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peril of his life and also of that of his father in Law. Muscos at the moment of presenting himself, when he had hardly opened his busi- ness, was seized by the throat by Long, who said- "Sir you are my prisoner".- "I come said Muscos to serve you, by warning you of your danger". "I care not what is your purpose; you are my prisoner, of war & cannot depart" said Long Muscus remonstrated and protested that he had no evil designs him- self-He was placed under guard-but the guard not being very vigi- lent, he sprang upon one of the swiftest horses, bareback, and fled- he was pursued, but not overtaken- he escaped to town- Long, now dreading that Muscos would betray the weakness of his force saw that there was no alternative left to him, but to move on without delay, and get to town as soon as possible and serprise the place by a viger- ous assault upon it at night. He knew every house and street in the place, having long resided there.- He hoped by this plan to throw the town in to consternation; and in the Confusion to either make his way to his father in law, or to slaughter some of his enemies, and thus aveng his wrongs; though it might be at the sacrifice of his own life- This plan he carried out- he arrived in town about sun set & took secretly, a strong position in a Tan yard. It so happened that the terrified Muscos who had made his escape, instead of. telling Rodrigus that Long had with him only 8 men; he spread tidings thro' the town that Long had several waggon loads of Americans concealed in Waggons, and that he would not allow him to see their numbers; but that he was breathing death and vengance upon all the town, and swore to make the' streets run with the blood of every centralist in the· place- In a word infuriated and implacable, and was resolved upon the murder and dessolation of Santa Rosa, and nothing but blood could apease him.- Such was indeed the language of Long to his prisoner; who in reality believed what he told respecting the Americans in the waggons and the fury of Long.- So that Long reached town, took his position without any one's knowing his real strength, or rather weakness; and all believed that he was well backed by sufficient Americans to execute his will.- Soon after his arrival at the tan yard, a commission was sent to him, by Rodrigus, bearing a letter from Bedowrie to Long, stating that he was a prisoner with four men standing over him with drawn knives, ready to stab him at the firing of the first gun; and entreating his son in Law, not to make war, but by forbearing to save his life- Long received the bearers under guard not admitting them into the house so that they could learn nothing of his force, and replied, that the death of one man was nothing- that in Revolution thousands must fall, and the best among the worst; that he himself came for blood- that was his business, and that the Head and property of Rodrigus, his family and all his followers should pay for his crimes." This answer greatly confused Rodrigus ; who now tried another ex- periment; by sending one of the prisoners, (a relation of Longs) and the officer second in command, to speak and plead with Long in per- son. Long refused to receive them; and lay down to take a short repose. This encreased the confusion of the enemy. Rodrigus now
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