Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-01-09
Mexican EH5gV.waypue7,.

Mexican AEighwaymen.
Robbers in Mexico are what ped
lars used TO be in England; they keep
up the life in the villages, plumber
wherever they can, cheat where they
cannot plumber, ride stout horses, and
lead on the whole, a varied, and some
times very gay life. One of the a.
merican travellers saw at one Of the
villages where the stage changed hor-
ses, dashing and picturesque figure,
gauIi'y dressed, who rode by on a
handsome horse richly capsrisoned.-
On iquiring tthe coachman knew him,
the answer was that he knew him per-
lectly well, and that he was the captain
Of band Of robbers who had plumber
ed the stage several times since the
whip and reins had been in his hands.
On the American urging the question
Why he had not brought the robber to
punishment, the answer was, "that he
would be sure to be shot by some of
the band the next time he passed the
road" the honor Of Mexican thieves
being peculiarly nice upon this point.
1t appeared that the dashing horseman
had gone through the village on-a re-
c0anoissGAce but probably not liking
the obvious preparations of the travel
lers, had postponed the capture.
The mode Of managing things in
this Jomno!cht country is remarkable
for its tranquility. The American
who narrates The circumstance had ta-
ken with him from Vera Cruz four
dragons; but on accidentally inquirng
on the road into the state of their
arms, he found that brt OF carbinc
had lock in fighting order, and even
that one was not loaded, Oh which he
dismissed the guard and trusted to his
companions, who were all well armed
The Mexican travellers, taking the
matter in another way never carry
arms, but prepare a small purse "tr be
robbed Of" Of which they are robUcd
accordingly. A few miles from Pero G
the road winds round a high bill, and
the passengers generally get out aud
walk. The Americans on this occa-
sion had left their arms in the carriage,
but their more prudent chief ordered
them to carry them in their hands; and
IN the eoursa of the ascent they poun-
ced upon group of rlllians whom the
driver pronounced to be robbers; and
who but for their arms, would probably
have attacked them. In less than
month after this, five or six Amer-
cans having left their arms in the
stage at this spot, were attacked and
stripped of every cent belonging to
them.
1t must be owned that this country
has fine advantages for the gentlemen
on the road. The highway between
Vera Cruz and Mexico is the great
conduit Of life in this country. Near
! ly all the commerce goes by that way
and ninety out Of hundred travellers
pass by the same route. The chief
4 portion Of the road is through an abso-
lutte desert. II frequently winds up
is bordered by forests of evergreens,
forming a capital shelter for the land
pirate, the whole being a combination
Of FIounslowheaih and Shooters Hill on
grand scale. and making highway
robbery not merely a snowy but a safe
speculation, the gaming table being
/ the chief recruiting Office of the whole
battalion Of Mercury.
The statistics of gaming might Dor
row a chapter from Mexico. The
! passion for play is public, universal,
and unbounded. 1t is probably even
superior to the passion for pulque.-
Every one plays, and plays for all he
is worth in the world. and often for
more. But he has his rcsourcc-the
road. A man who has losi his last
dollar but who is determined 10 play
on ill he dies, lays himselfunder strong
temptations Of coveting his neighbor's
goods. The hour when the stages
pass is known TO every one; the points
Of the road where they must 90 slowly
up the hill, are familiar TO all highway
recollections. Associates are expedi-
tiously found among the lotterie,, no
alter their own ruin, sit round the
room watching the luck Of others
The baud is formed in a moment; they
take the road without delay, post them