of.' 
 
 ' How shall I convince thee V 
 
 ' Do not attempt it, Senor, for be assured 
 it will avail nothing; it will be worse than 
 useless.' 
 
 'How so r 
 
 4 Because to be frank I do not love you.' 
 
 1 Then shall I strive to teach thee how de- 
 serving I am of thy affections.' 
 
 4 But I will not listen to your teaches.' 
 
 1 Then must I compel thee !' replied the 
 lieutenant/ angry at the rebuff he had re- 
 ceived. ' Remember, I am all-powerful 
 here !' 
 
 * Indeed !' exclaimed Elvira, with a with- 
 ering look of scorn and indignation ; ' and 
 as I have long supposed, villain enough to 
 exercise any power you may have over the 
 weak and defenceless. But, beware ! lest a 
 righteous retribution overwhelm you when 
 least expected. The man who expects a re- 
 ciprocity of love by force is beneath the 
 brute, and is beyond all creatures that walk 
 or crawl the earth the most to be dreaded 
 and despised.' 
 
 Uttering this severe rebuke with an un- 
 daunted look, Elvira turned and hurried 
 back to the casa, leaving the humbled wretch 
 lo reflect upon her words, and to meditate 
 upon some scheme of villainy whereby he 
 might obtain the Senorita's hand and her 
 miserly father's wealth. 
 
 ' By all the powers of hell, she shall be 
 mine!' at length exclaimed the infuriated 
 lieutenant to himself. * I'm not so easily 
 baulked as this high-spirited damsel imag- 
 ines. I have trusty followers at least those 
 who will obey my bidding for gold, however 
 villainous and three leagues hence only 
 dwells Padre Garcelona, the pretended her- 
 mit money, with whom I will communicate 
 this very night he shall perform the mar- 
 riage ceremony he has learned already to 
 do my bidding, the old miserly Jew ' 
 
 He was here interrupted by the approach 
 of his newly appointed recruiting sergeant, 
 
 whose unscrupulous and desperate character 
 he already knew. 
 
 * Ah, good Mateo,' resumed the lieutenant, 
 assuming a complacent. look ; ' thou art ever 
 prompt in performing thy duty.' 
 
 'Si, Senor,' replied the sergeant with a 
 respectful air. 
 
 * And been poorly paid for thy services, 
 hast not ?' 
 
 ' Vcrdadero, Senor.' 
 
 'I have work for thee, good Mateo, which 
 will give thee gold.' 
 
 ' Machos gracias, Senor.' 
 
 1 The Senorita Espindola must become 
 the bride of Don Juliano Rosas. 
 
 ' 81 1 Senor,' said Mateo, without evincing 
 any surprise, or even shrugging his shoul- 
 ders. 
 
 ' For the consummation of which she must 
 be conveyed to the hermit's cell old JPadre 
 Garcelona. You understand?' 
 
 * Si.' 
 
 ' Enlist Roberto in the enterprise, and be- 
 tween you and him let some expedient be 
 devised to seize upon her and convey her 
 thither to-morrow night. I shall visit the 
 Padre to-day, and have every thing arranged 
 for our reception.' 
 
 ' Si, Senor.' 
 
 ' Remember, as you value thy life, and a 
 good purse of gold to make life tolerable, 
 communicate this to no one but Roberto, 
 whom I will also confer with before I set out 
 for the hermit's cell. I shall return by sun- 
 set, and as soon as it is dark go to yonder 
 grove where I will meet thee to mature our 
 mode of proceedure. Remember, nothing 
 must stand in the way that can mar the com- 
 plete success of this enterprise. Should old 
 Espindola be any obstacle, you wear a sharp 
 machcta, and know well how to use it.' 
 
 Without making any reply, Mateo drew 
 from his belt a long double-edged knife, and 
 with a hellish grin signified to his master 
 that his murderous weapon should not be 
 wanting to carry into execution any scheme 
 which he might propose. 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 The sergeant of few words turned upon 
 his heel, and hastened away in search of an- 
 other assassin by the name of Roberto Val- 
 doro, while Juliano went to his groom, or- 
 dered his fleetest steed, which he mounted, 
 and rode away unattended. 
 
 
 It was nearly sunset, on the day following 
 that on which the conversation just related 
 occurred. Henry Allston and the fair Elvi- 
 ra were holding sweet converse together in 
 the little apartment where they had enjoyed 
 so many hours of bliss. On this day Elvi- 
 ra devoted more time to him than on the 
 previous days, for the hours were now but 
 few that they would commune together in 
 that place. The night had arrived during 
 which they were to be separated perhaps 
 an eternal separation ! 
 
 The youth's wants had been so assiduous- 
 ly attended to by his lovely physician, that 
 he had recovered his wonted health, and was 
 as vigorous in mind and body as ever, al- 
 though his confinement had worn away the 
 brown shades which previous exposure be- 
 neath a torrid sun had imparted to his 
 cheeks. 
 
 At the next.midnight hour it was Allston's 
 intention to set forth and rejoin his friends 
 at Monterey; Ibr^he had heard of the victory 
 achieved by his companions in arms, through 
 Elvira, who had gained the information from 
 two or three soldiers, who had deserted from 
 Ampudia's retreating legions immediately 
 after the capitulation. His honor, his duty, 
 his allegiance to his country, thought Hen- 
 ry, demanded that he should report himself 
 to his commander without delay, now that 
 he was again restored to health and strength : 
 but to leave the kind, the gentle, the beau- 
 teous creature, for whom his affections now 
 equalled his unbounded gratitude, required 
 the sacrifice of temporary bliss to his stern- 
 er judgment. 
 
 * We shall meet again, dearest Elvira/ 
 said the youth, as they sat beside each oth- 
 er with clasped hands, while tears, like dew- 
 
 drops upon the blushing rose, hung upon her 
 beauteous cheeks. ' Dry up those tears and 
 let us look calmly and resignedly upon this 
 inevitable separation. If Heaven spares my 
 lite, and gives me liberty, I will again seek 
 you out, though misfortune should drive you 
 far away/ 
 
 ' Heaven grant that the day of our re-un- 
 ion may not be far distant,' she answered, 
 wiping away the tears as they sprung into 
 her Darkling eyes. ' Believe me, Henry, it 
 is not alone the thoughts of our separation 
 so near at hand, that makes my heart so sad, 
 it is because of the perils which your brave 
 spirit will incite you to encounter on the 
 battle field.' 
 
 1 Fear not, Elvira. That providential 
 hand which has guided me safely through 
 the worst dangers will be with me still. A 
 long time may elapse before we meet again ; 
 and that joyous period I feel will surely 
 come ; but I tremble lest afterward we should 
 again be separated.' 
 
 ' Nay, Henry, think not of that. Say 
 rather that this be our last meeting. I can 
 bear this better than a future separation ; for 
 then I shall know that you have gone to a 
 distant land too far distant ever to return. 
 Say, that you will not forsake me T 
 
 1 But, remember it will not be safe for me 
 
 i 
 to remain with you here? 
 
 ' True, Henry ; but whither you go I 
 would follow, if you ' 
 
 ' Ah, my Elvira !' exclaimed the youth, 
 his countenance beaming with joy ; ' you 
 have answered that which I fain would have 
 asked ; then you will leave your country for 
 mine T 
 
 ' Yes, gladly, Henry ; for I have learned 
 already to love your country. Its history I 
 have studied, and even of the character of its- 
 people I had formed a tolerable idea before 
 meeting with you and your comrades ; and 
 strange though it may appear, I have, since 
 a child, had a heartfelt desire to see your 
 country and its inhabitants. But, Henry, 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 77 
 
 any place would I fly to were I certain of 
 your love and protection.' 
 
 'But your father, Elvira will he con- 
 sent?' 
 
 'I know not; and yet I sometimes think 
 he cares less for Mexico than I do. W r hen 
 the proper time come, I am sure he will re 
 joice in his old age that his daughter has 
 found a protector worthy to be loved 
 
 honored.' 
 
 
 
 ' Ah, my beloved !' replied Allston, ' your 
 words give me hope and happiness ! I can 
 now leave you with less regret ! Oh, that 
 Peace lovely Peace may soon smile over 
 this unhappy land ! then on the wings of 
 love will I fly hither and claim thee for my 
 bride !' 
 
 He had scarcely given vent to his enthu- 
 siastic impulses, when the voice of Senor 
 Espindola was heard from below, calling 
 loud for Elvira. 
 
 ^he ran towards the stair-case, and en- 
 *l uik d of him his wishes. 
 
 < T 
 
 ^ard a strange voice, just now, pro- 
 eeedmfe from thy apartment. With whom 
 d y u Averse, my child?' 
 
 ' Wit Vself, father.' 
 
 ' \ heard a voice as of a stran- 
 ger.' 
 
 4 That w 
 nounce tome 
 the invalers 
 to utter bme sen 
 tone anqas nearl 
 as in her^ower. 
 
 '^',1'T V*! thou'rt more 
 
 than nalt(ankee now ! 
 
 turn trails! I shall 
 and my nfc if thou dost. 
 
 ^ You cLt believe that a s Nle . minded 
 girl like y4 Elvira can possibly . fe the 
 Mexican c\ e ?' asked the Senor, 
 
 < There' 1 telling what one of gex 
 might do ; \ thou 'rt a shrewd 01. 
 old head an^i se one on voun g shou^ rg 
 
 I was trying to pro- 
 words in imitation of 
 s and Elvira proceeded 
 in as masculine a 
 
 'the prisoner's voice 
 
 Iittl( 
 
 ope thou 'It not 
 my gold 
 
 Ha, ha ! to thy vespers, girl, to thy ves- 
 pers.' 
 
 ' Yes, father ;' and Elvira breathed more 
 freely as she heard his receding footsteps, 
 approached her little altar to do his bid- 
 ding; and there, also, to make confession of 
 the deception she had used for the sake of 
 
 him who had become dearer to her than all 
 , , . , . . 
 
 the world beside. 
 
 Once more did Elvira return to Henry 
 once more did they pledge their mutual love 
 and constancy. The twilight hour had pas- 
 sed, and as but few hours would intervene 
 when the loved one would take his depart- 
 ture, she left him to seek that repose which 
 he required previous to setting out on his 
 hazardous and wearisome journey. 
 
 Meanwhile, in a little grove not far distant 
 from the casa, three creatures, wearing the 
 semblance of humanity, were conspiring 
 against the peace and happiness of that fair 
 being, who thus far has occupied much space 
 in our romantic history. 
 
 Don Juliano had visited the hermit's cell ; 
 with gold he had bribed him to perform a 
 ceremony, which heaven nor earth could 
 sanction. His coadjutors in crime had con- 
 ceived and were prepared to carry into 1 exe- 
 cution a scheme of villainy, which nothing 
 save the torments of the infernal region 
 could ever avenge. 
 
