The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-11-11
: The Beautiful Decoy.
FROM THE UNPUBLISHED CHRONICLE OF
.n. TRAVELLER. .1 auiisGa 7

every section of that miserably governed
country and that through want of inter-
ference of the authorities, this has grown up
into such formidable shape, that every
traveller must be prepared to put his life at
hazard 10 every stage, or be provided with a
suitable contribution for los cdbdileros del ca
mino, (the knights Of the roud,) who, id the
event OF finding you prepared and willing,
will make their levy with politeness only
equalled by the smiling landlord, when he
receives your overchurged fare for your last
nights entertainment. Why such system
attic boldness Of robbery is allowed-if not
with the connivance, at least with very rare
y any interference of the government or
state authorities-is one of those mystical
matters which among many others, SO puz.
zles and perplexes the intelligent foreigner,
but that such is the disagreeable truth, every
traveller through that wretched country can
bear ample testimony. - ......
Some years ago, having business which
first called me to the Capital of Mexico, and
thence through the interior OF the country
to the northward, met with several thrill
ing adventures, which have recorded for
the benefit of whomsoever may take an in.
terest therein, emitting only the dates, they
being non-essential to the interest of the
variations themselves. ..~.-.
The first OF the series occurred on the
route between Vera Cruz and the CITY of
Mexico. In the regular dligcncia running
between the places just mentioned, | had ta-
ken passage, and had passed through the
beautiful city of Jalapa, and entered the
gloomy town OF Perote, without meeting
with any unusual incident. hough being
continually warned to be on nv guard
against the dangers of the road. At Perote,
where we halted for relay and refresh.
ments, all Of my fellow passengers took
leave Of me, very soemnly assuring me, that
if nssaied by the ladrones, or robbers. it
would be much better 20 take matters quiet
ly' and suffer myself TO be genteely plum
dered, than to run the risk of having nv
throat cut for resistance. as had somewhat
boldly proclaimed thy intention of doing
thanked them for their advice and repied
that | would take the matter into serious
consideration. ....
At Perote, 1repeat, all who had been nv
companions from Vera Cruz took leave of
me, this being the end of tkeir journey in that
direction ; but there was one new pussen-
ger here to 60 forward, whom, to my agree.
able surprise, found to be beautiful young
lady some twenty years of oge.
Senoria Paula, as | subsequently oscer.
tained her name to be, was indeed one of
those rare beauties seldom met with except
in works Of fction-tall, graceful, with a
proiusicn of long, black hair-sot, clear,
melting, dirk eyes-features as perfect as
e, er came from the hands OF sculptor, and
with an animation the most fascinating, va
rying in EXPRESSION with every changing
mood OF the intellectual possessor. A glance
at her bewitching dark eyes showed me that
she was one who was naturally of a social
disposition and as we ratified away from
the gloomy town, took the liberty of open
ing conversation; ..-s.' ...a
"They tell me-" said I, ''that the route
between here and Mexico is very danger
Gus one to travel"
,"There is little to fear" she replied, with
q sweet smile and in melodious tone, sex
cept from the professional robbers, and they
seldom harm any one who makes no resist
ance."
"It seems strange to me-" | reiuined,
"that you Mtxicans should take such things
as matter of course, and deem resistance
very impoli:e way OF treating the knights OF
the road, instead of boldly asserting your
rights, and abating the evil by manly spir.
it of resistance. For myself, must con-
slider it the most cowardly of proceedings,
for any respectable party to set out prepar.
ed to quietly crafty the cupidty of the Ia
drones. 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 Of course it is natural
that he should pay a certain sum for positive
safety, rather than put that life in jeopardy
For instance, in travelling from Vera Cr uz
to Mexico il he will first reckon that so
much is the fare by the diligencia, and that
SO much will be required for entertainment
on the way, and SO much for the contingent
cy we speak Of, he will then have the exact
cost between the two points and II he will
look at the whole as the sum total of his
journey, he will not seem to be robbed by
any one party more than another"
"That," l replied, "may be, and T'believe
is, the Mexican mode Of doing business, bul
il does not tally with the preconceived ideas
Of us foreigners"
"But every one," replied the fair speaker,
"should conform to the customs of the coun.
try he visits" '4 @
"And do yOu then go prepared for this
highway robbery! and have you no fear in
thus journeying by yourself!" sae
"Well, Senor, what can doa Tam, az
you perceive, an unprotected lady, who, fol
| certain reasons, am required to make the