of heavy manacles upon his arms and legs struck me most unpleasantly. He was a young, stout, athletic-looking fellow, and after rubbing his eyes in astonishment, received the quiet and scornful greeting of his master with that stolid, heavy look of insensibility, which always had enraged and made me forget any sympathy for negroes. In a moment afterwards, I was listening and inquiring of the merchant, with full as much interest as even Taney exhibited, concerning all the details of his capture and the present circumstances which insured his safe durance till my friend should call for him in the morning. The arrangements for his close keeping seemed, at a glance, so perfectly secure, that there was no probability of his escaping. His chains were of the heaviest cast, and he had worn them for months under the eye of the merchant; he was sleeping in the same room with half a dozen men--the room lit by the blaze of a large fire-its two doors massive and well secured by bolt and bar. What occasion was there to doubt of his safe keeping? We could see no possibility of any; and inquiring for the locality of the American Tavern, which we had understood was kept in the town, we took our leave.

This street led us into a large square. Precisely in its centre, towered a massive cathedral, in the usual century-defying style of Jesuit architecture all over the world. Lights in the windows of a long, low, stone building, which faced the square, designated to us the place we were in search of. We dismounted and entered a well lighted apartment, furnished very much as American bar-rooms usually are, and, late as it was, fully tenanted. My first impression was, that we had entered amongst a crowd of Mexicans, but I quickly saw that their complexions were not at all consistent with their costumes. Eight or ten very young-looking persons, evidently Americans or Europeans, were promenading the room, back and forth, puffing away, every man of them, most earnestly at a Mexican "cigaritta," and all dressed in a costume singularly blended of Mexican and American tastes. Most of them wore the "sombrero," or Mexican hat, and the many-hued "serapé," thrown carelessly over the national suit of cloth. The sombrero is a high sugar-loaf crowned, and broad-brimmed hat, gen

erally decorated with a wide band of parti-colored beads, while the serapé is a thick blanket curiously interwoven with angular zig-zag figures, having a hole in the centre through which the head is thrust. This falling down to the waist, over the ordinary American dress, and exhibiting the gleam of pistols and knife in the belt underneath, made up a very picturesque costume.

Our arrival was noticed with nothing like the ill-bred and hard-staring manner common in American villages; but we were greeted with a manly and straightforward courtesy, that at once placed us at ease with ourselves and with them. Indeed, I was forthwith irresistibly impressed by the perfect bonhomme, yet man-of-the-world expression which characterized the bearing of these persons. There was nothing of familiarity, but rather a degree of touch-me-not-ism, which it would be difficult to give an idea of in words, tempering the almost boyish and boisterous frankness with which we were questioned and bantered upon the incidents of our journey, precisely as though we had been old familiar friends since time began. This pleasant cordiality, I have noticed is very apt to be a trait of our frontiersmen of any grade, but it was specially agreeable coming from these men, with a certain touch of polish and good taste in it, which reminded one strongly of the wild blades and eccentrics of college life. Indeed, if by any magic one could have dropped suddenly into the circle without the attendant and explanatory circum-. stances, it would have been the first impression that it was a party of merrymasking Collegiates. These are the sort of men who are never taken by surprise at any thing. Though young, their experience embraces the whole round of the passions. They are prepared for all that can come. Their personal familiarity with "imminent perils" of every stamp, and with all the exigences and excesses to which the life of humanity is liable, gives to their port and regard of all circumstances alike, an air of coolness and indifference, as if-however startling they might be they came as matters of course, which were to be expected and certainly not wondered at. This same familiarity with danger, gives to their appreciation of the social, or rather the convivial virtues, a high tonethough the habit of self-reliance, engen

dered in scenes of solitary daring, infuses a tinge of individual reserve which characterizes their open good fellowship.

I was particularly struck with the youthful appearance of the whole party: my impression on glancing around, was, that there was not a man in the room over twenty-two. There was not a single commonplace physiognomy among them all were decidedly expressive, one way or another; but I was greatly amused afterwards, in recollecting how incongruous my first hasty conceptions were with what I afterwards ascertained to be the true character of each ;-my faith in my own sagacity was no little diminished! The personage who earliest arrested my notice, was the most boyish looking of them all. His person, though scarce the average height, was stout and moulded with remarkable symmetry his hands and feet were womanishly delicate, while the Grecian features were almost severely beautiful in their classic chisseling. The rich, brunette complexion and sharp, black eye, indicative of Italian blood, would have made the fortune of a city belle. The softness of his voice, and his caressing manner, increased the attraction of his appearance; and, but for a certain cold flash from those brilliant eyes, I should have been entirely in love with him at once. I thought him some wild and petted scapegrace from a southern family, who had run away from his friends, and fallen upon such a locality, and such society, by accident. Yet as I afterwards learned, this man, of all others in the room, was reputed most dangerous. The quick, unscrupulous vindictiveness of his passions had become proverbial, and the soubriquet of the Bravo," had been universally applied to him. The man on whom he seemed to lavish the most attention, and who, indeed, appeared to be regarded with particular deference by all, was a slight, raw-boned figure, with a lean but bold Roman face, and an expression of modest simplicity that struck me at once as peculiar; there was something absolutely shrinking and hoydenish in his bearing, and I remember feeling some surprise, that so unsophisticated, easy, good-natured looking a personage should be treated with so much respect by men necessarily of so hardy cast as those around; yet this individual was the celebrated Captain, now Colonel Hays, the leader and foremost spirit of the Rangers a mere youth-yet more

VOL. I.-NO. III.