 1 1 predict a storm ere the midnight hour,' 
 said Don Juliano, addressing his compan- 
 ions. 
 
 * So much the better for our enterprise,' 
 replied the assassin, Roberto. ' I like not 
 such work when even one star of heaven 
 can look upon us. And if, perchance, any 
 person should be abroad, we should not be 
 >bliged to defer or relinquish an enterprise 
 which promises us so much gold. The on- 
 y difficulty I apprehend is from old Espin- 
 dola, of \vhom it is said he sleeps with one 
 eye and one ear open.' 
 
 1 Ah, but our good Mateo has signified 
 
78 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 to me that he will be well provided for. Is 't 
 not so, Mateo?' 
 
 J8i, Senor !' and he once more displayed 
 his murderous macheta. 
 
 ' Mateo is a man of few words, Roberto, 
 as you have doubtless observed,' remarked 
 Juliano ; ' but he has a faculty of expressing 
 more by a sign than most of us can by a 
 score of words. But come, my friends, we 
 must now separate. Two hours hence we 
 
 
 
 
 meet again in this very spot. Have every 
 thing in readiness. 
 
 * Never fear for Mateo and I,' said Rober- 
 to, when a well-filled purse of bright gold is 
 to be our prize.' 
 
 Mateo grinned an approval of the remark 
 and turned upon his heel. 
 
 Don Juliano now separated from his hired 
 ruffians and returned to his quarters, where 
 we shall leave him until we open a new 
 
 chapter of stirring events. 
 Idilqai 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 79 
 
 
 CHAPTER XIII, 
 
 A Terrific Storm. Elvira's Visit to the Chamber of the Sleeping Youth. The Light- 
 ning's Flash, and the Discovery. Cause for Alarm. Alhton is Awakened. The As- 
 sassins begin their Deadly Work. The Ladder and the Fatal Fall. Espindola re- 
 ceives a Mortal Wound. Summary Vengeance. Rage of Juliano. Elvira's Heroism. 
 Allston comes to the Rescue. Death of the Assassins. Subsequent Events. 
 
 N HOUR before midnight, as 
 Don Juliano had predicted, a 
 storm arose. The stars which 
 had been shining with undim- 
 med resplendence during the 
 evening, were now becoming obscured by 
 thick black clouds which arose suddenly 
 from behind the Sierra Madre, and as they 
 spread their black wings towards the zenith 
 of the starry canopy, flashes of lightning 
 darted across the heavens, and the rolling 
 of thunder was louder and louder at each 
 successive report ; and now violent gusts of 
 wind came sweeping across the plain, and 
 big drops of rain began to patter heavily 
 against the casement. Anon, the combined 
 elements were in furious commotion the 
 rain poured in torrents the lightnings flash- 
 ed vividJy and heaven's artillery rumbled 
 and roared with fearful power. At one mo- 
 ment the whole scene would be lighted up 
 as if but one complete mass of lurid flame 
 in the next pitchy darkness, so impenetrable 
 that the outlines of the nearest and most 
 prominent objects were entirely undiscerni- 
 ble to the eye. 
 
 As may well be supposed, Donna Elvira 
 had not yet closed her eyes in sleep ; not 
 
 because of the howlings of the storm, nor 
 the terrific flashes of light, but because her 
 whole thoughts were engrossed by him, who, 
 alas, was so soon to bid her farewell ! A 
 the elements raged in all their violence, she 
 could but secretly rejoice ; for the youthful 
 officer, she reasoned within herself, would 
 not think of venturing abroad on such a per- 
 ilous night as that, and she should be blessed 
 with his society for another day ! 
 
 She arose from her couch, on which she 
 had reclined without disrobing herself, and 
 after lighting a taper, went to the door of 
 Allston's apartment and rapped lightly upon 
 it. She waited awhile and repeated the 
 summons. Still no answer. She then op- 
 ened the door with as little noise* as possible 
 and entered the apartment, and approached 
 his bedside. He was in a sleep so quiet 
 that she resolved not to disturb him until 
 the storm should abate. She looked from 
 the casement and endeavored to penetrate 
 with her gaze the opaque gloom without. 
 Not an object was visible, when the vivid 
 lightning's flash for a moment illumined the 
 scene. She was not certain, but fancied 
 that she saw the forms of three men, stand- 
 ing beneath the shelter of a large tree which 
 stood some twenty rods distance from the 
 
80 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 house. She awaited until another flash, 
 when a more distinct view of them was had. 
 This circumstance would have passed her 
 mind as an ordinary occurrence notwith- 
 standing the lateness of the hour, were they 
 not exposed to the violence of the wind and 
 rain, but also to the lightning's deadly stroke. 
 Obscuring the lighted taper by a shade, so 
 that she might not herself be seen, she again 
 approached the window, determining to sat- 
 isfy herself as to their being what they ap- 
 peared, and if so, to ascertain for what pur- 
 pose they were there at such, an hour and in 
 such an unclement storm. The scene was 
 again illumined, and she once more distinct- 
 ly discerned them at a shorter distance from 
 the house than before, and likewise, near by 
 them stood four horses, saddled and bridled. 
 This added to her curiosity, and rendered 
 the mystery still more mysterious ; but that 
 they were engaged in some villainous enter- 
 prise, she did not doubt. Once more she 
 was enabled to catch a momentary glimpse 
 of their proceedings, when she saw that one 
 of the trio bore upon his left shoulder an 
 escala real, (accommodation ladder,) and 
 that all of them were approaching the house. 
 Their footsteps, although light, were now 
 heard, and placing her ear close to the case- 
 ment the noise made by placing the ladder 
 against the house was easily distinguished. 
 
 Elvira was greatly alarmed, for her first 
 impression was, that they had by means un- 
 accountable, discovered her great secret in 
 regard to the American officer; and that 
 they chose these means to get him into their 
 clutches and bear him away or murder him 
 on the spot. Notwithstanding her fears the 
 noble girl did not entirely lose her self-pos- 
 session, but she trembled to think of the 
 consequences which a short space of time 
 would have brought about, had she not by 
 the merest chance discovered some of their 
 movements. She summoned up all the cour- 
 age which often before had aided her. She 
 had been schooled in dangers, and she knew 
 
 that she had power to act with tolerable 
 coolness in cases of great emergency. 
 
 She immediately ran to the couch of Alls- 
 ton, awoke him from a quiet repose, and 
 hastily imparted to him the strange circum- 
 stance, and the perils which would soon en- 
 compass him. Fortunately he was ready at- 
 tired with the exception of his military coat 
 which he quickly threw on. He examined 
 his revolvers and found each barrel charged 
 and in good order ; and, thus armed, he re- 
 solved to sell his life dearly, rather than to 
 fall into the hands of an enemy ! 
 
 He extinguished the taper, and entreated 
 Elvira to leave his apartment, and not to ex- 
 pose herself to the threatened danger. 
 With reluctance she did as he besought her, 
 and she retired into her own room, but seiz- 
 ing a glittering poignard and a pair of pis- 
 tols from an adjoining closet, she look a po- 
 sition but a pace beyond the threshold which 
 divided her from her lover, resolving not on- 
 ly to use the weapons in his defence, but if 
 he fell, to strike the steel to her own heart! 
 
 The storm now raged with less violence; 
 the lightning flashed not so frequently nor 
 so vivid, yet the darkness was as impenetra- 
 ble as before. Allston, after having masked 
 his features, at Elvira's suggestion, approach- 
 ed the casement and listened, but no noise 
 could he hear except the rustling of the 
 leaves and the pattering of the rain. With 
 a slow and cautious movement he pushed 
 aside the casement, and again listening he 
 was enabled to hear hoarse whisperings from 
 below, but understood naught of that upon 
 which they were conversing. Presently ha 
 heard one of the conspirators place his foot 
 upon the ladder and commence ascending. 
 The decisive moment had arrived. Should 
 he fire upon the miscreant? this, thought 
 he, would alarm the half score of Rancheros, 
 whom he knew occupied the guard-house; 
 and he was not certain that these men 
 belonged to the band who usually quartered 
 there. However, he had'iittle time for re- 
 flection; for the man had already ascended 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 81 
 
 more than half way up the ladder which 
 reached nearly up to the casement where he 
 looked. A half minute more and the bur- 
 glar would arrive at the top ! A bold expe- 
 dient suddenly flashed upon Allston's mind. 
 He leaned over upon his breast and his hand 
 grasped the top of the ladder one powerful 
 effort and he hurled both ladder and man to 
 the earth ! the latter falling so that his head 
 came in contact with the stone steps ! a few 
 groans only escaping him and Roberto was 
 a corpse ! 
 
 His comrades thinking his death the re- 
 sult of an accident, for it was yet too dark 
 to distinguish any one even at the shortest 
 distance, began again to raise up the ladder 
 for a second trial, when a dim flash of light- 
 ning for an instant revealed to Juliano the 
 figure of a strange looking individual stand- 
 ing at the casement above ! 
 
 The cause of the ladder's falling was no 
 longer a mystery to the mind of the unscru- 
 pulous leader in this diabolical enterprise 
 and horrid oaths and revengeful maledictions 
 upon the head of Senor Espindola, fell from 
 his lips in subdued but harsh and ruggec 
 tones. 
 
 He ordered Mateo to run to the guard- 
 house and quickly summons all his men fo 
 the purpose of wreaking summary vengeance 
 upon the supposed author of his comrade's 
 death. He fired one of his pistols towards 
 the casement, but the ball did no other dam 
 age than to shiver a pane of glass ; hii 
 would-be victim having readily apprehendec 
 danger from this source, and had wisely re 
 treated a few paces. The report of the pis 
 tol aroused Espindola from his repose, an 
 hurried the movements of the Rancheroa 
 The old man, to learn the cause of this mid 
 night disturbance, sdon afterward appeare 
 at the door bearing a torch-light in his hanc 
 Simultaneously appeared some half doze 
 men, whom Mateo had aroused from thei 
 clumbers ; and on Espindola's demandin 
 the meaning of this disturbance, Don Jul 
 
 no exclaimed to his comrades, and at the 
 ame time pointing towards the door : 
 ' There stands the hoary-headed villain, 
 
 has killed your comrade, Roberto ! 
 \.venge, men, his cruel death !' 
 
 ' What means ' 
 
 The unfortunate Espindola had no time 
 o finish his inquiry, for one of the Rariche- 
 os rushed suddenly towards him and buried 
 is macheta in his body, and the old man 
 ell bleeding across the threshold of the 
 loor ! But this cruel act was most summa 
 ily avenged, for the vile assassin fell almost 
 nstantly afterwards by a pistol shot fired 
 rom the casement above !' 
 
 1 Treason ! treason !' cried Don Juliano, 
 as the pistol's flash enabled him to catch an- 
 other glimpse of the masked figure above. 
 
