Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-11-26

to the Capital OF Mexico and thence through the lnte
ror of the country to the northward met with several
thrilling adventures which have recorded for the bene
fit of whomsoever may take interest therein, emitting
only the dates they being nonessenal to the interest of
the variations themselves.
The first of the series occurred the route between
Vera Cruz and the city of Mexico In the regular dill
genca running between the places just mentioned had
taken passage and had passed through the beautiful city
of Jaapa and entered the gloomy town of Peroe with
out meeting with any unusual incident though being
continually warned to be my guard against the dan
gers of the road. At Perote where halted for
lay and refreshments all my fellow took leave
of me- very solemny assuring that if assaied by the
Ladrones robbers it would be much better for to
take the matter quietly and suffer myself to be genteey
pundered than to the risk of having my throat cut
for resistance had somewhat boldly proclaimed it
was my intention of doing thanked them for their
advice and replied that l would take the matter into
serious consideration.
At Perote repeat, all who had been my companions
from Vera Cruz took leave of me- this being the end Of
their journey in this direction, but there
passenger here to 60 forward whom to my agreeable
surprise found to be beautiful young lady, some
| twenty years of age.
Senorita Paula, l subsequently ascertaned her
to be- indeed of those beauties seldom
met with except in works of fction-al, graceful with
prousion of long, black har-soft clear melting eyes
features perfect came from the hands of
sculptor, and with animation the most fascinating,
varying expression with every changing mood of the
intellectual possessor glance at her bewitching dark
eyes showed me that she who naturally of
a social disposition and ratified away from the
gloomy town, took the liberty of opening converse
ton
They tell me, said |, that the route between here
and Mexico is Il very dangerous one to travel
There is little to fear,' she replied with sweet
smile, and in nplodious tone except from the proes
sona robbers and they seldom harm any one who make
no resistance
"It seems strange to me" rejoined that you Mex
leans should take such things matter Of course, and
deem resistance very impolite way of treating the
knight of the road, instead of boldly asserting your
rights and abating the evil by manly spirit Of resis
tance For myself [ must consider it the most coward
y of proceedings for any respectable party to set out
prepared to quietly crafty the cupidty of the tadrone
and unprepared to treat them to their just deserts.
Every traveller, Senor' she replied, Should before
setting out, count the cost of his Journey and as of
course it is natural he should value his life highly it
seems to me natural that he should pay certain
for positive safety rather than put that life in jeopardy.
For instance in travelling from Vera Cruz to Mexico if
he will first reckon that much is the fare by the dill
genca and that much will be required for entertain
ment the way, and much for the contingency you
speak Of he will then have the exact cost between the
two points and if he will look at the whole the
total of his Journey he will not to be robbed by
any one party more than another.
"That,' | replied, " may bel believe is--the MeXi-
can mode Of doing business but does not tally with the
preconcevcd ideas of us foreigners"
But every one,' replied the fair speaker, should
conform to the customs of the country he visits
'And do you then go prepared for this highway rob-
berry and have you fear in thus ourneying by your
sell
"Well, Senor, what can do? | am, as you perceive
an unprotected lady who for certain reasons,
qured to make the journey between Pcroe and the Cap
ta some twice thrice year. and you certainly could
not expect to go prepared to resist armed band
AS to fear, will not deny have my share of that !;
but so far, have never met with any rough treatment
and of course trust to the saints that my fortune will
ever be as propitiOus"
And have you really been robbed on your Journey
back and forth p | inquired.
i" think have paid my share to the ladrones for my
transit through their country she laughed.
And you expect to continue repetition of the
same for the rest of your life?'
"Who knows ?" she replied. At least 1 hope to be
always prepared"
"And your fellow travellers " said l, "have you nev-
er seen any disposed to resist unlawful acts?'
Once Senor, American and an Englishman, who
were in the same diligence with me, fired upon the rob-
bers, killing and wounding two.''
{" And did the robbers fire back?'
"Yes, but fled Immediately, and fortunately injured
none of our party
"As should have expected" returned I. You were
not robbed on that OCCASION suppose?"
"We were not, Senor but the two foreigners subse-
quenty paid dearly for their resistance for in journey
ing back and FORTH both were killed separate and at
different times the spot You see these cross
: es by the side Of the road, Senor?"
q" have observed them frequently, but here they seem
to be much numerous, replied, looking forth
from the vehicle.
Each stands on the spot where one has met a
violent DEATH" she rejoined and as 60 along will
call your attention to those which mark the places where
the foreigners met theirs"
"Do you know, said |, that am resolved to emu
late their example, let the consequences be what they
may !"
j Holy saints defend us!' she exclaimed you are
: not in earnest, Senor?''
: Seriously sO [ assure you.'
5 You would only bring certain death upon US both
Say rather, l should Tighten the expenses of the
ourney-for your knights of the road understand
treat well as advance-and you yourself have ac-
knowedged that firm resistance put them to flight for
once
Z and you only one"
! But fortunately have couple of revolvers which
in two good hands, amount to ten or dozen shots
and my friends have repeatedly told me am not bad
IS marksman"
+ "Ah! Santa Maria you will think better of this
j., Senor-the very idea OF resistance terrifes me =!
o But not the idea of robbery?'
II Because l have never met with violence"
We continued to in similar strain for some
time longer my fair companion gradually changing the
subject and seeming much interested in myself learn
ed that her family Valcride that she was un
married. that her father and brother were officers in the
army, and forth, and on and in return gave her
my name, stated something of my history, business
and prospects, and altogether became more communca
e. tive than | would advise any friend to be with any
s stranger Of either sex in strange country.
AS continued our journey, the conversation grad
uay changing from thing to another Senoria Paula
suddenly broug back the point where it first opened
1--WE are coming upon dangerous part of the
road she said are you still resolved to defend your
self if assailed p
with your permission, Senora."
I" don't think it advisable she replied ' but STILL i
10 I