CAPTAIN DAN HENRIE, 427 



stipulation of the terms of surrender. I have never seen 

 the mode of his escape correctly related yet, so that it is 

 worth while to give it in his own version. 



The Mexicans have a mortal hatred of the Meir prisoners, 

 one and all but most particularly do they detest those of 

 them who rose at the Salado and escaped from Perote. Dan 

 had, unfortunately, not only been prominent in both these 

 affairs, but from the fact of speaking the language as well 

 as a native, he had always acted as interpreter, and thus 

 been put forward more conspicuously than any one of the 

 other prisoners. Besides this, he had previously made him- 

 self very notorious, too, as a Ranger. All these causes 

 combined to make his recognition general and sure at almost 

 any point on the whole route to Mexico ; and if it had not 

 occurred immediately, there was no telling at what moment 

 it might occur, and of course, when his body might be made 

 the target of their cowardly hate. 



He saw those men who had recognized him whispering 

 among themselves, and from his knowledge of the Mexican 

 character, felt sure that so soon as the commanding officers 

 had retired and left them in charge of the guard, he would 

 be shot from the ranks. It fortunately occurred, that when 

 they were started, Minon and his staff was moving in the 

 same direction down the lines of the Mexican force. Colonel 

 Gaines rode a very swift and beautiful mare. Dan rode up 

 to his side and whispered to him the discoveries he had made, 

 his fears, and his determination. Gaines at once, with a 

 generous promptness, proposed that he should take his mare 

 to make the attempt upon, as her high-blooded metal would 

 distance any Mexican horse with ease. This was precisely 

 what Dan desired, and he eagerly accepted the offer. The 

 officers had not yet been deprived of their pistols, and the 

 holsters of Gaines remained on the saddle. 



The mare was very spirited and fiery, and Dan slily roused 

 up all her mettle by touching her with the spur. She began 