 There are other foes within ! This old 
 wretch,' continued he, pointing to the bleed- 
 ng body of Espindola, ' hath betrayed us ! 
 T et not one escape alive, except his daugh- 
 ter!' 
 
 Two or three Indian domestics, who 
 odged in a small tenement in the rear of 
 the main building, hearing the disturbance, 
 rushed forth to learn the cause. Juliano, 
 without ascertaining whether they were 
 friends or enemies, ordered his men to put 
 them to death ! They were accordingly des- 
 patched without mercy ! they had no means 
 of defence, having rushed into peril with- 
 out knowing the why or wherefore. 
 
 Don Juliano, leaving three of his men 
 outside, to prevent any one escaping from 
 the casement, ordered the others to follow 
 him into the house, for the purpose of seiz- 
 ing upon Elvira, and cutting off any egress 
 attempted by whoever might be within. 
 
 With the torch of Eepmdola in his hand, 
 which he seized as he passed the body, he 
 entered the house, and resolutely rushed up 
 stairs, followed by his comrades ! They 
 examined each apartment as they proceeded 
 along, but encountered no foe unlil they en- 
 tered the apartment of Elvira, who was 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 8 tanding at the opposite door, guarding, as 
 it were, the chamber which held the real ob- 
 ject of their vengeance ! 
 
 With an unterrified look and air, which 
 seemed to indicate that not one of the vil- 
 lains could approach her with safety, she 
 held her position for some moments, await- 
 ing their movements. 
 
 At length Don Juliano, who at first felt 
 somewhat awed up'on meeting from her keen 
 eye a gaze of defiance, summoned up his 
 courage, and exclaimed to his men : 
 
 * Seize her ! She's a vile traitress ! but 
 spare her life!' 
 
 ' Approach me not, villains !* she said in 
 firm and meaning tones. ' The first who 
 dares will fall by my hand Y 
 
 No one stirred, for each one felt that the 
 threat would be put into execution. 
 
 * Are ye cowards, my men !' cried Don Ju- 
 liano. ' Does the threat of a weak girl un- 
 man ye? Seize her, I say !' f 
 
 * Again I repeat, approach me not !' said 
 Elvira, still undaunted. ' Death will be the 
 first man's ' 
 
 But they interrupted her warning voice, 
 and two of the wretches, with naked mache- 
 tas in their hands sprang towards her. She 
 levelled a pistol and instantly fired ! One 
 of them staggered a few paces back and fell 
 a lifeless corpse ! The other, frightened, 
 attempted to rush out of the room, but Ju- 
 liano, maddened at his cowardice, struck 
 him a blow upon his head with the butt of a 
 heavy pistol which levelled him to the floor 
 in a senseless condition. 
 
 Meanwhile these events were going on 
 within, Allston having shot down two of the 
 desperadoes who remained without, the oth- 
 er with affright turned upon his heel and fled 
 with all his* speed towards the forest. Hear- 
 ing the pistol report in the adjoining room, 
 he ran to assist Donna Elvira ; but to his 
 surprise and sorrow, he found that she had 
 taken the precaution to fasten the door ! 
 He went to the casement, and finding that 
 
 the ladder had not been removed, he took ad* 
 vantage of it and quickly descended to the 
 ground ! His only thought now being in re* 
 gard to the safety of Elvira, he sought the 
 door of the house and entered ; but having 
 no light to guiJe his steps, and being unac* 
 quainted with the arrangement of the house, 
 he groped his way along as well as he could 
 solely by aid of the confused sounds that 
 reached his ear from above. At length he 
 found the stair case, which he quickly as- 
 cended, and groping his way through sever* 
 al rooms, he at length caught sight of the 
 glimmer of a light through the key-hole of 
 the door which he supposed was the entrance 
 to Elvira's. Hearing a scream he rushed 
 forward, burst open the door, and beheld his 
 loved protectress struggling in the hands of 
 the two remaining villains! He dared not 
 fire, lest his shot might strike Elvira, for his 
 arm was unnerved at the spectacle ! but 
 dashing his revolver to the floor, he sprang 
 forward, and seizing one of the wretches by 
 the throat, he quickly caused him to let go 
 his grasp upon the struggling girl. The 
 other, without turning to the assistance of 
 his comrade still clung to Elvira, and raising 
 her in his arms, attempted to bear her from 
 the room ; but her right arm being now 
 freed, she snatched a poniard from her belt> 
 and buried it in the villain's breast ere he 
 could arrest the deadly blow, and Don Juli* 
 ano, fell, gaspingly, at her feet ! In another 
 moment, Elvira, fainting from exhaustion, 
 and from the sight of such a bloody specta- 
 cle, fell almost senseless into the arms of 
 her lover ! Laying her upon the couch he 
 seized a pitcher of water and dashing por- 
 tions of it into her face, at intervals, he soon 
 had the satisfaction of seeing her eyes again 
 unclosed, and hearing the tones of her sweet 
 voice ! 
 
 Not knowing whether the danger was yet 
 over or not, Allston took the blazing torch, 
 and went below for the purpose of ascer- 
 taining if any of the foe were yet lurking 
 about the premises. All was as quiet with- 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 out as before the attack. The storm, too, 
 had passed, and the starry heavens appeared 
 more bright and beautiful than before the 
 raging of the elements. The three assas- 
 sins whom he had shot from the casement 
 were lying stiff and cold upon the ground ! 
 He re-entered the dwelling, when his eye 
 fell upon the haggard features and bleeding 
 form of Espindola. After barricading the 
 door, he lifted the inanimate body in his 
 arms and bore it to the room where the old 
 man usually slept. On examination he 
 found that he was yet alive, but dangerously 
 wounded, whether mortally or not he was 
 incapable of judging. Staunching the ma- 
 cheta wound as well as he could, he hasten- 
 ed up stairs to inform Elvira of her father's 
 dangerous situation. She had recovered 
 from her faintness, and he led her down to 
 look upon a scene more grievous than any 
 he had yet beheld ! She wept bitterly over 
 the prostrate form of him who had been her 
 guide and sole protector from infancy. But 
 he was yet alive, and the hope that he might 
 recover incited her to action. Wiping away 
 the tears of sorrow, she commenced dressing 
 the ghastly wound from which the blood had 
 now ceased oozing ; this accomplished she 
 bathed his brow with cooling water, and 
 with Allston's aid she propped up his head 
 with pillows. These little attentions began 
 to revive him, and ere long he had sufficient- 
 ly recovered his consciousness to be aware 
 of his condition. Allston, on perceiving 
 that his senses were being restored to him, 
 retired to another apartment, deeming that 
 his presence might disturb the wounded 
 man. 
 
 ' How is it with you, father T enquired 
 Elvira, while tears again dropped from her 
 eyes. 
 
 Weep rfot, my child,' replied he, feebly ; 
 ' I am but an old man I knew my term of 
 life had well-nigh expired I thought, too, 
 that I should die by an assassin, who would 
 do the deed for gold but, thank Heaven 
 it was beyond their reach !' 
 
 ' Ah ! my father!' asked Elvira, who was 
 the miscreant who could so cruelly raise his 
 [land against you. 5 
 
 'Twas done at the instigation of the mer- 
 iless Don Juliano.' 
 
 ' Ah ! then have you been fearfully aven- 
 ged ! The inhuman monster, and his vile 
 confederates have all been killed ! With 
 my own hand I struck the poignard to his 
 heart, where it yet remains buried !' 
 
 1 My noble, my brave-hearted girl !' cried 
 the old man, exultingly. * I now can die 
 contented ; that reptile has been the bane of 
 my existence, and the only being in shape of 
 humanity, on God's footstool, that I feared 1 
 He had gained an undue power over me, 
 concerning which thou wilt hereafter learn 1 
 Yes, I can now die happy but ere- ' 
 
 1 Oh, talk not of dying !' exclaimed Elvi- 
 ra, in tones of anguish. 'Now that the 
 monster whom you feared is dead, talk of 
 many days of happiness yet to come !' 
 
 ' No, my child, the wound is a mortal one. 
 Already do I feel the clammy hand of death 
 upon me but, I die happy thou J rt well 
 provided for all my estate is thine and a 
 goodly sum is there of gold ! Ah ! I had al- 
 most forgot go, my child, to the escruitoire 
 and take from it a large key it unlocks the 
 iron chest, in which thou wilt find a very 
 small trunk bring the trunk to me.' 
 
 Elvira followed his directions, and placed 
 it before him. He felt for a spring but was 
 too feeble to press it down. * 
 
 ' Take it Elvira,' he continued ; ' it opens 
 by a spring in this corner press it hard 
 with thy thumb and the lid will fly open.' 
 
 Elvira tried the spring and the lid flew op- 
 en with a slight pressure. 
 
 ' Ah, that is right !' he resumed, and tak- 
 ing therefrom a sealed packet of papers. 
 ' When I am gone, my child, thou wilt break 
 this seal beneath it lies a key to all my 
 wealth- and there are few men, although I 
 say it, in all Mexico, who can boast of so 
 much wealth as the contents of this packet 
 
84 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON 
 
 will reveal to thee it is all thine, Elvira. 
 There is likewise within another sealed doc- 
 ument, which must not be opened until thou 
 hast attained the age of twenty. When the 
 alcalde of the village hears of my death, he 
 will corne hither to dispose of my body 
 place entire confidence in him, and obey his 
 will for I have, in anticipation of rny near 
 approach to the grave, already conferred with 
 him he will be thy protector for a time, 
 during which my wishes for thy future wel- 
 fare will be made known to thee. Guard 
 these papers with all thy caution trust them 
 not beyond thy reach once lost and all thy 
 prospects will be clouded.' 
 
 As he uttered these last words his head 
 fell back upon the pillow, and for some mo- 
 ments he could not speak. 
 
 Allston, thinking that his last moments 
 had come, cautiously approached the bed- 
 side. The dying man, for some moments, 
 seemed to have lost his sight, for his eyes 
 stared vacantly about the room. At length 
 they became fixed upon the youth who stood 
 by EJvira, and he started up. 
 
 *Ah! who's that, Elvira?' he enquired, 
 gaspingly. 
 
 ' He is our friend and protector, father ;' 
 answered Elvira. ' His timely efforts saved 
 me from being dragged away and perhaps 
 from being murdered by the assassin.' 
 
 ' But his looks are ' 
 
 ' True, father, he is an American/ said 
 Elvira, anticipating what he would say, and 
 which Espindola's weakness cut short. 
 
 Recovering a little strength, he asked, 
 
 ' Said'st thou he saved thy life, Elvira?' 
 
 ' I did, father. The ruffians had me al- 
 ready within their grasp, when he rushed 
 to my assistance.' 
 
 ' Then God bless thee, stranger I am no 
 enemy of thine or thy people see that no* 
 harm befall this dear girl Elvira, fare- 
 well I cannot live I die Heaven bless 
 thee oh 
 
 A few groans succeeded these incoherent 
 
 sentences, and the murdered old man breath- 
 ed his last ! 
 
