officer of distinction, was slain, and was buried at Havana, with great pomp, the same day that witnessed the bloody death of Colonel Crittenden and his command. Other engagements ensued, in which the invaders both inflicted and sustained great losses. On the morning of the 24th, while breakfasting at the small village of Martitornea, they were assailed by an overwhelming force, and completely scattered.

Dividing into small parties, his companions penetrated the most hidden recesses, and clambered over the ruggedest hills. But surrounded by the soldiery, pursued by the ungrateful natives, scented out by savage bloodhounds, half-famished for want of food, with a price set upon their heads, they first became desperate, then disheartened, and finally sought relief from this wretchedness in surrender.

While the success of the invasion seemed doubtful, the native population remained neutral, but the moment it became apparent what the issue would be, they joined heart and hand in the pursuit, to evince their loyalty to the Spanish crown. All classes of the people are complimented, in the official report, for their fidelity to the government, and the peasants and negroes in particular, for the good service they rendered with their dogs in the capture. On the 28th, Lopez with only six followers, was seeking concealment, in hopes of making his escape by sea, but on the following day, his lurkingplace was discovered by a guide named José Antonio Castañeda, accompanied by sixteen peasants, who succeeded in arresting him. He was immediately handed over to a party commanded by Col. Ramon de Sago, who sent him by a night march to Havana. The Captain-General ordered his immediate execution, which took place early on the morning of the first of September.

The manner of his death was as follows: On a scaffold about two feet high, in the midst of a large square surrounded by soldiers, was placed an iron chair. Seated in this chair was General Narcisso Lopez; even with his head was the instrument of death; iron clasps bind the sides of his head, an iron collar confines his neck. Those are connected with an iron bar behind, a single turn of which draws them tight, and at the same time forces a sharpened iron rod into the spinal marrow of the sufferer behind his neck. In an instant he was dead. The name of this instrument is garrote vil, and is in common use among the Spaniards.

An intelligent eye-witness gives the following account of the execution. "General Lopez behaved like a brave man throughout, and walked, surrounded by a guard, to the steps of the scaffold, as coolly as if he were at the head of his troops. He was dressed in a long white gown and a white cap; his wrists were tied in front, and above his elbows behind, with the cords held by the soldiers. He ascended the steps with two civilians, friends, but without a priest. He faced around and looked upon the soldiers, and the immense throng of people outside of the square, and then turned around and knelt in prayer for about one minute. He then rose and turned toward the front, and in a clear manly voice, and in tones loud enough to be heard by the thousands present (for it was still as night), spoke as follows: "Countrymen, I most solemnly in this last, awful moment of my life, ask your pardon

for any injury I may have caused you. It was not my wish to injure any one, my object was your freedom and happiness.' Here he was interrupted by the commanding officer in front. He concluded by saying, 'My intention was good, and my hope is in God.' He then turned round and took his seat, apparently with as much coolness as if he were taking a chair in a room with friends. He placed his head back, between the iron grasps, the negro hangman then adjusted the iron throat clasp, and tied his feet to bolts on each side of the seat. During this preparation, Lopez was in conversation with his friends. The executioner then took his place at the iron bar behind. Lopez kissed the cross handed to him by his friend; the negro then gave one turn of the wrench, and Lopez died instantly, without the least struggle. The military at once returned to the city, the band playing a quick step; the thousands dispersed with little or no noise, and thus ended the second invasion of Cuba."

Rumors of a third invasion of Cuba became common in the summer of 1852. Extensive associations were said to be formed, under the title of "the Order of the Lone Star," in different parts of the Union. The names of distinguished statesmen, merchants, and even divines, were confidentially given as favorable to the design. Frequent arrests were also made about the same time in Cuba, of persons supposed to be disaffected to the Spanish rule, and desirous of annexation to the United States. Many things occurred which seemed to presage a speedy change in the affairs of the island, but these rumors soon died away, and the only result produced by the excitement was the publicity given to the fact, that the administration of President Polk had authorized an offer of one hundred millions of dollars to Spain, for the peaceable transfer of the island to this country. This offer was decisively rejected, and Cuba now remains in her old condition, which may continue for many years. Spain is still her master. How long she may continue so is uncertain, but this is not uncertain-whenever Spain shall cease to rule this ancient colony, it must fall under the authority of the American Union, even if this end can only be secured at the expense of much treasure and blood.

ARRIVAL at Independence-Curious Legend-The Rendezvons-The Blue Prairie-The Caravan-Camp Life-Savage Voracity-Dissensions-False Alarm-Mortality of Emigrants -The Emigrant's Post-office-Chimney Rock-Amusing Panic-Scott's Bluff-Fort Laramie-Sioux War Procession-Colt's Revolver-Independence Rock-The Adventurous Horseman-South Pass of the Rocky Mountains-Sublime Scenery-The Mirage-Fort Bridger-Elephant Statue-The Diggers-Great Salt Lake-March across the Great Salt Desert of Utah-Aerial Phantoms-Gloomy Prospects-Magnificent Valleys-Sink of St. Mary's-Truckee Lake-The Sierra Nevada-Glorious Mountain Scenery-Arrival in California.

THE vast interior of North America is full of objects calculated to attract the attention of the scientific, and to excite the curiosity of even the most unlearned. In no part of its area are to be found so many surprising and novel features as upon the broad plains, lofty mountains, and deep valleys over which the hardy emigrant passes, on his route to the far distant region on the shores of the Pacific. Here nature is seen in its primitive grandeur and simplicity, while the wild Indian, fit inhabitant of these solitudes, exhibits man in his original state, divested of all the graces and attributes of civilization. The following narrative, apart from these considerations, is instructive from its faithfulness of detail of the every-day life of the emigrant.

