The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-12-23

Of the road understand retreat as we'll a;
advance-and you yourself have acknowl'
edged that frm resistance put them te
fight for once
but there were numbers opposed te
them, .Senor and you are only one
But fortunately have couple Of re-
volvers, which, in two good hands, a.
mount to some ten or dozen shots, and
my friends have repeatedly told me am
not bad marksman.'
sAh! Santa Maria! you will think bet
ter of this, Senor--the very idea OF re-
sistsnce terri6es mel
But not the idea Of robbery!
Because | have never met with vio-
! lence.'
We continued to converse in similar
strain for some time longer-my fair com
panion gradually changing the subject
and seeming much interested in myself
I learned that her family name was Va
lerde, that she was unmarried, and that
her father and brother we're officers in the
army, and so forth, and so on: and in re-
turn I gave her my own name, stated
something of my history, business and
prospects and altogether became more
communicative than would advise any
friend to be with any stranger of either
sex in strange country.
As we continued our journey, the con-
versation gradually changing from one
thing to another, Senorita Paula sudden
ly brought it back to the point where it
first opened.
we are coming upon dangerous part
of the road she said; ARE you still re-
solved to defend yourself if assailed =
with your permission, Senorita =
Il don't think it advisable, she replied
'but still if such is your intention, | think
it no more than right that you should
give me chance to take a part in my
defence, since my risk of danger will be
as great as yours J
And have you really the nerves, after
all to defend yourselfl' [ inquired.
! If [ had the means, Senor.'
L have two pistols, said I; if you will
accept of one of them, it is at your SER
vice 7
You are very kind Senor-but can
fire it
with ease, Scnorita; and producing
one my revolvers, I explained to her the
manner in which it was to be used.
and this, you say, will shoot some
half dozen timesl'
i think it safe to calculate that iye
charges out of six will explode, Senorita.
"A very formidable weapon, indeed 7
she replied; 'and with such l can almos:
fancy We are SAFE You have another,
you say like this 2
produced it.
What beautiful invention = she OBJ
served reaching over and taking it from
my hand. Then extending her hands,
one of the revolvers in each, she contin.
ued, Armed like this, one might almost
count himself safe against host You
say this is fred in this m amer ? she pro-
seeded cooking one of the weapons as she
spoke, and pointing it towards the road.
Have a care, Senorits; or you will dis
charge itn
The words were scarcely uttered, when
her finger pressed the trigger. and one of
the barrels was exploded with a sharp
report. A minute after aud while | was
gently chiding her, We heard loud quick
tramp Of horses. and several sharp, rapid
EXPLANATIONS. The next moment our con-
veyance was stopped suddenly, and we
saw ourselves surrounded by some eight
or ten mounted men, of whom in a loud
voice exclaimed:
yield you prisoners or die ?
Quick, Senorita ! said [, extending
my hand; quick ! in Heavens name give
me one OF those weapons for now is our
time for decisive actionl'
Nay she replied, putting the weapons,
behind her, you will be too hastyl Let
them suppose We yield-let them open
the door
'Oh, no it will then be too late =
AS | spoke, the door was suddenly
thrown open, and three or four swarty,
heavily-beardod men presented them.
selves to my view.
Quick, Senorita, for the love of God I
| cried, grasping at her arm.
Hold she exclaimed, instantly press
ing one of my own revolvers to my head.
Resistance is useless-you are our pris-
onerP
Good Godp exclaimed I perfectly as.
founded; Our prisoner did you say! 1t
is not possible that one so fair and lovely
as yourself, is in any manner contested
with these banditti: =
1t is even SO, SeDor,' she replied with
one of the most bewitching smiles, still
keeping one of my weapons turned a.
gainst myself, and significantly pointing
the other to the door. You will oblige
us by stepping forth and giving yourself
into the care of these good gentlemen,
who will see that you are treated as a
brave man should be, but who will trou-
bic you meantime for any little change
and valuables you might have to spare 7
There seemed no help for 1.-THE beau
tiful Sonorita Paula Vaierde was a spy
and accomplice of the ladrones. She had