 For some time the youthful pair stood be- 
 side that couch of death, the tears gushing 
 from the eyes of both. Elvira wept that she 
 had lost her aged protector Henry wept 
 
 in sympathy for the afflicted, 
 qu&odicl bite ?/ 
 
 Bright morning soon dawned. The only 
 servant who had escaped the assassin's 
 knife was despatched to the village for the 
 worthy Alcalde, of whom Espindola, in his 
 last hour, had spoken. This important func- 
 tionary, with due despatch, arrived with his 
 secretary, and a holy father of the church. 
 The solemn rites due to the deceased were 
 performed without unnecessary delay, and 
 Espindola's remains were deposited in the 
 tomb which he had prepared with his own 
 haads. 
 
 A deep grave was dug for the murderers, 
 into which they were thrown and buried 
 unblest by any rite of the church. 
 
 The Alcalde having performed the secu- 
 lar affairs of the deceased, devolving upon 
 him, not only by his office but by Espindo- 
 la's commission, took Elvira under his be- 
 nevolent protection, and conveyed her to his 
 home, whither Allston accompanied them. 
 
 On the next morning the lovers bade each 
 other an affectionate farewell, and our ad- 
 venturous and heroic young American, 
 mounted upon an inferior horse that he had 
 purchased at the village, sat out, unattended, 
 for the city of Monterey, at which place he 
 arrived safely after a slow and tedious ride of 
 three hours. 
 
 Unfortunately, he was too late to rejoin 
 his company there, the Dragoon corps hav- 
 ing previously sat out for Saltillo. Howev- 
 er, he ascertained, on application to head- 
 quarters, that a brigade of infantry would 
 take up their line of march in the same di- 
 rection on the succeeding day, and it was 
 expected that the brigade would overtake the 
 advance at a small town called St. Hidalgo, 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 85 
 
 where most of the forces it was supposed 
 would concentrate. He availed himself of 
 this opportunity, and on the next day was 
 pushing forward with the infantry, impatient 
 to see his friends, and allay their anxiety in 
 regard to his fate. 
 
 We must now pass over a period of sever- 
 al weeks, to that day on which the bloodiest 
 of all the battles of Mexico was fought ; a 
 contest which not only the American people 
 but all the nations of Europe look upon 
 with wonder ! 
 
 
 
 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV; 
 
 Battle of Buena Vista. Heroic Conduct of the Light Dragoons. A 
 
 Contest between Captain Clifton and a Colonel of Lancers. Defeat of the Latter 
 The Wild California Charger. A Night Scene on the Field of Battle. Roman? 
 Falcon and his Prisoners, The Strange Youth. Singular Denouement. 
 
 UENA VISTA ! What thril- 
 ling emotions move the heart 
 of every patriotic American 
 at the mere mention of the 
 locale of the most remarkable 
 conflict of modern times ? Remarkable not 
 only on account of the disparity of numbers 
 of the American forces when compared with 
 the Mexican legions, but on account of the 
 former being made up almost entirely of raw, 
 undisciplined recruits, many of which had 
 only ' heard of battles,' while the vanquished 
 army was composed of the flower of Mex- 
 ico's most experienced soldiery, and led, too, 
 by their great chieftain, Santa Anna. 
 
 But, without digressing, or going over the 
 details of that hard contested battle, which 
 are ' familiar as household words' to almost 
 every American, we will only write of a few 
 incidents, in which several of our characters 
 performed almost * prodigies of valor.' 
 
 The grand manoeuvre of Santa Anna, by 
 which he was to gain a decisive victory over 
 the Americans,was, now that his every other 
 
 effort had failed, on the point of bei'ng car- 
 ried into execution. This was nothing less 
 than to outflank the left of the enemy's liner 
 and gain his rear. Immense masses of the 
 Mexican Cavalry and Infantry began to as- 
 cend the heights, preparatory to the. over- 
 whelming charge which was to be made 
 against the thin ranks upon the field below. 
 The mountain's side literally glistened with 
 bristling bayonets and lances. Several bat- 
 teries, stationed to support the charge, now 
 began pouring a shower of grape and can- 
 nister upon the infantry within reach with 
 such deadly effect, that one regiment was 
 forced to fly from the field. Simultaneously 
 the cavalry and infantry, which had gained 
 the heights, charged with almost resistless 
 fury upon the left of their enemy's line, but 
 they were held in check by the well directed 
 fires of the several batteries which were now 
 opened upon them, and the infantry and the 
 greater portion of the cavalry were forced 
 to retreat while destruction was dealt among 
 them. 
 
 The left of the American line, notwith- 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 87 
 
 standing the failure of the charge, was turn- 
 ed, and a formidable squadron of lancers, 
 gained the rear, and had already commenc- 
 ed harrassing our brave troops. It was at 
 this critical juncture that the regiment of 
 Light Dragoons, held in reserve under com- 
 mand of Colonel Granville, charged upon 
 this vastly superior body of lancers. The 
 latter resisted the shock so spiritedly that for 
 a time the contest seemed doubtful, notwith- 
 standing the dreadful havoc made in the 
 ranks of the Mexicans. At length the Dra- 
 goons obtained the mastery, and would have 
 annihilated them, hnd it not been for the 
 well known trick of Santa Anna an act 
 which must ever disgrace him in displaying 
 the white flag for no other purpose than to 
 give the discomfited cavalry an opportunity 
 to gain the main body; and, at the same 
 time, allowing a portion of his forces to con- 
 tinue their fire upon the Americans ! 
 
 The moment the treachery was discovered 
 ihe Dragoons pursued their enemy and dash- 
 ed in among them as they retreated. The 
 Mexicans suddenly turned and the contest 
 again became desperate and bioody. Clif- 
 ton's company was foremost in this fight, 
 atid his hardy followers, with sabres and re-j 
 rolvers, did terrible execution. 
 
 In this sanguinary melee, our hero engag- 
 ed, single-handed, with a Mexican officer, 
 who was mounted upon a high-spirited and 
 noble-looking California charger. He came 
 towards our hero at full gallop, with lance 
 poised, and aimed a blow at his head, but 
 Clifton's horse rearing at the moment, the 
 lance penetrated the animal's breast, and 
 with the rider fell to the earth the lance of 
 the Mexican snapping in tv/ain at the same 
 moment ! Clifton instantly springing to his 
 feet, seized the Mexican's charger by the 
 bridle with his left hand, while with the right 
 he struck his antagonist a blow with his sa- 
 bre which caused him to reel in the saddle, 
 and finally to fall to the earth ! 
 
 During this single combat the Dragoons 
 had pressed upon the Mexicans so severely, 
 
 that they had advanced many rods ere he 
 had completed his single-handed victory ; 
 and he found himself alone, still grasping 
 the wild charger of his defeated antagonist 
 by the bridle ! It required more than his 
 strength to hold the furious animal in check 
 long enough to enable him to vault into the 
 saddle ! 
 
 To his amazement he now saw a number 
 of the enemy flying towards him, and in an- 
 other minute, unless he could save himself 
 by almost a miracle, he saw that he must fall 
 into their hands ! With almost superhuman 
 strength he brought the fiery charger to his 
 haunches leaped into the saddle and in 
 another moment he was borne over the plain 
 with the speed of the wind ! At length 
 with his utmost efforts he gained the mas- 
 tery over the almost untamable but noble 
 looking animal, and rejoined the Dragoons, 
 whose victory over the enemy was complete*! 
 No trophy from that battle field was prized 
 more highly than the California charger. 
 Clifton learned subsequently that the officer 
 whom he left dead upon the field, was a Col- 
 onel of Lancers, and was esteemed as one 
 of the most valiant and gallant spirits of the 
 Mexican army. The horse was a favorite, 
 and no man but himself had ever dared to 
 mount him until our hero backed him upon 
 the field of Buena Vista. 
 
 The battle no longer raged. The last ray* 
 of the setting sun which fell upon that blood- 
 stained field, also shone upon the Star Span- 
 gled Banner, as it wajed over that plateau oc 
 which the old hero had stood amid die iron 
 sleet, giving his orders with the utjnost cooJ- 
 ness, even when shouts of victory were al- 
 most upon the lips of the enemy's legions. 
 The latter of whom were now fleeintr in tbc 
 greatest disorder beyond the reach of our 
 victorious troops, leaving the plain, tfce 
 roads and gullies strewed with their slain and 
 wounded. 
 
 We shall pass over the horrible detail* 
 which characterized that night upon the 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 blood field of Buena Vista. The groans 
 from the dying and suffering were heard on 
 all sides. Every relief which the victors 
 could afford to both friends and enemies 
 among the suffering, was freely given ; but 
 the relief was inadequate to the hundreds 
 to whom it would have been a blessing. 
 
 Among the Americans, even those who 
 escaped without a wound, many fell down 
 absolutely exhausted with the fatigues of that 
 dreadful day's work. 
 
 There was one spot, in particular, an eievat 
 ed plain, on which a battery had been served, 
 where great numbers of the killed and woun- 
 ded, of both armies, were lying promiscu- 
 ously together. Upon this battery, with an 
 overwhelmiag force, had the Mexican caval- 
 ry charged. It had a brave band to defend 
 it, and the slaughter was dreadful ; but the 
 number of its defenders was so insignificant 
 that they were obliged to yield, and this bat- 
 tery fell into the Mexican's hands, and was 
 the only trophy they had to boast of in that 
 day's fight. But dearly did they pay for it, 
 and they were compelled to drag the pieces 
 of cannon over the dead bodies of their own 
 companions in order to get them away. 
 
 Among this promiscuous mass of dead 
 and wounded, there lay a young man, who, 
 from his richly embroidered uniform, might 
 easily have been recognized as a Mexican 
 cavalry officer. His dead horse lay beside 
 him, and also his weapons. 
 
 ' Dios de Cielo !' he exclaimed in agony ; 
 will no one come to my aid V 
 
 * Did 'ony jintleman spake?' enquired a 
 -son of the Emerald Isle, who laid within a 
 yar^ of the wounded officer. < 
 
 * A hundred pieces of gold to any one who 
 will assist me to gain comfortable quarters/ 
 said the Mexican in tolerably good English, 
 in answer to the Irishman. 
 
 * Och ! by Saint Pathrick, I'd take the 
 -job for half the mooney, had I ony now the 
 use of my legs. I've aither the goot or a 
 mighty big pace of cold metal in both of my 
 trothers, so bedad, I'm worse nor a blind 
 boss.' 
 
 There was a silence of words for a min- 
 ute or two, when Pat McCrickey for he it 
 was again renewed the conversation. 
 
 ' Did nobody spake if nobody did spake 
 let him be afther sayin' it over agin. I like 
 to be social whin a body is in disthressiir 
 carcumstances.' 
 
 The Mexican officer groaned. 
 