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distinguished for tempered skill and gallantry in the Mexican and Indian wars, than any man who had yet figured in the history of that frontier. There was yet another man who specially deceived my preconceptions of his character. This was a tall, heavy-boned, heavy-featured, gawky Irishman, who was lolling about with rather an excessive expression of abandon and jollity. I took him at first for a decided "flat," but I soon observed a deep, rich current of the quaintest and most spicy humor conceivable, under the surface of this careless mannerism. Indeed, Fitzgerald, the brother of the unfortunate Santa Fé prisoner, was the finest impersonation of the best and most racy traits of Irish wit and Irish gallantry that I have met with. The remainder of the party looked like men of severe, or, at least decided tempers. But such as they were, these were the Rangers, and this was my first impression of them. 1 announced my wish to Capt. Hays to become one of them, and share the rough and tumble as well as their jollities with them, and risks as well as pleasures. I was welcomed with frank enthusiasm into the ranks, and called for a number of bottles of "noyau," at the bar to commemorate and seal our fellowship. These were drank merrily enough-Fitzgerald giving an especially rich and hantering toast before we separated.-"Here's to old Kentuck! may he get the green out of his eyes, and eat his sallad as soon as possible, in preparation for the close shooting and tough chawing, we the free Brotherhood of Rangers indulge in." The last phrase I did not fully understand until my after experience in dried or "jerked" beef, as it is called, enlightened me.

It was past two o'clock before we parted for bed; and with a brain dizzied by the excitement of the day, the novelty and originality of the scenes and characters I had fallen upon, it was some time before I got to sleep. It seemed to me that it had lasted only a few moments, when a loud thumping at the door of the hostelry awakened me. It was a messenger from the merchant, post haste, announcing to Taney that the boy had made his escape! We rose hastily, and found that day was just breaking. The messenger said that the negro was off, and had taken with him a quantity of valuable property; that his chains were left upon the hearth, the back door was open, a splendid horse, the very finest in the town, was gone, and a fine silver

mounted saddle with it; that the picket fence of the back yard, which was set with very heavy posts, and they very deep in the ground, had been torn up to afford him a passage; that he had taken, in addition to the horse and saddle, several costly "serapés," a brace of pistols, and a rifle, and was gone, evidently and beyond a doubt, for the Rio Grande. This news created no little confusion, and the Rangers were forthwith astir. Taney and myself hurried to the house of the merchant, to ascertain for ourselves, if these statements could possibly be true. Whatever had been the causeless and petulant prejudices I had indulged in toward this boy on the night before for his stupid looks, they gave way now to almost the opposite extreme of admiration for the cunning and resolute skill he had displayed in the manner of his escape! It appeared that he must have had his chains filed for some time before, in effecting which, we ascertained he had been assisted by a Mexican blacksmith, whose shop bordered upon the back yard, the liberty of which he had enjoyed.

But the prudent daring of his measures had been so consumate as to elicit expressions of astonishment from every body. He had managed to conceal the fact of his chains being filed from the vigilance of the merchant, and had patiently waited his time till the arrival of his master, who would take him in charge the next morning, rendered it necessary that decisive steps should be taken. He had then-after we left him, and a sufficient time had elapsed for the inmates of the room to get to sleep again-quietly divested his limbs of the chains which he left upon the hearth; then noiselessly possessing himself of the holsters, rifle, and saddle, (which last article was plated with 100 dollars worth of silver), belonging to one of the sleepers, he unfastened the back door and passed out to the stable. This was inside the yard, and enclosed by a high picket fence. By a wonderful exertion of strength, he had torn up a number of the posts, sufficient to afford a passage for himself and the splendid horse he selected from among a number of others, and reached the street by a back lane. In addition, he had provided himself with a valise of clothing and provision for several days. All of these items belonged to the same person-a rich trader who had lately arrived from the Rio Grande. The rage and astonishment of

this individual on waking in the morning and finding himself minus to such an extent, may be better conceived than told. After ascertaining these details for ourselves, by personal observation, in company with the restless and excited merchant, we returned to the front door, where, greatly to my astonishment, we found Hays and several of his Rangers already collected; two of them mounted on swift horses, and armed for the pursuit, waiting for us in the street. We were too inexperienced of course to have thought, in our hurry and confusion, of this prompt preparation, and as there was no time to be lost, could not accompany them, One of them, I observed, was the "Bravo," the other was a swarthy complected, handsome looking young fellow, named Littell. He was mounted on the horse of Hays, the most fleet and best trained animal in the company. All the speed that could be brought to bear was obviously necessary for overtaking the boy, so well mounted as he was, and with such a start as he had gained. The horse of the Bravo was also a very game animal. Fifty dollars for the boy!" shouted Taney to them, and just as they were bending forward to apply the "quirt" and spur, the hoarse voice of the enraged trader rung out from over our shoulders--" And fifty dollars more for the horse and saddle."

