THE BLACK BEAK. 255 



fingers I seized my gun, raised it to my slioulder, 

 and fired. The squirrel fell dead upon my bosom. 

 Raising myself up, I drew my knife and eat heartily 

 of the squirrel, without any sort of culinary pre- 

 paration. Confidence and strength returned, and 

 with a feeling of thankfulness I stretched myself 

 once more upon the bank and slept profoundly. 



This sleep lasted twenty-four hours, judging by 

 the time when I awoke; and when I had eaten the 

 rest of the squirrel, I felt able to continue ni}- 

 journey, though with faltering steps, and with an 

 oppressive feeling of weakness. After two hours' 

 march, I saw in front of me three men on horse- 

 back driving a herd before them. Perceiving that 

 they were Mexicans, I felt certain that I should get 

 little help from them by fair means, so I presented 

 my gun suddenly, and when they turned to fly I 

 ordered them to stop on pain of death. I suppose 

 there was something terrible in my aspect, for they 

 obeyed me, and I compelled the best mounted of 

 them to give up his horse to me, and then rode off, 

 leaving them astounded at the adventure. 



The motion of the horse caused me terrible pain, 

 and I had soon to let go the reins and cling to the 

 pummel of the saddle. I have no further recol- 

 lection of what took place until I was received by 

 the artillerymen at the gate of Bexar, and I heard 

 a voice say, " Poor fellow, I never expected to see 

 him again." I was assisted off my horse, and put 