 ' Och, be Jabers ! I don't oonderstanci 
 that any how ! Now if my legs were ony 
 whole would'nt I make thracks out o'this, 
 I'll make a bit of an examination and ap- 
 praise damiges,' continued Pat, raising him- 
 self up. ' Now, by the hooly Powers ! and 
 indade it's nothin' but a poor dead and gone 
 horse that's wounded poor Pat's legs afther 
 all!' 
 
 Pat with considerable effort released his 
 nether limbs from the uncomfortable burthen 
 and again resumed : 
 
 'Now, Misthur Mexikin, jist be afther re- 
 pateing that nice bit ir a profithable job. 
 Och! by the powers! there's a cutthroat 
 looking divil coming. I'll be dead a bit ony 
 how, jist to see whether yer errand be not a 
 divil's one. Bedad now, I know it is,' con- 
 tinued Pat, as he saw a savage looking Mex- 
 ican prowling about the dead and wounded, 
 and rifling each one that gave prospect of 
 booty. ' Be asy, Pat be asy.' 
 
 The Irishman assumed silence and he 
 watched the progress of this Mexican robber 
 of the dead, and at length saw him approach 
 the wounded officer. The moment the 
 wretch discovered his countryman he seem- 
 ed to recognize him, and as he stooped over 
 hia body he uttered a fiendish laugh of exul- 
 tation, and began to pilfer his watch, chain, 
 and other ornaments. The officer for a mo- 
 ment seemed to recover, when the robber 
 unsheathed a murderous looking knife, and 
 in another moment it would have been plun- 
 ged into the officer's heart, had not Pat, who 
 narrowly watched his movements, started up, 
 and discharged a pistol at the head of tha 
 unmerciful monster. The ball took effect^ 
 scattered his brains, and he fell a corpse uj>- 
 on the field. 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON, 
 
 89 
 
 The young Mexican officer was now arou- 
 sed from the lethargy into which he had fall- 
 en. 
 
 * Och, bedad, sir!' exclaimed Pat; 'one 
 minute more and you 'd have gone to glory 
 shure. ' I've fixed his flint for him the 
 divil'sown has carried his oogly sowl 'long 
 with him into Puggatory 'fore this ; and in 
 ray way o' thinkin' divil a bit beyant will it 
 iver git.' 
 
 ' Who are you speaking of?' enquired the 
 Mexican. 
 
 'Who? why that murdherin' spalpeen 
 'long side iv ye. I'll hoist ye oop a bit and 
 ye may see his oogly countenance,' answered 
 Pat, raising the young man to a sitting pos 
 ture. ' There now did ye iver see the likes 
 iv sich a villain?' too* 
 
 ' Santa Madre !' exclaimed the young man, 
 gazing upon the robber's face. ' You have 
 killed Canales !' 
 
 * All's the better loock for ye,' returned 
 Pat, ' for the divil wud have done the same 
 thing for ye, and Pathrick McCrickey wud 
 ha' lost the bit iv a job yer 'onor wud be af- 
 ther have him do.' 
 
 ' Can you convey me to a place of safety ?' 
 asked the officer ; ' I am wounded and shall 
 die unless relieved a hundred pieces of gold 
 shall be thy reward.' 
 
 ' How big paces, yer 'onor ?' 
 
 ' Doubloons !' 
 
 ' Bedad, then, Pat McCrickey's yer man 
 Now be asy whilst I get ye well moonted on 
 behind ; and I'll bear ye 'long as asy as a 
 mither wud her darlint swate babby. But 
 wait a bit while I borry the loan iv a few iv 
 this copses valerbles he'll have no use for 
 ithem in Puggatory, yer 'onor. 
 
 The Irishman quickly disencumbered the 
 dead body of Canales of sundry watehes, a 
 quantity of gold coin and jewels, besides sev- 
 eral costly pocket weapons. This being ac- 
 complished he managed to mount the woun- 
 ded young man upon his back, and began 
 trudging his way towards the camp of the 
 American victors. After half an hour's se- 
 
 vere toil Pat succeeded in reaching the tent 
 f Captain Clifton with the young Mexican 
 
 upon his shoulders. 
 
 1 Ere's a nice bit iv a job, yer 'onor for 
 
 one o' the dooclors,' said Pat, addressing 
 
 Clifton, and at the same time carefully re- 
 ieving himself of his burthen. ' It's ben a 
 
 mighty tadious one for Pat McCrickey, ony 
 
 now. 
 
 ' Ah !' exclaimed Clifton, recognizing in 
 the Mexican one he had before seen ; ' tm> 
 is the brave youth whom I encountered sin- 
 gle-handed on the field to-day. Gladly would 
 I have spared him that blow, had it been 
 possible otherwise to have saved myself. 
 He shall have the same attention as our own 
 wounded; and, Patrick, you shall be amplj 
 rewarded for placing him under my protec- 
 tion.' 
 
 'Och, bedad, yer 'onor; the jintleman's 
 promised to do that same jinerous thing for 
 himself.' 
 
 ' Well, Patrick, go to the surgeon's tent, 
 and if there's a surgeon that can possibly be 
 pared, even for a few minutes, summon him 
 to my tent.' 
 
 ' Yes, yer 'onor,' said the Irishman, mak- 
 
 i j > 
 
 ing a sudden exit. 
 
 One of the surgeons soon made his appear- 
 ance, and on examining and dressing the 
 wound pronounced it not mortal. By kind 
 attention he was soon rendered comfortable, 
 and from him Clifton learned that he had 
 formerly been a colonel in the Mexican ar- 
 my, but had, within a short period, joined 
 Romano Falcon's band of Independents and 
 was his second in command; and that the 
 whole corps had joined the army of Santa 
 Anna, just before that general's great dem- 
 onstration upon the American lines. 
 
 On the following day an exchange of pris- 
 oners between the armies was agreed upon ; 
 yet Santa Anna declined receiving the gue- 
 rilla lieutenant for an officer of equal rank, 
 ind the young Mexican yet continued to 
 share in the hospitalities of Captain Clif- 
 ton's quarters. 
 
90 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 In a day or two afterwards a monk was 
 announced at the tent, who desired to see 
 the wounded prisoner. He was immediately 
 admitted, and Clifton once more beheld Ro- 
 mano Falcon, disguised as on his former 
 sudden appearance before Colonel Granviile 
 at Monterey. He now appeared much more 
 humble than on that occasion, and offered 
 to exchange all the American prisoners for 
 his wounded lieutent. Before, however, the 
 arrangement could be concluded, what was 
 the surprise of the Guerilla Chieftain as well 
 as Captain Clifton, to behold, marching into 1 
 their presence, the long last party of recon- 
 naisance. with Lt. Zeke Short at their head, 
 and also followed by a meek but handsome 
 featured youth, attired in an ill-fitting but 
 rich Mexican costume. 
 
 'What is jthe meaning of this?' ejaculated 
 
 The youth seemed to shrink from his 
 gaze, and with a downcast expression of 
 
 countenance was about to turn 
 
 away 
 
 but 
 
 Clifton, delighted again to meet his compan-l with as rauch a PP arent conc ern as 
 ions. Are these the prisoners you would! rtaved parent Rosaha 2 ne ? 
 
 Clifton's attention, at this moment, was ar- 
 rested by the sudden entrance of Colonel 
 Granviile, who looked the very personifica- 
 tion of despair. Without regarding the 
 collection of persons within the tent, he 
 wildly exclaimed 
 
 ' For Heaven's sake, Clifton, tell me, have 
 you seen anything of my daughter ?' 
 
 ' Not since sunset, last evening!' he an- 
 swered. 
 
 ' Then she is lost !' continued the veteran. 
 ' She has not been seen around my quarter* 
 since retiring last night !' 
 
 1 Can it be possible ! Then, indeed, have 
 you much cause for alarm !' said Clifton, 
 
 the be 
 hen will 
 
 exchange ?' he asked, turning to the aston- 
 ished guerilla. 
 
 'I'm all amazement!' exclaimed Romano 
 Falcon. ' An hour since they were well 
 secured and guarded at our mountain ren- 
 dezvous !' 
 
 'And would have been there HOW, had it 
 not been for this brave youth,' replied Zeke, 
 introducing the timid looking boy ; ' -I told 
 him my captain would reward him for this 
 service.' 
 
 'Your promise, lieutenant, shall be duly 
 attended to,' replied Clifton, while he re- 
 garded the boy with an eye of peculiar in- 
 
 I go in search of her nor will I rest until 
 she be restored to your arms, living or dead F 
 Don't put yourselves to any unnecessary 
 trouble,' said the supposed Mexican boy, ta- 
 king off his cap, and discovering to Gran^ 
 ville's and Clifton's astonishment the fair 
 Rosalia herself. She rushed into her father's 
 arms, and begged his pardon for the alarm 
 she had caused him. 
 
 4 I will explain to yourself and Captain 
 Clifton,' said she, ' my adventures since last 
 night after this business is disposed of. My 
 motive you have before you, which I trust 
 may be deemed a sufficient palliation for my 
 terest, and marked with admiration a profu-j appearing before you in a garb which I know 
 sion of luxuriant curls which hung over his ill becomes one of my sex.' 
 shoulders. ' 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 91 
 
 CHAPTER XV, 
 
 Rosalia relates her Wonderful Expedition to the Mountain Rendezvous of Romano 
 Falcon and his Band of Guerillas. The Return of the Dragoons to Monterey. 
 Visit to the Alcalde and Elvira Espindola. 
 
 OME, ROSA,' said Colonel 
 Granvilie, a day or two after 
 the singular denouement just 
 related, as they sat in an apart- 
 ment of a low stone house, in 
 Saltillo, which the veteran occupied as his 
 quarters; ' come, tell us of your strange ad- 
 venture to the mountain rendezvous of Ro- 
 mano Falcon. Captain Clifton, 1 doubt not, 
 will be quite as much edified by it as I shall 
 be myself,' 
 
 ' True, colonel, I am quite impatient to 
 hear it,' replied Clifton, who haJ but a few 
 moments before joined his friends. * I can- 
 not conceive under what circumstances a la- 
 dy could be induced to hazard herself on an 
 enterprise to a robber's cave.' 
 
 4 You must not infer, Mr. Clifton, that 
 because there are some cowards even among 
 the sterner sex that all ladies must necessa- 
 rily be cowards, too,' said Rosalia, tartly ; 
 ' but my adventure, I assure you, is neither 
 so remarkable eor Tomaatic as you appear to 
 
 imagine; and as I have given a promise to 
 relate it to you I will keep my word. The 
 circumstances, which I will briefly describe, 
 are these : 
 
 " On the night of the 23d, after you had 
 returned from the battle field, I was seated 
 at a late hour in my chamber, and looking 
 forth from the casement, I saw a female fig- 
 ure glide out of the house opposite, and 
 come directly across the street, and finally 
 stood directly beneath my window. Watch-,. 
 ing her movements I saw that she held a 
 letter in her hand, which, from her gestures, 
 I was aware that it was intended for me. 
 To a piece of thread which I lowered from 
 the window she attached the letter and it 
 was vuickly in ray possession. I broke the 
 seal, and by a taper light, I read as follows : 
 
 ' If the Senorita Granvilie, whom I have 
 had the pleasure of seeing from the casa op- 
 posite, has courage and a will to free thir- 
 teen American captives from the dungeon 
 of an Outlaw, she will, within an hour, re- 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 pair to the house opposite, where she will 
 meet with one of her own sex ready and 
 
 willing to aid her. 
 