Early in April 1846, Edwin Bryant, Esq.,* subsequently alcalde of Monteray, left Louisville, Kentucky, on his overland tour to California. A few days' journey brought him to Independence, on the frontiers of Missouri, the great starting point and place of outfit, for emigrants to the Pacific side of our continent. The place was filled with a motely collection of people, adventurers for California and Oregon, Santa Fé traders and Rocky mountain hunters and trappers, Mexicans in sombreros, and wild Indians from the plains, bedecked in all the gewgaws of savage pageantry.

Mr. Bryant here found various and opposing rumors afloat, both in relation to the dangers and hardships of the journey, and the condition of the country. English emissaries were reported to have gone forward, for the purpose of fomenting the hostilities of the Indians against the emigrants. The Mormons were likewise said to be abroad on the prairies, heavily armed and with brass field-pieces, for the purpose of robbing emigrant parties, to whom they were supposed to be very hostile, and the Kansas Indians, it was affirmed, were on the trail for the same purpose. These dismal forebodings were however relieved not only by contradictions, but with glowing descriptions of the fertility of the countries through which they were to pass, and the almost Elysian beauty, productiveness and salubrity of the region bordering on the Pacific; the land of Promise, to which all eyes were turned, and in which all hopes and expectations were centered.

Many of their tales illustrate the lawlessness of thought, and the romantic credulousness which pervade society, on the outermost verge of civilization. An example of the prevailing legends we give in illustration. It related to the salubrity of the climate of California, and the consequent longevity of its inhabitants.

An old resident of that region, who had attained the age of two hundred and fifty years, although possessed of perfect health and unimpaired intellect, became weary of life's pilgrimage, and long hoped and prayed for the period that would shuffle off this mortal coil, and transfer him to the Celestial Paradise. But so tenaciously did life, health, and vigor cling to him, that suicide haunted his mind, as the sole means of accomplishing his desires, and he was only dissuaded from it by the admonition of his confessor, that his future would be eternal death. A lucky thought of his heir suggested the remedy. A journey to some neighboring country, whose climate was less salubrious, would unstop the obstructed course of nature, and allow the patriarch to be gathered to his fathers. Accordingly his will was made, and all things being ready, the old, man left his country far behind him, and realized his anticipations by dying on a foreign soil. As provided in his will, however, his remains were brought back for interment, but no sooner did his body reach the life-giving soil of California, than the tide of life commenced anew its flow, and as if invigorated by a season of quietude and rest, the clayey tabernacle rose up with the renewed vigor of early manhood. A thou

This article is abridged from Bryant's "What I saw in California; being the Journal of a Tour by the Emigrant Route and South Pass of the Rocky mountains, across the Continent of North America; the Great Desert Basin, and through California.”

sand similar legends filled the popular ear, and although not believed, strongly impressed the minds of the emigrants, already predisposed to expect strange things, and aided in urging the adventurers forward.

On the 5th of May, Mr. Bryant, with some companions, left Independence for Indian creek, the place appointed for the rendezvous, and organization of the caravan, before starting across the plains. Three yoke of oxen, with a prairie wagon, carried their baggage, under the guidance of a man who had been with the traders and trappers of the Rocky mountains, and who was also to act as cook. Their wagon was twice stalled within the first two miles, and only extricated by the timely arrival and assistance of other travelers. Their first night was spent amid a deluging thunder-storm; it was repeated on each of the two successive days, giving them a foretaste of the discomforts they were about to encounter.

In a day or two they reached the Blue Prairie. This beautiful object cannot be imagined by those who have never beheld one of these boundless prairies of the West. It was a vast extent of land, far as the eye could reach, diversified only by gentle slopes, and undulations, in the richest verdure, rolling away in the distance, like the waves of the sea, and thickly strown with flowers of the most beautiful hues and varieties.

On the 8th, they reached Indian Creek, where many parties had preceded them, and others were continually arriving. It was found that the company was so large as to be unwieldy, and a division took place. Officers were

then chosen, laws to govern the expedition drawn up, and on the 12th, the party took its departure. Their horses, oxen, and loose cattle for food, amounted to about a thousand. The number of men was 119, women, fiftynine, children, 110. They had sixty-three wagons, with a large quantity of bread-stuffs, bacon, powder, and lead, and an ample supply of firearms.

From this point to the ferry, at the Kanzas river, they fell in with various other parties, some for the same destination, others for Sante Fé, and Oregon. They were visited also, at various points, by Indians, from the Potawattomie and Kanzas tribes, in general, miserable, half-starved specimens of the race, who had learned only sufficient English to ask for whisky, which word, in many instances, constituted their whole vocabulary.

One of their number, detained at St. Louis, arrived on the 16th, and brought the first intelligence of hostilities with Mexico, but notwithstanding the war-cloud that seemed impending, none were sufficiently impressed with the increasing danger to be induced to turn back.

The day succeeding, they experienced their first trial of suffering, for want of water, and were obliged to extend their march to twenty-four miles, ere they could reach a creek to encamp. Before arriving one ox died from thirst, and when they came in sight, the whole drove of animals, including the teams, rushing madly into the creek, threatened destruction to the wagons, and their contents. Here, another separation took place, part withdrawing, and forming a distinct party. The next day they reached the Kanzas river, and their wagons, thirty-five in number, were safely ferried over, at the cost of a dollar each. Three miles beyond, they encamped, and remained until the 20th. Here, quite an interesting event took place, Mrs. Hall, wife of one