amusement of his comrades. He jumped up and made towards the fellow, evidently with the intention of striking him, who drew out of his reach; and though our brutal officer saw the whole transaction, he ordered the cavalryman to run him through with his spear if he touched him. We were halted for the night at a small village, having made seven leagues.

March 24th. This day we were marched ten leagues to a small town, and placed under charge of a tall, dark-looking officer, who treated us with much kindness. Here my companions had a hearty laugh at my expense. We sent out our orderly to purchase something to eat: the fellow had hardly turned his back before the sentinel at the door of our prison told us that that fellow was a noted rogue; that he would cheat us of the best half of our money; that it was a great pity the Mexican officers allowed us gentlemen prisoners to be so swindled; that in a few minutes his tour of guard service would be over, when it would give him pleasure to wait upon us; and that he would see we had the full benefit of our purchase. This fellow also told us he had been in the United States, and knew the difference between a gentleman and a pillo.8 During this speech, the fellow looked so very like an honest man that I handed [235] him two bits as a premium for his honesty, he being the first honest soldier I had seen during my long march in Mexico. All my companions rejoiced in the opportunity of having an "honest man"to buy their food, gave him their extra bits, and this was the last we ever saw of the money or the fellow.

March 25th. We had five leagues this day to march before reaching the Castle of Perote. Upon our arrival at the village of Perote, in looking north about one mile we could see the massive walls of the castle, with its numerous portholes and dark-mouthed artillery. The great extent of ground covered by the castle wall and the earthen embankment around the outer "chevaux de frize" gave this fortification a low appearance, and, at first sight, we were not struck with the magnitude of its strength. Upon nearer approach, in making our way through its winding entrance, and across the drawbridge over the great moat, thence through an archway into the great plaza, fronting the governor's quarters, amid the bugle's blast and the roll of drums, the din of arms and the clank of chains opened our eyes to the reality of imprisonment, and showed us what abler pens than mine have described as the most approved fortification of the eighteenth century. Here we met, in rags and chains, fifty of our countrymen, who had been kidnapped from their homes in Texas, the September previous, by General Woll.9 There is a mutual sympathy in misery: we met as brothers, and I hope and believe we shall live and die as such.