Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1858-06-26

with me across the mountains, an
t he had come ON to Pistoja where hi
2 confederate was to await my arrival, IL
tending to rob ine there if possible Blu
t when they found that l was to 60 alon
t in the diligence, they had better plan
They would rob me on the mountain
The two drivers were friends of theirs
and were to be paid literally for allow
ing themselves to be overcome. Th,
Williams talked about cutting my throat
, shooting me through the head, or plung
ing knife to my heart, and then throw
ing lne over the precipice, as cody as
though they had been planning the deatl
OF o, u fowl for dinner! The place whert
they We're to murder me was about a
mile distant, where the road would
round high crag, with an almost per.
pend'cular wall of rock upon one hand
anu deep chasm on the other.
lhls was an interesting position
sure enough. was weak-weak at best
but doubly weak now with an illness
and the only weapon had was a single
pistol. Either of the brigands could
have thrown me over his head with case,
and as for lighting with them, that was
out OF the question. What could | do
Both OF the drivers were in league with
them. If leaped from the diligence,
should die on the spot where I landed.
1t / shot one of the bandits, the other
would annihilate me in moment.
had the gold in small travelling bag
under my feet, and as the heavy CARR
age jolted over the stones, the yellow
pieces jingled sharply, and l could see
the eyes Of the Williams sparkle like
stars.
"At length the high craggy peak was
in sight, and could see where the road
wound abruptly around it. Thus far |
had been tortusing my brains to invent
some way OF escape, but without effect.
| was as thoroughly hedged in as though
bound by iron chains. Aud in few
minutes more all would be over! Still
l felt for my pistol, and had it ready.
Presently the diligence stopped at
the foot Of an abrupt rise, and the fellow
who drove the oxen came and told the
bandits they must get out and walk up.
They stepped out at once, and in mo-
ment more I heard slight seuffle. /
looked out just in time to see both the
drivers laslled together by the arms,
back to back. They must have been
placed togesher ready for the operation,
for the thing had been done with incrcd- |
ible quickness. drew my pistol and /
awaited the result. My heart was in
my mouth, but the intense excitment /
rendered me strong for the while.
"In few seconds one of the Williams
came and poked the muzzle of huge
pistol into my face.
"Gold! Goldn he said. "Give me
gold or die"
It was but the work of a second to
knock his weapon down with my left
hand, while with my right brought up
ny own pistol and fred. The ball en-
ered between his eyes, and he reeled
pack and fell. Then | leaped after him, .
or Isaw his companion coming up upon ,
he other side. Hoped to gain the dead
mans pistol but ere I could do so, the
leavy hand cfthc living bandit was upon !.
ny shoulder. and his pistol aimed at my
'ead. With the energy which the pre-
ence of death can alone beget, knock !
d his weapon down and grappled with
i'm He hurled me to. the ground as |,
hongh / had been child; but before he 4
ould follow up his advantage, the pos &
lion cried out "a
Hold Marco! A vettura is coming!"
The robber turned, and in moment 0
lore a heavy vettura with four horses a
ttached, came round the corner full
pom u.s. started to my feet, and saw
y brother looking from the open win
ow.
Help! Roblcrs!" | shouted, with all ltl
y might. s |tt
/" The bandit had taken aim at the ltl
of the new team, but he was p
% late Ny brother had comprehended Ip
le whole truth in moment, and with P
sure aim, and quick one, too, be shot
le william through the heart. p
We secured my two drivers, and 10,
len matters were quickly explained.
told my brother all that had happened, tt
nd he then told me that he had heard Lei
my ILLNESS, and was coming back to
,e me- One Of my sisters had been i'll Ise
Bologna, 50 that they had not yet r.
one to Venice, but were waiting until til
should be able to join them. You can I'm
aagine how deep our gratitude was. 81
i'd how fervently we blessed God for th
lis fortunate interposition. Ny joy
,emed to lift lne up from the pain had al
Uttered and / felt better than | had be- pc
re felt for weeks. sc
'sAud now what should we do next
1ould we let the two rascally drivers q
D, and turn about for Bologna?
No said my brother. Our sisters IL
ont expect rs for three days, 80 we'll lbe
I.