 (Signed) 
 
 BEATRIZ.' 
 
 ' Impelled partly by curiosity and partly 
 by a desire to aid the unfortunate captives 
 if within my power, and after duly consider- 
 ing how I ought to act, I left my chamber, 
 issued from the house as noiselessly as pos- 
 sible, and flew across the street, when I met 
 the strange female at the door ready to re- 
 ceive me. She conducted me to a richly 
 furnished apartment, where I was enabled to 
 note her appearance. She took me by the 
 hand, and seated herself on a sofa beside 
 me, when she threw off her veil, and dis- 
 closed to my gaze the most brilliant counte- 
 nance I ever looked upon : and, although 
 ghe appeared to be at least thirty-five 'years 
 old, she was, nevertheless, surpassingly hand- 
 some. From the earnestness of her man- 
 ners, and the apparent sincerity of every 
 word that she uttered, I became satisfied 
 that she had no sinister motive in enticing 
 me from my chamber, although it was past 
 the midnight hour. 
 
 ' I have not time to explain to you the mo- 
 tives of my singular cpndutt,' remarked this 
 lady to me as soon as we were seated ; ' but 
 in order that you may surmise the truth I wil 
 make known to you the fact that I am the 
 discarded wife of Romano Falcon. Fur- 
 thermore that I have recently been foully 
 wronged by him ; and by way of revenging 
 myself I have taken an oath to annoy him 
 by every means in my power. I know o 
 thirteen American prisoners who are con 
 fined in a dungeon of his cavernous castle 
 in the mountain ; and I can conceive of no 
 one thing which he would feel more keenly 
 than the escape of these prisoners, whom he 
 is resolved shall remainimprisoned until the] 
 are ransomed by a large sum of money. I 
 you have courage, lady, and will but follow 
 my directions, before to-morrow's sun shal 
 climb above yon mountain peak those cap 
 tives shall be freed from the power of the 
 Guerilla Chieftain. 
 
 'But why,' asked I, ' do you not under- 
 ake to liberate them yourself?' 
 
 'That is impossible!' she replied. 'I 
 lave been banished .from his mountain 
 lome, under the penalty of death if ever I 
 should attempt to pass his guard. Even the 
 sentinels have orders to shoot me, should I 
 re-appear there/ 
 
 After assuring me that the dangers to be 
 encountered were insignificant, if I but fol- 
 owed her instructions, I consented to en- 
 gage in the enterprise. 
 
 1 1 have a son of fifteen years of age/ 
 she continued, who has been absent for 
 one year at school, and is daily expected at 
 bis father's rendezvous. It seemed to me, 
 on observing you yesterday at the casement 
 opposite, that you slightly resembled him, 
 and thinking that if I could but gain your 
 consent to be disguised in a suit of my boy's 
 clothes, which I happen to have in my pos- 
 session, you might easily gain access to the 
 cavern, as Romano Falcon's son, without be- 
 ing suspected by the sentinels.' 
 
 ' But the father will surely discover the 
 deception,' I suggested. 
 
 ' That is the least of the obstacles, for I 
 propose that you should appear at the cave 
 at an hour when he and a portion of his band 
 will be absent ; for it is Romano Falcon's 
 invariable practice to leave his quarters at 
 sunrise with most of his followers, and to re- 
 main abroad in search of adventures for 
 two or three hours, when they return to en- 
 joy their morning repast. As soon as it is 
 day-break, I propose to set out with you on 
 easy pacers, which I have already provided, 
 and after riding about a league's distance, 
 we shall arrive at a point, where we can se- 
 crete ourselves, and from it discern Falcon 
 and his followers when they set out on their 
 morning excursion.' 
 
 Without explaining any further here, she 
 produced the boy's apparel, of which she 
 had spoken, and assisted to metamorphose 
 me from a Yankee lass into a Mexican boy, 
 and when the transformation was complete, 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOOiN. 
 
 she complimented rnc for making so excel- 
 lent a counterfeit cf her son. I may as well 
 state, however, that the desired effect was 
 not produced until a shade or two of a brown 
 color was added to my face by some sub- 
 stance which she had already prepared. 
 
 As soon as the first streak of dawn was 
 visible, we mounted the horses which a mes- 
 tizzo led to the door, and galloped off in 
 the pure morning atmosphere for the moun- 
 tain, and had climbed nearly half way up 
 its steep path before the eastern horizon 
 was tinted with the first beams of the rising 
 sun. Approaching a little farther towards 
 its summit, we turned off into a thick grove 
 of trees, and emerged into an open plateau, 
 where we were enabled to overlook not only 
 the entrance of the guerillas cave but also 
 portions of the path we had just ascended. 
 Dismounting we led our horses into the 
 grove and awaited for the time of actioa. - 
 The sun's rays had no sooner lit up the peaks 
 of the mountain, when we saw a troop of 
 horse quickly assemble on the little plain, 
 and in a short time they galloped down the 
 mountain's side, and the clatter of horse's 
 hoofs was soon beyond our hearing. 
 
 'It is as well as I could wish,' said this 
 strange lady, at length ; ' he has gone, and 
 from the number that has followed him I 
 should judge that there could not be half a 
 score remaining at his rendezvous. Now is 
 the time for action be bold and resolute, 
 and you will soon have done your country a 
 great service. You will now place these 
 pistols in your belt, and ride boldly up the 
 mountain path, and when you have reached 
 a cross standing on the left of the path-way 
 you will challenged by a sentinel for the pass 
 word give 'Independence.' When ,' you 
 have arrived at the cave's mouth you will 
 again be challenged answer ' Amiga.' Im- 
 mediately dismount, throw the rein over an 
 iron pest, and enter the cavern with the same 
 confidence as if you had often been there. 
 After proceeding a few rods, you will per- 
 ceive a narrow passage turning to the right. 
 
 Follow its direction until you arrive at an 
 iron door, which you will find bolted and 
 barred. Should you encounter any one 
 within the cave, who attempts to thwart 
 your purpose, show this ring it is the sig- 
 net of Romano Falcon, and will shield, un- 
 less your sex be discovered. Slip the bolts, 
 and unbar the iron door and enter, where 
 you will find your captive countrymen tell 
 them the object of your appearing there, and 
 direct each one to possess himself of an es- 
 copeta, as he passes out, there being a stand 
 of arms just within the cavern's mouth, kept 
 there for the use of the guard. 
 
 Having succeeded in freeing the prison- 
 ers, there is another service which I would 
 have you perform, solely of interest to me, 
 and that is to possess yourself of a small cas- 
 ket, which you will find in the upper drawer 
 of a cabinet in another apartment, the en- 
 trance to which is through another narrow 
 passage, directly opposite to the one leading 
 to the prisoners' cell. But this last service 
 I do not desire you to attempt unless the 
 captives, once free! and in arms, should 
 overcome all who are left to guard the cav- 
 ern. I have now told you all that is es- 
 sential. Remember the instructions. Go, 
 and may Heaven speed you.' fty^ft Library 
 
 With confidence that I should succeed at 
 least in freeing my countrymen, I did pre- 
 cisely as she had directed passed the senti- 
 nels without the least difficulty dismounted 
 and entered the gloomiest looking place I 
 ever saw. However, I was too intent on the 
 grand object of my errand to take note of 
 things as 1 hurried along. I came to the 
 narrow passage into which I turned and soon 
 appeared before the iron doo^ which had 
 been described to me. With little effort I 
 slipped the bolts, took down the bars, and 
 opened the heavy door. In another minute 
 all the prisoners had rushed out and possess- 
 ed themselves of the escopetas. The alarm 
 was given, and the guard with a few others 
 fled affrighted, arid without making the least 
 resistance 
 
94 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 1 bethought me of the casket, arid now 
 feeling a great desire to render the lady a 
 good service, I hurried to the apartment in 
 which she said it was to be found. To my 
 infinite surprise, on entering, a young and 
 very beautiful lady run and knelt at my feet, 
 and implored me to spare her life. I heeded 
 her not at this moment, but perceiving the 
 cabinet I darted towards it, opened the 
 drawer, and to my great delight possessed my- 
 self of the treasure which Romano Falcon's 
 wife seemed so much to covet. When 
 turned I found that the lady who had sup 
 plicated for rne to spare her life had fled 
 I thought it singular that I should be an ob 
 ject of terror to her eyes, but on reflection 
 I bethought myself that I was not just then 
 to appearance a woman ; and, besides, a pai 
 of pistols hung in my belt. 
 
 My errand having been thus successful, ! 
 issued from the cave, rejoined the liberated 
 Americans, who had meanwhile possessec 
 themselves of horses belonging to the gue 
 rillas. I hastened to re-join the lady who 
 had planned this enterprise; she had be 
 come aware of its success, and rode forth to 
 me, and when I placed the casket in her 
 hands, her brilliant- eyes sparkled with de- 
 light, and wo'rds could not express her grat- 
 itude. She opened it, and selected from an 
 immense number of rich jewels this dia- 
 mond ring, which she placed upon my fin- 
 ger." 
 
 Here Elvira displayed to her father and 
 Clifton, the valuable gift of which she had 
 spoken. 
 
 " After an absence of three hours,' con- 
 tinued Rosalia ; ' we arrived at the place 
 
 whence we hS'd started. Here we separated, 
 and with the prisoners 1 hurried to your 
 quarters, arid was quite abashed when I dis- 
 covered that I had neglected to throw off my 
 disguise. This is the whole story in a few 
 words: I'm sure there's nothing very marvel- 
 lous about it." 
 
 ' And yet,' remarked Colonel Granville, 
 as he rubbed his hands, and his eyes spark- 
 
 Jing with pride ; ' I would stake my reputa- 
 tion as a soldier, that there's not one girl in 
 twenty thousand who has courage enough to 
 undertake a like expedition.' 
 
 ' But you forget, father, the heroism of the 
 Senorita Espindola, who once gave us lib- 
 erty,' remarked Rosalia. * My adventure, 
 as regards the dangers that threatened me, 
 is as nothing compared to that of the brare 
 girl who effected our escape. 1 
 
 'Ah, I didn't think of her/ said Gran- 
 ville ; ' at all events, Rosa, I think you are 
 quite a match for her. What say you, Clif- 
 ton.' 
 