They were off at full speed, clattering over the stone pavement, while sparks flew from the iron hoofs of their receding animals. It would be a severe chase, every one was aware, and the possibility of recapturing the Boy seemed most problematical. I could not help, in my own heart, wishing that what seemed so unlikely, might not by any accident be brought about; for, apart from all abstractions, the coolness and daring the fellow exhibited showed him worthy to be a freeman. The day opened bright and pleasantly. About ten o'clock that morning we were all collected, grouped in the sunshine, in front of “Johnson's," on the square, when pistol shooting became the accidental topic, growing out of the inspection of my beautiful riflebarrels. Hays was said to be a wonderful shot, and gave us a proof that the report did justice to his skill. He held one of my pistols in his hand, when he observed a chicken-cock some thirty paces off in the square, which was just straightening its neck to crow. Boys, I'll cut that saucy fellow short," he ob

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direction of the Rio Grande. After following this for a quarter of a mile, another trail of a single horse leading from the main track was observed running parallel with it. This was that of a shod horse, and Hays exclaimed as soon as he saw it, "Ha! the Bravo is after him. He'll get him. He was ahead and saw the scoundrel running."

The sharp experienced eyes of these men at once recognized the trail of their comrade and the main features of the Occurrence. We followed these two trails until nearly sundown at the same headlong, rapid pace we had held since starting. Though they continued on the same general course with the old beaten road, yet they did not lead into it again, but diverged in an irregular line, dodging around amongst the "motts," with all the evidences of a desperate flight and chase. I was greatly astonished at the skill with which they unerringly traced this devious trail, though we were going at a fast gallop. This hard running had very greatly fagged both ourselves and horses. We had begun to fear that the night would close around and prevent us from following up the chase to any satisfactory termination; a wide and seemingly interminable plain, too, was opening before us, whose bare undulating surface offered little of either pleasure or encouragement to our perspective. Suddenly, however, and most unexpect edly, one of the men in front shouted, while he pointed with his gun over to the right. "Look! that must be the Bravo. He's got him." We looked, and the figures of two horsemen were just rising into view over the ridge of an undulation far away across the plain.

The figure of a man heaving in sight amidst these wide solitudes, always causes a startle and thrill of expectation and doubt, similar to the feeling produced by the announcement of "a strange sail ahead" on shipboard, during a long voy

age.

The eye glances with careless indifference over great herds of deer, buffalo, or mustangs, dotted on the distance; but a glimpse of any shape, even remotely resembling a brother man, makes the pulse leap sharp and fast, and the blood rush back to the heart; for in this lawless region it is impossible to conjecture, whether, what should naturally be an auspicious event, may not result in a mortal struggle and death to one party or the other. This distorted condition of things causes strange emotions, for it

does seem most outré and unnatural, that the outlines, which of all others ought to be most agreeable, should be productive of the most unpleasant excitementwhile we can look upon thousands and multiplied thousands of brutes with a negative feeling, if not one of pleasant companionship. I have been particularly struck with this while travelling alone, when any thing the imagination could conjure into a resemblance of the human form would produce the most uncomfortable sensations. There is nothing to fear from the animals, but from that likeness to yourself everything of hate and treachery is to be dreaded.

We instantly headed our horses towards these distant riders, who seemed to be jogging on very sociably at a leisurely gate in the direction of San Antonio. As we neared them, every moment made it more probable that the man's first conjecture was right. They soon observed us and stopped with some flurry and hesitation of manner, but after a long and deliberate survey they started to meet us. I thought at first that they intended to wheel and make off, but the assured recognition was simultaneous, and with a loud cheer we increased our speed. The Bravo waved his sombrero in the air and answered us. In a little while more we crowded around him and his prisoner, eagerly asking a multitude of questions. The man was tied with a lariat about his feet, which was passed under the belly of his horse. His hands were also tied behind him, and their appearance of sociability at the distance, was fully explained when we saw that the Bravo was leading his horse by another lariat. He was a Mexican of spare figure, with a lean Roman face, sharp black eyes, and a vivid expression of bold knavery, not at all cowed by our numbers and wrathful looks. His whole appearance was altogether unlike the usual downward-eyed, sneaking, wolfish look, common to Mexicans in circumstances of such peril as those surrounding him. The audacity of the fellow's bearing at once attracted comment.

"Why, Bravo," said Fitzgerald, "what the deuce are you doing with that saucy. looking fellow alive? You are the last man I should have suspected of having

the vice of mercy in you." "Ha, ha!" laughed he, "the best of the joke is, that I kept him alive, simply because he gave me so much trouble in catching him. He's a regular curiosity; and