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Article THE GUIDE. ← Page 2 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Guide.
acquaintance , as to the most eligible person I had met for the performance ofthe required duty , his assumed intimate knowledge of the several mountain-passes being peculiarly desirable , ancl indeed essential to the progress ofthe troops . My recommendation sufficed ; ancl liaving turned over this new auxiliary to the
authority of my brother officer , I pursued my reconnaissance on the road to Truxillo , my imagination still busy with the singular being ivhose every word and gesture had formed so marked a contrast to his actual rank in life . "In the course of the same eA * ening , just as I hacl taken up my position in a mountain-gorgean orderly Avas despatched to
, inform me that the guide whom I had sent had nearly succeeded in entangling one of our columns in a defile , and had involved himself in suspicion . He had consequently been searched , and there had been found upon him secret instructions from the Spanish commander-in-chief , Cuesta .
"Although this intelligence did not greatly surprise me , I experienced a sense of annoyance which I could not conceal , for I ivas unable to divest myself of the singular feeling of interest Avith Avhich he hacl inspired me , all arriero as I still believed him to be ; and , governed by this sentiment , I no sooner ascertained that his life Avas in clanger , than I resolved to
leave no effort untried to save hiru . "I Avas at this time one of the war-council of the corps d ' armee to which I ivas attached , and I shuddered at the idea of being compelled to appear as tbe prosecutor of the prisoner ; but I sought an interview Avith him in vain , as he had been given in charge to the guard at head-quarterswhich Avere two
, leagues in the rear of our OAVU column . "On the following day Ave entered Truxillo . The town had been totally abandoned in the morning , and the marshal hacl caused every important point in the neighbourhood to be occupied , Avhen he established his head-quarters there .
" Constantly pursued by the painful idea that the mysterious arriero , if put upon his trial , must inevitably be condemned to death , I hastened to visit him in his prison . My agitation was extreme , for the more I reflected on the offence of which he was accused , the more I became convinced that he Avas beyond the pale of mercy . Scarcely hacl I crossed the threshold of
his cell , when he advanced toAvards me Avith extended arms , and hardly aAvare of Avhat I did , I threAV myself into them . '" HOAV delighted I am to see you , Monsieur ! ' he exclaimed in imperfect French , as he held , me closely in his embrace ; ' I felt certain that Avhen you learnt my fate you would not abandon me . '
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Guide.
acquaintance , as to the most eligible person I had met for the performance ofthe required duty , his assumed intimate knowledge of the several mountain-passes being peculiarly desirable , ancl indeed essential to the progress ofthe troops . My recommendation sufficed ; ancl liaving turned over this new auxiliary to the
authority of my brother officer , I pursued my reconnaissance on the road to Truxillo , my imagination still busy with the singular being ivhose every word and gesture had formed so marked a contrast to his actual rank in life . "In the course of the same eA * ening , just as I hacl taken up my position in a mountain-gorgean orderly Avas despatched to
, inform me that the guide whom I had sent had nearly succeeded in entangling one of our columns in a defile , and had involved himself in suspicion . He had consequently been searched , and there had been found upon him secret instructions from the Spanish commander-in-chief , Cuesta .
"Although this intelligence did not greatly surprise me , I experienced a sense of annoyance which I could not conceal , for I ivas unable to divest myself of the singular feeling of interest Avith Avhich he hacl inspired me , all arriero as I still believed him to be ; and , governed by this sentiment , I no sooner ascertained that his life Avas in clanger , than I resolved to
leave no effort untried to save hiru . "I Avas at this time one of the war-council of the corps d ' armee to which I ivas attached , and I shuddered at the idea of being compelled to appear as tbe prosecutor of the prisoner ; but I sought an interview Avith him in vain , as he had been given in charge to the guard at head-quarterswhich Avere two
, leagues in the rear of our OAVU column . "On the following day Ave entered Truxillo . The town had been totally abandoned in the morning , and the marshal hacl caused every important point in the neighbourhood to be occupied , Avhen he established his head-quarters there .
" Constantly pursued by the painful idea that the mysterious arriero , if put upon his trial , must inevitably be condemned to death , I hastened to visit him in his prison . My agitation was extreme , for the more I reflected on the offence of which he was accused , the more I became convinced that he Avas beyond the pale of mercy . Scarcely hacl I crossed the threshold of
his cell , when he advanced toAvards me Avith extended arms , and hardly aAvare of Avhat I did , I threAV myself into them . '" HOAV delighted I am to see you , Monsieur ! ' he exclaimed in imperfect French , as he held , me closely in his embrace ; ' I felt certain that Avhen you learnt my fate you would not abandon me . '