Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/264

258 back to Vera Cruz for more re-enforcements so as to carry him to the Castle of Perote. All these reports come from the Mexicans. We place very little confidence in all these rumors and in particular this one; for there is not force enough between this and Vera Cruz to drive two thousand American troops to the gulf. Besides this, Capt. Walker, with his Texan Rangers, are constantly on the road from Perote to Plan del Rio to keep the National Road open. Again we have no news of Gen. Robert Patterson being on the way to Perote.

This evening, while my friend William Eurick, familiarly called "Bob" by his comrades, was on guard at the quartermaster's department, he noticed three agraziento (greasers) coming up the street. Bob challenged them to halt, telling them to leave, which they did, but soon afterwards came back again. Bob again challenged them, and told them to vamos, or he would tirar (shoot). They left, but cursoving que juramento (cursing and swearing), and they attempted to come the third time; but this time Bob asked no question, but aimed and fired (disparar), hitting one of them in the knee, and the others correr huires (ran away). Robert Eurick was no more troubled.

Sunday, August 22, 1847.—This morning the stubborn and unfortunate Mexican who tried to tamper with our guard last evening, and who was shot in the knee by him, was brought to our quarters at San Jose, and had his wound dressed by Dr. Bunting, for which he thanked him, and was taken home, promising that he would never fool or tempt our guard again, also said (which I think was true) that he was borracho (drunk). He lives directly in the rear of our quarters. He said, also, that he was promised a commission in their army provided he killed so many Americanos.

At noon I was again put on guard. I begin to think my time to go on guard comes too often. I think that I am imposed upon by men who are as brave at the table and in as good health as I am, but when duty calls them, they all at once become suddenly ill with the diarrhœa and can't go on guard for fear of ——themselves. I shall keep an account