The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-11-23

FROM THr uEPuBtsHEp oRoSrcis or 4
,0.ia.fi . TkAvGLkR. o-i.g1

re1Ruihr sybUem VI uiHuWhy rOuoery cAiSeo
In every section of that miserably govern
ed country; and that through want Of
interference Of tie authorities, this has
grown up to such regular and formidable
shape, that every traveller must be prepared
to put his life at hassrd at every stage, or
DO provided with a suitable contribution
for los eaJsileros del cawino (the knights
Of the road,) who 10 the event Of finding
you prepared and willing, will make their
levy with poitehess only equaled by the
smiling landlord when he receives your
overchargcd fare for your last nights en-
tertainment. Why such systematic bold
ness Of robbery 10 allowed-if not with the
connivance, at least with rarely any inter-
ference, OF the government or : tate author.
ities--is one of the most mystical matters
which among many others, 40 puzzles and
perplcxes the intelligent foreigner, but
that such ia 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 norihward, / met with sew
eral thrilling adventures which have re-
corded for the benefit of whomsoever may
take ali interest therein omiting only the
dates, they being non essential to the in.
terest Of the iiarrations themselves.
The first Of the series occurred On the
route between Vera Cruz and the city OF
Mexico. In the regular diligence running
between the places just mentioned, I had
taken passage, and had passed through the
beautiful city Of Jalapa and entered the
gloomy town of Perote, without meeting
with any unusual incident, though being
continually warned to be on my guard
against tie dangers of the road. At Pc
rote, where wa halted for relay and re-
freshments, all my fellow passengers took
leave Of me, very solemnly assuring me,
that If sailed by the iadrones, or robbers, il
would be much better for me to take ma.
tiers quietly, and suffer myself to be gen.
teely plundered, thar. to run the risk of
having my throat cut for resistance, as
had somewhat boldly proclaimed it was
my intention Of doing. thanked them
for advice, and replied that would take
the matter into serious consideration.
At Perote. I repeat. all who had been
my companions at Vera Cruz took leave 81
me, this eng the end Of their journ y in
that direction, ut there was one new pas
senger here to 60 forward, whom To my
agreeable surprise, | found to be beauli-
ful young lahy, some twenty years of age.
Senorila Paula, as | subsequently ascer.
tained her name to be, was indeed one of
those rare beauties seldom met with except
In works Of fiction-tall, graceful, with a
profusion Of long black hair-soft, clear,
melting dark eyes--features as perfect as
ever came from the hands of sculptor,
and with an animation tho most facinating
varying in expression with every changing
mood Of the intellectual posessor. A
glance at her bewitching black eyes showed
me that she was one who was naturally of
social disposition; and as we ratified away
from the gloomy town, took the liberty
Of opening a conversation.
"They tell me-" said "that the route
between here and Mexico is very danger.
ous on" to travel"
"Thcre is little to fear" she replied
with sweet smile and in a mclodious
voice, 'except from tho professional rob.
be,s, and they seldom harm any one who
makes no resistance"
ut seems strange to me-" / rcjoined,
"that you Mexicans should take such th ngs
as a matter Of course, and deem resistance
very impolite way of treating the knights
Of the road, instead of asserting your rights
and abating the evil by manly spirit of
resistance. For myself, l must consider it
the most cowardly Of proceedings for any
respectable party to set out prepared to
quietly crafty the cupidi,y Of the iudrones
and unprepared to meet them to their just
deserts.
Every traveller, Senor," she replied,
"should before setting out, count the cost
of his journey, and rs Of course it is natural
that he should value his life highly, it
seems TO me natural that he should pay a
certain sum for positive safety rather than
to put that life in jeopardy. For instance,
IN travelling from Vera Cruz to Mexico, if
he will first reckon that so much is the fare
10y the dilisencia, and that so much will
required for entertainment on the way, and
so much for the contingency you speak of.
he will then have the exact cost between
the two points; and il he will look a. the
whole as the sum total Of his journey, he
will not seem 10 be robbed by any one par.
ty more than another"
"That," replied, "may be, believe
is, the Mexican way Of doing business, but
dos not tally with the preconcerted ideas
Of us foreigners"
"But ev' ry one," replied the fair speak.
or "should conform to the customs Of the
country he visits"
sand do you, then, 60 prepared for
this highway rotery and have yon no fear
in thus journeying by yourselfi"
"Well, Senor, what can dot am,
as you perceive, an unprotected lady, who,
for certain reasons, am required to make
the joruney between Perote and the capital
some twice or thrice year, and you cor
tainly could not expect me 10 prepare to
resist an armed band. As 10 fear, will
not deny have my share Of that; but 90
far, have never met with any rough
treatment and Of course trust to the
ssinis that my fortune will ever be propit.
ous ~