Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-09-26
GgrilIing Narratibe,
JOAQUIN,
THE BANDIT OF CALIFORNIA.
BY FREDERIC sTANHopE.


1t was q hot summer day at B
Bar, in Alta California f; all nature. ami
mate and inanimate, seemed affected by
the fearful degree of calorc the Their
momeler indicated 1862 deg in the Shade.
Labor was suspended. none could work,
and live not breath of air rui1led the
surface of Feather River, that rolled
along. looking like molten silver. Attic
foot OF the bluff, on which stood the vii
lage, the dogs had congregated in the
shade, working off the heat of forty
horse power, and inducing unpleasant
Thoughts of hydrophobia. it was a day
where the mere exertion of living was
rather toe much for one net perfectly an
geiic in disposition.
| had placed a bench under the shade
OF a large elm tree, and wetting it with a
bucket of water that almost Kissed as it
fell on the board, had stretched myself
ont for nap. | have theory, in regard
to unpleasant weather, be it hot, or cold,
wet, or dry, viz: to forbear fretting and
comfortably lie down to enjoy a siesta,
wrapping my senses in sweet oblivion. |
was just on the borders Of dream-land,
trying to fancy how | should feel in a re-
frigerator, with small, and continuous
stream of shcrry-cobbler running down
my throat, VERY tantalizing, to be sure,
III place where ice was an unhcard of
luXury.] when an unwonted confusion
aroused me-something had startled our
quiet village from It's strict propriety.-
Thinking, perhaps, a monster nugget"
was found, or a monte bank broken" [
breathed a stbdued blessing, and turned
over to my nap The sound Of the gong,
used to assemble the miners on important
occasions. assured me it must be worthy
Investigation, so / picked my way through
the crowd in front of the hotel, and got
all the news. Joaquin. the Guerrilla, the
dreaded robber chief, had been among us,
and left his mark in our vicinity
During the morning, man known to
most of the inhabitants, by occupation a
packer, or proprietor of train Of pack
mules, had been in the village. We
learned that he was on his way to Marys-
vile, to purchase goods for the upper
mines that his train was encamped ON
the opposite side of the river, some two
miles back, aud that he should pass thro'
B the next day. With him l OBJ
served Mexican having the appearance
of a Vaquero of the better class but
something about hiRa attracted my atten
ton, and | asked Brooks (the packer
where he had picked him up. He said at
the Rich Bar that his name was Lopez !;
but nothing more did Ire know of him,
except that he had made himself invalua-
BILE to use his own words, ''he packed a
critter like a dog goncd angel" | saw
the fellow cycling me, and addressing
him In Spanish made some casual remarks
as to the weather much to my surprise
he answered, not in the Mexican patois,
bat in pure Castilian and with language
much above his seeming position At
first | was suspicious; but thinking it
absurd, and that he was probably the re-
suit of some left-handed marriage be-
tween people of better class, | turned
my thoughts to other subjects.
Brooks, having some business in the
village, remained taking dinner at the
hotel, while his companion, making some
excuse, returned, as he said, to the camp.
and crossing the bridge, was seen skirtine
the river banks, till he disappeared be-
hind a mound.
After despatching his Business Brooks
rode leisurely out oil town. A short dis
lance from B he encountered Lo-
PEI, who had dismounted, and was APP
parently awaiting him they joined com
pany and rode on together. Their con-
versation turned on shooting.
Il will wager you my knife ia very fine
one,) to your pistol" said Lopez, +" that
you DO not hit yonder knot three times
with the six charges in your revolver"
The object was distinct and within fair
range.
"Done," replied Brooks but 1 shall
certainly win"
"Then the knife is yours"
They refined in, and the trial began
The first shot Brooks missed, the next
two he pumped his balls in the centre of
the mark.
81 knew you had no chance" he ex-
claimed, exultingly &" but | will be gen
erous; have three more charges, and |
will hit twice more, OF lose"
Better than his word, he struck the
mark each time, and as be replaced the
pistol in his holster, was about to make
some taunting remark but the farce was
turned to tragedy. Lopez had dismount-
ed, leisurely, his own pistol drawn and
cooked, and with his finger On the trigger,
/ was approaching.
Now, senior, shall trouble you to
accompany me into this thicket.n
For what purpose? r. asked the aston
ished man.
| "Yoa have around your waist two