Washington telegraph., 1850-07-24
ILE1TANTI ON THE HIGHWAY.


Anna Bishop through Mexico, that lady
met with many interesting incidents of
| adventure, some of which were of char
acter to test the nerves as we'll as the iu-
genuity of the fair cantatrlce. OF such is
the following;
In the interior Of Mexico, no. far from
Leon, is section of country infested with
banditt, in " hich it is even at this day
considered unsafe TO travel without for,
midabIe escort The route of Madam
| Anna lay through this district. and before
setting out OH her Journey she was in
| formed of the dangers of the road by
| friends VINO assured her that the Jewels
| and money she was known to have with
her would be an attractive price for the
| I0CtrOues who were no respectors of per-
sons or sex. The Governor of the Dis
trict interested himself SO far as to offer
her an escort Of cavalry to guard her
equipage through the infested district
But the Madame who is something of a
heroine withal thanked his eXcelency
| for his kindness, assuring him that she
would feel perfectly safe with her own
| private escort, which consisted of ten
cuUaIierOS, well mounted and armed, be-
sides her maestro Rochsa, and his secre-
tary; naiuely adding, that she was pre-
pared to aid in case of emergency, with
the elegant little revolver which she car
ried in her pocket Remonstranoe being
in vain, their friends TOOK leave of them
with many prayers for their safety, and
the little party sat out upon their jour
ney.
ho loA RI
ken country, now winding up the sides of
craggy hills. and now descending into
deep ravines; at times emerging into the
open country, atfordiuy bea utiful aud pic
turesque views of the wild scenery and
again plunging into the dark forests, or
winding through the narrow gorges of
the hills,
The three first hours of travel had
passed without incident or interruption,
und the sprightIy songs1ress and the jovial
Bochsa had recovered their wonted spirits,
having come to the conclusion that the
fears Of their friends were gfoundless.--
Relaxing the wary scrutiny with which
they had watched the angles of the road
or peered into the ravnes Ior robbers,
they began 10 Indulge freely in conversa-
ton aud amnse themselves with the IN
cideuts and anecdotes of their Journey,
pausiug IN their nirth occasionally 10 note
the rude CROSSES that rose 10y the road side
to pOIut out the scene OF some iOrlner
robbery or murder These We're suHi-
gently frequent III their appearance TO
al nuuI~h our travellers OF the posSib bilitV
OF an attack; nevertheless, they were
taken wholly 10y surprise when one of
their men, who usually served as an
aU0nt garde came galloping back to the
carriage with the startling Intelligence
that a party of six armed horsemeu with
masked faces were advancing 10 meet
them, and that no doubt they were rob
5ers
Instantly the cavaioade was brought
to a har-the escort formed in close order
swords were drawn, pistols examined,
lances unstrapped, and each man prepar-
ed TO make a desperate defence.
Soon the tramp Of horses feet was
heard clattering upon the tinty road, and
in the next moment the horsemen appear
ed III a curve Of the road, only few yards
from our travellers. On observing the
preparation that had been made to receive
and stood for few moments in rapid con-
Sultatiou.
Presently, one who seemed to be the
principal man Of the band, waving his
hand a sign of parley, advanced to the
side of the carriage. As he leaned for
ward he met the bright sparkling eyes of
Madame Anna, her face beaming the
while with animation and excitement,
while her trembling little hand grasped
the Jeweiled weapon in her pocket,
The cavalier with graceful obeisance
that would have done honor to the Cas-
lillian Of better days. asked if she was not
La grande cantatrioe Anna Bishop.
",Si, Senor," replied the lady, in her
musical tones.
"Muy blen" replied the stranger, ad-
ding that as himself and friends had not
been so fortunate as to have the privilege
OF hearing her at Leon, they had come
all the way for the purpose of having that
honor. "WilI you not Madame do us
the favor TO sing tor US fL0 PaS1dlta."
"Here!'' inquired the astonished Anna.
"Here, replied the speaker, 'sif the
Madame will excuse us and grant our re-
quest
"0ut,' said the songstress. confused by
the strange request of the unknown, 81
have no accompaniment"
"EI gOrdO cabalIero, next to yop," re-
pied the masked uzIettant1, evil not
refuse por ciertO to accompany you on
his celebre Arpa."
While speaking the stranger was
playing gracefully with the two handsome
pistols in his girdIe, circumstance that
did not escape the attention of the dis
tiuguisheG individual to whom he allud-