The Placer herald., 1858-12-11

| journey back and fOrtD! L inquired.
81 think have paid my share to Tx
ladrones for my transit through their coun
try?" she laughed.
"And you expect to continue a repetition
of the same for the rest of your life?''
"Who knows" she replied. "At least
hope to be always prepared"
"And your felow-travelers, said I, "have
you never seen any disposition to resist these
unlawful acts"
"Once, Senor, an American and an Eng.
lishman, who were in the same diligencia
with me, fired upon the robbers, killing one
and wounding two"
"And did the robbers fire back"
eyes, but fled Immediately, and fortunate
y injured none Of our party"
GAS | should have expected" returned l.
"You were not robbed on that occasion,
SUPPOSE"
1--WE were not Senior, but the two foreign
ers subsequently paid dear for their resis-
tance, for in journeying back and forth,
both were killed, separate and at different
times, near the same spot. You see these
crosses by the side of the road, Senor?"
81 have observed them frequently, but
here they seem to be much more numerous, "
| replied, looking forth from the vehicle
Each stands on the spot where some one
has met violent DEATH she replied; and as
we 60 along, | will call your attention to
those which mark the place where the for
eigners met theirs"
"Do you know" said I, "that am rosolv
ed to emulate their example, let the conse
quences be what they may"
"Holy saints defend u.s. she exclaimed,
''you are not in earnest, Senorm
"Seriously SO, assure YOU"
"You would only bring certain death upon
US BOTH
"say rather, should tighten the expenses
of the journey-for your knights of the road
understand retreat as well as advance-and
You yourself have acknowledged that firm
resis, stance put them to fight for once"
"But there were numbers opposed to them,
Senor, and you are only one'
"But fortunately have a couple of revol-
vers, which, in two good hands, amount to
some ten or dozen shots, and my friends
have repeatedly tod ne am not bad
marksman."
"Ah. Santa Maria. you will think better
of this, Senor-the very idea of resistance
terrlhes mel'
But not the idea Of robI,erv?"
'Because have never met with violence" D."
We continued to converse in q similar
strain for some time longer-my fair com.
panion gradually changing the subject and
seeming much-interested in myself | learn
ed that her family name was Valerde, that
she was unmarried, that her father and bro
ther were officers in ;he army, d-so-forth,
and-so forth; and in return I gave her my
own name, stated something of my history,
business and prospects, and altogether be-
came more communicative than | would ad
wise any friend to be with any stranger of
either sex in a strange country.
As we continued our Journey, the convar-
satpn gradually changing from one thing to
another, Senorta Paula suddenly brought it
back to the point where It first opened.
ave are coming upon a dangerous part
Of the road" she said "are you still resolved
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 part in my Defence since
my risk of danger will be as great as yours"
"And have you really the nerve, after ALL
to defend yoursef?" | inquired.
'If [ had the means, Senior"
81 have two PISTOLS" said I; ''if you will
accept of one Of them, it is at your service"
"You are very kind, Senor-but can l fire
it?"
"With ease, Senorita," and producing one
OF my revolvers, explained to her the man
ner in which it was to be used.
"And this you say, will shoot some half a
dozen times?"
81 think it safe to calculate that five char
ges out of six will explode, Senorita"
"a very formidable weapon, indeed.' she
replied; "and with such can almost fancy we
are safe. You have another you say, like
ths.'
| produced it.
"What beautiful inventionw she observed,
reaching over and taking it from my hand.
Then extending her hands, one of the re-
volvers in each, she continued "Armed like
this, one might almost count himself safe
against a host You say this is fired in this
manner" she proceeded, cooking one of the
weapons as she spoke, and pointing it to-
ward the road.
"Have a care, Senorita; or you will dis
charge it.''
The words were scarcely uttered, when her
finger pressed the trigger, and one of the
barrels was exploded with sharp report
A minute after and while | was gently child
ing her, we heard loud, quick tramp of
horses, and several sharp, rapid exclamatons.
The next moment our conveyance was stop
pee suddenly and we saw ourselves surroun-
ded by some eight or ten mounted men, one
of whom, in loud voice, exclaimed: