PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR 65 a few hours the last of the inhabitants were on their route to the Sabine, retreating with all possible haste, under the protection of the few soldiers which the General had brought with him.--,- The town was now entirely deserted, -with no human being...iniL, except the General himself, and one other person-a Spaniard named Juan Soto-who hid in his own domicil, and was captured the next morning. The enemy at this very moment was hovering around the town without knowing its depopulated condition. The General had lingered after the departure of the last fugitives, for the purpose of concealing in an old dry well the arms and ammunition which had been left behind. He had just completed the task at the sitting of the sun, when he was hailed by the feeble voice of one who had just entered the town.-On turning to discover the person who called, he beheld a pale, emaciated being, whose cadaverous and wo-begone visage was the personification of famine and despair. The man was so worn down by hunger and fatigue, that Long did not recog- nise his faithful Lieutenant. "My name "-said. the man "is Lightle." At the mention of Lightle, Long rushed to his support. "Fly"-said the brave Lieutenant-"fly, while you have a chance- the enemy is in close pursuit-be quick, and you may yet escape." "And leave you to preish? "-said the generous Commander. "I am a dead man''-:-replied the other-'' and can go rio further.''- " Yes but you must"...:._answered the compasionate General- "here- is my horse; mount, and I will follow.'' Lightle refused; but Long with gentle authority forced him to comply, by lifting him on the horse and urging the animal forward. The moment was indeed a very critical and trying one. Nevertheless, the emergency did not prevent our hero. from taking time to investigate the contents of his humble haversack, and placing before the famished man a cold refreshment and the vivifying flask.- This brave and suffering Lieutenant was attached to Johnson's command; and as he and his noble chief were wending their lonely way-fearful of pursuit ;yet scarcely able to fly-he told of his cap- ture and calamities.-He was one of the ten men who had been surprised and taken on the Navosoto.-The party was commanded by Lieutenant Campbell, and was, at the time on a hunting excur- sion. Lightle was a prisoner one day only. Availing himself of a slight relaxation of vigilance while the enemy was preparing to camp for the night, he slipped his fetters and made for the thicket. The sentinel fired at him as he fled. But without effect. In a few moments he was saluted by a general volley. Still he remained un- touched. Pursuit on horse-back was now attempted; but the forest being hard by, a few more stretches of his sturdy legs conveyed him in safety to its protecting shades. After wandering all night in thi; W6ods, he sought the Trinity road in hopes of falling in with some hunting party of his own countrymen; but soon perceiving that the enemy was in advance of him, he wa:s forced to take to the un- trodden wilds again and find his way in the best manner that he could. Having fled without arms or provisions, he ha,d to rely upon the productions of the forest for subsistence. In this destitute and wretched condition he wandered through the woods bewildered and
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