30 ELISHA KENT KANE. 



Gulf as by a miracle, he entered that port, disem- 

 barked, and advanced toward the position occupied 

 by the American army as far as Perote. 



It was on this occasion that one of the most 

 romantic incidents connected with the whole career 

 of Dr. Kane occurred. He found it absolutely 

 necessary to obtain an escort before advancing any 

 farther into the hostile territory, which was filled 

 with roving companies of guerrillas. It was impos- 

 sible at that moment to secure any other protection 

 than that afforded by a renegade Mexican named 

 Dominguez, who had entered the American service 

 together with a large number of his desperate and 

 outlawed associates. Thus attended, Dr. Kane con- 

 tinued his journey toward the city of Mexico. 

 When they arrived at JSTopaluca, the intelligence 

 arrived, that a bod} 7 of Mexican troops was approach- 

 ing for the purpose of intercepting him and seizing 

 the despatches. Overcome with terror, Dominguez 

 immediately proposed to retreat; but Kane vehe- 

 mently resisted this purpose, and threatened him 

 with the vengeance of the American Government 

 should he execute it. By this time the two hostile 

 parties came in sight of each other on the summit 

 of a hill. Kane immediately commanded his men 

 to charge, and himself led them forward with the 

 coolness and heroism of a veteran. 