 * I have read of remarkable deeds per- 
 formed by women in the olden time,' an- 
 swered the Dragoon ; ' but I was not before 
 aware that the women of the present day 
 possessed so much heroic spirit. From El- 
 vira's narrative, I am convinced that this 
 Romano Falcon is a greater villain than he 
 appears to be, and we dealt but justly by 
 him in mulcting him of that thousand dol- 
 lars for the release of his lieutenant.' 
 
 Here the conversation was interrupted by 
 the entrance of a messenger who handed a 
 paper to Colonel Granville and immediately 
 retired. 
 
 ' It is from head quarters,' replied Gran- 
 ville, opening the missive, and reading its 
 ontents. ' Well, Clifton, we are to have no 
 more fighting at present, for our battalion is 
 icre ordered to turn our backs upon the en 
 ;rny, and to take up our quarters at Monte- 
 ey!' 
 
 In accordance with this order, the Light 
 dragoons, on the following morning, left the 
 cenes of their recent great and glorious 
 conflict. 
 
 Without meeting with any startling adven- 
 ures on the route, our friends, after a march 
 f eight or ten days, once more entered the 
 leasant city of Monterey ; and there was 
 ot one among them all who experienced so 
 much delight on arriving hither, as Lieuten- 
 rit Allston. He had made a confidante of 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 his captain, and had related most minutely 
 all the details of his romantic adventures, in 
 which Donna Elvira was so intimately con 
 nected. Clifton, at his request, and feeling 
 a peculiar interest in his young friend's hap- 
 piness, consented to accompany him on a 
 visit to the Alcalde's residence, where he 
 had left Elvira. By permission of the gen- 
 eral-in-chief, Clifton was allowed to make 
 an excursion in the direction of the village 
 with his company, and he resolved to em- 
 brace this opportunity to gratify the wishes 
 of his brother officer. 
 
 The corps left Monterey at sunrise, and 
 without meeting with any adventures on the 
 route, they reached the village at the break- 
 fast hour, much to the consternation of the 
 inhabitants, who feared that they had appear- 
 ed for the purpose of ravaging their peace- 
 ful home.*. The Alcalde made his appear- 
 ance, and enquired the object of this unex- 
 pected visit from an armed force ; and on 
 being assured by Clifton that his errand was 
 of the most pacific character, the worthy 
 Alcalde offered the hospitalities of his casa 
 to the officers, while he directed several of 
 the leading men of the village to see that a 
 collation was prepared for the rank and file. 
 As the officers followed the Alcalde into 
 the mansion, the eyes of Allston were busy 
 in looking around for the loved one he had 
 hoped to meet there, but she made not her 
 appearance. At length, addressing the hos- 
 pitable Mexican, he enquired for the Senor- 
 ita Espindola, who had placed herself under 
 his protection after the decease of her father. 
 ' She is yet under my care,' answered the 
 Alcalde. 
 
 * I would speak with her,' pursued Alls- 
 ton. 
 
 ' Alas, the poor child will speak with no 
 one. She is almost inconsolable on account 
 of the death of her father, or the absence of 
 her lover.' 
 
 ' You do not remember that we have met 
 before?' said Allston. 
 
 ' Methinks I do,' answered the Alcalde, 
 Si, si ! Santa Maria ! Thou art the young 
 
 American who Si, si ! I know thee 
 
 now ! I'll call the dear young lady ! She'll 
 
 be rejoiced to see thee ! I know she ' 
 
 and without finishing the sentence he ran to 
 call Elvira. 
 
 Quickly she obeyed the summons, and ap- 
 peared before the Dragoon officers in an- 
 other moment she was clasped in the em- 
 brace of Henry Allston ! 
 
 We shall not attempt to describe the joy 
 f this meeting, nor repeat all that was ut- 
 tered during an interview of two hours ! but 
 t ultimately resulted in Allston's prevailing 
 upon Elvira to re'urn with them to Monte- 
 ey. Perhaps, with his persuasion alone, 
 she would not have consented, for Clifton 
 assured her that she had other friends in 
 Monterey who would bedelighted by a visit 
 from ber, and he mentioned the names of 
 Colonel Granville and his fair daughter, Ro- 
 salia ! 
 
 The mere mention of these individual*, 
 awakened new feelings in the heart of El- 
 vira, and she expressed the strongest desire 
 to accompany them. 
 
 The Alcalde, offering no objection, Elvi- 
 ra prepared herself for the journey, and with 
 a gallant company of Light Dragoons as an 
 escort, and mounted upon a handsome steed, 
 was soon on the road leading to Monterey. 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON 
 
 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Elvira loith her American Friends in Monterey. Her Birth-Day. Opening of the 
 Sealed Packet. Wonderful Disclosures. Colonel Granvillc Jinds a Daughter. El- 
 vira Jinds a ' Father. Rosalia Jinds a Sister. The Lovers acknowledge their 
 Sweethearts- and all ' goes merry as a Marriage Bell.' 
 
 . 
 
 ET us, patient reader, now 
 look in upon a group of our 
 characters, who were assem- 
 bled at Colonel Granville's 
 quarters in the City of Monte- 
 rey. It was at that delightful hour prior to 
 the setting of the sun, or just at that period 
 when that bright luminary had sunk behind 
 the mountains which rear their snow-capped 
 peaks westward of the captured city. Clif- 
 ton, Allston, with the Senorita Espindola, 
 had but a little time previous paid their res- 
 pects to the Colonel and his daughter. It 
 scarcely need be said that this meeting was 
 a happy one to all parties it could not have 
 been otherwise under the circumstances 
 but it would be extremely difficult to say 
 which one of the group experienced the 
 most felicity on the occasion. 
 
 Major Granville and Rosalia both appear- 
 ed to feel the most lively interest in the fair 
 Mexican ; indeed, the former made so many 
 inquiries respecting her career, that he 
 might have been deemed inquisitive, even 
 impertinent in a young man ; though in him, 
 who manifested such kind interest in pursu- 
 ing his inquiries, that it was viewed by her 
 and by all present in an opposite light. Ro- 
 salia, too, took part in the*converdation, and 
 
 on her father's turning to her and asking her 
 age, she replied 
 
 ' In November, the fourteenth day I shall 
 be seventeen/ 
 
 ' You're right, Rosa,' said the colonel. 
 
 'I am your senior by upwards of three 
 years,' remarked Elvira ; ' on the seventeenth 
 of this month I shall be twenty. 
 
 1 Seventeenth !' repeated the colonel, re- 
 ferring to a miniature almanac ; ' why, then, 
 this is your birth-day.' 
 
 * It is, indeed !' exclaimed Elrira, with en- 
 thusiasm ; ' in the excitement of this day I 
 had quite forgotten it, although it has more 
 than a birth-day's importance to me. I have 
 a duty to perform, which is no less than to 
 break the seal of a mysterious packet that 
 was given me by my father on his death-bed. 
 If I may be excused I will retire for a short 
 time ; and yet I had instruction to open it 
 in the presence of a witness.' 
 
 * Let me be that witness,' said Rosalia, 
 noticing the sudden emotion which this cir- 
 cumstance had caused her friend. 
 
 * I thank you, Rosalia,' she replied. 
 The two fair ones then arose and retired 
 
 to Rosalia's chamber ; and after seating 
 themselves, Elvira took from her bosom, with 
 a trembling hand, the mysterious packet that 
 until that day she had injunctions not to op- 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 07 
 
 en. She broke the seal tore off the envel- 
 ope and the first words that met her eye, 
 written in a bold hand, were these : 
 " DON FERNANDEZ ESPINDOLA is NOT THY 
 FATHER !" 
 
 Elvira was startled, indeed, on reading 
 this significant sentence ; but, recovering 
 her first surprise, she broke another seal, and 
 on opening it, sli2 found a hair necklace, 
 and on the clasp was engraved 
 
 " ELVIRA, JAN. 17, 1830." 
 
 On the envelope which contained it, was 
 written 
 
 " THIS NECKLACE WAS WORN BY THEE WHEN 
 
 AN INFANT I' 
 
 There was yet another seal it was brok- 
 en, and she found a letter addressed to her, 
 and which she read aloud. It was as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 <c DEAREST ELVIRA : Thou art not my 
 (daughter; yet hast thou been a comfort to 
 my declining years. The circumstances at- 
 tending thy being placed under my protec- 
 tion were simply these : In years 'gone by 
 iit was my custom to travel much among the 
 Indians at the north, for the purpose of traf- 
 ficking with them, which 1 did to a consid- 
 erable extent in jewelry and other cvnaments; 
 and gained by dealing with them. honestly, 
 not only their confidence but their friend- 
 ship. On one of these trading excursions 
 1 fell in with a party of Seminoles, whose 
 acquaintance I had previously formed. They 
 were just returning from an incursion into 
 that part of the Florida territory then in the 
 military possession of the United States. 
 They had been successful, and were ladened 
 with the trophies and valuables they had 
 gained during the expedition. The chief of 
 the party, who had conceived a particular 
 fancy to me, invited me to share the hospi- 
 talities of his wigwam, which I accepted. 
 When I entered I manifested no little sur- 
 prise on beholding in the arms of his squaw 
 an infant, apparently but a few months old ! 
 My surprise did not escape the notice of my 
 
 savage host, and he satisfied my eager curi- 
 osity by telling me that the infant was the 
 offspring of a commander of one of the pale 
 faces' forts he had surprised and demolished, 
 and whose mother he said was killed in the 
 conflict. On my enquiring as to his future 
 intentions towards the helpless babe, to my 
 horror he informed me with the utmost cool- 
 ness that it was to be massacred, to avenge 
 the many injuries he had received from the 
 father of the white papoose. I immediately 
 remonstrated against his cruel intent with- 
 out effect I entreated, I implored him to 
 spare the life of the littfe innocent but he 
 was inexorable. At length, finding my ef- 
 forts unavailing, I tried the virtue of some 
 of my most valuuble trinkets. His revenge- 
 ful and barbarous determination I perceived 
 began to relax as soon as his eyes feasted 
 upon the gorgeous display my jewelry made. 
 Following up the advantage I had thus gain- 
 ed by other valuables, I at length gained his 
 consent to spare the life of the child, provid- 
 ed I would take it forever from his sight, 
 and swear by the Great Spirit that I would 
 adopt it as my own, and not to take any 
 measures to find the parent of the child, or 
 any of its connections, until twenty years 
 from the di\v of the necklace about its neck 
 should have passed away, and also that 1 
 should conceal, until the end of that period, 
 the dated necklace. Finding that thesr 
 terms only would satisfy the savage, 1 took 
 the required oath, and have faithfully kep 
 it. The necklace which is herewith enclo- 
 sed is the identical one spoken of. I neec: 
 not say that it once encircled thy neck, ana 
 that thou, Elvira, wast the infant whom J 
 rescued from savage vengeance ! I have ev- 
 er loved thee with almost a parent's tender-* 
 ness ; and have, as thou already knowest, 
 bequeathed to thee all the wealth that I pos- 
 sess. When this is opened as I know thou 
 wilt not violate my dying injunctions thon 
 wilt be twenty years of age, judging from 
 the date upon the clasp of the necklace. 
 I know that thy desire will be great to find 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 thy parents and those of kindred blood. To 
 facilitate thy search, I would advise thee, 
 when a good opportunity offers, to repair to 
 the capital of the United States, where thou 
 wilt be enabled to learn the names of the 
 several commanders who were stationed in 
 Florida, during the years 1829 and '30, or 
 up to the time of thy being made a captive 
 by the Indirais. 
 
 God bless thee, Elvira, and may he grant 
 thee a long life of unalloyed felicity. 
 
 (Signed,) E*PINDOLA." 
 
 Elvira, wonder-struck at this startling rev- 
 elation, could not give utterance to the con- 
 flicting thoughts which rushed into her mind, 
 and she biirst into a flood of tears. They 
 wer not tears of grief; nor were they tears 
 of joy ; but shed from purely sympathetic 
 and grateful impulses for him who for a score 
 of years had been almost wholly devoted to 
 render her happy. Espindola had, truly, 
 been a parental protector, yet that true af- 
 fection existing between a father and his 
 child was not apparent. It was of a differ- 
 ent nature and beyond our power of analyz- 
 ing. 
 
 Rosalia, too, was startled at this revela- 
 tion, and with tears of sympathy in her 
 >yes, and with her arms entwined in sisterly 
 affection around her neck, endeavored 
 to soothe her agitation. Elvira, at length, 
 ceased weeping, and gazed with intense in- 
 terest upon her fair comforter, and for some 
 time they remained clasped in each other's 
 embrace from impulses neither understood 
 nor dreamed of. Never did two human be- 
 ings, bound together by a sentiment wholly 
 inexplicable, render humanity more lovely 
 and angelic, than they. For nearly two 
 hours did they commune together, and nev- 
 er did lovers' moments pass more fleetly by. 
 
 Colonel Granville, becoming impatient at 
 the protracted absence of the young ladies., 
 and thinking that no ordinary matter would 
 keep them absent so long, excused himself 
 to his brother officers, and hastened to learn 
 the cause of their delay. 
 
 The door of Rosalia's apartment was op- 
 en, and as the colonel approached, he be- 
 held his daughter and the fair Mexican with 
 their right hands clasped and their left arms 
 resting upon each other's neck. As he en- 
 tered, Rosalia arose and said, 
 
 * Father, I know you will excuse our long 
 .ebsence, when you have heard the wonder- 
 ful things, regarding our dear friend, which 
 have been revealed to me. She has been so 
 deeply affected by it, that I chose to remain 
 with her rather than rejoin our company be 
 low.' 
 
 'Indeed/ said the father, ' I tsust it is no 
 a matter of serious import ?' 
 
 ' Kind sir,' said Elvira, addressing Gran 
 ville, perhaps your profession will enable you 
 to give me some information whereby lighl 
 may be thrown upon the mystery that has 
 long overshadowed me, and which is partial' 
 ly revealed in these words;' and she place( 
 in his hand the sentence which had- at first 
 so startled her. 
 
 He took the paper and read " Don Fer- 
 nandez Espindola is not thy father !" ' This 
 is truly mysterious,' he continued ; ' but be 
 consoled, Elvira a friend you shall never 
 want so long as I live ; but is this all V 
 
 1 No, kind sir, here is a letter that was al- 
 so contained in the packet relative to the 
 perils of'my infancy,' said Elvira, giving 
 him Espindola's communication. 
 
 The colonel seated himself near the win- 
 dow to peruse it, as the grey shadows of twi- 
 light had already begun to darken the earth 
 He had read but a few sentences when his 
 eyes glowed with an eager interest soon 
 the hand which held the paper began to 
 tremble his lip quivered and as he read 
 on his whole frame seemed almost convulsed 
 with agitation ; at the same time there was 
 a rigid smile upon his noble features. At 
 length the communication dropped from his 
 hand his respiration was rapid and heavy 
 drops of perspiration stood upon his brow 
 and his eyes gleamed with unwonted lus- 
 tre. 
 
THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 Rosalia, observing how violent were his 
 ejnotions, ran towards him and exclaimed : 
 
 ' Oh, my father ! you are ill !' 
 
 ' No, my child, no ! Elvira, asked he, 
 eagerly, ' have you the necklace here spok- 
 eii of?' 
 
 * This is it,' said she, handing it to him, 
 and wondering at the strange interest he 
 manifested. 
 
 ' It is ! it is the same !' he exclaimed with 
 joy almost overpowering. ' Oh, God, thy 
 ways are, indeed, inscrutable and wonderful ! 
 Elvira, look at me I AM THY FATHER! 
 you are my long lost and beloved child !' 
 
 ' MY father ! oh, this is the most blissful 
 moment of my existence !' she cried, as she 
 Hew to his arms and was clasped in his em* 
 brace, while tears gushed from the fountain 
 of bliss of both father and child. 
 
 Rosalia regarded this scene with almost 
 mute astonishment. Here was a mystery 
 totally inexplicable to her. 
 
 ' Rosalia, embrace thy SISTER*!' said the 
 overjoyed colonel, after the first ebullition of 
 feeling had somewhat subsided. ' You had 
 two mothers but only one father !' 
 
 The arms of the sisters were again warmly 
 encircled about each other's necks, and their 
 lips met it was the first kiss of a sisterly 
 love. 
 
 The father at length explained to his 
 daughters the circumstances attending the 
 loss of Elvira's mother, whom he wedded at 
 Pensacola, and who was the daughter of a 
 nobleman, banished from Spain ; and, also, 
 of his reasonable supposition that the infant 
 whom the savages, conveyed away fell a vic- 
 tim to their burning vengeance. 
 
 Thus was revealed to father and daughters 
 the unaccountable and deep interest each 
 had felt for the other irom the perilqAJ hour 
 when they first met. 
 
 There never was a. happier man than the 
 veteran colonel after this discovery. The 
 evening having now considerably advanced 
 he returned to his military friends below, 
 and excused the non-appearance of the la- 
 
 dies, and promised them that, if they would 
 but visit his quarters at a certain hour on the 
 next day, he would afford them an agreeable 
 
 surprise. 
 
 ****** 
 
 Punctual to the appointed hour Captain 
 Clifton and Lieutenant Allston made their 
 appearance, when to their infinite wonder, 
 Colonel Granville introduced them to Elvira 
 Granville, his newly found daughter ! 
 
 Obeying the unreserved impulses of her 
 nature, Elvira, on seeing Allston, received 
 him with rather more warmth than is usually 
 exhibited excepting aTnong acknowledged 
 lovers. 
 
 Granville, perceiving this, looked at Clif- 
 ton, with an expression iu his countenance 
 that seemed to enquire 'What does ih'n 
 mean ?' 
 
 'Do not be alarmed, colonel, at this little 
 ebullition of affection,' said Clifton; 'they 
 have been already too much in each other's 
 society to act otherwise. Be assured, sir, 
 they have a mutual understanding.' 
 ' I see I see there's not a doubt of it/ 
 replied Granville. ' Well, well, Alhton is 
 a brave, a gallant, and a noble-hearted fel- 
 loM' I shall be proud to acknowledge him 
 as my son-in law. ' I see how it is, lieuten- 
 ant,' he continued, turning to Allston, ' and 
 I perceive that matters between you have 
 approached too near a climax, fqr me to op- 
 pose any obstacle to your future happiness. 
 You have my hearty approval without asking 
 for it; and I'm sure you'll never rue the day 
 you came to Mexico.' 
 
 'Never, believe me,' replied the happy, 
 lieutenant. ' Cupid has done for me that 
 which escopeta balls have failed to do.' 
 
 ' I marvel not when I look upon the cause. 
 Rosa,' said the colonel, ' come hither. I 
 have a word or two to say to you, touching 
 this same sharp-shooting love-god. I never 
 heard a syllable upon the universal topic 
 of love pass between Captain CJifton and 
 yourself; but as I am an old campaigner in 
 '.Cupid's affairs, I can read the meaning of a 
 
100 
 
 THE LIGHT DRAGOON. 
 
 glance, a smile, or a sigh, just as easily as if 
 expressed in words* I have constituted my- 
 self a ' corps of observation ' upon your 
 manccuvering for some time, and if I have 
 been out-generalled this time, I'll confess I 
 have lost the art of divining the secrets of 
 the heart through the eyes those ' windows 
 of the soul,' as some poet hath it. But to 
 the point you love each other ! Now don't 
 deny it because, perchance, you have never 
 confessed it to each other I'm satisfied you 
 have confessed it to your own hearts! If 
 I'm wrong say so, and hereafter set me down 
 a superanuated old fool !' ' 
 
 This was an awkward as well as a critical 
 moment for the gallant captain and the fair 
 Rosalia ; they were' both considerably abash- 
 ed, and dared not look up in fear of encoun- 
 tering each other's gaze. 
 
 At length Clifton mustered up a little 
 couraged and essayed to speak he stam- 
 mered forth the following : 
 
 ' I I con that is, I suppose I may as 
 well confess ' 
 
 * That I have read your eyes aright ?' sug- 
 gested the colonel* 
 
 4 Precisely so,' replied Clifton ; ' I do love 
 Rosilia.' 
 
 'And I ' The abashed girl could 
 
 utter no more, but did n.ot snatch away her 
 pretty hand when Clifton took it and raised 
 & to her lips to kiss : in the next moment she 
 
 concealed her happy emotions upon his 
 manly breast.' 
 
 'There now,' said the delighted colonel ; 
 ' things are as they should be! I knew I. 
 was right ! Well, my children and I hope 
 soon to call you so our time of service 
 soon expires in the army, when we shall re- 
 turn to the United States ; and if GranVille 
 cottage does not resound once more with the 
 merry music of glad voices, then my predic- 
 tions, which seldom fail, will be naught. 
 
 The Light Dragoons, their term of enlist- 
 ment expiring, soon returned to the United 
 States. The colonel's prophecy is not yet 
 fulfilled, but it is rumored that great prepar- 
 ations are making at Granville Cottage, to 
 consummate the happiness of at least five of 
 our characters. Should anything occur to 
 mar the intended happy event, our readers 
 shall be duly informed. 
 
 It is Allston's intention as soon as * Peace 
 is conquered' or rather as soon as Mexico' 
 ! s conquered to return to that country for,; 
 the purpose of claiming the estates of the 
 deceased Espindola, in the name of the 
 heiress, Elvira. 
 
 Thus, kind reader, we complete our task ; 
 aud our only hope is, that you have derived 
 some pleasure in poring over the pages of 
 ' The Light Dragoon.' 
 
 THE END, 
 
 '